Tag: Celaena Sardothien

The Heroines Who Wear the Crown: Princess Protagonists in Modern Fantasy

Explore the evolution of princess protagonists in fantasy literature, from damsels in distress to empowered heroines with depth, agency, and nuance. Dive into their captivating tales.

From magical kingdoms to epic quests, princess protagonists have long captivated readers of fantasy literature.

While early fantasy works often portrayed princesses as damsels in distress or prizes to be won, modern takes on the archetype have brought nuance, depth and agency to these royal heroines.

 Let’s explore some of the most influential princess protagonists in contemporary fantasy novels and what makes them so impactful.

A Leader of Legends: Eilonwy in The Chronicles of Prydain

Though Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain often takes a lighthearted tone, the series broaches serious themes of war, death and finding inner strength. At its heart is Princess Eilonwy, a headstrong young girl grappling with her magical gifts and her role in saving the mythical land of Prydain. Far from a passive damsel, Eilonwy shows courage and cleverness from the start, often rescuing the hero rather than waiting to be rescued. Her matter-of-fact personality and dry wit add humor to the epic journey. Eilonwy emerges a wise, powerful leader who chooses duty over love – a subversion of classic princess tropes.

The Girl Who Would Be Queen: Aerin in The Hero and the Crown

Aerin, the heroine of Robin McKinley’s acclaimed novel The Hero and the Crown, is a fascinating study in duality. As the ignored daughter of the king, she is no one’s idea of a princess, much less a future queen. Shy and bookish, she seems an unlikely hero. Yet through grit and ingenuity, Aerin overcomes deadly dragons and becomes a battle-tested warrior. She claims both her magical heritage and her rightful place on the throne, proving that a princess’s power lies within. McKinley crafts a psychologically complex, inspiring character who finds greatness by being wholly herself.

The Princess as Warrior: Angharad in The Green Rider

Kristen Britain’s Green Rider series whisks readers away to an enchanted world on the brink of war. Standing strong against looming darkness is Princess Angharad, heir to the empire. Though a skilled fighter, Angharad’s true power lies in uniting allies toward a common cause. Her keen sense of diplomacy complements her warrior skills, showing that mind and muscle can partner in a strong leader. Angharad must navigate complex family dynamics and political intrigues while staying true to her principles of loyalty and justice. She proves a princess can fight battles both on the battlefield and in the cutthroat royal court.

Princess of Shadow: Elisa in The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Rae Carson’s The Girl of Fire and Thorns follows Princess Elisa, who must shed her insecurities to embrace her destiny as a prophesized ruler. Marked by a magical stone in her navel, Elisa is blessed – or cursed – with an ancient power, and hunted by dark forces who want to control it. Though born a princess, Elisa begins an unlikely hero, overweight and uncertain. Through painful growth and loss, she taps into her hidden strengths to claim her birthright and stand against evil. Elisa’s transformation inspires readers to look beyond the surface and find the spirit of the warrior princess within.

The Princess and the Commoner: Sophie in Howl’s Moving Castle

Diana Wynne Jones’ fantastical Howl’s Moving Castle stars Sophie, the eldest of three sisters doomed to fail in her fairy tale world. When she’s turned into an old crone by a jealous witch, plucky Sophie refuses to accept her fate. She bargains her way into an apprenticeship with the wizard Howl and finds magic, adventure and even true love. Sophie uses wit and indignation to become a powerful sorceress in her own right, proving that destiny is what you make it. Though a commoner, she ultimately wins over Howl, resolving the tension between princess and peasant that permeates fairy tales.

The Warrior Heir: Princess Cimorene in Dealing with Dragons

In Patricia C. Wrede’s endearing Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Princess Cimorene bucks tradition by running away to become a dragon’s princess. Cimorene’s practicality, competence and no-nonsense attitude make her an untraditional yet beloved heroine. She slays stereotypes of princesses as demure and passive.

The Clever Spy: Princess Irene in The Princess and the Goblin

In George MacDonald’s classic The Princess and the Goblin, young Princess Irene displays courage and wit. When her kingdom is threatened by sinister goblins, Irene devises clever traps and strategies to defeat them. She proves you can fight evil with intelligence just as well as strength.

The Beast Charmer: Beauty in Robin McKinley’s Beauty

Robin McKinley puts a fresh spin on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast in her novel Beauty. As the title character, Beauty must navigate her shifting feelings for the Beast while defending her kingdom from political unrest. Her empathy and inner strength enable her to gently tame the Beast and restore peace.

