Last week, we chatted a bit about the Alpha Hero: the head of the pride/pack, the domineering, aggressive, demands-first-slice-of-pizza quintessential man’s man of romance novels.

…But is that all there is?

I mean, Alpha’s are fine.  Someone has to be an alpha, right?  They all, to a man, apparently look fantastic in suits, so that’s a plus.  But, as we also pointed out, if every hero was an alpha…and a worrying number of them seem to be…they’d just spend all day fighting each other.  Or, worse yet, become really boring and predictable elements of romances.

So what is the alternative?

 

Meet the Beta Hero.

They’re not always easy to find, because they’re not constantly demanding attention, and not always the source of conflict and tension in a plot.  They tend to be a little quieter, a bit more of a thinker.  But unlike the Alpha, who wears a list of his dominant traits on his designer t-shirt, the Beta Hero often hides a surprising depth under his generally calm exterior that makes him (in my opinion, anyway) a generally far more intriguing character.  Beta Heroes also often tend to be more confident and grounded than Alphas, because they are not constantly in fear of someone stealing their social position–Betas carve their own niche for themselves, and revel in it.  This helps them, in turn, be very supportive of their heroines, allowing them room and support to grow, and that lack of contention and argument can be enormously refreshing.

This also means that Beta Heroes have a lot more room to grow. Whereas most Alpha Heroes have little choice but to double-down on their dominant tendencies when challenged (although a select few don’t), Beta heroes have room to grow, to assume Alpha tendencies when challenged, or to become something else entirely–and that choice is uniquely theirs.  This often allows Beta Heroes to have a unique story-arc within a story that is as fascinating as the heroine’s journey, rather than forcing him to be a fixed point within a plot.

So just where are these Betas to be found?  Here are a few of my personal favorites to get you started on your quest:

Jason, from Follow My Lead: I’ve gone on and on about this book in the past, but that won’t stop me from going on and on about it a bit more here.  Though this book is, on the surface, all about Winnifred Crane’s journey to prove the authenticity of a painting in order to win acceptance from her father’s Historical Society, that shouldn’t detract from the wonderful Beta Hero who accompanies her–Jason Cummings, Duke of Rayne.  Jason is by no means an Alpha…if he were, this book probably couldn’t have happened, as he would demand to plan Winn’s journey for her, rather than accompany her on a beautiful, delightful roadtrip-from-hell.  The result is a trip in which both hero and heroine grow enormously, and realize just what they are capable of accomplishing, individually and together.  Most Alpha Heroes never laugh…or when they do, it’s at someone else’s expense.  One of my favorite scenes in this book is when Winn and Jason laugh together over a private joke so hard that it ends a scene.

Ian MacKenzie, from The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie: Another favorite book is this remarkable opening to Jennifer Ashley’s MacKenzie series.  Ian MacKenzie would, today (and in the Real World) most likely be diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition that exists on the Autism Spectrum; he is highly intelligent, but he is unable to read social cues, has trouble communicating with others, and tends to be deeply, almost obsessively focused on the things that interest him–in this case, his porcelain collection, and Beth Ackerley.  MacKenzie demonstrates the huge range of potential for an alpha hero–he is a failure according to social standards, having spend his childhood in an asylum, and is shunned by many because he doesn’t (and possibly can’t) conform to society’s expectations.  But as Beth comes to know him, we, as readers, realize just how exceptional–and heroic–Ian really is.  And, best of all, eventually, he does, too.

Jonathan Strange, from Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell: Ok, ok, I know this isn’t a romance per se, but Strange is such a perfect example of a beta hero that I couldn’t resist.  He begins the story without a clue what he wants from life, but when he finds it, he perfectly demonstrates all the ways in which a Beta Hero can adapt and evolve.  Though Strange eventually realizes his desire to become the greatest practical magician in England, he is willing to share the spotlight with Mr. Norrell…that is, until Arabella, the center of his world, is threatened.  Then, Strange becomes something else entirely–a secretive recluse, willing to explore any shadow or practice any arcane bit of magic in order to win Arabella back.  This is precisely the kind of transformation an Alpha wouldn’t be able to make–because Strange is never a villain, but he is willing to act in a very unheroic manner, generally speaking–and also demonstrates the kind of range possible for a Beta Hero when push comes to shove.

Zacharias Wythe, from Sorcerer to the Crown: And since we’re on non-romance Beta Heroes, we can’t forget the wonderful, Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers.  Even though he, as the first African to achieve the position of Sorcerer Royal, a fearsomely powerful magician, and an extraordinarily diplomatic public servant, Zacharias doesn’t want to be a singular, Alpha-type hero.  Instead, he allies himself with Prunella Gentleman, a woman of enormous magical talent, whose dreams are far bigger than anyone–except, save Zacharias–is able to appreciate.  Zacharias is uniquely able to share the spotlight with Prunella in this phenomenal adventure, and to remain true to himself and those he cares about, forging his own unique path, making him a fascinating Beta Hero, who doesn’t need others adoration in order to know the truth of his own convictions.