VOTING IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED!

Who’s the most epic hero of them all?

That, friends, is up to you.

It’s time to vote for your favorite fantasy hero!

But first, WOW GUYS. 139 NOMINATIONS! That’s, like, a crazy amount of hero-ness happening in one place. Thanks so much for all the great participation and enthusiasm.

Now, it’s time to meet our five nominees…

The Most Epic Hero Finalists

Janner Wingfeather – Wingfeather Saga

Janner’s youth—only 12 years old—may surprise you at first. Although he’s not as keen on finding mischief as his brother Tink, he still manages to find himself in plenty of scrapes. And like any young boy, he has his share of ups and downs, feeling a duty to his younger siblings but hating his responsibility, which feels more like chains restricting him from freedom.

As any good hero, however, he learns how to grow and face his problems instead of running from them. Not perfectly, but he strives to be a responsible brother, a good son and grandson, and even in some regards, a leader.

Janner’s life takes many dark turns, some so horrible that they would crush anyone else. But Janner’s refusal to give in, strong hope, and sheer determination bring him through many a trial. And when sacrifices are required, he doesn’t back down. A hero in the truest sense of the word.

Nick Beasley – The Afterverse

The first thing you notice about Nick is that, well, he’s not human. Not really. Living in the 1920s, he began as a human detective, but several encounters with magic later and presto. Hello Beast. Before his transformation, he didn’t believe in magic. But now that he does, he has little patience for so-called magic chicanery.

His appearance reminds you of the Beast from Beauty and the Beast (as close a representation as possible without actually infringing on copyrighted Beastness, of course). A few notable differences include his bat-like ears, and a head/snout that reminds you of a minotaur. Add a horn, claws, tail, and reddish-brown fur and you have a good picture.

Oddly, he does prefer clothes, typically a shabby coat over a vest and a pair of trousers. Shoes, on the other hand (tbh, feet), aren’t helpful, because his feet don’t fit shoes. As you can imagine, grumpiness is a more common state than not. He’s also the proud owner of a snarky personality.

(Thanks to Kyle aka The Author Himself for helping with this description.)

Eustace Clarence Scrubb – Chronicles of Narnia

You know Eustace well, due in large part to one of the most infamous introductions in 20^th century literature. In a word, he was a capital B Brat. The key, though, is he was a brat. Eustace has learned a lot about himself and the world since in the time since, learning to be a better boy despite setbacks along the way.

And on his return trips to Narnia, he proves himself a most worthy hero in many respects. Resourceful, faithful to his friends, brave, and willing to do the right thing despite the odds. It’s this journey of stark contrast from insufferable prig to friend and defender of Narnia that most sets Eustace apart as a hero.

Reepicheep – Chronicles of Narnia

He may be smol, he may be furry, but few warriors of Narnia (or anywhere else) are as fierce as Reepicheep the great mouse. His small stature belies his valor, bravery, loyalty, and sense of adventure. Though tiresome at times, Reepicheep is a stout friend, willing to ensure the safety of his friends at any cost.

He’s also, according to rumor, adorably cute. However, rumors also suggest he rigorously refutes this descriptor and would prefer to be seen as a proud, cunning, fearless warrior.

Prince Aethelbald – Tales of Goldstone Wood

Unlike Nick, you wouldn’t notice Aethelbald in a crowd. He’s nondescript, with a generally normal and forgettable appearance. Even his personality doesn’t ring of the glamor surrounding some heroes. He’s unassuming, quiet, patient, and not given to drama.

As the Prince of Farthestshore and ruler of the Wood, he often works behind the scenes, bringing about good through other characters. When he does appear, however, he makes an impression through his devotion to Princess Una, following her across continents when she’s despaired and turned herself into a dragon. His love for her runs so deep that he sacrifices himself to return her to her human form.

(Thanks to Sarah Pennington for helping with this description.)

Time to Vote!

Cast your votes using the form below. As with last week, you have until 11:59 pm this Friday to get your votes in. Unlike last week, you can only select one character from each category. So choose wisely.

Hop over to the rest of the posts to read about the other nominees:

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

And don’t forget, the epic giveaway is running through the end of the awards. There’s still plenty of time to get your entries in to win one of the prizes.

May the best hero win!

Let’s chat. Who did you vote for? Who do you think has the best chance of winning? Let me know in the comments!