The Mythic Men Who Haunt Our Hearts
The romantasy hero is a fusion of fantasy archetype and romantic ideal. Below are the seven romantasy heroes I will explore in this article. They tap into myth, longing and emotional transformation. In this piece, we examine the core traits of each hero, their emotional arc, common tropes and some specific examples.
- The Beast Beneath the Skin
It’s difficult to investigate all the core traits this hero encompasses, but shapeshifters are a common example. These heroes may be cursed beings or emotionally guarded men who fear their own darkness.
Their emotional arc involves redemption through love, and learning to trust and be seen.
Romantasy tropes could include Beauty and the Beast, forbidden love and the fear of hurting the heroine. The brooding werewolf or other shapeshifter, the cursed prince and the fae lord with monstrous power are all examples of the beast hero.
An example from my own works would be Vard Anton from Princess Avenger and Princess in Exile. Vard is a multiple animal shapeshifter, unable to control his bear form. Though his brief is to defend the innocent, the bear is a real risk to Princess Alecia.
2. The Warrior with a Wound
The warrior hero is a fierce protector and often scarred by war, betrayal and loss. These traits can be common to many hero archetypes, but the warrior’s scars run deep and control his behaviour and decisions. His wounds prevent him from moving forward with his life.
His emotional journey involves healing through intimacy and making himself vulnerable.
Grumpy/sunshine, protector romance and reluctant hero are all tropes that fit this hero. He is spiky and builds high walls to keep people out, especially the heroine. He’s a loner but likely in a position of authority or importance. The battle-hardened general, the exiled knight and the assassin with a code are examples of this man.
Another example from my works is General Kain Jazara from The Elf King’s Lady. That man is an island and has felt isolated even within his own family. Then, he discovers why he has struggled to fit in, and his world falls apart.
3. The Enemy Prince
The enemy prince is charismatic, cunning, dangerous and often from a rival kingdom or race. Of course he has many foes, including the heroine. He is torn between loyalty to his people and love for the heroine.
Understandably, tropes involving this hero are enemies to lovers, political marriage or marriage of convenience and star-crossed lovers. These relationships involve extreme levels of conflict, and the reader wonders how they will ever resolve their differences.
Examples of this hero are the fae heir, the dragon shifter king and the rival courtier.
An example of a much loved (and hated) enemy prince is Cardan Greenbriar from The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. Cardan is a fae prince—arrogant, cruel, and dangerously beautiful—who initially torments the mortal heroine, Jude, for daring to exist in his world. Over the course of the series, Cardan grows from a spiteful antagonist to a deeply loyal and vulnerable partner, without ever losing his edge.
4. The Sorcerer in Shadow
The shadowy sorcerer’s core traits are mystery, power and moral ambiguity. All heroes can have this morally grey quality, but the sorcerer takes this to a new level. He is highly intelligent and believes he can control his world and everything in it. But will he always make ethical decisions?
This hero is also a loner, perhaps self-imposed, and often shunned by the populace. His power sets him apart, feared or misunderstood by others. He may be exiled, cursed, or burdened with knowledge that makes connection feel dangerous. The heroine challenges his detachment, sees through his masks, and refuses to be intimidated. His redemption comes through love, but he struggles against it and the lack of control over his emotions.
Tropes for this hero are dark academia, mentor/mentee tension and forbidden magic.
Examples of this hero are the cursed mage, the necromancer with a heart and the scholar of forbidden lore.
An example of this hero is Silhara of Neith, from Master of Crows, by Grace Draven. Silhara is a powerful sorcerer who lives in self-imposed exile after defying the corrupt Conclave. When Martise, a slave and spy, is sent to live with him under false pretences, their relationship begins with suspicion and emotional distance. But as they uncover each other’s secrets, Silhara’s walls crack. His journey is one of emotional thawing, moral reckoning, and sacrificial love.
Check back next week when I complete this study with another three hero archetypes.
