I’ve thought long and hard about this particular topic—characters, or heroes that Nena Knight, elite Ghanaian assassin from my Nena Knight trilogy, could spar with. As I worked on the newest book in the series, It Ends with Knight, I wondered who Nena could go toe-to-toe with either physically or intellectually. Now, you’re probably wondering how Nena could be in the position to judge, being an assassin and all. But she’s an assassin with a code, dispatching people for their transgressions against the Tribe, and crimes against people of the African diaspora. Nena knows she would be a hero to some and a villain to others. To Nena, there are no such things as clear heroes. She even says as much in the second book of the trilogy.

Nena may be an assassin, but she’s not a villain. And she’s not a hero either. She works in lanes of gray because in Nena’s world, and in my mind as that world’s creator, everyone moves in the gray. The hero can become the villain and vice versa in an instant. All it takes is a twist of fate and change of circumstance. We’ve even seen this with beloved heroes like Superman and Spiderman, and when good guys go bad, like Harvey Dent from Batman when he becomes Two-Face. 

Bestowing the heavy crown of hero or villain is a topic I love exploring in my writing and in books I read. When I began writing Nena’s story, making her profession as an assassin was very intentional. She was meant to be morally gray, and I challenged myself with making the reader root for someone who kills on purpose. To me, it was about understanding the rationale behind a character’s actions, presenting a goal that the reader could understand and even want for themselves. 

Crafting characters who were morally gray yet were heroic in action made me curious about other books that featured characters who walked the same line. How would they measure up to my character and could they be a formidable sparring partner (or teammate) with Nena Knight? There are many books with spar-worthy characters, but here are a few I’ve read, and a few more I plan to read.

The Ninja’s Oath, Tori Eldridge 

Lily Wong is a Chinese-Norwegian modern-day ninja who pledges to protect those who are unable to protect themselves. She’s disciplined, courageous, and very human despite her exemplary ninja skills.  In this fourth installment of the Lily Wong thrillers, Lily must team up with an assassin, triad, and another ninja to rescue a kidnapped young girl. The fact that Lily teams up with an assassin already let me know that she and Nena would make a fearsome pair though they might butt heads about the legality of some of the methods Nena may use to save the girl (Nena doesn’t mind leaving bodies), but Nena’s and Lily’s love for their fathers, their devotion to protecting the innocent, and how well they do their jobs as a ninja and an assassin makes them not only sparring partners, but a dominating team to be reckoned with. 

Not So Perfect Strangers, L.S. Stratton

In a Strangers On A Train-type story that addresses race and gender politics, Tasha finally decides to leave her abusive husband. As she’s leaving, she comes across Madison Gingell who looks as if she’s fleeing an angry man. Tasha gives Madison a lift and this chance meeting sets them on a course neither is prepared for, an opportunity to free themselves from their oppressive husbands, a body, and a dangerous web of lies and betrayal they will both have to unravel to survive. Tasha and Madison take sparring to a whole other level, a challenge that Nena might be up for. On second thought, she might say Tasha and Madison’s entanglement is none of her business.

The Last Orphan, Gregg Hurwitz 

I’ve said this many times if anyone’s ever listened to me, but I think Evan Smoak and Nena Knight would be perfect sparring partners and kindred spirits. Evan was trained in the Orphan Program as one of their assassins, until he decided to leave. Then, he dedicated his life to being the Nowhere Man, saving those who can’t protect themselves, his past just won’t let him be great. It keeps returning like bad acne and reeling Evan back in. While Evan retired himself from duty and Nena’s still in, their similar pasts (they’re both orphans and were both taken in by a caring father figure who helped make them the elite killing machines they became), Nena still is firmly entrenched with the Tribe. I don’t know if that would cause issues should Evan and Nena meet. Probably not because neither is judgmental of others—except those who harm innocents, that is. 

The Great Gimmelmans, Lee Matthew Goldberg 

Buckle up for this ride of a story when Aaron Gimmelman’s quiet, Reform Jewish family becomes an RV-driving group of convenience store robbers when the Crash of 1987 renders them penniless. A loving family that breaks the law together stays together (of this Nena knows) and so the Gimmelman clan gets all the respect as they rob their way to family bonding. But when there is never enough money to satisfy Aaron’s father Barry, Aaron must decide whether to choose his father, or take action to keep the family together.

Midnight is the Darkest Hour, Ashley Winstead

Ruth and Everette attempt to unravel the mystery of a killer in their small southern Louisiana town. Outcasts—Ruth, the preacher’s daughter and Everette, an old friend with a dark past—are the only ones who can be on the search for true evil. Ruth and Everette must call upon love, religion, and a terrifying lore about Low Man, a vampiric figure believed to kill sinners which makes this pair the kind worth sparring with. Beating out the unknown or the supernatural is a feat any assassin would not want to lose out on, Nena included.

A Quiet Teacher, Adam Oyebanji 

Greg Abimbola teaches languages at a private school in Pittsburgh. He handles privileged students and their parents with finesse. But Greg is not what he seems. He has so many dangerous skeletons in the closet that he has to keep a low profile, living under an assumed name. When one of the wealthy parents ends up dead, Greg’s  friend and colleague is accused of the murder. Greg has to dust off the cobwebs, use his old resources, and exposing himself to those from his past who’ve been looking for him. Though Greg hung up his old lifestyle and became an honorable teacher, he’d still be a worthy sparring partner for Nena. They both have shady pasts. They both have skills we can’t discuss here (or else we’d have to…well, you know), worked in secret organizations, and enjoy putting rude students in their places. Whether friends or foes, Nena and Greg would make a match worth seeing.   

Ransomed Daughter, Eric Bishop 

In this novella, when Glenn Roberts’ worst fear is realized and he receives a call saying his daughter was abducted overseas while working with a humanitarian organization, Glenn doesn’t know where he can turn or whom he can trust. He can’t call the authorities or government officials and there is a large ransom to pay. Glenn’s only resort is his associate, Troy Evans, who leads the Omega Team, a group that operates beyond the purviews of law and borders. They are Glenn’s only hope of getting his daughter back alive. And for that reason, Troy Evans and the Omega Team are definitely spar-worthy. Nena’s Dispatch team is on hand should they need any help on that mission. 

My Favorite Scar, Nicolas Ferraro 

In this coming-of-age Argentinian thriller set to publish in early 2024, we’re taken on a quest for revenge following fifteen-year-old Ámbar as she travels the road with her gangster father. She holds her own in a way that Nena can absolutely relate to. If there is one thing Nena knows and can appreciate, it’s having to grow up faster than a young girl should and exacting revenge on those who made it so. That’s why Ámbar and Nena could spar. Ámbar is a tough girl and Nena has little patience, but game respects game. Be on the lookout for this book when it hits.

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