The Summoner: Aru Shah in Aru Shah and the End of Time

In Roshani Chokshi’s Pandava series, 12-year-old Aru Shah can summon ancient Hindu gods and goddesses. When she accidentally sparks the evil god of time, Aru must undertake a dangerous journey to turn back the clock. Smart and brave, Aru proves you don’t need a crown to be a hero.

The Reluctant Ruler: Sophos in Megan Whalen Turner’s The Queen’s Thief series

Sophos is an unlikely king – timid and bookish, he’s more scholar than ruler. Yet in Megan Whalen Turner’s Queen’s Thief books, Sophos displays quiet strength and care for his people. Though he never expected the crown, Sophos grows into a just, compassionate leader.

The Assassin Who Would Be Queen: Celaena Sardothien in Throne of Glass

Sarah J. Maas’ bestselling Throne of Glass series introduces Celaena Sardothien, a legendary teenage assassin sentenced to toil in the salt mines of Endovier. Offered a chance at freedom if she wins a competition to become the king’s champion, Celaena must summon the strength to once again embrace her deadly talents. Behind her fierce exterior, she hides a painful past and greater destiny as future Queen of Terrasen.

These princess protagonists capture the hearts of fantasy fans by showing courage, intelligence and growth.

While honoured for their royal blood, they rely on their personal strengths—quick wits, martial skill, humility in the face of destiny.

They lead with wisdom and prove girls can be the heroines of their own stories.

Fantasy authors continue to move princess characters to the foreground, making them complex individuals rather than lovely figures in the background.

Reliving Seven Epic Moments From Our Favourite Fantasy Assassins

Immerse yourself in seven thrilling moments from assassin fantasy novels that kept us riveted, showcasing the cunning and audacity of our favourite killers

Knocking on death’s door has never been as fun as when assassins are at the helm, manipulating the strings of life and death like puppeteers.

As we dive into the sable sea of assassin fantasy, let’s recount seven indelibly carved moments that have made us gasp, laugh, and perhaps spurred us to take up lock-picking (just as a hobby, mind you).

A Dance with the Hound (A Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin)

Arya Stark’s transformation from a wide-eyed, wild girl of Winterfell to a Faceless Man’s apprentice has been quite the bloody journey. But it was her jovial dance with the Hound, their offbeat banter mixed with a potpourri of mortal threats, that made us all fall in love with her deadly charm. Who knew sibling revenge could be this amusing?

The King’s Folly (The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch)

When Locke decided to masquerade as an obscure foreign nobility and swindle the rich of Camorr, we knew it was going to be entertaining. But who thought it would end up being a cross between Ocean’s Eleven and the Grand Guignol? A truly classic “Ah, bollocks” moment if ever there was one.

The Assassin’s Wager (The Way of Shadows, Brent Weeks)

Watching Azoth’s transformation into Durzo Blint’s apprentice Kylar Stern was like observing a caterpillar morph into a butterfly, but with added knives, shadows and the occasional poisoning. It’s not a proper education unless someone almost dies, right?

The Royal Assassination (The Farseer Trilogy, Robin Hobb)

Oh, FitzChivalry, you put the ‘fun’ in dysfunctional. From assassinating regicide-plotters to becoming the kingdom’s most beloved traitor, his journey is as fun as it is tragic. Remember that time when he almost assassinated his own uncle? Classic family reunion.

The Banter of Bastards (The Blade Itself, Joe Abercrombie)

 Watching Logen Ninefingers and Sand dan Glokta quip about life, death, and the art of creative cursing was like watching a grimdark Morecambe and Wise. A bit darker than your average comedy duo, but that’s the price of admission when dealing with assassins and berserkers.

The Hidden Blade (Nevernight, Jay Kristoff)

When Mia Covere pulled off her first solo assassination and then neatly framed it as an accident, it was the happiest day of her life. Ours, too, for we were gleefully riding shotgun on her vengeance-fuelled rollercoaster. Makes your first driving test pass seem a tad dull, doesn’t it?

The One-Woman Revolution (Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas)

When Celaena Sardothien decided she’d had enough of being a pawn and instigated a coup, it was an act of supreme sass. And let’s face it, in the world of assassination, audacity is queen. Always.

So, there you have it. The moments that made us chuckle, grimace, and question our own morality as we cheered for killers.

Let’s raise a glass to our beloved assassins – let’s just make sure to smell for poison first, eh?

If you enjoy stories about thieves and assassins, download your free copy of Birth of Assassins as part your free Ravenglass Universe starter library.

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Top Ten Assassins in Fantasy Literature You Need to Know About

Dive into the deadly realms of fantasy literature’s top assassins. From Arya Stark to FitzChivalry Farseer, explore their intriguing worlds.

