Tag: redemption

Lifelong Lessons We Can Learn from Assassin Fantasy Protagonists

Discover the unconventional life lessons we can learn from assassin protagonists in fantasy novels. Adaptability, observation, and emotional distance, oh my!

When searching for role models to navigate the complex maze of life, who better to look up to than assassins?

You know, those mythical beings who earn their crust by severing the life threads of others—often with a dramatic flair that would make even Shakespeare say, “Tone it down, mate.”

It turns out, these dark, brooding figures from the literary world can teach us more than just how to don a cloak with menacing elegance.

Here are some lifelong lessons we can glean from these shady characters.

And don’t worry, none of them involve lethal weapons or hiding in shadows. Well, mostly.

Trust No One, Not Even Your Shadow

If assassin novels teach us anything, it’s that betrayal is as common as a weather complaint

in Britain. One minute you’re sharing a goblet of mead with your best mate, and the next, you’re pulling a dagger out of your back.

It’s a harsh lesson in trust—or rather, the lack of it.

But let’s face it, in a world where online privacy is a joke, perhaps a little paranoia is just what the doctor ordered.

Flexibility is Key

Assassins have to be adaptable, changing plans on the fly when things go pear-shaped, which they inevitably do.

While your daily obstacles might not involve dodging crossbow bolts or evading capture, adaptability is a skill we can all apply, whether it’s pivoting in a dead-end job or handling the ever-changing landscape of ‘cancel culture.’

The Fine Art of Observation

The third rule of Assassination Club is: know your mark. (The first and second rules are obviosuly not to talk about Assassination Club).

These chaps and chapettes are masters of observation, analysing minute details that others might overlook.

Granted, you’re not tracking a target, but honing your observation skills can be handy.

You never know when you’ll need to recall the alibi you gave for not attending that Zoom meeting you skillfully dodged.

The Value of Precision

Why use ten words when one will do?

Or ten stabs, for that matter.

Assassins are all about efficiency and precision, a lesson easily applied to our bloated inboxes and to-do lists.

Focus on what truly matters and cut out the rest—metaphorically speaking, of course.

Emotional Distance: Not Just for British Aristocracy Anymore

Most assassin protagonists are emotionally distant, not by choice but as a survival mechanism.

While total emotional detachment isn’t advisable unless you want a future filled with cats and microwave dinners, a little emotional distance can help.

Whether it’s not taking criticism to heart or weathering a Twitter storm, sometimes it’s okay to put up your emotional barriers.

Just not too high, or you’ll end up as approachable as a porcupine in a balloon shop.

Plan but Prepare for Chaos

Every assassin knows the value of meticulous planning, but they also know that even the best-laid plans can go awry.

Life’s like that: a series of chaotic events occasionally interrupted by moments of stability.

Or is it the other way around?

Either way, planning is good; adaptability is better.

The Road to Redemption is Paved with… Well, You Know

A common trope among our morally grey friends is the journey towards redemption.

Now, you may not have a dark past filled with death and destruction (if you do, this blog is not for you), but everyone has something they’d like to atone for.

Remember, it’s never too late to turn things around. Usually.

So, there you have it. Life lessons from people whose life’s work is to end others’ lives.

Is it unconventional? Absolutely.

Ethically questionable? Probably.

But hey, it’s a cruel world out there.

Might as well take advice from the experts in dealing with it.

The Philosophical Underpinnings of Assassin Fantasy: A Foray into the Abyss of Existential Questions

Dive into the philosophical depths of assassin fantasy novels. Explore themes of morality, existentialism, nihilism, and the quest for redemption amid thrilling narratives.

Aassassin fantasy—the genre where characters dodge moral quandaries as skillfully as they dodge arrows.

These thrilling narratives might seem like mere escapism, perfect for drowning out the mundane existential crises that fill our lives, like whether to opt for almond or oat milk in your morning latte.

However, if you lift the veil of blood spatter and poisoned daggers, you’ll find a realm teeming with philosophical conundrums.

Who knew that the path to enlightenment could be soaked in the ichor of fictional deaths?

A Game of Morality Chess

Morality in assassin fantasy is as stable as a house of cards in a hurricane.

Our charismatic killers often live by a code, a self-prescribed ethical rulebook that justifies their actions.

