11 Thrilling Fantasy Novels About Daring Protagonists Facing Impossible Odds

Many obstacles stand between people and their goals in the real world. But in fantasy, those obstacles can include dark magic, adversaries from other dimensions, and powerful mythical creatures. The protagonists in the books listed here are up against seemingly impossible odds, and will have to be daring and cunning if they want to come out on top. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Exciting Fantasy Novels: Our 11 Picks

Title Author(s)
1. Parabolis Eddie Han
2. Life Cassandra Webb
3. The Butterfly Crest Eva Vanrell
4. The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe Kij Johnson
5. The Scar Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko, & Elinor Huntington
6. Mountain of Daggers Seth Skorkowsky
7. The Armored Saint Myke Cole
8. Renegade Valkyrie Stacy Claflin
9. Huntress Born Aimee Easterling
10. The Ledberg Runestone Patrick Donovan
11. The Cathedral of Cliffdale Melissa Delport

Fun Activities For Fantasy Fans

8 Great Fantasy Movies

  1. Coraline (2009)
  2. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
  3. Underworld (2003)
  4. The Lord of the Rings (2001)
  5. Age of the Dragons (2011)
  6. Excalibur (1981)
  7. The Dark Crystal (1982)
  8. The Princess Bride (1987)

Fantasy Genre Elements

In Depth

There's nothing more exciting than reading about unlikely heroes overpowering and outsmarting countless adversaries as they travel through worlds full of mythical creatures and warring factions. If you're looking for stories where characters are thrown into increasingly dangerous situations and must rely on their own wits to survive, then you should check out these eleven thrilling fantasy novels about protagonists facing impossible odds, listed in no particular order.

First up, at #1, we have Eddie Han's "Parabolis." Yearning for a quiet life, Dale Sunday leaves the Republican Guard and decides to take over his father's waterfront business. When the local thieves' guild coerces him into helping them smuggle illegal cargo, he unwittingly becomes involved in a conspiracy that threatens to change the Republic forever. Will Dale ever get the peaceful life he's always wanted?

Next, at #2, is "Life" by Cassandra Webb. In a world where magic is outlawed, Kemla and her family are forced to live in isolation, hiding from slavers and bandits. When Kemla's siblings are taken by slave traders, she sets out to free them, getting herself captured in the process. One of her captors, an enigmatic mage named Leon who abhors the idea of taking children, takes a liking to her and helps her attain freedom, but she must be careful, as revealing her magical aptitude could get her killed.

One of her captors, an enigmatic mage named Leon who abhors the idea of taking children, takes a liking to her and helps her attain freedom, but she must be careful, as revealing her magical aptitude could get her killed.

At #3 is "The Butterfly Crest" by Eva Vanrell. When Elena Vicens, a seemingly normal woman, receives a letter regarding her mother, who died more than a decade ago, she travels to Japan to claim her inheritance. Elena soon learns that she plays a pivotal role in a war between pantheons, and she must fulfill a divine prophecy that will decide the outcome of the ongoing conflict among gods.

Next up, at #4, we have "The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe" by Kij Johnson. Vellitt Boe is a professor of the Ulthar Women's College who wanders the dimension known as the Dreamlands in search for a missing student named Clarie Jurat. Heavily inspired by Lovecraftian lore, this novel pits the lone teacher against terrifying monsters, harsh climates, and even gods as she tries to find and bring back the runaway student.

Next, at #5, is "The Scar" by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko. Egert is an arrogant guard who kills an innocent man to satisfy his selfish desires. When a mysterious mage known as The Wanderer sees this, he challenges him to a duel and curses him, leaving him with a scar on his face. Disgraced and humiliated, Egert sets out to break the curse and redeem himself of his misdeeds.

Disgraced and humiliated, Egert sets out to break the curse and redeem himself of his misdeeds.

At #6 is "Mountain of Daggers" by Seth Skorkowsky. After being framed for murder and earning the nickname "Black Raven," world-renowned rogue Ahren is taken in by a criminal organization known as the Tyenee. In order to survive, Ahren must complete dangerous tasks for the Tyenee, which test his abilities to the limit. Along the way, he avoids countless bounty hunters and faces off against powerful wizards and demons.

Next, at #7, is "The Armored Saint" by Myke Cole. The book is set in a world where a tyrannical religious group known as the Order executes anyone suspected of having magical abilities, as any wizard can inadvertently open a portal to hell. When Heloise, a regular village girl, witnesses the Order slaughter innocent people, she takes up arms against them to protect herself and her loved ones, becoming a revolutionary figure in the process.

Next up, at #8, we have "Renegade Valkyrie" by Stacy Claflin. Soleil is a Valkyrie tasked with eliminating evildoers. One day, she breaks the rules by going after someone whom she wasn't assigned to kill, forcing her to go on the run and hide from both Valhalla's authorities and a furious witch who wants her dead. With enemies at every corner and no one left to turn to, she must find new allies if she ever wants to survive.

With enemies at every corner and no one left to turn to, she must find new allies if she ever wants to survive.

At #9 is Aimee Easterling's "Huntress Born." Ember is a werewolf who was adopted into a large family at birth. When she learns that she has a missing half-brother, she sets out to find him. Her search leads her to the territory of another alpha, and shortly after her arrival, she starts falling for a human. At risk of exposing the existence of werewolves, Ember must find her brother before her lustful desires anger both her family and the local pack.

Next, at #10, is "The Ledberg Runestone" by Patrick Donovan. Jonah is a troublemaking shaman who's struggling to pay a massive debt. One day, a mysterious woman offers to give him thousands of dollars if he can find the Ledberg runestone, a Norse artifact sought after by dangerous people. When a pair of loan sharks threaten to kill his father, Jonah is forced to accept the woman's offer, facing powerful beings and fellow magic users along the way.

Finally, at #11, we have "The Cathedral of Cliffdale" by Melissa Delport. Beyond the realm of mankind lies the city of Summerfeld, home of the few remaining mythical creatures in the world. It's protected by twelve immortals known as the Guardians, and among their ranks is Quinn Harden, who leaves the group in order to take care of her dead sister's children. When evil forces close in on Summerfeld, the Guardians coerce Quinn into coming back by kidnapping her niece and nephew.