12 Great Fantasy Books With Overpowered Main Characters

YOU ARE READING: 12 Great Fantasy Books With Overpowered Main Characters – N. S. Mirage AT PhebinhvanhocEN

Fantasy books with overpowered main characters are a staple of the beloved genre. while deciding which characters are overpowered and which doesn’t involve subjectivity, powerful protagonists generally inspire awe, fear, and more.

Are you in the mood for stories with these characters? if so, this post should have a story for you.

You are reading: Books with overpowered main character

Here are 12 fantasy books with overpowered main characters:

release the darkness from kel kade
elizabeth moon’s paksenarrion feat
nightblade by ryan kirk
throne of glass by sarah j. maas
eragon by christopher paolini
the path of shadows by brentweeks
the name of the wind by patrick rothfuss
shadow by k. J. parker
shannara’s sword by terry brooks
stephen king’s gunslinger
across the nightingale floor by lian hearn
dawn of wonder by jonathan renshaw

I’ve included book descriptions, reader ratings, and summaries of positive and negative reviews for each of these fantasy novels.

Alternatively, here’s a comparison chart if you’d like a quick rundown.

unleash the darkness by kel kade

description

Raised and trained in complete seclusion in a secret fortress on the edge of the northern wilderness of the Kingdom of Ashai, a young warrior named Rezkin is unexpectedly thrust into the outside world when a terrible battle destroys everything he knows.

Unaware of his life’s purpose and armed with masterful weapons mysteriously bequeathed by a dead king, the young warrior relentlessly pursues his only lead.

A single elite warrior escaped during the battle and may know who is rezkin and who is responsible for the massacre at the young man’s house.

Rezkin must travel across Ashai to find the one man who may hold the clues to his very existence. His last orders, uttered on the lips of his dying master, were “to kill with conscience” and “to protect and honor your friends.”

Living isolated from the outside world under a strict regimen of training and education, the young warrior is unaware of a conscience or friends.

Determined to adhere to his latest orders, Rezkin extends his protection to an unlikely variety of people he meets along the way, often leading to hilarious and heartwarming incidents.

As if chasing an elite warrior through a realm, finding out who he is and why everyone he knows is dead, and trying to find these so-called friends and protect them weren’t enough, strange things are happening in the realm. . New dangers begin to emerge, threatening not only Rezkin and his friends, but possibly everyone in Ashai.

what are readers saying?

good read rating: 4.27

Most common score: 5

positive comments

First on our list of fantasy books with subjugated main characters is Free the Darkness by Kel Kade. Combining a fish-out-of-water tale with gripping action and an intriguing main character, this book captivated fans from the first page.

Readers said the story was full of funny moments every time Rezkin, the protagonist, comes into contact with the outside world. Experiencing his mishaps as well as his growth was a pleasure.

Other than that, fans praised the book for its riveting combat. rezkin impressed them with his mastery of martial skills, and many readers commented that the fight scenes were amazing overall.

negative comments

what did the critics say about free the darkness? in general, they said that rezkin seemed too infallible. they described him as more of a wish fulfillment than a well-developed character. because of this, these readers found him unconvincing as a lead and found it difficult to connect with him.

paksenarrion’s feat by elizabeth moon

description

Paksenarrion did not plan to submit to an unwanted marriage and a life of poverty, so he left his village with a plan and his grandfather’s sword. And a few weeks later, he was inducted as Duke Phelan’s newest recruit in a company of soldiers for hire, his arms training about to begin.

but when paks enters the fray, she is stabbed with a spell knife and barely survives. then the near misses start to pile up, raising questions about this young fighter. is it attracting evil because it is a danger to everyone? Or is there another reason why evil forces seek his life?

paks will face the spider minions of the webmistress achrya, the orcs and the corrupted men who serve the blood mage liart, master of torments.

You will also earn the gratitude of the elves and their duke. and through conflict he will learn that he has powers of his own and a destiny.

to become a gird paladin chosen by the gods and the target of the ultimate torture.

what are readers saying?

good read rating: 4.30

Most common score: 5

positive comments

Second on our list of fantasy books with overpowered main characters is the one made by paksenarrion. this is a compilation of three different books focusing on paksenarrion (paks), a future paladin.

Readers reported that author Elizabeth Moon’s background as a Marine shone through. the details she included brought paksenarrion training, soldier camaraderie, and testing to life in a fascinating and believable way.

Also, readers said this made paksenarrion and his character as a whole even more admirable. Her sincere uprightness, several readers said, was one of the strongest reasons they appreciated her and bonded with her.

