This week over at the Fantasy Review Barn Nathan is taking us Tough Travelling through the tropes of fantasy and this week we are looking at : MIDDLE AGE HEROES

This hero stuff is usually a young person’s game.  And, occasionally, a grizzled old veteran can get involved.  It is a true rarity for someone to join the good fight for Fantasyland living in that in between ground.

Dug from Age of Iron by Angus Watson.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Thoroughly.  And, Due was one of the main reasons why.  He’s no longer a spring chicken and he tends to groan a little bit – yes, his bones ache every now and again, he’s sometimes a bit selfish and old enough to have forgotten how to woo a woman.  Middle aged he may be but he’s still a hero.

Brodar Kayne from The Grim Company by Luke Scull – Broadar is one of one two Highlanders on the run from the Higlands magelord. He’s a tough old dude with creaky knees and a filthy mouth – but don’t underestimate him. He’s tougher than leather and very entertaining.

Roen Tan from The Rebirths of Tao by Wesley Chu – even as early as book 1 Roen was one of the most unlikely heroes ever.  His character grew throughout the series and he was one of my favourite characters of the year.

Eddard Stark from Game of Thrones by GRRMartin.  He’s a bit middle aged and grizzly but I thought he was a great character.

Dalinar Kholin from Way of Kings and Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson.  A great character – definitely middle aged but a man of his word who earns great respect from all those around – and what a hero!

Join us next week for ‘Flying Rides’.

I couldn’t resist adding this picture:

As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary – Ernest Hemingway