Fantasy Books Starring Older Protagonists
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20 Fantasy Books Starring Older Protagonists
Oh, the enchanting realms of fantasy books! They’re like a second home to me. However, sometimes I find myself longing for characters who’ve seen a bit more of life’s twists and turns, rather than the usual all-powerful 19-year-olds.
Don’t get me wrong; I love those fierce, youthful characters too! But there’s something special about stories led by more mature figures. That’s why I’ve put together a collection of books where the main characters are over 30. Sure, some of them might start their journey a tad younger, but as the tale unfolds, so does their age, weaving a tapestry of depth and richness into the narrative.
“The Sword of Kaigen” by M.L. Wang is a fantasy novel set in a world where superhumans with elemental powers reside in the Kaigenese Empire. The story follows the Matsuda family as they confront an existential crisis and impending conflict. Misaki, a mother with a violent past, must reconcile her warrior identity with her role as a caretaker. Meanwhile, her son Mamoru grapples with his uncertain destiny and the empire’s shaky foundations. As external threats and familial tensions rise, the Matsuda family must navigate personal histories, societal expectations, and the looming storm of war to protect their way of life in the face of impending danger.
This is the way the world ends. Again.
“The Broken Earth” trilogy by N.K. Jemisin is a groundbreaking fantasy series set in a world constantly plagued by cataclysmic seismic events called “Seasons.” The story revolves around Essun, a woman with the power to manipulate seismic energy known as orogeny. As the world faces another catastrophic Season, Essun embarks on a journey to find her missing daughter, all while uncovering deep-seated secrets about the origins of the Seasons and the oppressive society that controls orogenes like herself. The trilogy delves into themes of power, oppression, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships in the face of environmental and societal upheaval.
“The Fifth Season” Features in my post – The Best Fantasy Books Of All Time
Amina al-Sirafi, a former notorious pirate of the Indian Ocean, has retired with her family to a peaceful life. However, when she’s offered a lucrative job to rescue a kidnapped girl, she can’t resist the chance for one last adventure. As Amina delves deeper into the mission, she realizes there’s more at stake than she initially thought. The quest for glory and power may come at a price that risks her very soul.
“The Art of Prophecy” by Wesley Chu is a thrilling fantasy tale about a spoiled hero named Jian, foretold to defeat the cruel Eternal Khan and save the kingdom. However, when the renowned war artist Taishi arrives to assess Jian, she discovers a pampered brat unprepared for his destiny. Determined to mold him into the hero he’s meant to be, Taishi embarks on a journey of master and student, revolution and love, challenging fate itself in a world of fallen gods and broken prophecies.
“The Shadow of the Gods” by John Gwynne is the first book in the Bloodsworn Trilogy, set in a Viking-inspired world where monsters roam and gods meddle in mortal affairs. The story follows three protagonists: Orka, a retired warrior seeking redemption for past sins; Varg, a berserker haunted by visions of his dead wife; and Elvar, a young hunter with a mysterious heritage.
As war brews among rival clans and a powerful relic resurfaces, these three characters’ paths intertwine, leading them on a dangerous journey filled with battles, alliances, and ancient prophecies. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, they must confront their own demons and forge new alliances to survive in a land where the line between myth and reality is blurred.
“Promise of Blood” by Brian McClellan is the first book in the Powder Mage Trilogy, a captivating blend of epic fantasy and gunpowder-era technology. The story is set in the fictional nation of Adro, where a revolution led by Field Marshal Tamas has just overthrown the monarchy.
As the new ruler, Tamas faces numerous challenges, including political unrest, external threats from neighboring countries, and internal conspiracies. Amidst this turmoil, a mysterious cabal known as the Royal Cabal emerges, wielding dangerous magical powers and orchestrating a plot to undermine the new government.
The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, including Tamas himself, his estranged son Taniel Two-Shot, a young investigator named Adamat, and a powerful Privileged sorceress named Nila. Each character grapples with their own struggles and agendas, while the overarching plot delves into themes of power, loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of revolution.
With its rich world-building, complex characters, and a compelling blend of magic and politics, “Promise of Blood” is a gripping fantasy novel that sets the stage for an epic trilogy full of intrigue, action, and unexpected twists.
“Promise of Blood” Features in my post – The Best Fantasy Books Of All Time
The Riyria Revelations trilogy by Michael J. Sullivan is a rollicking fantasy adventure following Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater, two unlikely heroes with sharp wit and swords to match. Framed for regicide, they uncover a kingdom-spanning conspiracy while battling dark forces and forging alliances. With twists, magic, and epic quests, it’s a classic fantasy ride through a vividly imagined world.
