The “Chosen One” is a popular fantasy trope wherein the main character (MC) is already marked out as special and called upon to fulfil a destiny, often as a result of an ancient prophecy, or belonging to a certain bloodline, or due to a unique set of circumstances. Such protagonists might have latent magical powers or fighting skills that suddenly come to light when needed, embark on quests to achieve great things, and ultimately defeat a terrifying foe or change the world for the better.
And while that’s all fine and grand—there’s a predictable inevitability to it. No matter what threats the MC faces, the readers know they won’t actually die or even if they do, they’ll somehow get resurrected in time for the final act. Even when they are defeated, the readers know it’s just temporary—each setback a stepping stone for their eventual success.
While chosen one narratives often involve immense character growth, and plenty of twists and turns in the plot, the seasoned fantasy reader might crave something more refreshing. What if the chosen one refused their destiny or turned to the dark side, or turned out to not be chosen by fate after all?
If you’re keen on reading some fantasy novels that put an interesting twist on the chosen one trope, we have some amazing books lined up—just for you!
Un Lun Dun
Plenty of children’s fantasy books feature “Chosen One” protagonists, but Miéville’s Un Lun Dun does it differently and manages to appeal to adults as well. Reminiscent of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Un Lun Dun unfolds in a darkly whimsy version of London and follows two twelve-year-old girls, Zanna and Deeba.
While initially everything seems to revolve around Zanna, it is soon clear that she isn’t the chosen one at all, and it is up to Deeba to save her friend and find a way back to their original home. The worldbuilding here is utterly fascinating and I wouldn’t begrudge the reader who’d choose to remain lost in Un Lun Dun forever!
Master of Sorrows
We’ve all read multiple stories centered around orphan boys, often raised by a wise old wizard, and mastering their magic to conquer a great evil. It’s literally the Hero’s Journey plot mashed with a Chosen One protagonist. But what if the boy hero and the evil god he’s supposed to destroy were one and the same?
That’s the captivating premise of Master of Sorrows by Justin Travis Call, the first entry in his Silent God series. The story follows the deeply conflicted Annev de Breth, struggling with his secret magic, forgotten heritage and a strange deformity, and each decision that he makes is a fraught one. Caught between giving up on his future or betraying his closest allies, Annev must make one difficult choice after the other in this gorgeous epic fantasy, which unfolds in a magical military school that cleverly subverts the reader’s expectations.
Divine by Blood
Part of P.C. Cast’s Partholon series, the story in Divine by Blood follows Morrigan Christine Parker, the daughter of a disgraced high priestess who’s just turned eighteen and has found herself in deep trouble. As she slowly learns more about her powers as well as her family history, Morrigan is transported to a different realm to embrace her destiny… or not. Fast-paced and filled with interesting characters, Divine by Blood makes for a light but engaging read.
Mistborn: The Final Empire
The first Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson literally turns the chosen one trope on its head—not once but multiple times. The action unfolds on the planet Scadrial (part of the author’s wider Cosmere universe) and is essentially a heist/overthrow the regime plotline with a cool magic system based on metals and a female main character who gets dangerously over-powered as the books progress, but might not be the prophesied chosen one after all.
The book’s epigraphs and back story also hint that the prophesied hero and the evil overlord might have swapped places, and it’s up to a ragtag criminal crew, led by a former slave, that might lead the common people to salvation. Intricately plotted with some crazy shenanigans thrown in, The Final Empire is a great entry point to Sanderson’s oeuvre and will definitely get you out of a reading slump.
Five Tribes
Brian Nelson’s Five Tribes is a dystopian sci-fi thriller set in 2026 where the American military has unleashed a deadly and mysterious weapon upon the world. Combining his knowledge of science, technology, genetics, economics and international relations, Nelson has penned a deeply well-researched and immersive work—one that will keep you thinking and turning the pages at the same time. As the second installment in his The Course of the Empire series, Five Tribes is an excellent follow-up while setting the stage for a truly cinematic sequel. Overall, a fast-paced, intense and enthralling read with a mysterious inventor figure at the helm.
Shadow Frost
A talented author and pianist, Coco Ma penned Shadow Frost at the age of fifteen—a brilliant debut novel brimming with intrigue, betrayal and explosive action. It follows the Princess of Axaria who’s investigating the mysterious demon terrorizing her kingdom, but then a failed assassination attempt on her life makes her realize that much of her life has been a lie. Unspooling this web of deceit, Shadow Frost offers readers a tale of high adventure, power politics, and of course, some romance to keep you hooked till the last page.
The Art of Prophecy
Finally, Wesley Chu’s The Art of Prophecy mixes in martial arts and magic and revolves around a failed prophecy because Jian, the child destined to slay the immortal god-king is a spoiled brat, much to the chagrin of Taishi, the war artist who’s come to train Jian for his destiny. Set in a lush, alternate China, with a lot of Wuxia elements, The Art of Prophecy in an exciting and gripping read from start to finish, surprising the reader at every turn.
