2020 Silmaril Award Nominations: Most Epic Hero

By Zachary TotahSpeculative Fiction

NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS FIRST ROUND! VOTING STARTS MONDAY (9/7).

*dusts off blog*

Oh hi, friends, and strangers, and friends of friends, and friends of strangers, and stranger friends.

Guess it’s that time of year again. Fantasy characters taking over the interwebs. Epic battles for coveted prizes. Shenanigans galore.

Otherwise known as the 5th annual Silmaril Awards.

If you’ve been following the Silmaril Awards for awhile welcome back! And if you’re new, what have you been waiting for? (just kidding)

FIVE YEARS, GUYS. We’re basically more successful than most TV shows.

Anyway, before we get to the rundown of how things work, we’ve got something special in store for you this year. To celebrate 5 years in existence—not really, but it sounds good?—we’re running a fabtastically epic giveaway, which includes:

  • A Book Depository gift card
  • A BEVY of books
  • Character stickers
  • White Tree of Gondor bookmark
  • Thorin key, pen, and bookmark
  • A custom hand-drawn map

Link to the giveaway form >> http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6c7e337d23/ (because bad WordPress refused to embed it 🙄 ).

Now that we have that settled, it’s time for the main event.

Standards for the Most Epic Hero

The qualifications for this award are pretty straightforward—gotta be heroic. Of course, that can take many forms. Noble, courageous, self-sacrificing, you get the idea.

This doesn’t mean a hero must be perfect or without flaws. In fact, one could argue that overcoming some type of flaw makes for a stronger hero than the character  who can do no wrong.

Whatever the case, the character worthy of winning this award must be, above all, heroic in their own way.

Nomination Rules

And yes, these are rules, not “guidelines” (cough PotC cough).

1. Middle-earth is the grandfather of modern fantasy and as such the gold standard for the awards. To that end, any Middle-earth characters aren’t eligible to be nominated or to win awards. Instead, they’ve obliged us by agreeing to act as award presenters and emcees.

2. A character can’t win the same award more than once. The epic heroes who have won in previous years and ineligible for this category are: Westley, Edmund and Peter Pevensie, and Robin Hood.

3. The Silmaril Awards are strictly for fantasy. So while other genres are great, any heroes from sci-fi, steampunk, etc. don’t qualify.

Fantasy is a rich genre, but the downside is that it gets confusing deciding what actually counts as “fantasy” for the purpose of the awards. If you’re not sure whether a character qualifies, feel free to ask, or explain why you think a character counts. Based on previous years, we consider The Lunar Chronicles fantasy (fantastical elements, fairytale retelling).

4. When you nominate a character, mention the book they’re from. We hosts are bookwyrms (it’s true, the secret’s out), but unlike our fire-breathing wing-wyrm counterparts, we aren’t ancient and haven’t read #AllTheBooks. So we might not recognize some characters.

5. On that note, the Silmaril Awards are for books and only books. You can nominate characters from movies, but only if the book came first.

6. We love it when authors participate. The only rule is that you refrain from nominating your characters. But by all means send your readers over to flood us with their nominations and seconds. And feel free to nominate and second your favorite characters in other books.

How to Nominate + Housekeeping Items

If you’re an old pro, you know the drill (unless like me your memory is the equivalent of swiss cheese). If that’s the case, or if you’re new round these parts, this is how it works:

  1. Comment on this post to nominate a character for Most Epic Hero
  2. There’s no limit to how many characters you nominate
  3. “Second” characters anyone else nominates (you just can’t “second” any character you’ve nominated)

The five characters that get the most seconds will move on to the voting round.

You have until 11:59 pm CST THIS FRIDAY to cast your nominations and seconds.

Like last year, we have a Facebook group where you can keep up with Silmaril Award happenings and geek out with other fantasy readers.

Also be sure to check out our official website to get updates, see this year’s dates, and read about past awards: SilmarilAwards.com.

And if you’re following us on the socials, the official hashtag is #SilmarilAwards2020.

Show Some Love to the “Other” Characters

Heroes tend to be the center of the story. But that story wouldn’t be as strong without a supporting cast. So don’t forget to share some nomination love for all the other great awards.

Most Epic Heroine – Tracey Dyck

Wisest Counselor – DJ Edwardson

Most Faithful Friend – Jenelle Schmidt

Most Silver Tongue – Kyle Shultz

Most Mischievous Imp – Christine Smith

Strangest Character – Madeline J. Rose

Least Competent Henchman – E.E. Rawls

Most Nefarious Villain – Kenzie Keene

Most Magnificent Dragon – Sarah Pennington

Let the nominations commence!

