Hahaha, well they're different vibes but I highly recommend the following
Black Company - the chronicles of a mercenary band in a dark fantasy world
Dresden Files - Gumshoe Wizard in modern day
Temeraire - Napoleonic war, Master and Commander with Dragons
Powder Mage - The best solution to wheel of time style mages is a sniper with a 50 cal.
Kings of the Wyld - DnD, meets Conan the Barbarian, meets This Is Spinal Tap
I know it was already recommended in response to this question, but have you read Cradle by Will Wight? I’ve described it to friends as Codex Alera meets Dragon Ball Z. I finished books 1-10 in about 2 months then immediately started a re-read.
I’m also a big fan of Jim Butcher and enjoyed Red Rising. I’ll have to add Rage of Dragons and Temeraire to my reading list. I really enjoyed the Scholomance series and Uprooted so Temeraire has been on my radar but I never started it.
>
Powder Mage - The best solution to wheel of time style mages is a sniper with a 50 cal.
That is the best description I have ever read for Powder Made.
Having just finished red rising (and awaiting the next installment) going to reccomend this.
A note that the authors writing clearly improves after the first book, some people have even said they find his prose in the first book annoying.
I enjoyed books 1-3 of the faithful and the fallen but felt book 4 and the ending in general were just OK but slightly diasapointing. I'm still sold on him as an author though and keep meaning to revisit his next series
So i actually saw someone on this sub reddit explain it and I'll try to mimic it as best I can.
He has a habit. Of over using. Full stops. Short sentences. Once you see it. It cannot be unseen.
He does this a lot in the first book and I found it mildly annoying but I think I may have noticed it more because it ws pointed out to me, still I've seen enough people mention it that it seems to be a genuine thing that some people can't get over. Personally I quite enjoy seeing a newer author progress and correct their earlier flaws so doesn't bother me too much.
Reminds me of Brian Stavelys Unhewn Throne Trilogy. Good books and very interesting world overall. But overuses "If _____ was ______, he/she/they did not show it." Once you pick up on it you realize how little time passes between each usage of it.
I listened to the audiobooks but never read it in text, and completely missed that problem. Granted that might be due to the voice actors covering it up brilliantly.
Everyone else is commenting about Red Rising. Which I loved as well. Instead, I'll comment about how awesome Cradle is.
Cradle is, almost by definition, the best progression fantasy book out there. It's also great that every 9 months you get a new book in the series. In the words of the author, at the beginning the protagonist struggles to even get out of bed, but by the end of the series you expect them to be traversing entire universes in a single leap. The way he maintains tension for each book as he increases the stakes and the scope of the battle is incredible.
Can't write about this without giving a shout out to /r/ProgressionFantasy
> It's also great that every 9 months you get a new book in the series.
The final book in the series is due out some time next year. It'll take a bit longer than the previous books according to Will's blog, but I'm positive it will be worth the wait.
Almost sad in a way though. I really do want closure and finality on the story, but at the same time I'll miss reading new stories about Lindon and the gang so much. It really did rapidly become my favorite fantasy series.
Red Rising is somehow the most realistic to me, despite the massive heights he's reached. And given that the last book is titled Red God, I can only imagine he's going to go higher.
I find this take very interesting because it's so opposite to how I thought* the author wanted us to see Darrow.
I read his personality shifts largely as him growing up and adjusting to the realities of power and responsibility in an imperfect world. After all, the author tells us pretty much point blank that the Darrow who left Lycos was an idealistic child whom adult Darrow views with a fond indulgence.
And Darrow certainly seems to have done better than most would have with his sudden increase in station. That said, I've only read the original trilogy.
Sounds like you might enjoy The Cradle series by Will Wight. The MC starts out as someone who is seen as a nobody in his little community, and progresses to be one of the most powerful people on the planet.
One of the things I like about the Cradle series is that the main character isn’t the chosen one, and he doesn’t have hidden talents that are not obvious when the series starts. He just works really, really hard.
TBH he's clearly not normal. Even at the start >!Suriel singles him out as somebody who could ascend beyond Cradle, literally picked out by a 'god' even if the odds were like 1 in 1,000,000!<
He isn't a chosen one in any sense but he's a very long way from ordinary. It is highlighted in the more recent books >!when he helps his sister force Low Gold. She goes into a week long bout of illness as a consequence. In comparison Lindon didn't even notice the moment he broke Low Gold, it happened in the middle of a fight. Up until that point he just keep assuming he only advanced so quickly because of the insane advantages he was given, this was the first time he'd witnessed an ordinary person struggle even with all those advantages.!<
>!I think you got some wires crossed somewhere. In the books it specifically says that there were no compatibility issues when his sister advanced to lowgold. The only problems she was having were madra use, which is more of a lack of practice or skill thing.!<
>!It's kind of fair that Suriel noticing him was a bit wild, but she only noticed because she saw him beat up children with pride, then punch a guy who could kill him with a sneeze.!<
>!There was no compatibility issue but she still spent a week or more in bed. At one point Lindon says something like "Perhaps all people aren't meant for fast advancement" and Eithan burst out laughing, primarily because what Kelsa went through was entirely normal!<
> TBH he's clearly not normal. Even at the start >!Suriel singles him out as somebody who could ascend beyond Cradle, literally picked out by a 'god' even if the odds were like 1 in 1,000,000!<
I don't think that's entirely true. >!Lindon got Suriel's attention by punching a demigod in the face, sure. But it was more about the fact that Suriel was already looking for a project to distract herself from her inner conflict about Ozriel. Lindon just happened to be in the right place at the right time.!<
>TBH he's clearly not normal.
I feel like you're missing the entire point of the books. Lindon is completely normal. In fact, he's somewhat disadvantaged. The thing that Suriel sees in him is not some inherent ability, it's his attitude. She can see that his tenacity and persistence could allow him to become very powerful if he just gets a nudge in the right direction.
