14 Fantasy Books Featuring Outlaw Protagonists
There’s something undeniably captivating about the outlaw—the character who operates on the fringes of society, defying laws, challenging power, and refusing to bow to the expectations of the world around them. Outlaws aren’t bound by the typical rules of right and wrong, and neither are these stories. Filled with rebellious spirits, daring escapes, and thrilling adventures, these 14 fantasy books featuring outlaw protagonists will sweep you into a world where the lines between hero and villain blur, and the stakes are higher than ever. If you’re ready to root for the rebels and explore the allure of the outlaws, these books will take you on unforgettable journeys.
1. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
🔪 A Master Thief in a City of Shadows
Locke Lamora is no ordinary thief. In the sprawling city of Camorr, a place filled with corruption, intrigue, and dangerous factions, Locke is the leader of the Gentleman Bastards, a band of master thieves who live by wit, deception, and audacity. As he navigates the underworld of this dangerous city, Locke’s schemes are put to the ultimate test when he crosses paths with a powerful criminal lord. With enemies on all sides and betrayal in the air, Locke must rely on his quick thinking and cunning to survive.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ Clever, fast-paced plotting with twists at every turn
✔ Rich world-building set in a city full of mystery and danger
✔ A charismatic outlaw protagonist with a sharp wit and a deeper moral code
2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
💥 A Ragtag Crew of Thieves, Assassins, and Outcasts
In the dark and dangerous streets of Ketterdam, Kaz Brekker, a criminal mastermind with a dark past, assembles a ragtag team of misfits and outcasts to pull off an impossible heist. Each member of the team—Inej, the acrobat turned spy, Nina, a deadly Grisha, and others—brings their own unique skills to the table, but they’re united by one thing: a need to survive and prove themselves against the odds. In a world where morality is fluid and loyalty is bought with gold, these outlaws make their own rules.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A dynamic cast of morally grey characters
✔ Fast-paced, high-stakes adventure with layers of intrigue
✔ A beautifully dark world filled with betrayal, revenge, and redemption
3. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
🎶 A Legend Shaped by Outlaw Rebellion
Kvothe is a name that strikes fear into the hearts of many—but when the story begins, he’s just a young boy who witnesses the destruction of his family at the hands of mysterious beings. After escaping to the streets, Kvothe becomes a fugitive, a legend-in-the-making, as he builds his reputation through the dark corners of the world. As he seeks answers about his past and the magical forces that killed his parents, Kvothe steps into a world of danger, seeking revenge, power, and the truth of his legacy.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A beautifully written epic that blends magic, music, and vengeance
✔ An emotionally rich journey of a boy turned outlaw and hero
✔ A world full of mystery, danger, and heart-wrenching decisions
4. The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence
💀 A Dark and Brutal Path to Power
In this gritty, dark fantasy series, Jorg Ancrath is a prince who rejects the very crown he is born to wear. With a heart hardened by tragedy, Jorg becomes an outlaw, a ruthless leader of a band of outcasts and murderers. His quest for power and vengeance drives him to commit unspeakable acts, all in pursuit of a fractured and broken empire that only he seems fit to rule. But as his journey unfolds, it becomes clear that Jorg’s path to greatness is as dark and twisted as the world around him.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A morally ambiguous protagonist who will both fascinate and disturb
✔ Brutal, unflinching storytelling with deep philosophical themes
✔ A journey that challenges the very nature of good and evil
5. Vicious by V.E. Schwab
⚡ Superpowers and the Outlaw Mindset
In a world where superpowers exist, Victor Vale and Eli Ever were once friends and fellow scientists. But after a disastrous experiment, their rivalry turns deadly, and they become sworn enemies—each with god-like powers of their own. Victor, a self-proclaimed villain, becomes a vengeful outlaw, determined to prove that heroes are just as corrupt as the villains they hunt. As the battle between them intensifies, their conflict reveals dark truths about power, loyalty, and what it means to be an outlaw.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A thrilling, complex take on the superhero genre
✔ Deep exploration of power, morality, and vengeance
✔ An action-packed, psychological thriller that questions who the real villain is
6. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
🔥 A Warrior’s Rebellion Against Destiny
Rin, an orphan from a poor village, seeks a better life by enrolling in the prestigious Sinegard Academy. However, Rin’s journey is far from easy. After discovering her untapped magical abilities, she finds herself caught in a brutal war and soon becomes a fierce warrior who will stop at nothing to destroy the forces threatening her world. Her path becomes one of rebellion—not just against her enemies but against the fate that seeks to control her every move.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A dark, compelling fantasy rooted in real-world history and conflict
✔ Themes of power, revenge, and the cost of war
✔ A complex, morally grey protagonist who challenges the notion of heroism
7. The Black Prism by Brent Weeks
🔮 An Outlaw in the Name of Power