“Theft of Swords” Features in my post – The Best Fantasy Books Of All Time
Set in 981 AD Ireland, this historical fantasy follows Gormflaith, a Fomorian widow with fire-magic, navigating political turmoil for her son’s future. Immortal enemies, the Tuatha Dé Danann, play a pivotal role. The plot thickens as Tuatha Dé Danann healer Fódla spies on High King contender Brian Boru. Tension escalates with the Fomorians’ resurgence, posing a threat to mortal lives. Blending history and fantasy, the narrative explores power, loyalty, and ancient rivalries with well-drawn characters. A captivating read for historical fantasy enthusiasts.
In Fonda Lee’s “Jade City,” the island of Kekon thrives on the life force of jade, wielded by the honorable Green Bone warriors of the Kaul family for generations. As a new era dawns after a war, the narrative centers on a power struggle within the Kauls, driven by changing traditions and a relentless pursuit of control over the jade market.
The story takes a riveting turn with the emergence of a potent drug that grants jade abilities to anyone, triggering violent clashes between the Kauls and their rivals, the Ayt family. Lee masterfully weaves a tale of clan warfare, intertwining magical elements and societal change. The fate of the Green Bones and the island itself hangs in the balance in this gripping exploration of power, tradition, and the consequences of progress. “Jade City” stands as a compelling read for those captivated by intricate world-building and dynamic character dynamics in the fantasy genre.
Once adorned in gold, the city of Ebora now grapples with impending doom, its streets haunted by wolves. Tormalin the Oathless, disinterested in witnessing the demise of his ancestral realm, seeks the vibrancy of life amidst chaos. When offered employment by the eccentric Lady Vincenza ‘Vintage’ de Grazon, accompanied by a fire-wielding fugitive witch, he sees it as an escape.
The adventurers embark on a quest to confront monsters and recover ancient artifacts, a preferable endeavor to the crumbling Eboran empire they left behind. However, as the Jure’lia threat looms, they are drawn into a complex web of magic and war. “The Ninth Rain” must fall, and not everyone is willing to let the empire collapse.
Born under an auspicious constellation, Kaikeyi’s life unfolds with promise, yet her fate takes a different turn. Raised on divine legends, she witnesses her mother’s banishment and her own reduced worth in marriage alliances. Her pleas to the gods go unanswered, prompting Kaikeyi to seek independence through the magical knowledge inherited from her mother.
Transforming into a formidable figure—warrior, diplomat, and favored queen—Kaikeyi strives to create a better world for herself and the women around her. However, the evil from her childhood tales threatens the cosmic order, setting the stage for a clash between her chosen path and the gods’ destined plan for her family. As Kaikeyi faces this dilemma, she must weigh the cost of resistance against the potential destruction it may unleash and contemplate the legacy she wishes to leave behind.
In the Malazan Empire, discontent simmers amid ceaseless warfare and internal strife, exacerbated by confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii sorcerers. Empress Laseen’s rule, enforced by the feared Claw assassins, remains unyielding. Despite the aftermath of the siege of Pale, Sergeant Whiskeyjack’s Bridgeburners and Tattersail, surviving mage of the Second Legion, face new challenges as the empress turns her attention to the resilient Darujhistan, the last Free City of Genabackis.
Yet, the Empire is not alone in its pursuits. Sinister forces gather, and the gods themselves prepare to intervene in this grand game. Conceived on a panoramic scale, “Gardens of the Moon” offers epic fantasy of the highest order, presenting an enthralling adventure by a remarkable new voice.
“Malazan Book of the Fallen” Features in my post – The Best Fantasy Books Of All Time
Named one of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time, Ken Liu’s epic fantasy series kicks off with two men, Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu, rebelling against tyranny and later becoming rivals. In this sweeping tale, Kuni, a wily bandit, and Mata, the stern son of a deposed duke, form an unlikely friendship during an uprising against the emperor. Their adventures involve battles against conscripted armies, silk-draped airships, and shapeshifting gods.
After overthrowing the emperor, the once-allied friends find themselves leading separate factions with conflicting ideas about governance and justice. This intricate narrative, praised by NPR as one of the best books of 2015, promises intrigue, intimate plots, and action for fans, offering a captivating start to the Dandelion Dynasty series.
Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives at the heart of the Teixcalaanli Empire only to learn of her predecessor’s mysterious death. Amid political instability, suspicions arise that the death was no accident, putting Mahit’s own safety at risk. Tasked with unraveling the murder, she must navigate the intrigues of the imperial court, protect her Station from Teixcalaan’s expansion, and safeguard a technological secret that could either doom or save her way of life. In this riveting tale, Mahit faces a perilous journey of discovery, diplomacy, and survival within a seductive but alien culture.
