2014 Blogger Book Awards--Best Hero Winner!

And the winner of the Best Hero is upon us! Thank you so much for these nominations, and thank you, authors, for these wonderful guys. Heroes are just the best, aren't they? Whatever would we do without them? "Perish in burning hot magma." (Applause for anyone who gets that reference.)

And the winner is....

BUT THIS WAS NO EASY DECISION. Let me tell you, it was not! I'm a huge fan of all three of the nominations; I've drawn fan art of all three of them. And each of them is a special, special hero. So I made myself a test for them all. Be warned, this study contains some spoilers for those who haven't read the books, so read at your own peril.

What Makes A Hero?

Hero: Janner Wingfeather

What are they fighting for? 

Janner Wingfeather seeks to protect his family, bring down the dark overlord who destroyed his home and hunts him, and restore beauty and peace to the world. Quite a mission for a thirteen year old.

Prince Foxbrush hopes to find his runaway bride and bring her back home, but not for his gain...indeed he intends to stop his pursuit of her hand. But soon he finds himself needing to save not only his beloved, but also his country.

Kaladin Stormblessed knows better than anyone the injustice of the aristocrat's treatment of the lower classes. He knows how cheaply war treats life. But he values life and seeks to protect it: from his fellow former slaves to the high king. And soon he finds that he is one of the few that can protect the entire world.

What are they willing to sacrifice?

All three of these guys are ready to give it all. And they do.

Hero: Foxbrush

Janner undertakes a perilous quest. Nay, an impossible quest. Infiltrate the villain's lair and take him down. He's likely to fail and undergo torture for the rest of his days along with his family and the world. Oh, and did we mention that his traveling companion could go mad any moment and kill him?

Foxbrush has already decided he won't marry his beloved when he finds her. Not because he doesn't want to (he's loved this girl since they were kids), but because she doesn't want to. And venturing into the Wood Between is the stupidest, bravest thing he's ever done. Any manner of horrible things might happen. When he does finally have the chance to save his bride, the cost will be far greater than he ever dreamed.

Kaladin should be dead. Everyone tends to die around him, but he always manages to slip out of death's grip. There's a reason for this, but he considers it more of a curse than a blessing. Kaladin is perfectly willing to die; he puts his life on the line for his friends again and again, but despite numerous injuries, he just won't kick the bucket. Then, ooops, it turn's out he may not be so invincible after all. Though shaken, Kaladin fights on.

So you can see my dilemma. Clearly, all these guys are winners! In the end, the decision lay in this question.

Why SHOULDN'T they be a hero?

Janner could try running away. Of course, he's tried that several times already, but one can always keep running. After all, if he's honest with himself, he's really a selfish person. And he's angry. He's angry at the Creator for letting so much evil happen in the world. He doesn't need to be in a dark tunnel with a beloved person who might snap and turn on him. Yet--on he goes, despite pain, despite despair.

One needs only to look at Foxbrush to know he isn't hero material. He's a pampered, oiled, weak prince whose always lived in the shadow of his handsome cousin. His strength lies in academics, not acts of courage and sacrifice. Leave questing for stronger people; Foxbrush obviously knows nothing about what it takes to be a hero. His bride doesn't even love him, so it's not like he has any incentive. Despite all this, Foxbrush defies everyone's expectation and proves himself a hero...even a legendary hero!

Both of these heroes are willing to undergo horrible pain and death for their loved ones.

But Kaladin takes it a step further. He's willing to die for the person he hates.

Hero: Kaladin

If anyone can be justified for being an angry, bitter person, it's Kaladin. The guy has been betrayed, misused, and abused. He's failed so many times to protect the people he loves. Luckily, there's someone to blame. Those light-eyed aristocrats who forced him into this whole mess! They're all alike, not a good one to be found in the bunch! Okay, so maybe one...all right, a few. But the point is, his prejudice has hardened to iron.

Suddenly, he has the chance to just give in to all his hate and anger--to make things right in his own eyes. But what's right in his own eyes isn't necessarily right.

Here Kaladin faces a foe more dangerous than any other. Himself. His own bitter heart. He has to let go of his pain so can he consider his enemy's pain. He has to take off his prejudice so he can see people with clear eyes. He has to protect the very man he sought to destroy. It may be the hardest thing he's ever done.

But the reward is stunning.

And apparently the reward is also Best Hero for the 2014 Blogger Awards! *applause*

Seriously, ya'll, if you haven't read about these heroes, go and find them! But read the series in order please!

Go check out the rest of Awards too!

Best Book Design, hosted by Ghost Ryter on Thursday, December 18

Best Cover, hosted by Hannah Williams on Friday, December 19

Best Title, hosted by Clara Diane Thompson on Saturday, December 20

Best Heroine, hosted by Allison Rudivich on Sunday, December 21

Best Hero, hosted by Hannah Williams on Monday, December 22

Best Author, hosted by Ghost Ryter on Tuesday, December 23

Best Book, hosted by Allison Rudivich on Wednesday, December 24