# Fantasy Book Suggestions featuring Older Protagonists **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [January 4, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663 "2023-01-04T16:13:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lavender\_Pebble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lavender_pebble/32/6290_2.png) [@Lavender\_Pebble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lavender_Pebble)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/1 "2023-01-04T16:13:50Z")
I have been reading a lot of genre books lately, mainly through whatever Google Books suggests (I read on my phone.) But I’ve gotten stuck in a YA rut where everything is trying to be a Sarah Maas rip-off (whose work I like just fine, but don’t want to keep repeating). Are there any good fantasy books featuring protagonists that aren’t so young and deal with more adult themes? I don’t mean sexy stuff (although that’s fine), I’m just tired of reading about amazing 19-year-olds and coming-of-age stories. Preferably women protagonists, but not picky about that. Can be any kind of fantasy and/or soft sci-fi, including urban fantasy. For example, I really loved Becky Chambers’s Monk and Robot series for how it deals with adult feelings of boredom and personal growth, but might want something with a more active plot. Does anyone have some favorites to recommend? ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/2 "2023-01-04T16:24:04Z")
A really good couple of UF series are the Jane Yellowrock books and Mercy Thompson. There are a few others I like, but those are my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/3 "2023-01-04T16:25:42Z")
Lois McMaster Bujold’s fantasies might work. > **[Lois McMaster Bujold | Fantasy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_McMaster_Bujold#Fantasy)** > > Bujold also wanted to break into the fantasy genre, but met with early setbacks. Her first foray into fantasy was The Spirit Ring. She wrote the book "on spec", shopped it around, and found low offers, sending her back to Baen Books, where Jim Baen bought it for a fair price in exchange for the promise of more Vorkosigan books. Bujold called this experience very educational; the book received little critical acclaim, and had only mediocre sales. > She would not attempt to break into the fantasy ma... ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/4 "2023-01-04T16:25:42Z")
Becky Chambers is in general the bomb–have you read her other works? Her Monk and Robot work is my least favorite, but even that’s pretty good. NK Jemisin’s [Broken Earth trilogy](https://nkjemisin.com/series/the-broken-earth/) is a tour de force–the only series ever to win the Hugo three years running. It is devastating and beautiful and complex. Make sure you read it when you have the emotional energy to engage with it: it is _not_ a light work, and although there’s humor in it, the tragedy is the focus. Marlon James’s [Black Leopard, Red Wolf](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50608676-black-leopard-red-wolf) is a super literary work that’s just brutal. It’s very, very good, but holy shit is it rough. [The Traitor Baru Cormorant](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23444482-the-traitor-baru-cormorant) is the first fantasy novel I read with a badass accountant as the protagonist. I’ve read several since then, but it was my first. It’s an underrecognized gem IMO. I can go on and on and on; this is my jam :). ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/5 "2023-01-04T16:32:30Z")
[The Books of Babel series](https://www.goodreads.com/series/127130-the-books-of-babel), by Josiah Bancroft, is the best thing I’ve read in years of any genre. ---
**Author:** ![Lavender\_Pebble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lavender_pebble/32/6290_2.png) [@Lavender\_Pebble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lavender_Pebble)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/6 "2023-01-04T16:35:27Z")
I am reading my way through Chambers’s Wayfarers series now! They are hard to get at the library and a little more expensive to buy than some others as ebooks, so it’s been slow, but I do enjoy them. And I LOVED the Traitor Baru Cormorant series, I tore through them then read it again. Just a well-woven epic story. I will check out the other suggestions, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/7 "2023-01-04T16:43:22Z")
If you like Traitor Baru Cormorant, I think we have similar tastes! I do want to emphasize my caveat with Marlon James, and be a little more specific: the world he describes is a world with a lot of brutal violence, including a lot of brutal sexual violence. It’s not portrayed in any prurient/pornographic light–it’s appalling–but it’s not happening off-screen, so to speak. If sexual violence in literature is a nope, stay away from his books. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/8 "2023-01-04T16:49:42Z")
Zelazny’s _The Chronicles of Amber_? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/9 "2023-01-04T19:14:55Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Lois McMaster Bujold’s fantasies might work. This was the first thing I thought of, specifically her _The Curse of Chalion_ and _The Paladin of Souls_. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/10 "2023-01-04T20:00:32Z")
Yeah, I loved those. They got a bit weaker as the series went along, but I loved the characters and the world. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/11 "2023-01-04T20:20:21Z")
