I’ve been seeing a lot of recommendations for “soft heroes” recently, which are supposed to be the opposite of the “alpha male” trope. I decided to delve into what a soft hero actually is, and give some recommendations!
Soft heroes, to me, are heroes who make me want to squish them with affection. They’re usually genuinely kind, generous and want the best for everyone around them, so that’s how I’m defining a soft hero.
Here are my recommendations! The Twitter Recs portion are ones I haven’t read yet, though they are on my neverending list to read!
My Recs:
Shulamit – THE SECOND MANGO
Rishi – WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI
Colton – TIMEKEEPER
Kaethe – WINTERSONG
Jamie – QUEENS OF GEEK
Sandrilene fa Toren – CIRCLE OF MAGIC
Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee – THE GOOSE GIRL
Josie – THE MELODY OF YOU AND ME
Hagrid – HARRY POTTER
Peder – PRINCESS ACADEMY
Twitter Recs:
Alyrra/ Thorn from Intisar Khanani’s THORN
Maia Drazhar from Katherine Addison’s THE GOBLIN EMPEROR
Diran from Tim Waggoner’s THIEVES OF BLOOD
Who are your favorite soft heroes? Do you have a different definition? Share it with me!
I love soft heroes so much! One of my faves is Percy from The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. I’m going to have to add all of these to my tbr then!
I need to read that! I’ve been debating picking up the audiobook. Please read these and let me know what you think! I particularly think that The Second Mango will be your fantastical thing!
I AM JUST SO SAD that When Dimple Met Rishi hasn’t gotten in at my library yet. I yearn and yearn to read it.
YOU WILL LOVE IT SO MUCH it’s fantastic, Jenny!!!
I have a weakness for soft heroes and I love love love Rishi, Jamie and Josie, and I want to give them all the wanted hugs.
Also HAGRID !!! I never thought of him but you are totally right, he’s such a sweet soft bear, I love him!
HE IS THE SOFTEST OF SOFTS FADWA. He just wants everything to be loved, no matter how ugly or deadly it is! I loooooove soft heroes so much