One of the quieter trends in independent fantasy has been the repurposing of young adult and light novel tropes to explore not the adventure, but what happens when the adventure is over. When the youthfulness of the hero’s journey fades into the responsibility, scars, losses, and weariness of the adult. Japanese light novels tend to show a desire to relive the glory days of youth in an escape from the cares of adult life. English-language light novels instead focus on rekindling that youthful purpose, tempered by the experience, understanding, and responsibilities of the adult. Today’s reviewed novels, The Antiheroes, by Jacob Peppers and The Retired S-Rank Adventurer, by Wolfe Locke and James Falcon, tackle the post-adventurer’s story with humor, melancholy, and a search for new purpose.

Widowed adventurer Dannen Ateran is content to drink away the rest of his life and never wield his blade ever again. But when the gods need an adventurer to fend off a rising evil that might engulf both the heavens and the earth, the drunk and downright fat Bloody Butcher is the only one left. Now Dannen must pick up his blade and gather his party to fulfill this divine quest. One problem, among many, is his companions: a brawling mage that throws fists before fireballs, an assassin that cannot endure the sight of blood, and a strange young druid with a bond to an irate squirrel goddess. But then, the gods do enjoy their jokes, especially at the expense of Dannen Ateran, the Bloody Butcher.

The Antiheroes wants to be Discworld. The circumstances around Dannen are too meta, too orchestrated for it not to be crafted as a parody. A muscled mage that casts Fist? The return of trailer-park elves? However, The Antiheroes fails in this task, and in the best way possible. This is not to say that the humor is poor. Many praise Dannen’s weary and sarcastic wit. Rather, Jacob Peppers writes his tale with too much heart and vivid, appealing characters. Fedder, the fighting mage, may set up comedic episodes with his fists. But he is also the best friend a world-weary cynic like Dannen can have, backing up the Bloody Butcher with hard-won street smarts, fists, and even a spell or two. But it is Dannen’s rediscovery of a source of courage that is not inside a bottle that proves that, even in the craziest situations and among the reefs and shoals of life, hope still kindles brightly. And it is Right and Good to seek hope out, no matter how strong the pain.

But let’s put aside the themes for a moment. The action delivers, with the particular foibles and flaws collected by a life of drink delivering something of a Jackie Chan-style approach to combat. Yes, age and treachery might beat youth and exuberance, but age is treacherous in its own way. Expect reversals and sudden fortunes throughout the brawls. The Antiheroes may be thematic and heroic fantasy, but it does not skimp on the sword and sorcery.

Sven is known as the Shatterfist. Yes, the very same name as the hero who brought down the Dark Lord years ago. Some think it mighty pretentious for Sven to share a name with such a renowned hero. But Sven knows he is the Shatterfist of lore. But that is all he knows, as his memory of everything before a few months earlier is blurred. He returns home and to adventuring, only to find the world has passed him by. What does a hero do when the adventure is over? For Sven, that means opening a new tavern, training new adventurers, and mourning lost friends. But the world is not yet done with the Shatterfist, as rumors of a new Dark Lord now spread.

The Retired S-Rank Adventurer mixes a bit of Spice & Wolf into the now traditional Dragon Quest-style fantasy world. The focus is more on relationships and intrigues than feats of strength, with many mysteries surrounding Sven and why this hero is further distant from the times than he realizes. This makes for a more contemplative story that borders on fantastic slice of life. While Sven struggles to fit in with a world that has gone on quite well without him, the answers to his mysteries and the return of lost memories keep The Retired S-Rank Adventurer from sinking into stasis. Sven’s choice to honor the memories of his lost comrades by helping develop new adventurers gives him purpose, and his new responsibilities prevent him from settling for a corner seat at the bar and a mug–or barrel–of ale. But the outside world will not leave him alone. While some of these intrusions may be welcome, others want to make sure that the Shatterfist remains only in legends. These developments may start slow, but Sven’s growth from weary sellsword to community cornerstone is satisfying.