Looking for fantasy with an unlikely hero/heroine

[Sharon]

I think a lot of my not liking it all that well was primarily disappointment because it wasn't what I expected after the first two.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Probably my definition of unlikely hero would be the hero is the last choice or idea of what someone would expect to turn out to be the hero in the book. I think that crosses boundaries of race, sex, age, etc. Just write a story and set up the world, and pick the one person who sticks out in a significant and fairly unheroic (according to traditions of what a hero is) way, and (s)he's the hero/heroine.

I cited Locke Lamora as an example because everyone knows he's inept fighter, and can't seem to keep himself out of trouble. He tends to write checks with his mouth that he can't cash. The beginning of the book sets him up as a screw up, but over the book, you realize that Locke has everything he needs to be the hero of this book.

Bilbo Baggins is an unlikely hero because he's a homebody who doesn't like adventure. He never misses a meal, and out of the Tooks (his mother's side), he doesn't seem to have any of their adventurous traits whatsoever. Along the way in The Hobbitt, he shows he definitely has the makings of a hero in that tale.

Of course, as you read, you assume they are the hero, but you should question how they will save the day and overcome. You might have your doubts initially, but by the end of the book, you're convinced that the author chose wisely.

A cinematic example would be Sean Astin's character in The Goonies.

[Mark]

Gerald Dunwoody.

[Kevin]

As mentioned above, you should definitely try the Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls. They both have unlikely and reluctant heroes.

Something completely different: I Am Not A Serial Killer. Just about as unlikely a hero as you can get. The boy is psychopath and a latent serial killer. The way the author projects you into his mind is really creepy.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Kevin, I bought I Am Not a Serial Killer because it sounds very interesting. I normally give serial killer stuff a wide berth, but this one sounds irresistible.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Have you read The Darkangel Trilogy? I think the main character is an unlikely hero.

Also Servant of the Bones, too.

The Blue Sword but I think you've read that/

Have you read mercedes lackey's Obsidian trilogy starting with The Outstretched Shadow. The main character is a guy but he's a very different character. One of the things that's different about him is a partial spoiler so I can't tell you.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

MrsJ, I've read the first Darkangel book more than once. Loved it. Need to read the next two. I haven't read the other too books you recommended, but I will add them to my list.

[Sharon]

Lady Danielle " I haven't read the other too books you recommended, but I will add them to my list."

Both "The Blue Sword" and "Hero and the Crown", set in the same world but not the same characters. "Beauty", also by Robin McKinley is another of my favorites, the same 'feel' although it's a retelling of a fairy tale.

[Chelsea]

MrsJoseph wrote: "Have you read mercedes lackey's Obsidian trilogy starting with The Outstretched Shadow. The main character is a guy but he's a very different character. One of the things that's different about him is a partial spoiler so I can't tell you. "

I lurve this book, but I just could NOT get through the second one. Did you have that problem, Mrs J?

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Not really. I took a little time to get started but after about 3-4 chapters I was really moving.

I haven't started the second trilogy as yet...something keeps making me put it off.