12 Fantasy Books About Reluctant Leaders
Heroes Who Never Wanted the Throne, the Power, or the Burden—But Took It Anyway
Not all rulers are born into greatness, and not all heroes step forward willingly. Some are thrust into leadership, burdened with fate, duty, or impossible expectations. These reluctant leaders—whether they are rebellious princes, exiled queens, or commoners caught in the tide of destiny—must navigate betrayal, war, and self-doubt to claim their place.
If you love stories about characters who never sought power but must wield it anyway, here are 12 fantasy books featuring reluctant leaders you won’t want to miss!
1. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
🐉 A Queen, a Dragon, and a Kingdom on the Brink
Queen Sabran IX has no desire to marry, yet an heir is the only thing standing between her and a deadly uprising. Meanwhile, across the world, a secretive dragon-riding order prepares for an ancient threat to awaken. As war looms, reluctant leaders must rise—or let the world burn.
📖 Read if you love: Epic worldbuilding, powerful women, and dragons.
2. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
👑 A Half-Goblin Thrust Onto the Throne
When his estranged father and half-brothers die in an airship crash, Maia—a half-goblin outcast—is suddenly crowned emperor. With no allies, no training, and no idea who to trust, he must survive the cutthroat world of court intrigue while staying true to his heart.
📖 Read if you love: Political fantasy, kind-hearted rulers, and intricate worldbuilding.
3. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
🎭 A Master Thief Forced to Play a Deadly Game
Locke Lamora never wanted to lead. He was content running brilliant heists with his gang, the Gentleman Bastards. But when a vicious new crime lord arrives, Locke is dragged into a game of survival and deception that may force him to become the leader he never meant to be.
📖 Read if you love: Clever antiheroes, heists, and razor-sharp wit.
4. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
🔮 A Clairvoyant Rebel Caught in a War
Paige Mahoney is a criminal in a world where clairvoyance is outlawed. She’s content working for an underground syndicate—until she’s captured and taken to a hidden city ruled by a powerful, otherworldly race. Forced into servitude, Paige must rise as a leader among prisoners and fight back.
📖 Read if you love: Dystopian fantasy, secret powers, and resistance movements.
5. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
🔥 A Student Who Becomes a Warrior—and a God
Rin is a war orphan who never meant to lead an army. But when she earns a place at an elite military academy and discovers her connection to an ancient, destructive power, she is thrown into a brutal war. As battle changes her, Rin must decide whether to embrace her monstrous potential—or resist it.
📖 Read if you love: Dark fantasy, morally gray protagonists, and war strategy.
6. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
🌍 A Mother, a Secret Power, and the End of the World
Essun has hidden her earth-shattering abilities for years. But when her husband murders their son and flees with their daughter, she is forced to step into a role she never wanted—protector, warrior, and possibly the only one who can stop the world from ending.
📖 Read if you love: Unique worldbuilding, apocalyptic stakes, and deep emotional storytelling.
7. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
📜 A Scholar Who Becomes a Leader Amongst Men
Isabella wanted nothing more than to study dragons, not lead expeditions into danger. But as she delves deeper into forbidden knowledge, she becomes a pioneer in her field—and a leader in a world that resists change.
📖 Read if you love: Victorian-era fantasy, dragons, and trailblazing heroines.
8. The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
⚔️ A Weary Soldier Pulled into Court Intrigue
Cazaril, once a betrayed and broken soldier, only seeks peace and a simple life. Instead, he is pulled into the deadly politics of Chalion’s court and tasked with protecting a princess from an ancient curse. Leadership isn’t a choice—it’s survival.
📖 Read if you love: Political intrigue, reluctant heroes, and divine intervention.
9. The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross
📚 A Scholar with No Power—Until Fate Intervenes
Brienna has no royal blood, no family name, and no claim to a throne. But when she becomes entangled in a rebellion against a tyrannical king, she must embrace a role she was never meant for—or risk everything she loves.
📖 Read if you love: Court intrigue, coming-of-age stories, and hidden identities.
10. The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
🐉 A Warrior Who Never Wanted to Be a Hero
Tau dreams of escaping war, not leading it. But when his family is brutally murdered, vengeance forces him into battle, where he discovers a terrifying new power. As war rages on, Tau must rise not just as a fighter, but as a leader.
📖 Read if you love: High-stakes battles, brutal training, and vengeance-fueled stories.
11. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
⚔️ A Soldier, a Scholar, and a Slave—All Destined for More
Kaladin was once an honored soldier, but now he’s a slave. Dalinar is a highlord struggling with visions of leadership he doesn’t want. Shallan seeks knowledge, not power—but she may uncover truths that will change the world. Each of them must step into roles they never asked for in a world on the brink of war.
📖 Read if you love: Epic fantasy, intricate worldbuilding, and multiple character arcs.
12. Half a King by Joe Abercrombie
🗡️ A Prince Who Never Wanted to Rule
Born with a crippled hand, Prince Yarvi was never meant to be king. But when his father and brother are murdered, he is forced onto the throne—and into a deadly game of survival. With betrayal at every turn, he must outthink his enemies to claim a destiny he never wanted.
📖 Read if you love: Dark fantasy, underdog protagonists, and ruthless politics.
🌟 Which Reluctant Leader Will You Follow?
Some leaders are born, some are chosen, and some are forced into the role, kicking and screaming. These stories capture the weight of responsibility, the struggle against fate, and the courage it takes to lead when all you want to do is run.
Which of these books will you pick up first? Let’s talk in the comments! 📖✨
