There exists, in the hearts of all who love tales of wonder, a special fondness for those stories wherein an ordinary soul discovers they are anything but ordinary. The chosen one—that beloved figure plucked from obscurity by prophecy’s golden hand—has enchanted readers since tales were first told by firelight. And so, dear reader, let us embark upon a journey through the most magnificent examples of this cherished tradition.
What Makes a Chosen One Tale So Irresistible?
The appeal is rather simple, when one thinks upon it. We all harbour secret hopes that we, too, might be destined for something extraordinary. These stories whisper to that quiet dream, assuring us that even a farmhand, an orphan, or a street urchin might hold the fate of worlds within their trembling hands. It is, in its way, the most democratic of fantasies.
The Magnificent Classics
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
One cannot speak of chosen ones without first bowing to this towering achievement. Rand al’Thor begins as a shepherd in the humble Two Rivers, only to discover he may be the Dragon Reborn—a figure prophesied to either save or shatter the world. Across fourteen volumes of breathtaking scope, Jordan weaves Eastern and Western mythology into a tapestry unlike any other, complete with its own system of delightfully invented oaths. The worldbuilding stands in a league entirely its own.
The Belgariad by David Eddings
Beginning with Pawn of Prophecy, young Garion’s journey from innocent farm boy to figure of cosmic importance defined a generation of fantasy readers. Eddings possessed a particular gift for humour amidst peril, and his characters banter even when darkness presses close. This is comfort reading of the highest order—a warm hearth on a winter’s night.
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss
In The Name of the Wind, Kvothe recounts his transformation from travelling performer’s child to legendary figure. Rothfuss writes with the precision of a poet and the heart of a musician, crafting prose so beautiful one might weep merely from the arrangement of words. Ursula K. Le Guin herself praised his “real music in the words.”
Modern Masterworks
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Young Vin survives on the ash-choked streets of the Final Empire until she discovers she can “burn” metals for magical abilities. Sanderson’s Allomancy system operates with scientific precision, and watching Vin transform from street waif to revolutionary force delivers satisfactions both intellectual and emotional. The heist-style plotting adds unexpected delights.
The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington
Here is something rare: a fantasy series that incorporates time travel with the elegance of a master watchmaker. Beginning with The Shadow of What Was Lost, Islington constructs plots of staggering complexity that somehow resolve with perfect clarity. Every mysterious thread connects in ways that feel both surprising and inevitable.
The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne
Malice introduces a prophecy concerning two champions—one bringing destruction, one bringing light—and two young men who might be either. Gwynne’s battle scenes possess technical precision that would impress a swordmaster, while his fantastic beasts (draigs and wolvens among them) populate a richly imagined world.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
In a realm inspired by ancient Rome, enslaved young woman Laia and soldier Elias find their fates intertwined against tyranny. Tahir explores weighty themes with nuance and grace, while the dual perspectives create propulsive tension. The New York Times called it “a worthy novel—and one as brave as its characters.”
For Dragon Lovers
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
The bond between young Eragon and his dragon Saphira forms the tender heart of this adventure. Written when Paolini was merely a teenager himself, the Inheritance Cycle captures the pure wonder of discovering one might ride a fire-breathing companion through perilous skies. The telepathic connection between rider and dragon remains uniquely affecting.
Portal Fantasy and Prophecy
The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay
Five university students find themselves transported to Fionavar, the first of all worlds, where they must each discover their part in an ancient struggle. Kay, who assisted Christopher Tolkien in editing The Silmarillion, blends Arthurian legend with Norse mythology to create something hauntingly beautiful. His pacing leaves readers perpetually breathless.
The Subversive Tales
Not all chosen one stories follow expected paths. Some authors delight in examining what happens when prophecy proves a burden rather than a gift.
Dune by Frank Herbert
Paul Atreides may be the Kwisatz Haderach, but Herbert’s masterwork questions whether messiahs bring salvation or catastrophe. The sequels reveal the terrible cost of being elevated to godhood, warning against the seductive dangers of charismatic leaders. “Think for yourself” echoes through every page.
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Quentin Coldwater attends a secret magical college, but Grossman refuses to let him find easy happiness. George R.R. Martin called it “a shot of Irish whiskey” compared to gentler magical school tales. This is chosen one fantasy for those who suspect that discovering you’re special might not solve your problems at all.
The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons
Kihrin discovers he’s a long-lost prince, only to find his new family treats him as prisoner rather than treasure. Lyons weaves dual timelines with audacious skill, building toward revelations both stunning and unsettling. The worldbuilding feels tangible enough to touch.
For Those Who Love Romance With Their Prophecy
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Assassin Celaena Sardothien enters a deadly competition while uncovering palace secrets and darker mysteries. Maas created a protagonist who adores fancy dresses as much as sharp blades—a refreshing departure from brooding warrior stereotypes. The eight-book series delivers slow-burning romance alongside genuine peril.
The Timeless Touchstones
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The boy wizard’s journey from cupboard under the stairs to prophesied defender against darkness has introduced millions to the joys of fantasy. Rowling drew upon Shakespeare’s Macbeth in crafting her prophecy—raising questions about whether fate or choice determines our paths. The series improves markedly as characters mature.
How to Choose Your Next Adventure
Consider what draws you most strongly. Do you crave intricate magic systems? Mistborn awaits. Poetic prose? The Name of the Wind beckons. Epic scope across many volumes? The Wheel of Time stands ready. Prefer your prophecies questioned rather than celebrated? Dune and The Magicians offer darker reflections.
The chosen one trope endures because it speaks to something fundamental within us—that hope that we matter, that our choices might echo through history. These books remind us that ordinary beginnings need not predict ordinary endings.
Now, dear reader, your own adventure awaits. Choose wisely, read deeply, and remember: every great hero began precisely where you are now—at the beginning of a story.