I’d hazard a guess and say we’ve all thought about hiring an assassin from time to time, especially when someone nicks the last digestive biscuit.

But alas, they don’t often pop up in the Yellow Pages, and frankly, they don’t come cheap.

If you, like me, have a morbid fascination with these masters of shadow and intrigue, you’ll likely find these ten fantasy literature assassins a delightful bunch of homicidal maniacs.

FitzChivalry Farseer from Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy

Fitz is the illegitimate son of a prince who gets handed the delightful job of royal assassin. It’s all fun and games until you have to murder for a living. Even with a name that sounds like a medieval dating service, Fitz is the bloke you’d want on your side. He does have a terrible knack for getting nearly killed, but who doesn’t love a trier?

Arya Stark from George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

Arya has a hit list and she’s not afraid to use it. Who knew ‘Stick ‘em with the pointy end’ could be such profound life advice? Atta girl, Arya. Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear the faces of other people.

Vin from Brandon Sanderson‘s Mistborn Trilogy

Vin knows her way around a knife and a secret identity. A street urchin turned assassin, she’s proof that life can turn on a penny, or in her case, a coin. If you thought your teen years were tough, try adding ‘assassin-in-training’ to the mix.

Azoth/Kylar Stern from Brent Weeks’ Night Angel Trilogy

Azoth masters the deadly art of assassination under the mentorship of Durzo Blint. Durzo, by the way, is a lad who’s seen it all, done it all, and has the emotional capacity of a rock. Azoth’s rise from gutters to greatness is a tale to behold, especially for those who love a good ol’ rag-to-riches… or perhaps rag-to-homicidal-maniac story.

Jorg Ancrath from Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire Trilogy

Jorg, the poster boy for troubled youth, is what happens when you mix a prince, a traumatic childhood and a lawless band of outlaws. He may not be a traditional assassin, but with his moral compass lodged somewhere south of ‘chaotic evil’, he certainly gets the job done.

Celaena Sardothien from Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass Series

A badass with a taste for fashion, Celaena proves that one can indeed kill and look great doing it. Her speciality? Delivering death with a side of fabulous.

Severian from Gene Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun

 Not an assassin in the traditional sense, but as an executioner, Severian definitely has an intimate relationship with death. He’s got the melancholic brooding down to a fine art and a memory that’s sharper than his blade (or, so he would lead us to believe).

Jerek Mace from Michael Moorcock’s The Eternal Champion series

More of a warrior than a straight-up assassin, Jerek’s blighted life will have you laughing, crying, and questioning your own existential dread. Nothing like a bit of light-hearted anguish over a cuppa, right?

Locke Lamora from Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastard Series

He’s the cheeky chappy who could swipe the skin off a rice pudding and make it look like an accident. Less of an assassin, more of a con man, but let’s not split hairs. If there’s one thing to learn from Locke, it’s ‘why murder when you can manipulate?’

The Lady from Glen Cook’s The Black Company Series

She’s the epitome of ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’ The Lady is a formidable sorceress with a casual side gig in ruling empires and killing dissidents. It’s multi-tasking at its finest.

So, there you have it. A smorgasbord of fantasy assassins who’ve spiced up our literary lives with their unique takes on professional homicide.

Just remember, the next time you get the urge to toss a blade at your annoying flatmate, maybe just settle for a strongly worded Post-It note.

Murder, as these characters have shown us, is rather a messy business.

If you enjoy reading about thieves and assassins, download my novel Birth of Assassins as part of your free Ravenglass Universe starter library!

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The Charm of the Rogue: Unpredictable Characters in Fantasy

Explore the allure of rogues in fantasy literature, uncover their charm, and discover some of the genre’s most memorable scoundrel characters.

Fantasy is filled with brave heroes, wicked villains, and wise old mentors.

But some of the most memorable characters are the rogues—those lovable scoundrels and rapscallions who charm their way into readers’ hearts.

Who doesn’t love a witty, wildcard rule-breaker?

Let’s take a look at what makes fantasy rogues so dashingly appealing.

What is a Rogue?

While definitions vary, a fantasy rogue is generally a character who lives by their wits, thumbing their nose at laws and social conventions.

They usually have criminal tendencies, whether picking pockets, running scams, or just generally causing a ruckus.

Think Han Solo rather than lawful good paladins.

Rogues are notoriously unpredictable.

You never know if they’ll swoop in to save the day or make off with the loot.

Their moral compasses are often more flexible than your average hero’s.

But their quips are sharper than the daggers they have hidden up their sleeves.

