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Athanasa Since: Dec, 1969
#1: Nov 9th 2011 at 11:49:44 AM

So! Looking for some good books to read, preferably action-ish ones, where the character is not superman or provided with plot armour.

I'm a sadistic person, so I want a protagonist that suffers, not just as an ending to the book. Someone who can and does get the snot beaten out of them. Somehow it makes them more believable. It also seems to cause weird, mutated maternal instincts to kick in so that I just want to whisk them away and feed them home cooking until they feel better.

Not sure what the associated tropes are, but looking for the following things to happen in the book, probably. Don't need all of them, but they're nice to have...

Main character gets wounded. . Extra points if they scream and flail around realistically from it. . Extra points if they have to actually take time recover from it. . Extra points if recovery time isn't simply covered by a blank page and a time skip.

[x] Main characer not really the hero to save the world. . Extra points if they're just helping said hero, who is not a point-of-view character . Points if they are used and disgarded along the way as a stepping stone.

[x] Cookie points if the main character has to get rescued by other people. . Extra points if they have to be rescued because what they did was stupid, and people point this out to them. And there are consequences.

[x] Traumatic Events . Extra points if they're not just plot background . Extra points if it makes sense (i.e. guilt for something that actually WAS their fault, not just QQ self blame) . Extra points if this genuinely affects their actions - like severe fear of water / closed spaces (even more so if they flip out due to it)

[x] First Aid (not Worst Aid) . Or Worst Aid, that sensibly fails.

[x] Pain and suffering.

I'll add other wants as they pop into my head.

MrShine Since: Jun, 2011 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#2: Nov 9th 2011 at 12:27:02 PM

I believe The Scar by China Mieville checks all your boxes, if you like non-standard fantasy. It's also one of my favourite books.

Main character tries to save the world, or at least thinks she is, but fails miserably multiple times.

She needs a lot of help from the people around her.

She takes a hell of a lot of trauma and abuse, including an injury that is months healing.

Pain and suffering? Check and check.

TheEmeraldDragon Author in waiting Since: Feb, 2011
Author in waiting
#3: Nov 9th 2011 at 3:19:57 PM

Two words: Dresden Files

I am a nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore, I am perfect.
MrShine Since: Jun, 2011 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#4: Nov 9th 2011 at 3:33:33 PM

I have yet to see a request for books suggestions in this forum where someone DOESN'T say Dresden Files.

Athanasa Since: Dec, 1969
#5: Nov 9th 2011 at 3:57:26 PM

Got Dresden Files on my list to get for Kindle. They long or short books, by the way? Like, what's their real-life thickness.

Athanasa Since: Dec, 1969
#6: Nov 9th 2011 at 5:31:44 PM

Also aiming to get the Gaunt's Ghosts books.

TheEmeraldDragon Author in waiting Since: Feb, 2011
Author in waiting
#7: Nov 9th 2011 at 8:55:13 PM

The paper backs are about a inch thick, and run around 500 pages each.

They are awesome books. I'm behind (I'm nerotic about my books matching and I'm waiting for the paperback), so I don't follow the thread. They are awesome stories.

I am a nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore, I am perfect.
unknownmercury Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: Sharing a spaghetti noodle
#8: Nov 9th 2011 at 9:57:30 PM

I would suggest Shinigami by Django Wexler. A lot of your conditions apply to it, and it's a good enough read that I've checked it from my library four different times.

Deboss I see the Awesomeness. from Awesomeville Texas Since: Aug, 2009
I see the Awesomeness.
#9: Nov 10th 2011 at 2:33:51 AM

We have a recommendations forum.

Fight smart, not fair.
CountSpatula Possible Stomatopod from Oh, some lunar colony Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Possible Stomatopod
#10: Nov 10th 2011 at 11:20:52 AM

If older stuff is okay by you, you may want to check out Candide by Voltaire. It's goes to show you that work does not have to be contemporary in order to be sidesplittingly hilarious as well.

I draws things. And I seem to be some sort of marine entity.
Yuanchosaan antic disposition from Australia Since: Jan, 2010
antic disposition
#11: Nov 10th 2011 at 2:23:33 PM

The Lies Of Locke Lamora may fit. Fantasy heist novel.

"Doctor Who means never having to say you're kidding." - Bocaj
NoirGrimoir Rabid Fujoshi from San Diego, CA Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Rabid Fujoshi
#12: Dec 5th 2011 at 4:32:42 PM

The Wheel Of Time. You'll have all the action and trauma and main characters being given grievous, unhealable injuries that you can stand.

edited 5th Dec '11 4:32:52 PM by NoirGrimoir

SPATULA, Supporters of Page Altering To Urgently Lead to Amelioration (supports not going through TRS for tweaks and minor improvements.)
DomaDoma Three-Puppet Saluter Since: Jan, 2001
Three-Puppet Saluter
#13: Dec 5th 2011 at 4:47:48 PM

Seriously? Nobody has proposed A Song Of Ice And Fire yet? It hits every single point on this list, especially the one about the non-heroes who get used and discarded. I think about half the viewpoint characters fit that profile.

Hail Martin Septim!
Lemurian from Touhou fanboy attic Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Buried in snow, waiting for spring
#14: Dec 5th 2011 at 11:15:32 PM

The Malazan Book Of The Fallen. Going by your list, it should be exactly what you're looking for, if you like Fantasy. There should be more than enough of pain, suffering, slaughter, trauma and characters in dire need of both medical and mental relief to suit your tastes.

Join us in our quest to play all RPG video games! Moving on to disc 2 of Grandia!
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