Additionally, fans praised the book for its insightful and hopeful insight into pain and suffering. instead of just breaking and embittering a person, paksenarrion’s feat shows how pain and suffering can make you a better and stronger individual.

Readers applauded the book for its portrayal, especially since the fantasy genre has a reputation for making its “knight in shining armor” characters bland.

Because they were facing difficult situations in their own lives, some fans even mentioned that paksenarrion’s struggles and eventual triumph here were particularly meaningful to them.

negative comments

what did readers say that didn’t enjoy paksensarrion’s feat?

The critics generally said one of two things. First of all, they said they didn’t feel enough of a connection with paksenarrion.

Originally published in the 1980s, the novel uses a narrative style that puts more emotional distance between the reader and the book’s characters. as such, these readers said it was difficult to get a sense of paksenarrion’s personality and emotions. instead of experiencing her story with her, it seemed like they were watching her move through her.

Second, critics said the book’s descriptions were too long. On the one hand, they agreed that the author’s experience as a Marine gave each scene she wrote a great sense of realism. but on the other hand, they said that she finally bogged down the story.

Combined with their distance from paksenarrion, this resulted in readers saying the book seemed episodic rather than a story that progressed smoothly.

ryan kirk night cleaver

description

ryuu is a boy orphaned by violence at a young age. Found by a wandering warrior, he learns that he may have more strength than he ever imagined possible.

A quiet girl, Moriko is forced into a monastic system she despises. Torn from her family and the forest she grew up in, she must fight to learn the skills she’ll need to survive her tutelage under the kingdom’s most dangerous assassin.

Young, beautiful and broke, Takako is sold to pay off her father’s debts. Thrown into a world she doesn’t understand and battles she didn’t ask for, she must decide where her loyalties lie.

When their lives collide in a kingdom on the brink of war, the decisions they make will change their lives and their kingdom forever.

if they can stay alive.

what are readers saying?

good reads score: 4.04

most common score: 4

positive comments

Third on our list of fantasy books with overpowered main characters is Nightblade. This novel intrigued fans with its Eastern-inspired supernatural fantasy world and captivating plot.

Fans praised the immersive quality of the book and its world building. with his evocative writing, the atmosphere and setting of the story came alive.

Other readers said they were captivated by the story itself from the start. in particular, they said they were fascinated by the personal journeys the main characters went through, and watching them learn and grow was a joy.

negative comments

what did the critics say? Overall, readers who didn’t enjoy Nightblade had two reasons.

The first was that they were removed from the story due to issues related to editing. some of them mentioned that the book had repetitive phrases, for example, that broke their immersion. others said they spotted spelling or grammatical errors.

On the other hand, others said they didn’t feel like they got to know the characters. this made it difficult to connect with them, especially during the climactic moments.

throne of glass by sarah j. dough

description

After serving a year of hard labor in the Endovier salt mines for her crimes, 18-year-old murderess Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as her champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Your opponents are thieves, assassins, and warriors from across the empire, each patronized by a member of the king’s council. If he defeats his opponents in a series of eliminations, he will serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted freedom.

celena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, westfall, challenging and exciting.

but life at court bores her to death. Things get a little more interesting when the prince begins to show an interest in her… but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

then one of the other contestants turns up dead…quickly followed by another.

Can celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a destiny greater than she could have imagined.

what are readers saying?

assessment of good readings: 4.22

Most common score: 5

positive comments

what did readers who loved the throne of glass say? these readers came expecting a young adult fantasy book full of light-hearted adventures. they were not disappointed!

Many raved about the story’s wonderful humor, romance, and action. These fans characterized Throne of Glass as an exciting story that delighted them with its formidable and highly skilled assassin protagonist.

negative comments

throne of glass readers who expected a darker and more serious version of the premise, however, did not enjoy the story. According to the author, the inspiration of the book was Cinderella and the light version of the story of being a murderer and the romance of it reflects these roots.

In particular, these readers didn’t like the fact that celaena’s brutal past as a slave at the beginning of the novel didn’t seem to affect her in any significant way. they also mentioned that the tests and battles weren’t focused enough, with several skipped instead of being shown through the action.

eragon by christopher paolini

description

a boy…

a dragon…

a world of adventures.

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it’s the lucky find of a poor farmer; he may buy meat for his family for the winter.

But when the stone brings forth a young dragon, Eragon soon realizes that he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the empire itself.

Overnight, his simple life is shattered and he is thrust into a dangerous new world of fate, magic, and power.

With only an ancient sword and the advice of an ancient storyteller to guide, Eragon and the budding dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

can eragon take up the mantle of legendary dragon riders?

