"Against the odds" - Fantasy

[Doug]

Hey! - I've just finished my latest series and I need a new book to get started on. 

 

I would love some expert help on finding fantasy/epic/sci-fi novels specifically having aspects of triumph against hardship.  Basically, I've found the most enjoyable parts of many books for me has been when characters stand up against their surroundings and persevere.  To give you an idea of what I mean here are some examples:

 

SPOILERS

1) The Wheel of Time series, Robert Jordan - When Egwene was trapped in the White Tower after being captured.  Her refusal to back down as Amyrlin was definitely my favorite part in the whole series (prime example of what I'm looking for).  

 

2) Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card - Basically the whole narrative of him organizing his inferior team to beat the others and being awesome while doing it.

 

3) The Sword of Truth series, Terry Goodkind - Richard's capture and subsequent torture by Mord-Sith (Probably not the best example).

 

4) The Black Magician series, Trudi Canavan - Sonea first coming to the guild is good, especially her victories against her peers.

 

Thanks in advance for any help and happy reading!

[Vimes]

Hmm a few books that I would suggest,

 

The Death Gate Cycle

 

Corean Chronicles

 

Riyria Revelations (this is just a great Epic fantasy)

 

Some of David Eddings books (they are all good but don't know which it suggest)

[vodkafan]

The Cloud Walker Edmund Cooper-  A lone man constructing a forbidden flying machine in secret against the wishes of the the oppresive Luddite Church

The Blue World Jack Vance - Sklar Hast in his heroic fight to kill  the sea beast King Kragen, free the people of the Home Floats and win the love of Merril Rohan 

[Karsa Orlong]

Legend by David Gemmell.  Actually, anything by David Gemmell

[Signor Finzione]

The Empire trilogy by Raymond E Feist. The main character, Mara of the Acoma, inherits power after the death of her father and brother and the near-destruction of their entire house. She must enter the male-dominated world of political intrigue, inter-house wars, assassinations and honour killings in order to try and re-build the Acoma.

 

It's awesome.

[Doug]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

I've read the Riyria Revelations and all of David Eddings as well as most of Raymond Feist, but I haven't read the Empire Trilogy yet.  I have a lot of reading to do.