319 thoughts on “2020 Silmaril Award Nominations: Most Epic Hero”

  1. Pingback: The 2020 Silmaril Awards: Nominate…The Strangest Characters You Know | Short & Snappy
  2. Pingback: The 2020 Silmaril Awards: Most Silver Tongue Nominations – Kyle Robert Shultz

    3. All the Kaladin love!!! Like, seriously, is there anyone more heroic? I’ve been waiting for him to win since the first year. Maybe this will be his year.

      Reply

  6. I second Aethelbald, Janner, Helmer, and Harry!
    I nominate Tellius from the Gateway Chronicles, Lionheart from the Tales of Goldstone Wood, Eustace from the Chronicles of Narnia, Billy from Dragons in Our Midst, Kalmar/Tink from the Wingfeather Saga, Artham from the Wingfeather Saga, Picket from The Green Ember, Smalls from The Green Ember, and Foxbrush from the Tales of Goldstone Wood.

    Reply

  7. I nominate:

    Nick Beasley (Beaumont and Beasley series by Kyle Robert Shultz)

    Rhys MacDuffy (Oath of the Outcast by C.M. Banschbach) a.k.a. the Mountain Baron a.k.a my smol floof of anger management issues. XD

    Farrendel (Fierce Heart etc. by Tara Grayce)

    Damien Maris (Mark of the Raven series by Morgan L. Busse)

    Howl (Howl’s Moving Castle)

    Reply

    17. I feel like Howl’s a contender every year for this award lol. And YES, Damien. I’ve only read the first book, but he’s certainly hero material so far.

      Reply

    20. I’ve heard about Beaumont and Beasley, and Howl’s Moving Castle, so I’ll second those two. Also, what the heck, I’ll second the smol floof of anger management issues.

      Reply

      1. I honestly have no clue who you’re talking about, but I’m seconding ‘the smol floof of anger management issues’ on that title alone! XD

        Reply

        1. The “smol floof of anger management issues” is a nickname I gave to Rhys MacDuffy from Oath of the Outcast by C.M. Banschbach. 😀 It’s a Celtic-esque fantasy novel and Rhys is MY FAVORITE.

          Reply

          1. Oh, ok, I’ll have to add that book to my TBR pile. *tries to shush the ear-grating shriek of my shelf* Rhys sounds great!!!
            Oooh, Celtic fantasy is some of my favorite! <3 ^_^

            Reply

  9. Heroes! My fav!

    *cracks knuckles*

    I nominate:
    Farrendel from Elven Alliance
    Eugenides from Queen’s Thief
    Vimes from Discworld
    Eanrin from Tales of Goldstone Wood
    Artham from The Wingfeather Saga
    Etanun from Tales of Goldstone Wood
    Rhys from Oath of the Outcast
    Damian from The Ravenwood Saga
    Javan from The Traitor Prince
    Corlath from The Blue Sword
    Aeric from Shadow Light

    *brushes off hands* I probably have more, but I’ll stop there for now.

    Reply

  12. I nominate:

    Kaladin from the Stormlight Archives (battles depression, assassins, and social hierarchies and also smiles once and it’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen)

    Rand al’Thor from Wheel of Time

    Terrence from the Squire’s Tales series by Gerald Morris

    Will pop back if/when I think of more!

    Reply

  14. I nominate:

    -Aidan Thomas from The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson
    -Reepicheep from The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
    -Jace from The Ilyon Chronicles by Jaye L. Knight
    -Nick Beasley from The Beaumont and Beasley series by Kyle Robert Shultz
    -Kieran from The Sword of Lyric series by Sharon Hincke
    – Martin from Where the Woods Grow Wild by Nate Philbrick
    – Dar from the Dragonkeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul

    Reply

    21. Welp, I don’t know most of these characters. 🤔 Except Reepicheep. Probably the biggest amount of hero packed into the smallest body. 😂

      Reply
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  18. Goodness me, I have way too many I want to nominate for this one. I apologize in advance! XD

