The Hero's Sidekick

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Life is great when you're the hero. You're handsome, charismatic, you've got girls throwing themselves at you left and right. You're handy with a sword, you know how to lead by example, you've got a grand destiny ahead of you. Despite all of your hardships, no matter what comes your way you've got what it takes to overcome it.

So what happens if you're not the hero, but his sidekick?

Turns out being second fiddle to the main event isn't nearly so glamorous. But a hero only stands tall when he's got others to hold him up. This is the story of a hero and his oft-overlooked, sarcastic little sidekick...

P.S. If you'd like to leave a review or critique, have at it. But do me a favor and be constructive about it. If all you're going to do is be a judgmental hack who doesn't write themself but feels entitled to tear down others, then leave. I have no time or patience to deal with you.

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2022
Author: FERnKmaster

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 3.1/ 5.0
Followers: 51
Views: 56,657

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(2)

lone wolf daemon kingRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
I don't usually write reviews, but at the time of this writing there seems to be only one other review with a low rating that I don't believe the story deserves.
First off, this is a fantasy novel without any Isekai elements like the good old days. The story is about two young mercenaries trying to make a go of it after their country got conquered and them trying to deal with shitty employers, getting enough money for a meal, and dealing with their own trauma regarding the fall of their homeland. Some people may get put off by some of the decisions they make, but I will stress that the characters are not marry sues, overpowered, or even particularly smart. They make mistakes, and have their own opinions of honor, duty and what they feel is right that may not match with what you feel they should do. These guys (and various side characters) are products of a medieval fantasy world (with all the drawbacks and benefits that entails) and do not have the benefit of modern education, trope savviness gained from reading hundreds of web novels, or even a stable living arrangement. They make decisions based on the situation and what they have available to them both in material and life experience. Don't expect these characters to act like you would. With that out of the way, let's get to the actual story.
At first glance, I can see why it might not seem special. Evil empire...check. Stupid nobles...check. An honorable white knight along with a neutral good mage sidekick...check. There are many tropes that will be recognizable and some may mistake the setting as generic and characters shallow, but as you get further into the story you begin to dig beneath the surface and you can see why characters act the way they do. Backstory is a thing here and characters do grow. For example, the so called "entitled princess " starts out as just that, but as she starts to see how sheltered she was and how crappy most of her family members are that begins to change. What I a
ZentariRoyal Road
★★ 2.0
Guy is a basic tier mage, on the run from practically everyone because 'reasons'. He then decides to go to the 'burn them at stakes' anti-mage fanatical empire. They nuke the princess' dragon, and she decides to drag them in chains. Brilliant.
Yeah, setting aside how forced the plot rails are, the characters are cardboard-deep and shallow as hell.
The MC is a cookie-cutter mage, whose alignment is 'unaligned'. He has no hopes and dreams, besides adventuring with his buddy, the idiot. Despite it getting him into trouble.
The knight is a complete lawful 'good' moron, to the point agreeing with the 'enslavement'. Yeah, no amount of character development can save that one.
The princess is a slaving bitch, with a side of murder as well. Oh, and there's also entitlement, haughtiness, evil empire, the works.
The description would have you believe that this is the story of an average joe that is underappreciated, with the goal of being recognized. And loved, judging by the cover. It very much isn't unless it's after chapter 5. Don't know if that changes later, and I can't say I care if it does; my interest died when they were 'taken' in by the princess.