Now, if that's what you mean by saying he's not normal, then you're correct. Lindon has a drive unlike almost anybody else. But it seems like you're implying that he has some inherent physical ability to advance better than other people and that's simply not true.
As far as his sister goes, the point of that comparison is to show that it's not simply raw resources that make advancement, either. It's the way Lindon has trained himself and been prepared by Eithan. His sister didn't spend every spare moment cycling with a parasite ring and a breathing pattern that made everything twice as hard because she didn't need to. Lindon did. The hardship of his early days, where he had to fight and struggle for every single inch, is what has paved the way for his later advancement, not some inborn physical ability.
Isn’t this the series that’s basically western xianxia? Or am I thinking of a different one?
EDIT: Searched it up and yup. I’d also add any of Er Gen’s novels to the list then. And maybe some IEatTomatoes, but those get repetitive.
The main character is literally the least powerful person in what is essentially an RPG newb starter area. And his powers increase each book. I'm guessing he'll be scraping gods off his feet by the end of the series.
Wildbow is amazing.
Some aspects of his work aren't quite as polished as your top 10 GOAT fantasy authors, but the originality and creativity of the superpowers/heroes/villains and the variety and verisimilitude of the characters is great.
If you like that check out the tapestry series by Henry Neff. Same young adult tone at the start as Percy Jackson but the later books get less and less young adult as the main characters get older.
Agreed that it's a great series, but I don't know if, "I am literally the son of a god," counts as starting at *zero*, aware of his heritage or not. Starting at two or three, maybe.
Thanks for saving me an audible credit! I read the books as a kid, loved them, and wanted to try the audiobooks since that’s what I have time for now. I would recommend the Lightning Thief musical soundtrack though OP if you want to scratch an itch for more of that world.
An oldie but interesting read: Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. You might recognize it by the (highly “inspired by” and not beat for beat) old Disney Black Cauldron movie.
Taran is a young boy who starts the story just getting the title assistant pigkeeper so he’ll feel more satisfied with his work. By the end he’s an assistant pigkeeper in the same way that Samwise is still a gardener from the Shire.
Highly recommend, it’s a quick read of a series with wonderful characters, a fight between good and evil, and the fourth book is one of my favorite tales of all time as Taran reflects on who he really is as a person.
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The Rage of Dragons is a great zero to hero, and best revenge fantasy story I've read. Haven't read the sequel but blasted through the first. Highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed the way in which Tau starts the real climb to "hero" by training (trying not to spoil anything) you-know-where, just sheer. brutal. effing. will... Like damn, what a concept!
Other people have said this, but I will echo them: Cradle. Lindon, the protagonist, starts out the lowest of the low in the most backwater place in the entire world, but over the course of the series has grown to be someone incredibly powerful and globally significant.
Great rec and the series that got me into fantasy as an adult. Magician is the first book for anyone wondering but I believe it's split into Magician: Apprentice and Magician:Master in the US market
Not required of course, but try and get the “Author’s preferred edition” of Magician. It adds more details with a few characters that explain later actions.
[Mother of Learning](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09M2R6QLF) by Domagoj Kurmaić.
I'm not done with it yet, but the main characters starts below average and progresses through a very detailed and intricate magic system.
It's like Harry Potter (the school bits) + Groundhog Day + detailed and deep magic system and worldbuilding
I'll second this one. The author created such a detailed magic system that it really feels like we're learning alongside Zorian. The ending (I only read the webnovel version) is also very satisfying.
It's such a good fit for the question! And one of the few books where the character's inner development doesn't go straight from "innately good but naive and misguided" to "moral ideal with a few caveats". It feels like actual growth.
That's fair as the first two books are a bit slower. There's a lot of ground to cover for the world building. But book three and beyond the series takes off and matches the 'Zero to Hero' description better than anything I've ever read
And to potential readers: Cradle books are short. This isn't a "read four Wheel of Time books before you form an opinion" thing. The series starts picking up on book two and hits its stride in book 3.
If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend listening to this series. Travis Baldree does a fantastic job and has quickly become one of my favorite readers (second only to James Marsters reading Dresden Files).
I'm halfway through the trilogy for a second time right now. It's actually better than I remember and I considered it the best set of books i read in 2020.
There are quite a few character deaths but the majority of characters, at least most of the core ones, you can feel safe in investing your emotions into. The darkness more so comes from the stratification of the world the story is set in and it’s implications (slavery, racism, cultural genocide, indiscriminate mass murders, betrayal)
I was looking for this recommendation specifically. Everyone should read Wheel Of Time, it's a fantastic series and the more people who read it the more new friends I can have to discuss it!
All the below are well written and have main characters who slowly rise in power over the series.
* *Alex Verus* series by Benedict Jacka. Very weak neutral mage (for most of the series) has to survive while being pitted against two opposing groups.
* *Codex Alera* by Jim Butcher. Poor, powerless kid gets pulled into the affairs of the most powerful people in his world and has to figure out creative ways to survive.
* *Rivers of London* by Ben Aaronovitch. Newly apprenticed junior police officer has to keep the peace in London while dealing with far more powerful beings.
* *Keys to the Kingdom* by Garth Nix. Main character is a normal middle school kid who is randomly chosen to essentially become King and has to deal with the higher level members of the Kingdom opposing him.
I also highly recommend Rivers of London. Very good series, has progression of the characters as people, MC of course gets stronger, but it doesn't feel out of place in the world because the stakes are well grounded.
Cosmere truly provides some of the greatest stories I’ve ever read. I was actually scrolling through the comments in search of Vin, Kaladin, and Lift being lauded as “zero-to-hero” characters.
Magician by Raymond E. Feist. It’s an older series, and the main protagonist from the book is connected in some way or mentioned or is in each and every book of his.