    I nominate:
    – Burndee from Tales of Ambia by Allison Tebo
    – Todd from Crockett and Crane by Kyle Robert Shultz
    – Lazlo from Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
    – Walter from Dragons in Our Midst and Oracles of Fire by Bryan Davis
    – Sylvester Carthage from The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder
    – Thomas from Fawkes by Nadine Brandes
    – Carswell Thorne from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
    – Hal from Paper Crowns by Mirriam Neal
    – Mendanbar from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede
    – King Arthur (just the in general Arthurian Legend Arthur. *grins*)

    (Also, your intro was GREAT. “We’re basically more successful than most TV shows.” HA. That’s true! XD)

    Reply

    19. So many. 😂 But the more the merrier, right? And glad you liked it. I try to keep it interesting haha. 😁

      Reply

  22. I nominate:
    -Errance from Moonscript by HSJ Williams
    -Idris from Fairest son by HSJ Williams
    -Janner from The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
    -Kit from the Bright Empires series by Stephen R Lawhead

    Reply

  23. Just remembered another nomination: Brady Larcen from The Tethered World Chronicles by Heather L.L. FitzGerald.

    Reply

  24. Okay… I nominate:
    Mendanbar from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles
    Josiah from Mechanical Heart by Sarah Pennington
    Damorin from the Legendary Magic series by Stella Dorthwany
    Trevelyan Shield from Ghostlight by Rabia Gale
    Mor from the Weaver Trilogy by Lindsay A. Franklin

    Seconding:
    Idris
    Janner
    Kit
    Sylvester Carthage
    Carswell Thorne
    Eugenides
    Vimes

    Reply

    5. Arrgh, Mor’s a good choice, matey!

      Also can we acknowledge the fact that you can finally nominate/second the Wingfeather characters?? 😂

      Reply
  27. Pingback: 2020 Silmaril Awards Nominations: Most Magnificent Dragon! | Light and Shadows

  29. I nominate:
    -Rook from An Enchantment of Ravens (Margaret Rogerson)
    -Nathaniel from A Sorcery of Thorns (Margaret Rogerson)
    -Mat Cauthon from The Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan)
    -Prince Sameth from the Abhorsen series (Garth Nix)
    -Waximillian Ladrien from the Mistborn second era (Brandon Sanderson)
    -Shichiro from The Dragon’s Flower (Wyn Estelle Owens)
    -Reuben from the Rizkaland Legends (Kendra E. Ardnek)
    -Athdar from Wrought of Silver and Ravens (E.J. Kitchens)
    -Christopher Chant from the Chrestomanci Chronicles (Diana Wynne Jones)

    Reply

    2. Oohhh, Mat, that’s someone I didn’t expect to see. Definitely a hero, though. I mean, the Horn of Valere, Rand’s friend, his epic dice. 😂😂

      Reply

  30. Okay *takes deep breath* I second
    Helmer
    Picket
    Smalls
    Reepicheep
    Eustace
    Janner
    Kalmar/Tink
    Artham
    Nick Beasley
    Todd Crane
    King Arthur
    Sylvester Carthage
    I nominate
    Despereaux from the Tale if Despereaux
    Paris from Bright Smoke, Cold Fire

    Reply

  32. Ahhh… so many nominations!

    Seconds: Eanrin, Etanun, Corlath, Sage/Jaron, Rand al’Thor, Reepicheep, Thomas (Fawkes), Carswell Thorne, Mendanbar, Mor

    Nominees: Tor from The Hero and the Crown, Narl from Spindle’s End, Solomon and Jude Hawke from Out of Time

    Reply

    2. I second Jude and Solomon if they count, but I don’t think they do since the Out of Time trilogy is technically dystopian, correct?

      Reply

    4. Yeah, as someone mentioned, the Out of Time series is technically dystopian, not fantasy, so Solomon and Jude don’t count sadly. Sorry, Maya! But they’re still great heroes!

      Reply

  34. I nominate:
    -Wei Wuxian from Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
    -Lan Zhan from Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
    -Khan Tegus from Book of a Thousand Days
    -Nasir from We Hunt the Flame
    -Dinadan from The Ballad of Sir Dinadan
    -Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle
    -Abdullah from Castle in the Air
    -Nathaniel from Sorcery of Thorns
    -Marak from The Hollow Kingdom

    Reply

  35. And I nominate:
    -Adolin Kholin and Dalinar Kholin (The Stormlight Archive, Brandon Sanderson)
    -Waxillium Ladrian (Mistborn Era 2, Brandon Sanderson)
    -Kelsier and Elend (Mistborn Era 1, Brandon Sanderson)
    -Wilek Hadar and Trevn Hadar (Kinsman Chronicles, Jill Williamson)

    Reply

    2. Love all the Sanderson representation. 👌 I think it’s easy to overlook Adolin because of Kaladin, but he’s a solid hero in his own right for sure.