Why Readers Love Rogues

They’re exciting – Rogues thrive on breaking rules and causing mischief, whether through thievery, assassinations, scams, or just general troublemaking. Their antics and scheming often directly drive the plot forward in unpredictable and kinetic ways. Rogues keep readers on their toes, never knowing what kind of havoc they will wreak next.

They’re funny – Sharp wits and razor-edged sarcasm are signature traits for many rogues. They constantly trade barbs with friends and foes alike, bringing much-needed levity and humor to balance out the seriousness of traditional stoic fantasy heroes. Their cheeky quips and dirty jokes act like spice, seasoning an adventure tale with delightful irreverence.

They’re capable – Rogues rely on their resourcefulness and varied skillsets rather than brute magical or physical strength to survive and succeed. Often starting from underdog positions, a rogue’s cleverness, adaptability, and expertise in areas like thievery, assassination, con artistry, and more allows them to punch far above their weight class. It’s immensely satisfying seeing a rogue turn the tables through creativity rather than combat prowess.

They’re relatable – Rogues in fantasy often operate outside of mainstream society, fighting against corrupt systems and unjust rulers. Their moral flexibility and willingness to question authority makes them more accessible and understandable protagonists than the archetypal lawful good knight errant. Readers recognize the rogue’s roguishness as a product of circumstancxes, rooting for the scrappy antihero.

They’re charming – For all their shady morals, rogues often have an underlying heart of gold that emerges through charming personality quirks and relationships that humanize them. Their care for fellow misfits and outcasts can tug at reader heartstrings. And who can resist falling for a scoundrel with a soft spot? The appeal of redeeming a charming rapscallion makes rogues hard to resist.

Fantasy’s Finest Rogues

From thieves to assassins, pirates to con artists, here are some of fantasy’s most iconic roguish characters:

Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard Sequence) – This saboteur leads a band of thief protagonists in Lynch’s Ocean’s Eleven-esque fantasy heist series.

Celaena Sardothien (Throne of Glass) – Assassin turned royal champion Celaena is fiercely independent and not afraid to break rules. A YA fantasy favourite.

Royce and Hadrian (Riyria Revelations) – This thief/fighter duo banters their way through Sullivan’s adventures, stealing from the rich and meddling in conspiracies.

Tyrion Lannister (A Song of Ice and Fire) – The wisecracking “Imp” is one of few characters whose wit can match his intellect in Martin’s gritty fantasy saga.

Kvothe (The Kingkiller Chronicles) – With his magical talents, intellect, and roguish disregard for authority, Kvothe charms his way through Rothfuss’ epic trilogy.

Jalan Kendeth (Red Queen’s War) – Mark Lawrence portrays an enjoyably amoral antihero forced to be brave despite his cowardly instincts.

Vlad Taltos (Dragaera) – Assassin, mob boss, and sorcerer Vlad lives by his wits in Brust’s long-running series of swashbuckling fantasy adventures.

FitzChivalry Farseer (The Realm of the Elderlings) – Hobb’s royal bastard turned assassin has flexible morals yet an underlying heart of gold.

Gen (The Queens of Renthia) – No rogues gallery would be complete without a smart-mouthed thief. Gen steals scenes (among other things) in Dennard’s nature-based fantasy series.

Binti (Binti) – Math genius and intergalactic adventurer Binti hacks, tinkers, and tricks her way through Okorafor’s afrofuturist sci-fi/fantasy series.

Kaz Brekker (Six of Crows) – Leader of a gang of outcasts, Kaz is cunningly ruthless in Bardugo’s YA heist fantasy inspired by the Dutch Golden Age.

Wydrin (The Copper Promise) – Heavily tattooed sell-sword Wydrin is tough, hilarious, and more than a bit amoral in Jen Williams’ dark yet cheeky epic fantasy trilogy.

Locke (Sorcerer to the Crown) – Sharp-witted, magic-wielding Locke disregards rules of race and gender amid 19th century magical politics in Cho’s witty fantasy of manners.

Eloise (His Secret Illuminations) – Scribe, forger, seducer, spy – Eloise plays many roles in Winters’ Renaissance-inspired fantasy full of political intrigue.

Levisor (We Ride the Storm) – De Castell’s former revolutionary wields wit and wiles as weapons against oppressive regimes in this original secondary world fantasy.

So whether they’re carrying out elaborate heists, trading insults with enemies, or just being lovable jerks, roguish characters bring dashing flair and relatable humanity to fantasy tales.

We can’t get enough of these witty rabble-rousers – here’s hoping for many more in the years to come.

Any favourite fantasy rogues or recommendations for great roguish reads?

Let me know in the comments.