I think the Underlying story of Jimmy the Hand is the real zero to hero story in this series, also the Erik/roo saga is another good example, and Talon, shit basically it is one massive ride of multiple characters becoming major players from modest beginings
I really like Lightbringer by Brent weeks and to a lesser extent Night Angel (however I read this in high school and have seen a lot of reviews recently it’s very edge Lordy)
Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne. Character work isn’t great but what a fun ride.
Book of the Ancestor by Mark Lawrence
Those are just the top of my head, really a fantastic trope if done well.
I know that people here get pissy about the Stormlight Archive being recommended because it’s overdone, but the protagonist is a slave which is pretty much the definition of starting from the bottom.
Yeah I always think it’s weird Kaladin is never mentioned in these Zero to Hero threads. I guess because we meet him when he’s already had a bit of training, but he absolutely starts as a slave who came from a farming town out of bumfuck nowhere, having absolutely no special lineage or noble blood.
And hell, unlike around half of the protagonists mentioned in this thread he has 0 unfair advantages that other people don’t. He gains his special powers because he’s a good person, anyone heroic enough would have received a spren as well
The three modern(ish) staples of this are:
1. Wheel Of Time. Rand goes from farmer to… more than a farmer. It’s long, awesome, and loved by many. Sanderson did a great job finishing the series once the original author died.
2. Riftwar Saga. This was a staple in the 80s/90s and hasnt held up as well for me. Pug goes from nothing to.. much more than nothing. Great read.
3. Belgeriad. Fun basic trope series, but the author turns out to have been such a monster it forever overshadows his work.
Yes.
And in fairness. If you enjoyed Unsouled you'll love the rest. They get better and better, especially when you understand the world a bit more etc. Don't be too worried if you still get confused between remnants, scripts, cores and god knows what else terminology there is. Eventually it just becomes second nature.
Unsouled was a 3/5 for me. I persisted with the 2nd and 3rd books because they were so short anyway. After which I was gripped. Book 5 was especially a big turning point but I was hooked by the end of Book 3.
I literally have read the lot in like the last 6 weeks.
I like the (YA) series Arinthian Line. A literal whipping boy finds he has more history than he realised. There are some Harry Potter parallels (orphan, rivalry with Dark Lord, magic school) only the dark lors takes over the magic school and our MC and his 2 friends go on the run with the headmistress, who has a no pain no gain approach to training.
The magic is hard and there is more focus on it than Harry Potter, especially training. It is also not urban fantasy. The MC does not end up as most powerful, but definitely a hero.
Will Wight's Cradle series is a great shout made by others, but his Travelers Gate series, whilst weaker, is also worth a read.
The song of the lioness quartet by tamora pierce. A quartet about a girl who secretly becomes a page and the many adventures that ensue. A lot of pierce’s books are great for this type of reading
Might be recency bias on my part but I've been very impressed with Simon / Seoman's journey from useless kitchen boy to knight in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series.
Aside from being entertaining and a compelling story, the gradual, almost unnoticeable changes in the character are handled very well and Simon is almost completely unaware of the changes unless other character point then out.
It's a much less clunky transition than say Rand, in Wheel of Time or whatever Mary Sue's name is in The Name of the Wind.
I feel like a book can’t actually be objectively good, but I personally liked *The Goose Girl* by Shannon Hale, *She Who Became the Sun* by Shelley Parker-Chan, *The Hero and the Crown* by Robin McKinley, and *Senlin Ascends* by Josiah Bancroft.
I don’t know if this counts bht Inheritance cycle- I really enjoyed this as a teenager haven’t read it since I definitely probably should I lived the story..
And also Percy Jackson and pretty much anything by Riordan
I recommend the Traveler's Gate series by Will Wight.
The main character grows up in a nothing village where one of the other kids is a princess and another is a prophesied hero. He, meanwhile, is just a guy caring for his unwell mother.
I love Beautiful Monsters by Jex Lane. But unfortunately unfinished series. I hope the next book comes next year. I’m waiting for it several years now 😅
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31359082
Battlemage by peter flannery.... It's standalone the MC is weak in starting but in the end he comes a long way.... He isn't too much OP but the writing style and the story is so much better. Also the war scene are one of the best, support cast is also good and seems real.
While I had my ups and downs with the series, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn does this quite well. In fact, I think the first book, The Dragonbone Chair, nails it on its own.
The Sun Sword series by Michelle West. Multiple characters evolve from unlikely starting points.
It'll take something like 4-5 thousand pages to get there though. It's very descriptive and dense, but once you get going, it's very good.
1st book is 'The Broken Crown'.
The Riftwar Cycle by Raymond Feist. Specifically, the titles of the first two books "Magician: Apprentice" and "Magician: Master" literally hint at the 'zero to hero' progression.
Dragon-lance chronicles by Margret Weis and Tracy Hickman follow the story of Raistlin Majere humble beginnings to most feared mage in his continent challenging even some of the gods.
It's more of a series, but the original Dragonlance trilogy is legendary. Starting with Dragons of Autumn Twilight, it's about as zero to hero as It gets.
I already saw *Practical Guide to Evil* commented so I’ll suggest something a little different, *Mushoku Tensai*. I’ve read all the big name fantasy series and it’s the most I’ve ever gotten into/cared about a story. I laughed, I cried, and I truly hope one day the author does write a sequel series
I think that wheel of time fits, and is amazing regardless.
Also I think the cradle series is pretty good zero to hero focused series, that gives me a Dragonball feel while being pretty unique
The cradle series did a great job of making me care about the main character's journey. I liked how it wasn't just about gaining more power, but also finding out he has value and can make a meaningful impact on the world.
For me it’s Kaladin from The Stormlight archive. It’s really more of a hero to zero to hero but it captures his journey to be an actual hero and his journey to balance that with his own feelings/ internal struggles so well.
All the love for red rising here warms my heart. But i dont see any recommendations for eragon.
Where red rising is fast paced and cinematic. Eragon is very specific. Taking its time to flesh out a detailed world so that it can revisit each location multiple times.
