Morningstar by David Gemmell

Jarek Mace is a Thief, Murderer and Adulterer with no interest in anyone other then himself and what he wants. He has the misfortune (From his point of view) to meet Owen Odell the bard. The land becomes embroiled in war and Mace hides out in the forest but one-day the conquerors men come and take all his gold. Mace gathers the villagers and hunts down the soldiers calling himself the Morningstar and kills the soldiers regaining the gold. This is the point everything goes wrong for him his gold is taken by villagers praising him as a hero and from now on everything he does is misunderstood and his legend as a hero grows. Mace is now trapped because of his growing fame he is being hunted by Count Azrek and this forces him into actions that make his legend grow he is now in a cycle he cannot break.

This is one of my favourite books by David Gemmell I think Jarek Mace is one of the best and funniest anti-heroes ever. I find myself feeling so sorry for him trapped as a hero when he does not care a jot for anyone else yet is forced to take actions that have no profit for himslf. My copy of this book is getting tattered from being read so much.