2023
WISE Score
Amazon
What if the 'Chosen One' was actually a death row inmate with no other choice?
4.7
4.7View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
Sentenced to be a Hero is a sharp, edgy antidote to the flood of generic 'reincarnated as a hero' stories. It’s dark, it’s cynical, and it’s actually interesting.
It’s not 'wholesome' in the sense that it’ll make you feel warm and fuzzy, but it’s a great read for older teens who want a story that respects their intelligence and their appetite for grit. If they're already watching the anime (which just dropped), the light novel is the way to get the full, un-cut story.
This is strictly for the 14+ crowd. It's for the kid who thinks standard YA is too 'babyish' and wants something with actual teeth and a bit of a mean streak.
It's a cynical 'Suicide Squad' style setup where the protagonists are criminals forced into service. While there's a thread of redemption, the world is bleak and the characters aren't exactly role models.
The premise—that being a 'Hero' is a legal punishment for the worst crimes—is a brilliant flip of the standard fantasy script. It takes the tired 'chosen one' trope and turns it into a high-stakes prison sentence.
As a light novel, it's safe from technical issues, but the content is heavy. Expect graphic descriptions of violence and a very dark tone that would be jarring for younger readers expecting a standard adventure.
It forces readers to grapple with the ethics of justice and whether a person's worth is defined by their past or their utility to a dying world. It’s a good step up for teens moving past simple 'good vs evil' stories.
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