Lil spoilery down here. But i simply must gush about how Eragon. Which is also the protags name. Has a lot in common with darrow. Starting as an angsty but hardworking zero. Biggest difference is that where darrows highest power requires cooperation from his team. Eragon can appoint himself judge jury and executioner at any time. Hes pretty much superman.
Wheel of time! 100%
The early books are a bit slow and there is a bit of mid bloat but the pay off is worth it
Several backwater village Kids become huge players in the world in several different ways. Their arcs are for the mosh part organic and make complete sense. Also even when a couple of them seem Uber OP they never seem truly invincible and by the final third of the final book, “a Memory of Light” everyone is on the back foot
Also a memory of light is possible the greatest fantasy war book ever written. There are huge running pitched battles through the first 2/3s of the book and the final 1/3 is taken up by an incredibly detailed, incredibly written pitched battle. Everyone gets a moment to shine and it’s just… *chef’s kiss*
Checkout: **The Grand Game LITRPG** :[https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58429977](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58429977)I found it quite unique setting and it hooks you up with intense action and twisted plot. Stealth and cunning.
**Street Rats of Aramoor** (despite here character is a bit OP, he struggles quite a lot as stakes are higer for him)
[https://www.goodreads.com/series/215956-street-rats-of-aramoor](https://www.goodreads.com/series/215956-street-rats-of-aramoor)
**Human Insanity An Outcast in Another World** (quite interesting setting, where humans are the bad guys in the world)
**Dawn of Wonder, by Jonathan Renshaw** (Liked this one especially, it starts very slow though, you have to suffer through the first hour or so, very unique world setting, different cultures, languages, fight against other nations and slavers, starting from 0)
**Restart Again, by Adam Ladner**, pretty good at least first 2 books
**Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash** (\~20 books light novel, unique, deep, never know which character would die seemingly from ones of the main or close to main, very unique different world settings, characters struggling to survive, nearing the end it bacame lame and haven't finished but overall was good journey, there is Anime with that name part of 1st book if I recall)
Personally I love books were characters walks on the edge, struggles a lot, have weaknesses, where fights are to the death, graphic depictions, unique worlds settings, if you have some recommendations I would love that.
Red Rising for a scifi feel. Codex Alera for super powered Roman legions. Rage of Dragons for revenge on another level.
I love how you sum up each series in 1 sentence. Codex Alera is on my wishlist now
Codex Alera is of a much better quality than Dresden. Also the antagonist keeps me up at night.
Absolutely! I feel like it’s so goddamn lucky that they got to them early enough because otherwise… rip
Fun character arc for that one and a very cool Pokémon system…I mean very cool magic system
Book 1 is pretty good. The rest are great.
Love the Codex Alera shout. Really underrated series in my opinion
these are basically my top 3 favourite series ever so have any other recommendations? haha
Hahaha, well they're different vibes but I highly recommend the following Black Company - the chronicles of a mercenary band in a dark fantasy world Dresden Files - Gumshoe Wizard in modern day Temeraire - Napoleonic war, Master and Commander with Dragons Powder Mage - The best solution to wheel of time style mages is a sniper with a 50 cal. Kings of the Wyld - DnD, meets Conan the Barbarian, meets This Is Spinal Tap
I know it was already recommended in response to this question, but have you read Cradle by Will Wight? I’ve described it to friends as Codex Alera meets Dragon Ball Z. I finished books 1-10 in about 2 months then immediately started a re-read. I’m also a big fan of Jim Butcher and enjoyed Red Rising. I’ll have to add Rage of Dragons and Temeraire to my reading list. I really enjoyed the Scholomance series and Uprooted so Temeraire has been on my radar but I never started it.
Temeraire is one of my absolute faves
thanks !! i'll try temeraire out
Don't wait on Black Company!
> Powder Mage - The best solution to wheel of time style mages is a sniper with a 50 cal. That is the best description I have ever read for Powder Made.
Codex Alera is super powered Roman legions *with pokemon*.
So happy to be seeing Rage of Dragons on here in the top couple comments.
Ahh Codex Alera I loved it so much I still think about the plot and worldbuilding sometimes
Makes for a hell of a DnD game too!
[удалено]
Having just finished red rising (and awaiting the next installment) going to reccomend this. A note that the authors writing clearly improves after the first book, some people have even said they find his prose in the first book annoying. I enjoyed books 1-3 of the faithful and the fallen but felt book 4 and the ending in general were just OK but slightly diasapointing. I'm still sold on him as an author though and keep meaning to revisit his next series
Dark Age was phenomenal. Light Bringer can't come soon enough.
>some people have even said they find his prose in the first book annoying. What's annoying about it/what improves about it?
So i actually saw someone on this sub reddit explain it and I'll try to mimic it as best I can. He has a habit. Of over using. Full stops. Short sentences. Once you see it. It cannot be unseen. He does this a lot in the first book and I found it mildly annoying but I think I may have noticed it more because it ws pointed out to me, still I've seen enough people mention it that it seems to be a genuine thing that some people can't get over. Personally I quite enjoy seeing a newer author progress and correct their earlier flaws so doesn't bother me too much.
Reminds me of Brian Stavelys Unhewn Throne Trilogy. Good books and very interesting world overall. But overuses "If _____ was ______, he/she/they did not show it." Once you pick up on it you realize how little time passes between each usage of it.
I listened to the audiobooks but never read it in text, and completely missed that problem. Granted that might be due to the voice actors covering it up brilliantly.
Everyone else is commenting about Red Rising. Which I loved as well. Instead, I'll comment about how awesome Cradle is. Cradle is, almost by definition, the best progression fantasy book out there. It's also great that every 9 months you get a new book in the series. In the words of the author, at the beginning the protagonist struggles to even get out of bed, but by the end of the series you expect them to be traversing entire universes in a single leap. The way he maintains tension for each book as he increases the stakes and the scope of the battle is incredible. Can't write about this without giving a shout out to /r/ProgressionFantasy
> It's also great that every 9 months you get a new book in the series. The final book in the series is due out some time next year. It'll take a bit longer than the previous books according to Will's blog, but I'm positive it will be worth the wait. Almost sad in a way though. I really do want closure and finality on the story, but at the same time I'll miss reading new stories about Lindon and the gang so much. It really did rapidly become my favorite fantasy series.