In a world divided by color and magic, the Prism is the most powerful man alive, controlling the magic of light. However, Gavin Guile, the Prism, is also an outlaw—secretly battling his own demons while trying to control the very forces that could destroy his world. Gavin must navigate treachery, betrayal, and war, all while holding onto his humanity. His journey is one of high-stakes rebellion and self-discovery.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A captivating blend of magic, politics, and personal rebellion
✔ High-stakes adventure with moral dilemmas and impossible choices
✔ Complex characters with layered motivations and intense world-building
8. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
💎 A Master Thief’s Last Heist
Gen is a brilliant thief, imprisoned for stealing the king’s seal, but when a mysterious king offers him a chance to redeem himself, Gen agrees to a dangerous mission that could change the course of history. Set in a world where politics and betrayal are the norms, Gen’s journey as an outlaw thief becomes a fascinating exploration of trust, cunning, and the art of survival. Along the way, he learns that sometimes the greatest treasures are the ones that can’t be stolen.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A gripping, character-driven story with twists and turns
✔ A complex and morally grey protagonist who thrives on wit and strategy
✔ Deep themes of loyalty, identity, and betrayal
9. Dune by Frank Herbert
🌵 An Outlaw’s Fight for Survival and Freedom
Paul Atreides is the heir to the desert planet of Arrakis, but when his family is betrayed, Paul becomes an outlaw, fighting for survival on a planet controlled by ruthless forces. The desert holds more than just dangers—it hides the most valuable resource in the universe. As Paul’s powers grow, so does his understanding of his place in the universe and the rebellion that will shape the future. His rise as a leader and his struggle for freedom make him one of the most compelling outlaw protagonists in the genre.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ Epic world-building and intricate political machinations
✔ Deep philosophical exploration of fate, power, and control
✔ A classic in the science fiction/fantasy realm
10. City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
🏙 Rebellion Against Gods, Emperors, and Lies
In the city of Bulikov, once ruled by gods, power has shifted, and the divine beings have been overthrown. Shara Thivani, a cunning operative, is sent to investigate the murder of a prominent historian in this city that holds remnants of the gods’ power. She soon finds herself in the middle of a struggle for control, where she must navigate political intrigue, forbidden alliances, and the brutal remains of a rebellion against the gods themselves.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A gripping mystery with rich world-building and intriguing gods
✔ Themes of revenge, rebellion, and hidden magic
✔ A thrilling blend of noir mystery and fantasy
11. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
🗡 Power, Betrayal, and the Outlaws Who Seek It
In the brutal world of Westeros, outlaws are not just commoners with daggers—they are lords, knights, and kings, all seeking power through rebellion, deception, and violence. Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, and Daenerys Targaryen all embody outlaws in their own right, each struggling to reclaim or establish their throne in a world ruled by deceit and treachery.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A vast, intricately woven tale of politics, betrayal, and rebellion
✔ A cast of complex, flawed protagonists
✔ Themes of survival, power, and morality
12. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
🔥 A Princess Who Chooses Rebellion
Elisa is the reluctant princess of a kingdom torn by war. When she is married off to a foreign king, she finds herself a prisoner of politics. However, she possesses a magical power—the Godstone—which may be the key to saving her world. As Elisa learns to embrace her power, she becomes an outlaw in her own right, defying the conventions of royalty, questioning her destiny, and leading a rebellion against a corrupt system.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A coming-of-age journey filled with power, betrayal, and self-discovery
✔ A strong, relatable heroine fighting for freedom
✔ A world of magic, rebellion, and deep moral conflict
13. The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
🌀 A Kingdom Built on Outlaw Magic
In the empire of the Phoenix Empire, magic is controlled by the Empress who uses the bone shards of her subjects to fuel her power. When Lin, the Empress’s daughter, uncovers secrets about the magic that binds the empire, she must confront the outlaws—rebels seeking to overthrow the system—and decide what she’s willing to sacrifice for freedom.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A tense, thrilling narrative with political intrigue and rebellion
✔ A complex world where magic is used as a tool of oppression
✔ A fierce, determined heroine forced to choose between family and freedom
14. The Black Prism by Brent Weeks
💡 A World of Light and Dark, with Rebellion at Its Heart
In the world of the Chromeria, where magic is divided by color, Gavin Guile is the most powerful man alive. But Gavin is also an outlaw in his own right, torn between the factions that want to control the magic and his personal rebellion against his role as the Prism. As dark forces rise, Gavin must decide what he’s willing to risk for the world’s future.
📖 Why Read It?
✔ A high-stakes fantasy with deep moral dilemmas
✔ Thrilling magical battles and political intrigue
✔ A complex, morally ambiguous protagonist navigating rebellion
Outlaws of Fantasy: Rebels Who Redefine the Rules
Outlaws are more than just rule-breakers—they are individuals who reshape the world around them, whether through sheer determination, rebellion against oppressive forces, or the quest for their own freedom. These 14 fantasy books showcase characters who defy the norms, take risks, and challenge the very systems that seek to control them. Get ready to dive into worlds of mystery, rebellion, and unforgettable heroes who carve their own paths.