The fate of the empire may be in your hands.

what are readers saying?

assessment of good readings: 3.89

Most common score: 5

positive comments

next is eragon, an epic fantasy book with a powerful protagonist. this story is known for taking beloved fantasy elements and blending them into a dragon filled adventure.

Readers appreciated that much of what they loved to see in fantasy books appears in this epic: supernatural abilities, sword fighting, dragon riders, prophecies, elves, hidden kingdoms, and of course, the hero facing off against a seemingly invincible empire.

Readers said that eragon took them into the world of alagaësia and its many interesting characters. They often commented that fans of the Lord of the Rings would find elements in this story that they would enjoy.

negative comments

Unfortunately, the same reason fans loved this fantasy book was the same reason critics didn’t: the familiar tropes.

Its similarities to Lord of the Rings and Star Wars frustrated critics. While “Lord of the Rings Meets Dragons Meets Star Wars” delighted fans, these readers thought Eragon was too predictable for their liking.

Because of this, several commented that the book might be more suitable for first-time fantasy readers.

the path of shadows by brentweeks

description

For Durzo Blint, murder is an art, and he is the most accomplished artist in town.

for azot, survival is precarious. something you never take for granted.

As a guild rat, he grew up in the slums and learned to judge people quickly and take risks. risks like learning to be an apprentice durzo blint.

But to be accepted, Azoth must turn his back on his old life and take on a new identity and name. As Kylar Stern, he must learn to navigate the assassin’s world of dangerous politics and strange magics, and cultivate a knack for death.

what are readers saying?

assessment of good readings: 4.16

Most common score: 5

positive comments

Next on our list of fantasy books with overpowered main characters is The Way of Shadows. A powerful protagonist, Azoth is the best of the best at what he does, and readers loved that.

Additionally, fans often praised the story’s fast pace and gritty, brutal setting. however, at the same time, it did not exalt the violence and cruelty of the world of azoth.

Readers also appreciated that the weeks took familiar character types and nuanced them through their personal and moral struggles.

negative comments

Readers who didn’t rate the way of shadows highly commented that they thought using familiar character types for weeks on end made the characters look too much like other fantasy stories.

on the other hand, others mentioned that they thought weeks’ simple writing style made it difficult for them to engage with the story.

the name of the wind by patrick rothfuss

description

my name is kvothe.

I have stolen princesses from the kings of the sleeping barrows. I burned the city of trebon. I spent the night with felurian and left with my sanity and my life.

I was kicked out of college at a younger age than most people can get into. I walk paths by moonlight that others are afraid to speak of during the day. I have spoken with gods, I have loved women and I have written songs that make minstrels cry.

you may have heard of me.

Thus begins a story without equal in fantasy literature: the story of a hero told in his own voice.

It’s a story of pain, a story of survival, a story of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that fueled it, gave birth to a legend.

what are readers saying?

good read rating: 4.54

Most common score: 5

positive comments

Another story on our list of fantasy books with overpowered main characters is The Name of the Wind. This novel is predominantly a coming-of-age story, but it does involve a search for answers and a mystery.

also has legions of raving fans. in fact, at the time of this writing, 69% of goodreads reviewers rated this story a 5.

Why did this story captivate so many people? readers suggested that his power came from a convergence of several great strengths. First of all, fans praised the nuance and believability of the point of view of the main character, kvothe.

kvothe felt real and very human to these readers, who immediately bonded with it. described the name of the representation and the development of the character of the wind as incredible.

Other readers noted the story’s simultaneously intricate and expansive worldbuilding, as well as the poetic prose used to describe it. the name of the wind details legends, religions, magical systems and more in a vivid and captivating way. all this happened without “dumping information” or confusing the readers.

negative comments

If so many readers loved the name of the wind, what made readers who didn’t feel that way?

Those who didn’t enjoy the book had two main reasons. the first was that they entered the story expecting a fast-paced, exciting ride with a clear direction and purpose. instead, The Name of the Wind is a character-driven story that focuses on immersing the reader in its characters and world. because of this, critics described the story as slow and wondered, “where is this story going?”

The second main reason had to do with the main character, kvothe. unlike the fans, the critics just didn’t like him.

some attributed it to his extraordinary skills in multiple disciplines. at some point, they thought this was not only unrealistic, but irritating. kvothe stopped looking like a character to them and started looking like a wish-fulfilling tool.