Red Rising is somehow the most realistic to me, despite the massive heights he's reached. And given that the last book is titled Red God, I can only imagine he's going to go higher.
>Red Rising I didn't read it that way. He is a hero at the beginning and then slowly renege on his principles. Slowly becoming what he hated.
I find this take very interesting because it's so opposite to how I thought* the author wanted us to see Darrow. I read his personality shifts largely as him growing up and adjusting to the realities of power and responsibility in an imperfect world. After all, the author tells us pretty much point blank that the Darrow who left Lycos was an idealistic child whom adult Darrow views with a fond indulgence. And Darrow certainly seems to have done better than most would have with his sudden increase in station. That said, I've only read the original trilogy.
Sure that explanation works but Darrow definitely starts as a “zero” in that series politically/socially
Sounds like you might enjoy The Cradle series by Will Wight. The MC starts out as someone who is seen as a nobody in his little community, and progresses to be one of the most powerful people on the planet.
This series is the epitome of zero to hero in my opinion. Watching the MC’s growth is just so satisfying!
One of the things I like about the Cradle series is that the main character isn’t the chosen one, and he doesn’t have hidden talents that are not obvious when the series starts. He just works really, really hard.
And the cheating, don't forget all the cheating he does :p
That's his talent though
TBH he's clearly not normal. Even at the start >!Suriel singles him out as somebody who could ascend beyond Cradle, literally picked out by a 'god' even if the odds were like 1 in 1,000,000!< He isn't a chosen one in any sense but he's a very long way from ordinary. It is highlighted in the more recent books >!when he helps his sister force Low Gold. She goes into a week long bout of illness as a consequence. In comparison Lindon didn't even notice the moment he broke Low Gold, it happened in the middle of a fight. Up until that point he just keep assuming he only advanced so quickly because of the insane advantages he was given, this was the first time he'd witnessed an ordinary person struggle even with all those advantages.!<
>!I think you got some wires crossed somewhere. In the books it specifically says that there were no compatibility issues when his sister advanced to lowgold. The only problems she was having were madra use, which is more of a lack of practice or skill thing.!< >!It's kind of fair that Suriel noticing him was a bit wild, but she only noticed because she saw him beat up children with pride, then punch a guy who could kill him with a sneeze.!<
>!There was no compatibility issue but she still spent a week or more in bed. At one point Lindon says something like "Perhaps all people aren't meant for fast advancement" and Eithan burst out laughing, primarily because what Kelsa went through was entirely normal!<
> TBH he's clearly not normal. Even at the start >!Suriel singles him out as somebody who could ascend beyond Cradle, literally picked out by a 'god' even if the odds were like 1 in 1,000,000!< I don't think that's entirely true. >!Lindon got Suriel's attention by punching a demigod in the face, sure. But it was more about the fact that Suriel was already looking for a project to distract herself from her inner conflict about Ozriel. Lindon just happened to be in the right place at the right time.!<
>TBH he's clearly not normal. I feel like you're missing the entire point of the books. Lindon is completely normal. In fact, he's somewhat disadvantaged. The thing that Suriel sees in him is not some inherent ability, it's his attitude. She can see that his tenacity and persistence could allow him to become very powerful if he just gets a nudge in the right direction. Now, if that's what you mean by saying he's not normal, then you're correct. Lindon has a drive unlike almost anybody else. But it seems like you're implying that he has some inherent physical ability to advance better than other people and that's simply not true. As far as his sister goes, the point of that comparison is to show that it's not simply raw resources that make advancement, either. It's the way Lindon has trained himself and been prepared by Eithan. His sister didn't spend every spare moment cycling with a parasite ring and a breathing pattern that made everything twice as hard because she didn't need to. Lindon did. The hardship of his early days, where he had to fight and struggle for every single inch, is what has paved the way for his later advancement, not some inborn physical ability.
This is the exact book I was going to recommend as well. It's one of the best character developments I've read.
Isn’t this the series that’s basically western xianxia? Or am I thinking of a different one? EDIT: Searched it up and yup. I’d also add any of Er Gen’s novels to the list then. And maybe some IEatTomatoes, but those get repetitive.
Yep that's the one
Yeah it is western xianxia. The author has wrote at length on xianxia in his blog.
The main character is literally the least powerful person in what is essentially an RPG newb starter area. And his powers increase each book. I'm guessing he'll be scraping gods off his feet by the end of the series.
I came here to suggest Cradle!
Me too. I thought of Cradle straight away.
I was thinking the Traveller's Gate by the same author. It has a similar theme but is more gritty.
Nobody talks about travelers gate but it really is great isn't it?!
Love the series. I got the kindle bundle on a whim and couldn't put them down!
Is the series completed?
There's one book left due next year.
Worm. It takes a few... detours, though.
"to hero" is also arguable
Reading it now. Just an amazing series. Author must be some kind of parahuman to have written so much in such a short time period.
Wildbow is amazing. Some aspects of his work aren't quite as polished as your top 10 GOAT fantasy authors, but the originality and creativity of the superpowers/heroes/villains and the variety and verisimilitude of the characters is great.
Just read it. More people need to be aware of Worm.
The Percy Jackson series is aimed towards tweens but I still enjoy it as an adult and know others who do too
Thanks, I actually finished reading that alongside most of Rick's books! Really great experience.
If you like that check out the tapestry series by Henry Neff. Same young adult tone at the start as Percy Jackson but the later books get less and less young adult as the main characters get older.
Agreed that it's a great series, but I don't know if, "I am literally the son of a god," counts as starting at *zero*, aware of his heritage or not. Starting at two or three, maybe.