Is this consequentialism in its most brutal form, where the end justifies the means, or is it a twisted form of deontological ethics, where actions are guided by set rules rather than their outcomes?

Kant would be turning in his grave, but probably also secretly binge-reading.

The Existentialism of Kill or Be Killed

Sartre had his “Hell is other people,” and assassin fantasy has its “Kill or be killed.”

Existentialism thrives in these perilous landscapes, posing questions of choice, freedom, and existence against a backdrop of constant life-and-death decisions.

When every choice could lead to either survival or a gruesome end, existential angst is a given, even if it’s cloaked in leather and armed with a crossbow.

The Nihilism of Death

For many an assassin, life is absurd and death is meaningless—an outlook that aligns perfectly with the principles of nihilism.

In a profession where lives are ended on a whim or for a purse of gold, can life hold intrinsic value?

It’s a slippery slope, and at the bottom, you’ll likely find Nietzsche sipping wine with a smirk.

The Social Contract, or Lack Thereof

Hobbes believed in the necessity of social contracts to escape the “state of nature,” which is nasty, brutish, and short.

Assassin protagonists are usually far removed from societal norms, either as outcasts, rebels, or agents of shadowy organizations.

They live in a perpetual state of nature, where the social contract is as binding as a cobweb in a gale.

It’s each for their own, and may the gods help anyone who gets in the way.

The Dualism of Good and Evil

Many assassin tales are woven around the dualistic struggle between good and evil.

However, these lines often blur, creating a moral grayscale where characters possess both virtuous and malicious traits.

This echoes the age-old philosophical debate on dualism and monism—concepts that question the very nature of good and evil, light and darkness, almond and oat milk.

Okay, maybe not the last one.

The Pursuit of Redemption

Finally, let’s talk about redemption.

It’s the light at the end of many a dark tunnel in assassin fantasy.

Characters strive for redemption as if it were a tangible goal, but what does it really mean to be redeemed?

Is it possible to wash away a lifetime of sins through a single act of goodness?

This taps into theories of justice and atonement that have perplexed philosophers for centuries.

So the next time you delve into an assassin fantasy novel, remember that beneath the action-packed surface lies a wellspring of philosophical thought.

You’re not just entertaining yourself; you’re also engaging with some of the most complex moral and existential questions ever posed.

How’s that for killing two birds with one, er, poisoned dart?

The Psychology of Good vs Evil in Epic Fantasy

Delve into the psychology of fantasy’s iconic characters, exploring the nuanced spectrum between good and evil. Discover how timeless tales mirror human nature’s multifaceted morality.

Since the dawn of storytelling, we have been fascinated by the eternal struggle between good and evil.

This plays out in epic fashion in the pages of fantasy literature, where good-hearted heroes face off against dark lords and sorcerers.

But what drives the psychology behind these archetypal characters?

Let’s dive deeper into the minds of good and evil.

The Staunch Hero

Fantasy protagonists often exhibit unshakeable morals and values.

They fight for what’s right, even against impossible odds.

Their characterization stems from an underlying belief that good should triumph over evil.

This gives them an admirable determination to follow their quest through to the end, no matter the cost.

Frodo in Lord of the Rings personifies these traits. He volunteers to take the One Ring to Mordor though he knows the journey may destroy him.

His selflessness and courage in the face of great peril makes him an inspiring hero.

He represents the best of us—our capacity to rise up against the darkness.

However, Tolkien imbued even the most stalwart characters with inner struggles and vulnerabilities.

Frodo is tempted by the Ring’s power, showing how evil can corrupt the purest of hearts.

On the flip side, Gollum retains a glimmer of goodness inside despite his monstrous acts, highlighting how rehabilitation is possible even for the most damaged souls.

Tolkien’s nuanced approach is rooted in psychology.

He understood evil as a corruption of free will that appeals to our base instincts, while goodness stems from exercising self-control and empathy.

The Rogue With a Heart of Gold

Not all fantasy heroes start out heroic. Many walk the line between good and evil before finding redemption.

These characters often have checkered pasts but ultimately choose to use their powers for good.

Take swordswoman Moraine from the Wheel of Time series.

She begins as a mysterious magic-user with questionable motives.