In the blood-soaked aftermath of clashes with the Magadhan Empire, the Mathuran Republic teeters on the edge of oblivion. Senator Krishna and his wife Satyabhama strategize to save their homeland, but alliances and riches prove fleeting. As the political landscape shifts, they realize they’re not the only players.
Mati, Pirate-Princess of Kalinga, seeks redemption but struggles to break old habits. Karna aims to escape his violent past but faces the unforgiving hand of destiny. Shakuni, once a hero, now a torturer, seeks vengeance amidst multiplying foes.
The stage is set for a complex narrative with sinister queens, naive kings, pious assassins, and ravenous priests converging where the prophesied Son of Darkness is destined to rise. Amidst the chaos, forgotten Gods prepare to reclaim their role, adding layers of intrigue and suspense to the unfolding tale.
The echoes of fate, a prophecy uttered a thousand years ago, reverberate over the land of Illian. For a millennium, mankind has dominated Illian, ignorant of the elves’ superiority in speed, strength, and connection to magic. Unaware of an impending threat in the east, the fractured six kingdoms of man engage in power struggles, setting the stage for a devastating war that threatens the very survival of the world.
At the heart of this conflict is Asher, an enigmatic man with many titles – an Outlander, an assassin, a ranger. Born a thousand years ago, his early memories erased by forty years of brutal training and killing for hire, Asher’s ties to ancient evils remain a mystery. “Rise of the Ranger” initiates an epic fantasy series, promising an unmissable journey into a world on the brink of cataclysmic war.
Logen Ninefingers, the infamous barbarian, faces his last moments as luck runs out in a final feud. His legacy: bad songs, dead friends, and many enemies. Meanwhile, Captain Jezal dan Luthar, a selfish nobleman and aspiring glory-seeker, is oblivious to the brewing war until the frozen North’s brutal battles reveal the true cost of conflict.
Inquisitor Glokta, a former noble turned torturer, relishes the idea of Jezal’s demise, fueled by his hatred for everyone. As he follows a trail of corpses, it leads him to the corrupt heart of the government. Enter Bayaz, a wizard with a terrible temper, set to complicate the lives of Logen, Jezal, and Glokta.
As murderous conspiracies surface and old scores demand settling, the line between hero and villain becomes razor-sharp, ready to draw blood in this gripping tale of war, intrigue, and shifting loyalties.
In the industrial utopia of Tiran, magic has a hidden cost, and the collectors have come to claim it. Sciona, an orphan driven by a relentless desire to be the first woman admitted to the High Magistry, dedicates two decades to mastering magic. Upon reaching the rank of highmage, her challenges intensify as colleagues resist her presence, assigning her a janitor instead of a lab assistant.
Unbeknownst to Sciona and her peers, the taciturn janitor, Thomil, once a nomadic hunter from beyond Tiran’s magical barrier, survived a perilous crossing a decade ago. Now working for a highmage, Thomil seizes the opportunity to uncover the forces that devastated his tribe, expelled him from his homeland, and maintain Tiranish power. As Sciona and Thomil embark on a journey together, they unravel a tale of magic, ambition, and the price paid for progress.
After escaping wrongful imprisonment, embittered healer Blackthorn, committed to a vow of non-vengeance, heads north with silent companion Grim. In Dalriada, she’s duty-bound for seven years to aid anyone seeking help. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Oran eagerly anticipates his future bride, Lady Flidais. However, the sweet correspondence and portrait don’t align with the brutal reality of her arrival.
Faced with an imminent strategic marriage, Oran seeks Blackthorn’s help, relying on her reputation for problem-solving. To thwart the treacherous nuptials, Blackthorn and Grim deploy their resources—courage, ingenuity, deduction, and a touch of magic. In this tale of deception and strategic alliances, the unlikely trio navigates challenges to reshape their fates.
Beneath the Dreaming Moon, the city of Gujaareh is a bastion of peace, governed by the sole law of tranquility. The Keepers of this peace, the Gatherers, roam its streets, extracting magic from dreams to heal or judge the corrupt. Ehiru, the city’s most renowned Gatherer, faces a crisis when a conspiracy emerges within the temple. Murders in the name of the dream-goddess unsettle the balance, leading Ehiru to question his beliefs. Now, he must protect the very person he was meant to kill, navigating the thin line between dreams and reality to prevent the city’s descent into war and forbidden magic.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, exploring fantasy worlds with characters over 30 gives us stories rich in wisdom and depth. These characters, with their life experiences, lead us on incredible adventures filled with emotions and insights. Whether they’re going on epic quests, dealing with political intrigue, or facing personal challenges, these protagonists offer a fresh and relatable perspective that connects with readers of all ages. So, dive into these fantastical realms and let these seasoned heroes take you on journeys of bravery, resilience, and self-discovery.
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