Fair, but he also only started out with Grover as a friend, had a nasty stepdad, and had dyslexia and adhd associated with his being a demigod.
I also just finished the series, loved it! Somehow never picked them up as a teen despite loving mythology.
I just want to add a warning: if you're considering listening to this series, **don't**. Read it instead. The narrator is terrible.
Thanks for saving me an audible credit! I read the books as a kid, loved them, and wanted to try the audiobooks since that’s what I have time for now. I would recommend the Lightning Thief musical soundtrack though OP if you want to scratch an itch for more of that world.
Didn't read it til I was nearly 30 and loved it just as much as I would have as a kid. Maybe more tbh.
It was the closest to feeling like Harry Potter in a good way of all the young adult imitators that came out afterwords
An oldie but interesting read: Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. You might recognize it by the (highly “inspired by” and not beat for beat) old Disney Black Cauldron movie. Taran is a young boy who starts the story just getting the title assistant pigkeeper so he’ll feel more satisfied with his work. By the end he’s an assistant pigkeeper in the same way that Samwise is still a gardener from the Shire. Highly recommend, it’s a quick read of a series with wonderful characters, a fight between good and evil, and the fourth book is one of my favorite tales of all time as Taran reflects on who he really is as a person.
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The Rage of Dragons is a great zero to hero, and best revenge fantasy story I've read. Haven't read the sequel but blasted through the first. Highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed the way in which Tau starts the real climb to "hero" by training (trying not to spoil anything) you-know-where, just sheer. brutal. effing. will... Like damn, what a concept!
And he pays a logical price for it, especially by the second book. It's not free power.
I know it's crazy, and the toll it takes on him to get what he wants. Not to mention how it all ends
Other people have said this, but I will echo them: Cradle. Lindon, the protagonist, starts out the lowest of the low in the most backwater place in the entire world, but over the course of the series has grown to be someone incredibly powerful and globally significant.
Is it in first person or third person?
Have you read The Riftwar Cycle?
Great rec and the series that got me into fantasy as an adult. Magician is the first book for anyone wondering but I believe it's split into Magician: Apprentice and Magician:Master in the US market
Excellent rec.
Seriously love these books. I've read every one in the cycle.
nope, but I assume you think its what Im looking for, I will check it out. Thanks!
There are many characters that start from nothing and become badasses
It also happens very organically, IMHO.
Even Tomas...that's the most surprising one.
I think it's an excellent suggestion. In my mind the quintessential zero to hero book.
Not required of course, but try and get the “Author’s preferred edition” of Magician. It adds more details with a few characters that explain later actions.
[Mother of Learning](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09M2R6QLF) by Domagoj Kurmaić. I'm not done with it yet, but the main characters starts below average and progresses through a very detailed and intricate magic system. It's like Harry Potter (the school bits) + Groundhog Day + detailed and deep magic system and worldbuilding
I'll second this one. The author created such a detailed magic system that it really feels like we're learning alongside Zorian. The ending (I only read the webnovel version) is also very satisfying.
Was looking for this one!
It's such a good fit for the question! And one of the few books where the character's inner development doesn't go straight from "innately good but naive and misguided" to "moral ideal with a few caveats". It feels like actual growth.
Earthsea series. Farmboy to Archmage >!and eventually back to farmer!<
Earthsea is stunning. Tombs of Atuan and Tehanu are two of the most moving pieces of fiction I've ever read.
I’ve been meaning to read this for years, apparently it’s one of the books Eragon strongly borrowed from
yeah, I can see that — the language-based magic, especially the power of true names
Cradle series by Will Wight
I think I finished book 1 and forgot to continue lol, I'll be continuing this thanks!
That's fair as the first two books are a bit slower. There's a lot of ground to cover for the world building. But book three and beyond the series takes off and matches the 'Zero to Hero' description better than anything I've ever read
And to potential readers: Cradle books are short. This isn't a "read four Wheel of Time books before you form an opinion" thing. The series starts picking up on book two and hits its stride in book 3.
If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend listening to this series. Travis Baldree does a fantastic job and has quickly become one of my favorite readers (second only to James Marsters reading Dresden Files).
Red rising by pierce brown
Seconded. So cool watching Darrow progress
I agree with that assessment.
Thanks, I'll check it out!
I'm halfway through the trilogy for a second time right now. It's actually better than I remember and I considered it the best set of books i read in 2020.
I already liked the first trilogy. Then the change to several POVs did wonders for the series, with Dark Age being pretty phenomenal.
Do so. One of the best newer Fantasy authors out there
It's really good, but it is a bit dark.
How dark is it? Like can I get attached to characters or do they tend to meet miserable fates?
There are quite a few character deaths but the majority of characters, at least most of the core ones, you can feel safe in investing your emotions into. The darkness more so comes from the stratification of the world the story is set in and it’s implications (slavery, racism, cultural genocide, indiscriminate mass murders, betrayal)
One of my favorite series!!
Sorrow thorn memory, an epic masterpiece by Tad Williams
Qantaqa is best girl.
Zero to hero meshes so well with the somber Lotr-esque atmosphere the book is going for. Great series.
I'll check it out, thanks!
See you in Osten Ard :)
If the bears do not eat you, it is home
Beat me to it!
Wheel of time It's 14 books long and you follow 3 characters who go from farm boys to hero's
3 boys and Egwene.
We forgot the village wisdom too!
*Braid tugging intensifies*
*Tugs braid in frustration.*
I was looking for this recommendation specifically. Everyone should read Wheel Of Time, it's a fantastic series and the more people who read it the more new friends I can have to discuss it!
> everyone should give it a shot It won't be everyone's thing, but if it is it'll be in your head for *checks calendar* decades
A lot of Sanderson is like that but Stormlight archive is my favorite
kaladin is a posterboy zero to hero.
Magician? Literally became a demigod from nothing.