      Reply

    1. I second Puddleglum! “I’m on Aslan’s side even if there is no Aslan.” (I’m quoting from memory so that might not be the exact wording.)

      Reply

    5. FYI, the Powers That Be (aka the rest of the hosts) consulted on Bone and determined that for our purposes, graphic novels don’t count. So sadly Fone Bone isn’t eligible.

      Reply

  38. I second Daemyn Rand, Walter Foley from Dragons in our Midst, Errance from Moonscript, Kieran from the Sword of Lyric series, Helmer from the Green Ember, Leith Torren and Mor from the Weaver trilogy.
    I nominate Horace from Rangers Apprentice and Crispen Swanrider from the Mistmantle Chronicles.

    Reply

  39. I second Daemyn, Horace and Crispin, and I also nominate High King Alexander from Beyond the Tales by Tricia Mingerink, and Leith Torren from Blades of Acktar by Tricia Mingerink.

    Reply

  41. Okay. I second:
    Aethelbald, Lionheart, and Eanrin from Goldstonewood; Janner, Artham, and Kalmar from The Wingfeather Saga; Billy, Gabriel, Walter, and Elem from the Dragons in our Midst/ Oracles of Fire series’; Nick and Todd from the Crocket and Crane/ Beaumont and Beasly series; Sage/Jaron from the Ascendance Trilogy; Reepicheep from the Chronicles of Narnia; Dar from the Dragon Keeper Chronicles; and Thomas from Fawkes.
    And I nominate Rupert Greeves from the Ashtown Burials Series.

    Reply

  46. I second:
    Aethelbald
    Smalls
    Eragon
    Javan
    Rand al’Thor
    Terrence
    King Arthur
    Leith Torren
    Deamyn Rand
    Waxillium
    High King Alexander

    I nominate:
    Henry York from the 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson

    Reply

  48. I saw Eugenides from The Queen’s Thief somewhere here, and second him.

    I also nominate Sean Kendrick from The Scorpio Races

    Reply

    1. Unfortunately, we’ve determined that Scorpio Races doesn’t qualify as fantasy. Sorry about that, Phoebe!

      Reply

  50. I nominate Soren from Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky (if the series counts as fantasy), Halt from Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan (if he’s already been nominated and I missed it, then I second him!) Char from Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Drault and Rhys from The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, Ben from Dragon Rider and Dustfinger from Inkheart/spell/death by Cornelia Funke.

    Reply

  51. I second:
    Eustace (Narnia)
    Farrendel (Elven Alliance)
    Howl (Howl’s Moving Castle)
    Reepicheep (Narnia)
    Jace (Ilyon Chronicles)
    Dar (Dragonkeeper Chronicles)
    Carswell Thorne (Lunar Chronicles)
    Walter Foley (Dragons in Our Midst)
    Leith Torren (Blades of Acktar)
    Daemyn Rand (Beyond the Tales)
    Desperaux (Tale of Desperaux)
    Abdullah (Castle in the Air)
    Wilek and Trevn Hadar (Kinsman Chronicles)
    Puddleglum (Narnia)
    Horace (Ranger’s Apprentice)
    High King Alexander (Beyond the Tales)
    Taran (Prydain)
    Halt (Ranger’s Apprentice)
    Char (Ella Enchanted)
    Drualt and Rhys (Two Princesses of Bamarre)

    I nominate:
    Will Treaty (Ranger’s Apprentice)
    Sir Bardon (Dragonkeeper Chronicles)
    Kien Lantec (Books of the Infinite)

    Reply

  55. Does superhero fiction count as fantasy? Every superhero story I’ve seen has a lot of fantastical elements. And, since graphic novels count, I would assume comic books count as well.

    If so, I nominate Peter Parker/Spider-Man.

    Didn’t mean to post so many different comments, but I keep thinking of more.

    Reply

    1. Good question! The powers that be have determined that superheroes don’t count for this purpose. They tend to be their own thing, the time period is wrong, and some of the plot lines are more sci-fi (aliens, time travel, etc.).