But over time, she protects the heroes, even sacrificing herself for their cause.

Her character arc shows that even those with dark impulses can become forces of light.

Shades of Grey

Let’s consider George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Martin peers behind the facades of characters to reveal the complex motives driving their actions.

Even those expected to embody virtue are shown to have selfish impulses, like Ned Stark’s legalism blinding him to the pragmatic steps needed to survive King’s Landing.

On the other hand, we glimpse humanity in unlikely figures such as the Hound and Jaime Lannister, showing how past traumas and difficult circumstances can turn anyone to darker paths.

Martin understands that morality is rarely black and white, with our judgments often clouded by biased perspective.

His messy, realistic approach exemplifies how psychology teaches us to consider multiple factors shaping human behaviour.

Subverting the Binaries

Authors like N.K. Jemisin, Marlon James, and Lev Grossman put diverse spins on the classic battle between good and evil.

They deconstruct simplistic binaries to develop multidimensional characters processing trauma, grappling with leadership challenges, and navigating society’s prejudices.

From their works, we gain psychological insight into how systemic oppression or toxic cultures can twist even compassionate individuals to act in harmful ways.

The Nefarious Villain

Fantasy villains exhibit lust for power, lack of empathy, and other malicious traits.

They have no qualms destroying lives to further their agenda.

Some may believe they are in the right—like social Darwinists who argue only the strong should survive.

But their cruel methods make them clearly in the wrong.

Voldemort from Harry Potter embodies the meglomania and ruthlessness of an epic fantasy villain.

He murders and tortures in his quest for immortality and domination over others.

His absence of basic human compassion makes him an effective foil to the self-sacrificing goodness of Harry and his friends.

Readers rightly celebrate his downfall.

The Tragic Figure

Some villains turn evil through tragedy rather than inherent wickedness.

 These characters often start out with good intentions before despair twists them into darkness.

Their downfall into evil stems from grief over losses they cannot accept.

Anakin Skywalker of Star Wars fame represents this archetype.

He only turns to the dark side in an attempt to save his wife from death.

His fear of loss leads him to evil behaviours in service of the Emperor.

 But the kernel of the good man he once was remains until his final redemption.

Good and Evil Within Us All

These epic tales of cosmic clashes reveal the complex spectrum of good and evil in human nature.

They explore the untapped potential both for selflessness and tyranny within us all.

We see reflections of ourselves in the characters.

That’s what gives the age-old struggle between good and evil—and the messy space between—its timeless power to captivate our imaginations.

Stealing the Heart: Why Fantasy Readers Can’t Resist a Good Thief

Discover why fantasy readers can’t resist the allure of thieves in this thrilling blog post. Explore the thrill of heists, wit and charm, anti-hero archetypes, redemption journeys, and the captivating fantasy element. Get ready for an adventure you won’t forget.

Trial of Thieves by Jon Cronshaw

Thief characters are a staple in the fantasy genre. From daring heists to cunning schemes, stories about thieves offer a unique blend of action, suspense, and wit.

But what is it about thieves that fantasy readers find so appealing? Let’s explore.

The Thrill of the Heist:

Stories about thieves often involve daring heists, and the excitement of watching the characters plan and execute their schemes is hard to resist. The tension and suspense of a well-executed heist can be incredibly engaging, especially when the stakes are high.

The Wit and Charm of the Thief:

Thief characters are often charismatic, quick-witted, and smart, which makes them a joy to read about. Whether they’re charming their way out of a sticky situation or coming up with a clever plan, these characters are always one step ahead of their opponents.

The Anti-Hero Archetype:

Thief characters often fall into the category of anti-heroes, which means they possess both good and bad qualities. This makes them complex and multi-dimensional.

The Idea of Redemption:

Many thief characters are struggling with their own moral dilemmas and are looking for redemption. This makes them relatable, and readers can connect with their struggles and journeys towards a better life.

The Fantasy Element:

Fantasy novels often take place in fantastical worlds, and the addition of thieves adds a unique twist to the traditional crime story. The use of magic, mythical creatures, and other elements of the fantastical world make the story even more engaging and thrilling.

If you love fantasy with thieves, you can get my novel Birth of Assassins for free as part of the Ravenglass Universe starter library.

click here to claim your free starter library.