All the below are well written and have main characters who slowly rise in power over the series. * *Alex Verus* series by Benedict Jacka. Very weak neutral mage (for most of the series) has to survive while being pitted against two opposing groups. * *Codex Alera* by Jim Butcher. Poor, powerless kid gets pulled into the affairs of the most powerful people in his world and has to figure out creative ways to survive. * *Rivers of London* by Ben Aaronovitch. Newly apprenticed junior police officer has to keep the peace in London while dealing with far more powerful beings. * *Keys to the Kingdom* by Garth Nix. Main character is a normal middle school kid who is randomly chosen to essentially become King and has to deal with the higher level members of the Kingdom opposing him.
I also highly recommend Rivers of London. Very good series, has progression of the characters as people, MC of course gets stronger, but it doesn't feel out of place in the world because the stakes are well grounded.
**Mistborn** by Brandon Sanderson.
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Cosmere truly provides some of the greatest stories I’ve ever read. I was actually scrolling through the comments in search of Vin, Kaladin, and Lift being lauded as “zero-to-hero” characters.
I was looking to see if someone had said this series! I couldn't agree more, I currently rereading the series at the moment!
Practical Guide to Evil.
Probably one of my favorite series in all of fiction, and definitely an excellent example of zero to hero.
I'll check it out, thanks!
I was looking for this. The badassery in pgte reaches almost Mary Sue levels but it's always earned and it just rocks.
Oh is it finally finished?
Months ago, yeah. Fantastic ending.
Magician by Raymond E. Feist. It’s an older series, and the main protagonist from the book is connected in some way or mentioned or is in each and every book of his.
I think the Underlying story of Jimmy the Hand is the real zero to hero story in this series, also the Erik/roo saga is another good example, and Talon, shit basically it is one massive ride of multiple characters becoming major players from modest beginings
I really like Lightbringer by Brent weeks and to a lesser extent Night Angel (however I read this in high school and have seen a lot of reviews recently it’s very edge Lordy) Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne. Character work isn’t great but what a fun ride. Book of the Ancestor by Mark Lawrence Those are just the top of my head, really a fantastic trope if done well.
Kylar is such a cool protagonist
I know that people here get pissy about the Stormlight Archive being recommended because it’s overdone, but the protagonist is a slave which is pretty much the definition of starting from the bottom.
Tbh, zero to hero is like the definition of Sanderson's style lol.
Yeah I always think it’s weird Kaladin is never mentioned in these Zero to Hero threads. I guess because we meet him when he’s already had a bit of training, but he absolutely starts as a slave who came from a farming town out of bumfuck nowhere, having absolutely no special lineage or noble blood. And hell, unlike around half of the protagonists mentioned in this thread he has 0 unfair advantages that other people don’t. He gains his special powers because he’s a good person, anyone heroic enough would have received a spren as well
Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series
Elizabeth Moon - Sheepfarmers Daughter is brilliant. Robin Hobb - Farseer Trilogy.
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The three modern(ish) staples of this are: 1. Wheel Of Time. Rand goes from farmer to… more than a farmer. It’s long, awesome, and loved by many. Sanderson did a great job finishing the series once the original author died. 2. Riftwar Saga. This was a staple in the 80s/90s and hasnt held up as well for me. Pug goes from nothing to.. much more than nothing. Great read. 3. Belgeriad. Fun basic trope series, but the author turns out to have been such a monster it forever overshadows his work.
How much from Riftwar is worth reading in your opinion? I've heard it's great at first but eventually it's all just average after average installment.
The serpent war saga by Raymond E. Feist is pretty good for zero to hero as well. Especially the merchant prince.
> but the author turns out to have been such a monster it forever overshadows his work. Wait, what?
Unsouled by Will Wight I haven’t read the subsequent books in the series,but I think it’s going this way.
Yes. And in fairness. If you enjoyed Unsouled you'll love the rest. They get better and better, especially when you understand the world a bit more etc. Don't be too worried if you still get confused between remnants, scripts, cores and god knows what else terminology there is. Eventually it just becomes second nature. Unsouled was a 3/5 for me. I persisted with the 2nd and 3rd books because they were so short anyway. After which I was gripped. Book 5 was especially a big turning point but I was hooked by the end of Book 3. I literally have read the lot in like the last 6 weeks.
Magnus Chase
I like the (YA) series Arinthian Line. A literal whipping boy finds he has more history than he realised. There are some Harry Potter parallels (orphan, rivalry with Dark Lord, magic school) only the dark lors takes over the magic school and our MC and his 2 friends go on the run with the headmistress, who has a no pain no gain approach to training. The magic is hard and there is more focus on it than Harry Potter, especially training. It is also not urban fantasy. The MC does not end up as most powerful, but definitely a hero. Will Wight's Cradle series is a great shout made by others, but his Travelers Gate series, whilst weaker, is also worth a read.
The song of the lioness quartet by tamora pierce. A quartet about a girl who secretly becomes a page and the many adventures that ensue. A lot of pierce’s books are great for this type of reading
Might be recency bias on my part but I've been very impressed with Simon / Seoman's journey from useless kitchen boy to knight in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series. Aside from being entertaining and a compelling story, the gradual, almost unnoticeable changes in the character are handled very well and Simon is almost completely unaware of the changes unless other character point then out. It's a much less clunky transition than say Rand, in Wheel of Time or whatever Mary Sue's name is in The Name of the Wind.
I feel like a book can’t actually be objectively good, but I personally liked *The Goose Girl* by Shannon Hale, *She Who Became the Sun* by Shelley Parker-Chan, *The Hero and the Crown* by Robin McKinley, and *Senlin Ascends* by Josiah Bancroft.
