2026 Silmaril Awards Voting

It’s voting week for the 2026 Silmaril awards!

Nominations are ended and the top 5 for each category have been revealed. These awards are by readers and for readers so now it’s your turn. Time to decide who you shall rise and who shall fall. Nothing less than a silmaril from Tolkien’s legendary Middle-earth is on the line.

Vote for your favorite characters across ten categories, including this year’s Most Epic Hero award.

And just who are these fine characters seeking your vote for this year’s silmaril?

The envelope please…

Most Epic Hero nominees for 2026

And the nominees for Most Epic Hero in 2026 are…

Odysseus (The Odyssey)

This hardened warrior has proven himself time and again by both his wits and his strength in battle. Wrestling against mythic powers and creatures and running from the wrath of Poisideon, he longs to return home to his wife and resume the life he once enjoyed as ruler of Ithaca.

Achan (The Blood of Kings Series)

Born into servitude, Achan dreams of rising out of his past to become a Kingsguard Knight. But even beyond skill with the sword, he must learn to understand the strange voices in his head if he is ever to change his stars and achieve his destiny.

Grayden (The Turrim Archive)

Though a bit of a prankster, Grayden grows up fast when he is sent to the Academy. He quickly gains recognition for his hard work, loyalty, and unsurpassed expertise with his chosen weapon, the dagger. As war stirs in his land, Grayden and his friends are pulled into the center of a conflict far beyond anything he had ever imagined.

Mendanbar (Enchanted Forest Chronicles)

Mendenbar is curious and inquisitive, he tends to follow his instincts, and he will go to great lengths to protect others. His realm is literally attached to him magically, so he is used to being able to just make it do things without really thinking about it. He gets a little annoyed with inefficiencies or things that don’t make sense, such as why his castle is arranged in a way where he has to climb various sets of stairs to get down to the dungeons.

Despereaux (The Tale of Despereaux)

Despereaux is an abnormally small mouse with overly large ears, but though an outcast among the other mice his bravery leads him on many adventures and allows him to vanquish many foes.

The choice is yours

The time for deliberation is over. It’s time to get to vote. You have until September 18th to cast your vote and determine who the winners of the 2026 Silmaril Awards will be.

Click on the button below to cast your vote!