# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/21 "2023-01-04T21:09:55Z")
Urban fantasy: The Broken Heart, Oklahoma series by Michele Bardsley, with titles like _I’m the Vampire, That’s Why_ and _Don’t Talk Back to Your Vampire_. The premise is that a vampire bites a bunch of people at a PTA meeting. If by “soft sci-fi” you include alternate history, _The Yiddish Policeman’s Union_ by Michael Chabon. ---
**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, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/22 "2023-01-04T21:14:35Z")
Paladin of Souls is also slyly humorous. It’s my favorite, and I’ve read everything Bujold has written. ---
**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, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/23 "2023-01-04T21:23:22Z")
I missed the part about “soft sci-fi”. In that case, try all of Bujold’s “[Vorkosigan Saga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorkosigan_Saga)”. It’s sort-of Space Opera, but focuses more on intrigue than giant battles, although there are a few battles to be had. It starts off as a “meet-cute\*” story between two middle aged characters, and then goes through their family development as they have a kid, and the kid eventually grows up to be his own person and have kids of his own. There’s a few side novels as well set in that universe. \*For liberal definitions of the term “meet-cute”. ---
**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, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/24 "2023-01-04T21:24:54Z")
Maybe no one reads her anymore: Andre Norton: Moon of Three Rings and associated books. I also like Marrion Zimmer Bradley though she’s not for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/25 "2023-01-04T21:35:51Z")
Misty Lackey: [The Elemental Masters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elemental_Masters) – I especially liked _The Wizard of London_ and its Sherlock Holmes sequels [Diana Tregarde](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes_Lackey_bibliography#Diana_Tregarde) Pat Wrede: _The Seven Towers_ _Mairelon the Magician_ and its sequel Barbara Hambly: [The Darwath Trilogy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Hambly#Darwath) Sunwolf & Starhawk series The Windrose Chronicles Elizabeth Bear: [New Amsterdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Bear#New_Amsterdam_series) > [@Sylvanz](#): > > Maybe no one reads her anymore: Andre Norton: Moon of Three Rings and associated books. > I also like Marrion Zimmer Bradley though she’s not for everyone. I’ll second both of those. > [@Horatius](#): > > try all of Bujold’s “[Vorkosigan Saga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorkosigan_Saga)”. Definitely! ---
**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, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/26 "2023-01-04T21:41:40Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > I missed the part about “soft sci-fi”. In that case, try all of Bujold’s “[Vorkosigan Saga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorkosigan_Saga)”. I would have added that one too, but it’s definitely what I would call military sci Fi. Not as hard as it could be, but with wormholes, military fleets and extreme genetic engineering, among other things. It’s also pretty rapey. Still my favorite anything of all time. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/27 "2023-01-04T21:41:44Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > I also like Marrion Zimmer Bradley though she’s not for everyone. I read several of her books when I was younger, and enjoyed them. In recent years (well after Bradley’s death), her daughter went public with accusations of sexual abuse and pedophilia against her and her father, and that has definitely damaged Bradley’s reputation and renown among fans. > **[Marion Zimmer Bradley | Child sex abuse allegations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Zimmer_Bradley#Child_sex_abuse_allegations)** > > In 2014, Bradley's daughter, Moira Greyland, accused her of sexual abuse from the age of 3 to 12. In an email to The Guardian, Greyland said that she had not spoken out before because "I thought that my mother's fans would be angry with me for saying anything against someone who had championed women's rights and made so many of them feel differently about themselves and their lives. I didn't want to hurt anyone she had helped, so I just kept my mouth shut". > Greyland also reported that she was no... ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/28 "2023-01-04T23:03:54Z")
Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series featuring policeman Peter Grant seems to be classified as urban fantasy. I enjoy them. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/29 "2023-01-04T23:11:35Z")
Not a series, but [Silverlock by John Myers Myers](https://www.amazon.com/Silverlock-John-Myers-ebook/dp/B06XVFDGD2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) is an excellent read. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/30 "2023-01-05T00:00:51Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > How many swords-and-castles fantasy novels do you know where the hero is a widowed middle-aged grandmother? Well, the Witches series in Discworld. > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Oops. Then I have to go with whoever mentioned Pratchett and the Wyrd Sisters. Always a good choice! > [@Kimstu](#): > > Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series featuring policeman Peter Grant seems to be classified as urban fantasy. I enjoy them. Yes, they nicely combine fantasy with British Mystery and Police procedurals. You get all three for the price of one. > [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Not a series, but [Silverlock by John Myers Myers](https://www.amazon.com/Silverlock-John-Myers-ebook/dp/B06XVFDGD2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) is an excellent read. Truly great read. ---
