The reluctant hero reluctantly survives
July 9, 2009 4:56 PM Subscribe
Help me identify this fantasy book, about a man who becomes a hero for the money.
I read a book a few years ago from my local library. It was a fantasy novel (part of a series), and it involved a reluctant hero. His family was poor (maybe they'd had a few crop failures or something?), and there was a certain position within the kingdom that paid well, but was essentially a suicide role. The man travels to the capital city, knowing that he's probably going to die, but willing to do it so that his family would be set for life. He goes through some kind of interview/audition/trial period, and is appointed to the role. I forget what happens in the rest of the novel, except that (much to his chagrin) he survives, and completes his quests.
Things that I may or may not be remembering correctly:
-The man's name could have been something like Devon or Daven. Could also be the author's name?
-The cover might have had a painting of the main character, holding his fancy sword.
-The title might have included the word "King" or the word "Blade". Or maybe the position he applied for was something like "King's Blade". I know it's not "The King's Blade" series by Dave Duncan.
I read a book a few years ago from my local library. It was a fantasy novel (part of a series), and it involved a reluctant hero. His family was poor (maybe they'd had a few crop failures or something?), and there was a certain position within the kingdom that paid well, but was essentially a suicide role. The man travels to the capital city, knowing that he's probably going to die, but willing to do it so that his family would be set for life. He goes through some kind of interview/audition/trial period, and is appointed to the role. I forget what happens in the rest of the novel, except that (much to his chagrin) he survives, and completes his quests.
Things that I may or may not be remembering correctly:
-The man's name could have been something like Devon or Daven. Could also be the author's name?
-The cover might have had a painting of the main character, holding his fancy sword.
-The title might have included the word "King" or the word "Blade". Or maybe the position he applied for was something like "King's Blade". I know it's not "The King's Blade" series by Dave Duncan.
Response by poster: Yes! Thank you so much; it was driving me absolutely crazy!
posted by specialagentwebb at 5:02 PM on July 9, 2009
posted by specialagentwebb at 5:02 PM on July 9, 2009
I know you already have your answer but I just wanted to mention that, oddly, that is almost the exact same plot to the Running Man book.
posted by P.o.B. at 12:44 AM on July 10, 2009
posted by P.o.B. at 12:44 AM on July 10, 2009
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posted by leahwrenn at 5:00 PM on July 9, 2009 [1 favorite]