[Bardos]

I want sometime now to put this topic on the board, so here it goes.
I'm absolutely bored with author's books who tell a story about a young boy (or girl), who will eventualy be king, or the greatest magician, or the destroyer of the world -or anything else cosmic you can think of.
What do you say?

[Metosblat]

Read George R R Martin's song of ice and fire.

[Bardos]

I have heard so much about Martin, and I think I will like his writing. But I cannot find him in bookstores here... Maybe, I'll order some of his books.

[Rob B]

The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb:
Assasin's Apprentice
Royal Assasin
Assasin's Quest

[Liselle]

Yes, this is something I often thought about. But now I think it is good as it is, because imagine a book telling an any-day-story about somebody's boring life where nothing special happens...?
Of course, it would be possible to write about a great happening from another point of view than the 'hero', that's true.

[Bardos]

Liselle, you misunderstood me, I think. I'm not talking about every day boring life. I just don't like young heroes. Why not a king for a hero (in my stories, kings are basic character quite often)? Why not an experienced, old wizard? Why not a clever adventuress, with a sort telling of how she gained her experience?
If Martin has this things, I will love him!
And, FitzFlagg, I hate Roddin Hobb... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

[wolfshead]

I don't mind young protagonists, but I do get a bit fed up with the 'thick pig boy', 'dopey apprentice' etc, who suddenly, three quarters of the way through a book, becomes miraculously smart, handsome, and revered.

[FitzChivalry]

I don't really see the problem, there are many fantasy books without the young hero who will be king/wizard/hero/chosen one...

Although even if you don't like it you might like The Black Company where there is a young chosen one who is destined to fight evil... but the focus is not on her but on the normal people around her.

[Ntschotschi]

I know that there are many on this board who don't like Marion Zimmer Bradley - but besides some very bad novels - I think she wrote some lovely books, especially the early darkover novels.
Regarding heroes, in this books there are often stories told about women and men who are not the grand heroes.But nevertheless interesting.
For example i like the wandering enchantress who features in some short stories,who never had much luck becoming mighty or famous and never had any money. But can't remember the name at the moment.
I think the little boy/girl who suddenly is revealed as saviour of mankind is a speciality of David Edding - some people on this board can't stand him - but on the other hand: while I was working on my thesis I used to read him: Maybe it helped me to imagine myself as unvincible heroine conquering even the most evel creatures and to succeed against all obstacles.
So sometimes this kind of escapism has its merits too.

[Lani]

I would advise to try Zelazny's Amber series. If characters are not old and experienced enough there - I don't know who is http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif