Supernatural Hero Fantasy Books
Not quite human. Not entirely sure what they are. Either way, the rules are different.
Supernatural hero fantasy centers a protagonist who is something other than ordinary — half-fae, partial demon, descended from gods, possessed of latent monster, raised by witches who weren't human in the first place. The trope works because the protagonist's identity is both an inheritance and a question. What does it mean to belong to two worlds at once? Which one claims them in a crisis? Readers love these characters because the metaphor is portable and the powers are usually distinctive enough to keep the action sequences fresh.
This trope dominates urban fantasy, paranormal romantasy, and a lot of YA fantasy. Content levels skew higher in adult urban fantasy and romantasy, often featuring sexual content and noir-tinged violence. Below you'll find supernatural protagonists from elegantly menacing to messily human, with identities ranging from half-demon detective to half-god princess.
- Hybrid or partial-supernatural protagonist
- Identity as ongoing question
- Common in urban fantasy
- Distinctive power sets