Similarly, another reason cited by these reviewers was kvothe’s character flaws. It wasn’t that he had flaws that bothered them; instead, these readers were frustrated because they didn’t feel kvothe’s arrogance was portrayed negatively. instead, they saw it as yet another instance of history unduly favoring him.

shadow by k. J. parker

description

A man wakes up in the desert, among scattered corpses and curious crows. he doesn’t remember who he is or how he got there.

The only clues to his former existence are found in his apparent swordsmanship and the fragmented dreams that permeate his sleep.

alone in a hostile world, he moves from village to village, posing as a god to obtain food and shelter.

but the shadow of his past haunts him relentlessly. he whispers to her a riddle far more complex than he could ever have imagined, and a truth he may not want to believe.

what are readers saying?

good read rating: 3.75

Most common score: 4

positive comments

Next up is shadow, one of our fantasy books with overpowered main characters that wowed readers.

A mixture of fantasy and mystery, this novel struck fans as a clever and subtle story. he piled riddle upon riddle, often leaving the truth of the facts ambiguous. this intrigued and baffled fans, who were eager to learn more and unravel the mystery.

Also, fans praised shadow for his world building. they mentioned that his sword fighting, as well as his descriptions of the surroundings, were vivid and immersive.

negative comments

The critics, on the other hand, tended to hope and wish for a simple story. because of this, they were frustrated by the shadow and described it as confusing and overly complicated.

Others said they found it difficult to relate to the main character. since most answers about who he is are ambiguous, critics felt they didn’t get to know him. as a result, they weren’t deeply involved in what happened.

the sword of shannara by terry brooks

description

Living in a peaceful shady valley, Shea Ohmsford knew little of the troubles plaguing the rest of the world.

Then the giant and menacing Allanon revealed that the supposedly dead Witch Lord was plotting to destroy the world.

The only weapon against this power of darkness was the Sword of Shannara, which could only be wielded by a true heir of Shannara, Shea being the last of the bloodline, on whom all hope rested.

Soon, a skull bearer, a fearsome minions of evil, flew into the valley intent on destroying Shea. to save the valley, shea fled, dragging the skull bearer after him…

what are readers saying?

good read rating: 3.76

Most common score: 4

positive comments

Another story on our list of fantasy books with overpowered main characters is The Sword of Shannara. Fans of this Lord of the Rings-inspired fantasy novel enjoyed that it was a classic fantasy tale and said it was very well done.

Readers commented that while the world building is vivid, the characters captured their imagination. While Shea is the powerful protagonist of the story, the cast of characters formed a lovable team that inspired fans with her devotion to each other. the cast also touched readers’ hearts with overarching themes of friendship, kindness, hope, and more.

Other readers raved about it because the exciting and action-packed plot of Sword of Shannara was immensely compelling. especially given how attached they became to the characters in the story, readers said this made it difficult to put the book down. the battles in particular caught up with them and put them on the edge of their seats.

negative comments

what did the critics say? For the most part, readers who didn’t enjoy Sword of Shannara objected to how similar it was to Lord of the Rings. many expected some similarities, but found many more than they expected.

Because of this, these reviewers perceived the book as persistently full of all-too-familiar story elements. instead of being moved by the story, they felt numb to it.

stephen king’s gunslinger

description

In the first book in this brilliant series, Stephen King introduces readers to one of his most enigmatic heroes, Roland of Gilead, the Last Gunslinger. he is a haunting figure, a loner on a fascinating journey into good and evil.

In his desolate world, eerily mirroring our own, Roland pursues the Man in Black, encounters a seductive woman named Alice, and strikes up a friendship with the boy from Earth named Jake.

Both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike, the gunslinger leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

what are readers saying?

valuation of good readings: 3.95

Most common score: 5

positive comments

Another story on our list of fantasy books with overpowered main characters is Stephen King’s Gunslinger. readers who raved about this novel frequently mentioned the beautiful and poetic prose.

they also raved about how intriguing roland was as a character. While Roland begins as the classic “strong, silent guy” so common in Westerns, he reveals a unique and multifaceted character.

Other readers mentioned how much they appreciated the uniqueness of the world itself: it’s part Western, part fantasy, part post-apocalyptic.

negative comments

If readers didn’t like the gunslinger, they often said there wasn’t much background information at the beginning of the book. because of this, the story confused them until they progressed for much of the novel.

across the nightingale floor by lian hearn

description

in the black-walled fortress of inuyama, warlord lida sadamu examines his famous nightingale floor. built with exquisite skill, he sings to the stride of human feet. no assassin can cross it unheard.

The young Takeo has been raised in a remote mountain village among hidden, lonely and spiritual people who have taught him only the ways of peace.

but unknown to him, his father was a notorious assassin and member of the tribe, an ancient network of families with extraordinary and supernatural abilities.

