Some great hero novels are 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Mark Twain. Huck is a hero in his own right as he defies the norms of society and helps his friend Jim, a runaway slave. 'Moby - Dick' is another. Captain Ahab is a complex hero, driven by his obsession to hunt the white whale. And 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' is a great hero novel. The Scarlet Pimpernel, Sir Percy Blakeney, is a hero who rescues French aristocrats from the guillotine during the French Revolution.
One of the well - known 'cheating hero novels' could be 'A Song of Ice and Fire'. Although it's not strictly about a 'cheating hero' in a traditional sense, many of the characters use deception and cunning, which are forms of 'cheating' in the game of thrones. Another could be 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. Edmond Dantes uses various forms of subterfuge to exact his revenge, acting like a 'cheating hero' against his enemies.
In 'The Catcher in the Rye', Holden Caulfield can be seen as a tortured hero. He is tortured by his disillusionment with the adult world and his own identity issues. 'Dracula' can also be thought of in this context. Jonathan Harker is tortured both physically and mentally by his encounter with Dracula. 'Frankenstein' is another. The creature created by Victor Frankenstein is tortured by his own existence, being shunned by society and longing for acceptance, while Victor himself is tortured by the consequences of his creation.
Well, 'Gates of Fire' is an excellent military hero novel. It focuses on the Battle of Thermopylae and the Spartans' heroic stand. It's full of great battle scenes and strong characters. 'The Killer Angels' is also worth mentioning. It's about the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. It gives a detailed and engaging account of the soldiers on both sides. And then there's 'Sharpe's Eagle'. The protagonist, Richard Sharpe, is a great military hero in this Napoleonic Wars - set story.
One of the best is 'Pride and Prejudice'. Mr. Darcy is a kind of hero. His initial pride and Elizabeth's prejudice create a great dynamic, and as the story unfolds, their relationship develops into a beautiful and enduring love. Another good one is 'Jane Eyre'. Mr. Rochester is a complex hero figure. Jane's strong character and their love story full of challenges make it a classic hero - centered romance novel.
One of the best is 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. The characters in it are complex anti - heroes, blurring the lines between good and bad. Another great one is 'The Dark Knight Returns' which features Batman as an aging, more morally ambiguous anti - hero. 'A Clockwork Orange' also counts, with its protagonist Alex being a disturbing anti - hero who challenges the concepts of free will and morality.
One of the best non - hero graphic novels is 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. It's a memoir that tells the story of her childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Another great one is 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman, which uses animals to represent different ethnic groups to tell the story of the Holocaust. And 'Watchmen' is also a notable non - hero graphic novel that deconstructs the superhero genre while telling a complex and engaging story about power, morality, and the end of the world as we know it.
A lesser - known but great possessive hero romance novel is 'The Duke and I' by Julia Quinn. Simon, the Duke, is possessive in his relationship with Daphne. His feelings for her drive the plot forward and their love story is full of historical charm and romantic tension.
One of the best is 'Watchmen'. It features complex anti - heroes like Rorschach. His uncompromising view of justice, despite his own moral ambiguities, makes him a fascinating character. Another great one is 'The Boys'. It deconstructs the superhero genre by showing the dark side of so - called heroes, with characters like Billy Butcher who will stop at nothing to take down corrupt heroes. Also, 'Preacher' is a notable anti - hero graphic novel. The main character, Jesse Custer, has a very unorthodox and often violent way of dealing with the world's problems.
One great modern action hero novel is 'The Hunger Games' series. The protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, is a strong and resourceful action hero. She has to fight for her life in the brutal Hunger Games arena, facing various challenges and enemies. Another is 'Jack Reacher' series. Jack Reacher is a tough ex - military man who travels around the country getting involved in dangerous situations and using his combat skills and intelligence to solve problems.
One great anti - hero light novel is 'Overlord'. In it, the main character Momonga is an anti - hero. He starts as a powerful sorcerer in a virtual game world which has suddenly become a real and complex place. He uses his knowledge of the game mechanics and his own self - serving goals to navigate this new world, often making decisions that are morally grey. Another is 'Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?'. The spider - girl protagonist is an anti - hero as she has to survive in a harsh new world where she has been reincarnated as a monster. She doesn't abide by the typical heroic morals and is more focused on her own growth and survival.