Le Guin’s Earthsea books begin with young people in the trilogy, then progress developmentally to older characters in the later stories and books. Bujold, Jemisen, Chambers for sure. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/12 "2023-01-04T20:44:51Z")
Terry Pratchett- the Witches, Death and Watch books. Granny Weatherwax is not young by any means, nor is Vimes. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I do want to emphasize my caveat with Marlon James, and be a little more specific: the world he describes is a world with a lot of brutal violence, including a lot of brutal sexual violence. It’s not portrayed in any prurient/pornographic light–it’s appalling–but it’s not happening off-screen, so to speak. If sexual violence in literature is a nope, stay away from his books. Yeah, I can do without Rape fantasy books. That ruined the Thieves World series (along with torture porn) for me. Richard Parks has a Samurai fantasy series called Yamada Monogatari , which is really excellent. Then there is the Dying Earth series by Jack Vance, and a couple other authors joining in. However, I get what the OP says- I am SO tired of the new crop of YA or late teen fantasy where not only does the girl (it can be a guy, but mostly a female) discovers that not only is she _special,_ she is _the most special chosen one evar._ 🤨 ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/13 "2023-01-04T20:52:08Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I am SO tired of the new crop of YA or late teen fantasy where not only does the girl (it can be a guy, but mostly a female) discovers that not only is she _special,_ she is _the most special chosen one evar._ I have always hated those storylines. I’d much rather see a normal person with some good and bad qualities fumbling through. The Expanse series, perhaps? Neither Miller nor Holden are particularly wonderful. You can sort of root for both of them, but they are hardly chosen people. I guess it becomes complicated with Holden, but I think an ordinary person being placed at the center of a multi-planet controversy is sort of the point. Also some great female characters. Big, diverse cast. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/14 "2023-01-04T20:57:40Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I have always hated those storylines. I’d much rather see a normal person with some good and bad qualities fumbling through. Yeah. I mean, sure, you find out you are now a witch/vampire hunter/demon slayer/sorcerer, whatever- fine. But why always the very best most powerful ever? Oh and just in case someone here has not read them, I strongly suggest The Master Li series by Barry Hughart. Three books, you can get them all in one volume. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/15 "2023-01-04T21:02:26Z")
Perhaps you’d be interested in Max Gladstone’s Craft Sequence? Fantasy, mostly adult protagonists, some strong female leads: _Three Parts Dead_ _Two Serpents Rise_ _Full Fathom Five_ _Last First Snow_ _Four Roads Cross_ _Ruin of Angels_ ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/16 "2023-01-04T21:03:11Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > [@Horatius](#): > > > > Lois McMaster Bujold’s fantasies might work. > > This was the first thing I thought of, specifically her _The Curse of Chalion_ and _The Paladin of Souls_ Oooh, oooh, oooh, I know this one! Yes, [_Paladin of Souls_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paladin_of_Souls). How many swords-and-castles fantasy novels do you know where the hero is a widowed middle-aged grandmother? And Ista’s not just a hero in the sense of being the protagonist; she literally saves all the other characters, and resolves the conflict of the story. Plus being wonderfully snarky and dry. I would love to see _Curse of Chalion_ and _Paladin of Souls_ made into a miniseries, but I fear it would be seen as derivative of _Game of Thrones_, despite being utterly different in tone and theme. But, OP, if you want an exciting story with plenty of depth, realized characters, and touches of humor, read _Paladin._ ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/17 "2023-01-04T21:03:44Z")
China Miéville’s Bas Lag books, as well as his urban fantasy books. > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > The Expanse series, perhaps? The OP was looking for fantasy or _soft_ sci-fi. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/18 "2023-01-04T21:05:30Z")
Oops. Then I have to go with whoever mentioned Pratchett and the Wyrd Sisters. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/19 "2023-01-04T21:06:38Z")
Another one: The Lois McMaster Bujold Sharing Knife Series: _The Sharing Knife: Beguilement_ _The Sharing Knife: Legacy_ _The Sharing Knife: Passage_ _The Sharing Knife: Horison_ With a follow up short story “Knife Children” ---
**Author:** ![Lavender\_Pebble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lavender_pebble/32/6290_2.png) [@Lavender\_Pebble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lavender_Pebble)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/20 "2023-01-04T21:09:11Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > China Miéville’s Bas Lag books, as well as his urban fantasy books. I love all of the Bas Lag books! I’ve read almost all of his work and am a big fan. It’s been a long time though. Thanks again everyone, these all sound great. Paladin of Souls does sound exactly like something I’d want to read! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663.md?page=2)