      Reply

  56. This must be one of my favorite categories or something. HERE GOES.

    I second:
    Aethelbald (Tales of Goldstone Wood)
    Harry Potter
    Lionheart (Tales of Goldstone Wood)
    Billy Bannister (Dragons in Our Midst)
    Eustace (Chronicles of Narnia)
    Nick Beasley (Afterverse)
    Damien Maris (Ravenwood Saga)
    Howl (Howl’s Moving Castle)
    Eanrin (Tales of Goldstone Wood)
    Javan (The Traitor Prince)
    Jaron (Ascendance Trilogy)
    Aidan Thomas (The Door Within)
    Reepicheep (Chronicles of Narnia)
    Dar (DragonKeeper Chronicles)
    Todd (Crocket and Crane)
    Walter Foley (Dragons in Our Midst)
    Lazlo Strange (Strange the Dreamer)
    Thomas (Fawkes)
    Carswell Thorne (The Lunar Chronicles)
    Elam (Oracles of Fire)
    Idris (Fairest Son)
    Kit (Bright Empires)
    Mor (The Weaver Trilogy)
    Rook (An Enchantment of Ravens)
    Puddleglum (Chronicles of Narnia)
    Horace (Ranger’s Apprentice)
    Halt (Ranger’s Apprentice)
    Dustfinger (Inkworld trilogy)
    Will Treaty (Ranger’s Apprentice)
    Achan Cham (Blood of Kings)
    Percy Jackson

    Reply

  57. And I nominate:

    Sebastian (The Wish Granter by CJ Redwine)
    Alastair Coldhollow (Myridian Constellation series by Wayne Thomas Batson)
    Matt (Children of the Bard series by Bryan Davis)
    Adrian and Jason Masters (Tales of Starlight/Dragons of Starlight by Bryan Davis)
    Kai (The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer)
    Rom (Books of Mortals by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee)
    Thomas Hunter (Circle series by Ted Dekker)
    Cal-Raven (Auralia’s Thread series by Jeffrey Overstreet)

    Reply

  58. I second:

    Eustace from Narnia
    Farrendel from Elven Alliance
    Reepicheep from Narnia
    Jace from Ilyon
    Thomas from Fawkes
    Leith Torren from Acktar
    Daemyn Rand from Beyond the Tales
    Despereaux from The Tale of Despereaux
    Puddleglum from Narnia
    Horace from Ranger’s Apprentice
    Alex from Beyond the Tales
    Taran from Prydain
    Will Treaty from Ranger’s Apprentice
    Sir Bardon from DragonKeeper
    Achan Cham from Blood of Kings

    Reply

  66. I second: Farrendel from Fierce Heart and Trevelyan Shield from Ghostlight.

    I nominate Killian Drake from the Hall of Blood and Mercy trilogy by KM Shea.

    Reply

  70. I second:
    Aethelbald
    Eanrin
    Reepicheep
    Eustace
    Puddleglum
    Corlath
    Shichiro (from Dragon’s Flower) — an epic hero even if he is an idiot sometimes!
    Kai

    Reply

  72. I second:
    Reepicheep, Eustace, & Puddleglum (from Narnia, of course!)
    Corlath (from The Blue Sword)
    Aethelbald, Eanrin, & Lionheart–even though he’s an idiot sometimes (from Goldstone Wood)
    Shichiro–ditto comment about Lionheart! (from Dragon’s Flower)

    Reply

  77. I nominate Rakkety Tam, from the Redwall book of the same name by Brian Jaques, because he is awesome and epic and my all-time favorite.

    Reply

  78. I second
    Corlath (the blue sword)
    Killian drake (hall of blood and mercy)
    Farrendell (elven alliance)
    Zero (city between)

    Reply

  80. I second
    Janner
    Harry
    Nick
    Rhys
    Farrendel
    Howl
    Gen
    Terrence
    Todd
    Hal
    Mendanbar
    Brant
    Kit
    Christopher Chant
    Dinadan
    Crispen from Mistmantle
    Halt
    Dustfinger
    Will Treaty
    Curdie
    Gilan
    Matthias
    Taggerung

    Reply

  82. *deep breath* *comes in blasting “I need a Heroooo” by Skillet* I second these epic dudes:
    Aethelbald
    Janner
    Harry
    Nick
    Damien
    Howl
    Terrence
    Jace
    Todd
    Hal
    Mendanbar
    Brant
    Errance
    Idris
    Kit
    Mor
    Roderick
    Etanun
    Crispen from Mistmantle
    Sir Bardon
    Achan
    Alastair Coldhollow
    Curdie
    Gilan
    Matthias
    Taggerung

    Reply

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