**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 5, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/31 "2023-01-05T00:14:33Z")
I liked Silverlock too. Maybe it’s time for a re-read. ---
**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 5, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/32 "2023-01-05T00:32:47Z")
What about the Gentleman Bastards series? The Lies of Locke Lamora? It starts out with him as a kid IIRC, but it’s mostly a cool fantasy world featuring an adult man who is fantastically good at heists. I didn’t read all of the first book because I get distracted easily, but I really enjoyed what I read! ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/33 "2023-01-05T00:50:23Z")
My recs are for urban fantasy, because that’s what I know. If you don’t mind a self-rec, my [Alastair Stone Chronicles](https://www.amazon.com/The-Alastair-Stone-Chronicles/dp/B074CF8SJY) series features a protagonist who starts out in his early thirties and grows older from there (chronologically, anyway–but no spoilers! 🙂 ) My [Calanar](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1RM9ZK3) and [Happenstance and Bron](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08519NQ5H) series also feature adult protagonists. Other recs, if you don’t mind indie writers (many of whom are very good): The [Arcane Casebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PGDC3P3) series by Dan Willis (set in the 1930s, excellent) If you don’t mind a little light romance in your urban fantasy, the [Ravensblood](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07873V5SZ) series by Shawna Reppert is good. For trad stuff, the [Dresden Files](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074CF4JMZ) is a really good series (if you don’t mind the fact that Dresden can be an annoying horndog sometimes). ---
**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 5, 2023, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/34 "2023-01-05T00:57:24Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > For trad stuff, the [Dresden Files](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074CF4JMZ) is a really good series (if you don’t mind the fact that Dresden can be an annoying horndog sometimes). I really enjoyed the first book, but yeah, it has a slight veneer of “lovable old fashioned sexist” to it. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/35 "2023-01-05T01:10:40Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Le Guin’s Earthsea books begin with young people in the trilogy, then progress developmentally to older characters in the later stories and books. [Ursula K. Leguin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_K._Le_Guin) wrote a lot of soft scifi/fantasy, beyond the Earthsea stories, that is very much for adults (in a good way). _The Lathe of Heaven_, _The Left Hand of Darkness_, and a YAish novel _The Beginning Place_ are especially good. [Robin McKinley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_McKinley) made a cottage industry of reimagining fairy- and folk-tales. _Deerskin_ is a standout but _Sunshine_ is probably more along the lines of what you are looking for. [Patricia A. Mckillip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_A._McKillip) is more of a pure fantasy writer, but she does a great job of world building, which makes her novels stand out from the run of the mill fantasy books. I found _The Riddlemaster of Hed_ and the rest of the Riddlemaster trilogy to be a compelling read. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/36 "2023-01-05T01:17:55Z")
Holy cats, I say “if you don’t mind” a lot in my post! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/37 "2023-01-05T01:19:30Z")
**Caught in Crystal** - one of Patricia Wrede’s books set on Lyra, has Kayl as the protagonist. She’s a mid-thirties widow with 2 children. There are Nathan Lowell’s Tansy Fairpoint books. She is 50ish. I found her a bit of a doorknob. ---
**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 5, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/38 "2023-01-05T01:27:43Z")
I guess I don’t mind. I didn’t catch it! ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/39 "2023-01-05T02:01:38Z")
T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon) has some books with middle-aged protagonists. I’m having trouble remembering exactly which ones. Some of her fantasies are fantasy/horror, so check before you read if that’s not your thing. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663/40 "2023-01-05T02:34:23Z")
Holy shit, I had not heard that. I was aware of the man hating stuff, but not THAT. I don’t know how to feel about books I’ve really loved. That poor woman (Greyland) and all those kids. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-book-suggestions-featuring-older-protagonists/977663.md?page=3)