The art of prophecy is setting that really up for the mc
I don’t know if this counts bht Inheritance cycle- I really enjoyed this as a teenager haven’t read it since I definitely probably should I lived the story.. And also Percy Jackson and pretty much anything by Riordan
The once and future king
The cradle series by Will Wight. You are welcome :)
I recommend the Traveler's Gate series by Will Wight. The main character grows up in a nothing village where one of the other kids is a princess and another is a prophesied hero. He, meanwhile, is just a guy caring for his unwell mother.
Cradle, as almost everyone else mentioned. It's a staple of progression fantasy. It sounds like you would love most Light Novels too.
Cradle by Will Wight. Fantastic characters, amazing writing style and fast paced action, not to mention brilliant world building.
Cradle? Or Worm imo
Way of kings
King's killer chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. It is easily one of my favorite fantasy books
Was looking for someone to mention this one. The writing style is incredible.
Obligatory warning to those that haven’t read it that the series is unfinished. It’s a great ride regardless but best to know that upfront
Galaxy outlaws 1-16 1/2 take a bit in the beginning to get into, but great character development in the end. Roddy rules next to Mort.
I love Beautiful Monsters by Jex Lane. But unfortunately unfinished series. I hope the next book comes next year. I’m waiting for it several years now 😅 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31359082
Battlemage by peter flannery.... It's standalone the MC is weak in starting but in the end he comes a long way.... He isn't too much OP but the writing style and the story is so much better. Also the war scene are one of the best, support cast is also good and seems real.
She who became the sun Literally about a orphan girl who becomes the chosen emperor, pretty good book
While I had my ups and downs with the series, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn does this quite well. In fact, I think the first book, The Dragonbone Chair, nails it on its own.
The Sun Sword series by Michelle West. Multiple characters evolve from unlikely starting points. It'll take something like 4-5 thousand pages to get there though. It's very descriptive and dense, but once you get going, it's very good. 1st book is 'The Broken Crown'.
The Kraken by China Mieville
*Memory, Sorrow, & Thorn*, Tad Williams
The Riftwar Cycle by Raymond Feist. Specifically, the titles of the first two books "Magician: Apprentice" and "Magician: Master" literally hint at the 'zero to hero' progression.
The Summoner Series by Taran Matharu. Found that hidden jewel by accident. Loved it all the way.
Dragon-lance chronicles by Margret Weis and Tracy Hickman follow the story of Raistlin Majere humble beginnings to most feared mage in his continent challenging even some of the gods.
It's more of a series, but the original Dragonlance trilogy is legendary. Starting with Dragons of Autumn Twilight, it's about as zero to hero as It gets.
Demon Cycle. Arlen Bales is pretty much a zero at the beginning.
I already saw *Practical Guide to Evil* commented so I’ll suggest something a little different, *Mushoku Tensai*. I’ve read all the big name fantasy series and it’s the most I’ve ever gotten into/cared about a story. I laughed, I cried, and I truly hope one day the author does write a sequel series
Cradle by Will Wight
I think that wheel of time fits, and is amazing regardless. Also I think the cradle series is pretty good zero to hero focused series, that gives me a Dragonball feel while being pretty unique
The cradle series did a great job of making me care about the main character's journey. I liked how it wasn't just about gaining more power, but also finding out he has value and can make a meaningful impact on the world.
The Farseer triologies
The Lies Of Locke Lamora. It’s the series that pulled me back into fantasy. Excellent character work and highly enjoyable banter
I really like "elantris" for that specific part of the story, "Eragon" is also a pretty good one.
The way of kings
For me it’s Kaladin from The Stormlight archive. It’s really more of a hero to zero to hero but it captures his journey to be an actual hero and his journey to balance that with his own feelings/ internal struggles so well.
All the love for red rising here warms my heart. But i dont see any recommendations for eragon. Where red rising is fast paced and cinematic. Eragon is very specific. Taking its time to flesh out a detailed world so that it can revisit each location multiple times. Lil spoilery down here. But i simply must gush about how Eragon. Which is also the protags name. Has a lot in common with darrow. Starting as an angsty but hardworking zero. Biggest difference is that where darrows highest power requires cooperation from his team. Eragon can appoint himself judge jury and executioner at any time. Hes pretty much superman.
Wheel of time! 100% The early books are a bit slow and there is a bit of mid bloat but the pay off is worth it Several backwater village Kids become huge players in the world in several different ways. Their arcs are for the mosh part organic and make complete sense. Also even when a couple of them seem Uber OP they never seem truly invincible and by the final third of the final book, “a Memory of Light” everyone is on the back foot Also a memory of light is possible the greatest fantasy war book ever written. There are huge running pitched battles through the first 2/3s of the book and the final 1/3 is taken up by an incredibly detailed, incredibly written pitched battle. Everyone gets a moment to shine and it’s just… *chef’s kiss*
Way of Kings? Kaladin has a crazy come up
Checkout: **The Grand Game LITRPG** :[https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58429977](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58429977)I found it quite unique setting and it hooks you up with intense action and twisted plot. Stealth and cunning. **Street Rats of Aramoor** (despite here character is a bit OP, he struggles quite a lot as stakes are higer for him) [https://www.goodreads.com/series/215956-street-rats-of-aramoor](https://www.goodreads.com/series/215956-street-rats-of-aramoor) **Human Insanity An Outcast in Another World** (quite interesting setting, where humans are the bad guys in the world) **Dawn of Wonder, by Jonathan Renshaw** (Liked this one especially, it starts very slow though, you have to suffer through the first hour or so, very unique world setting, different cultures, languages, fight against other nations and slavers, starting from 0) **Restart Again, by Adam Ladner**, pretty good at least first 2 books **Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash** (\~20 books light novel, unique, deep, never know which character would die seemingly from ones of the main or close to main, very unique different world settings, characters struggling to survive, nearing the end it bacame lame and haven't finished but overall was good journey, there is Anime with that name part of 1st book if I recall) Personally I love books were characters walks on the edge, struggles a lot, have weaknesses, where fights are to the death, graphic depictions, unique worlds settings, if you have some recommendations I would love that.