Books with a great final battle, last stand, or sacrifice
I’m a sucker for these tropes. Ideally without spoilers since they take away from the experience. I’m open to all genres, but I’m sure this is more prevalent in fantasy and scifi.
Without going into detail, I enjoyed Harry Potter (of course), Gregor the Overlander, The Heir Chronicles, and the first Mistborn book. As far as movies, I was a huge fan of Avengers: Endgame, primarily the hammer scene.
Telrom_1 on
If you’re looking for a truly unique last-stand ending—one unlike anything you’ve read before—check out Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky!
WoodsyAspen on
I hesitate to even recommend it because you’ve probably already read it or seen the films – but the Lord of the Rings is truly the Ur example of this trope. You get multiple last stands, even!
DarthDregan on
Gates of Fire – Steven Pressfield
ommaandnugs on
Anne Bishop Black Jewels series (trigger warning),
Jim Butcher Codex Alera series,
Hatherence on
* Matter by Iain M. Banks
* The Last Watch by J. S. Dewes
LTinTCKY on
The Lions of al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
nw826 on
The Wheel of Time series. The last book is basically the last battle
clumsystarfish_ on
If you’re open to a trilogy, check out The Passage trilogy by Justin Cronin (The Passage, The Twelve, The City of Mirrors). The whole trilogy builds to something like this (with mini battles scattered throughout). It’s a *brilliant* story.
Ok-Job-9640 on
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
LJkick on
Kinda of cliche and overstated right now but the last book in the Throne of Glass Series has a great last battle and the rest of the series is very good as well
Complex-Froyo5900 on
Not a fantasy or sci-fi rec but Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton has a pretty epic last stand.
sd_glokta on
For historical fiction, Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
For non-fiction, The Great Siege: Malta 1565 by Ernle Bradford
Itbealright on
The Stand
Anushtubh on
Wilbur Smith’s “The Sunbird”. Epic. And a stunning last battle.
megaladoniac on
Gideon the Ninth.
Sabriel by Garth Nix and its sequels have some pretty interesting battles and build to some big stands.
craigory26 on
Oddly enough, I would not recommend The Stand for this specific description.
All time great book, though
Complex_Tear4074 on
Dungeon Crawler Carl. 7 books so far, and the ending for each is no holds barred mayhem. Cannot recommend high enough.
bullhead72 on
Cornelius Ryan’s “The Last Battle” is a fantastic oral history of the Battle of Berlin.
21 Comments
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
Without going into detail, I enjoyed Harry Potter (of course), Gregor the Overlander, The Heir Chronicles, and the first Mistborn book. As far as movies, I was a huge fan of Avengers: Endgame, primarily the hammer scene.
If you’re looking for a truly unique last-stand ending—one unlike anything you’ve read before—check out Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky!
I hesitate to even recommend it because you’ve probably already read it or seen the films – but the Lord of the Rings is truly the Ur example of this trope. You get multiple last stands, even!
Gates of Fire – Steven Pressfield
Anne Bishop Black Jewels series (trigger warning),
Jim Butcher Codex Alera series,
* Matter by Iain M. Banks
* The Last Watch by J. S. Dewes
The Lions of al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
The Wheel of Time series. The last book is basically the last battle
If you’re open to a trilogy, check out The Passage trilogy by Justin Cronin (The Passage, The Twelve, The City of Mirrors). The whole trilogy builds to something like this (with mini battles scattered throughout). It’s a *brilliant* story.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Kinda of cliche and overstated right now but the last book in the Throne of Glass Series has a great last battle and the rest of the series is very good as well
Not a fantasy or sci-fi rec but Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton has a pretty epic last stand.
For historical fiction, Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
For non-fiction, The Great Siege: Malta 1565 by Ernle Bradford
The Stand
Wilbur Smith’s “The Sunbird”. Epic. And a stunning last battle.
Gideon the Ninth.
Sabriel by Garth Nix and its sequels have some pretty interesting battles and build to some big stands.
Oddly enough, I would not recommend The Stand for this specific description.
All time great book, though
Dungeon Crawler Carl. 7 books so far, and the ending for each is no holds barred mayhem. Cannot recommend high enough.
Cornelius Ryan’s “The Last Battle” is a fantastic oral history of the Battle of Berlin.
Bloodsworn Saga series by John Gwynne