When Takeo’s village is ransacked, he is rescued by the mysterious lord Otori Shigeru and adopted. Under Shigeru’s tutelage, he discovers that he possesses the abilities of the tribe, and with this knowledge he embarks on a journey that will take him through Nightingale Land and to his destiny within the walls of Inuyama.

Overcome by the intensity of first love and conflicted by divided loyalties and his own divided nature, Takeo realizes he must fight his way through this journey of vengeance and betrayal, honor and loyalty, betrayal and love.

what are readers saying?

assessment of good readings: 4.06

Most common score: 4

positive comments

Next on our list of fantasy books with overpowered main characters is The Other Side of the Nightingale’s Floor. this book transported readers into her world through its beautiful and evocative atmosphere. As for its story, fans praised the book for being honest and brutal.

This coming-of-age novel includes a lot of training and lessons on murder, which these readers loved. They also mentioned that while the protagonists are teenagers, the narrative and themes make it more of an adult fantasy novel than a young adult novel.

negative comments

if readers didn’t give it a high rating through the nightingale, they had two consistent comments.

The first was that they didn’t like the fact that the romance between the two leads began with love at first sight. as the story progressed, it didn’t develop much beyond that.

The second comment readers made was that they wanted an even stronger representation of Japanese culture. these readers entered the reading experience saying they expected a historical fiction setting. instead, they encountered the supernatural elements and found it jarring.

the dawn of wonders by jonathan renshaw

description

When a high-ranking officer gallops into the quiet misty valleys, he brings a warning that shakes the country folk to their roots. But to Aedan, a scruffy young adventurer with veins full of fire and a head full of ideas, this officer is not what he seems. The events that follow propel Aedan on a journey only the reckless or the desperate would risk, bringing him to the gates of the nation’s royal academy, a world of secrets unto itself. but this is only the beginning of his discoveries. something is stirring in the land, something more sinister than the growing threat of hostile nations.

The fearful travelers whisper of an ancient power that breathes over thirna, changes it, awakens it. At the very heart of these movements, Aedan encounters what defies belief, leaving him speechless with terror and awe.

what are readers saying?

assessment of good readings: 4.35

Most common score: 4

positive comments

Last on our list of fantasy books with overpowered main characters is Dawn of Wonder. Inspired by classic fantasy coming-of-age tales, this novel delighted readers with a compelling story and lovable characters.

Fans often said that the novel’s pacing was also excellent, drawing them into the action, character development moments, and world building experiences with grace and ease.

many also praised the story itself, saying it was a powerful and epic adventure. Several of your favorite fantasy book elements appear in the novel: daring adventures, ancient mysteries, and charming humor.

With likeable characters leading the way, these readers flew through the pages, eager to see what would happen next.

negative comments

In terms of what critics said, most tended to say that they found Dawn of Wonder to be a relatively standard fantasy book. these readers said they had this impression both in terms of the plot and the characters.

bonus: shadowblade by n.s. mirage

description

Born and raised in a secret enclave of assassins, Aeryn knows one desire, one duty, and one calling: to serve the enclave. her initiation is days away. once she undertakes it, she will be a full-fledged teacher, dedicated to the path of sword and shadow until her last days. she should be honored.

Instead, she can only recall questions that have plagued her for years. Desperate for answers, Aeryn breaks the enclave’s most important rule: never leave its walls unaccompanied.

Soon, she collides with the hostile and mysterious outside world, as well as a young knight who is as eager to shirk his duties as she is to obey hers.

She can learn that being a great warrior means more than what her teachers taught her. but at what cost?

what are readers saying?

positive comments

And as a bonus, here’s one more story for our list of fantasy books with overpowered protagonists: shadowblade.

With a breakneck pace and immersive atmosphere, this short coming-of-age story captivated fans from the first page. Readers raved about the story’s ability to transport them to its scenes, saying the mystique of the assassins’ powers, the sights and smells of the surroundings, and the suspense of the battle scenes became apparent. p>

Also, fans praised the shadowblade characters. Not only did the cast of characters seem multidimensional, but readers were moved to see how Aeryn and Merric learned from each other on their adventure together. On top of that, hints of romance between them captured fans’ imaginations and brought smiles to their faces.

negative comments

if readers didn’t like shadowblade, what did they say?

For the most part, critics had two reasons to dislike it. the first was that the book was short, a novel instead of a novel. while it did wrap up the story threads, it also ended on something of a cliffhanger. these readers wanted the story to expand beyond where it left off.