Who Is The Protagonist In 'Arundel'?

The protagonist in 'Arundel' is Steven Nebula, a seemingly ordinary college student who gets dragged into a world of ancient conspiracies after discovering he's the reincarnation of a legendary warrior. What makes Steven fascinating is how painfully relatable his journey starts - he's just trying to pass his exams when supernatural forces start hunting him. His growth from clueless student to reluctant hero feels earned, especially when he learns to wield his ancestral sword 'Dawnbreaker' which responds to his emotions. The author does a brilliant job showing Steven's internal conflict between wanting a normal life and accepting his destiny. His relationships with the quirky cast - especially his fiery childhood friend Luna who becomes his protector - add layers to his character beyond the chosen one trope.

Steven Nebula in 'Arundel' might appear like your typical chosen one protagonist at first glance, but the novel subverts expectations by making his heritage a curse rather than a blessing. He's actually the 13th reincarnation of the original warrior Arundel, and each previous incarnation died horrifically before age 25. This creates delicious tension throughout the story - Steven isn't just fighting external enemies, he's racing against his own genetic expiration date.

What sets Steven apart is his refusal to play by the rules of his destiny. Where past incarnations trained relentlessly, Steven uses modern knowledge to hack the system - he records magical patterns with his phone, cross-references ancient texts with online databases, and even 3D prints prototype talismans. His battle strategies blend medieval swordplay with parkour moves learned from YouTube tutorials. The most compelling aspect is watching him negotiate with the spirits of his past lives, each offering conflicting advice based on their era's worldview.

The novel's magic system reflects Steven's duality - his powers fluctuate between ancient techniques and makeshift modern adaptations. One memorable scene has him jury-rigging a Starbucks coffee cup into an impromptu magic circle during a subway battle. This constant tension between tradition and innovation makes Steven one of the freshest protagonists in recent fantasy literature.

Steven Nebula from 'Arundel' stands out because he's a protagonist written for the digital age. Unlike typical fantasy heroes who train for years, Steven's power comes from his ability to rapidly assimilate information - he binge-watches martial arts tutorials, crowdsources spell translations on forums, and uses GPS to track magical disturbances. His weapon isn't just a sword but his smartphone, which he modifies to detect supernatural energy.

What really hooked me was Steven's relationships. His dynamic with Professor Wren, a centuries-old wizard hopeless at technology, creates hilarious mentorship moments - imagine a sorcerer trying to explain astral projection via Zoom call. The romance subplot with Luna avoids clichés by making her the skilled fighter while Steven provides strategic support through research. Their banter during battles shows how well they complement each other's strengths.

The novel cleverly uses Steven's modern perspective to critique traditional hero narratives. When faced with the 'hero's sacrifice' trope, he instead engineers loopholes using quantum physics principles. His character arc isn't about becoming the strongest warrior, but about redefining what heroism means in an interconnected world.