If you’ve been around here for any length of time, then you know that fantasy is my favorite genre both to read and to write. I’ll read plenty of other genres as well, but fantasy is my favorite.
So I’d like to start something new over here. Each Friday, I’ll post a Fantasy Reflections question to spark a little discussion about common fantasy elements, or characters, or favorite books. You can answer the question in the comments and dialogue back and forth with one another. But you can also copy the image and past it on your blog and invite your readers to participate as well. All I ask is that you link back to my original post.
If you’re anything like me, some of these questions will be pure torture trying to narrow down to one answer. But I encourage you to do so! If it’s at all possible. It’ll be fun. Painful but fun.
We’ll focus the questions on fantasy, but feel free to answer from any sort of speculative fiction novel you desire. Sci-fi. Dystopian. You name it.
So without further ado, our first Fantasy Reflection:
I agree, Aragorn would certainly be an ideal companion! But if I couldn't have Aragorn I'd probably pick Samwise Gamgee. After all, he had plenty of practice with this sort of thing…and Frodo came back alive, which is a definite plus.
This is such a cool idea! :)
Sam … good old Sam! He would be a wonderful companion. So loyal and tough and downright unbeatable! :)
Brave and trusty Samwise! Just the type of person you want on a journey
I'd go get Murtagh, from the Inheritance Cycle. I think he could probably get me out alive, what with his dragon, and cool sword and all. But if I really am destined to die, at least I'd get to hang out with a handsome sass master first.
Oooooooo, Murtagh! He was so cool in Eragon, easily my favorite character in that book. But I had to stop at the first book. I heard too many dissatisfied fans about the rest of the series.
After reading up on him on Inheriwiki (which is so much easier than reading three thick books to find only a few scenes), I totally agree that Murtagh would be nice to have as a companion. But probably only after the end of the book series, giving him some recovery time. If he truly cared about you though, I'm pretty sure the mission will succeed. :)
Ooh good one. I love seeing everyone's answers! So cool.
And yes, Hannah, I think you're right. If Murtagh cared about you, you could bet your bottom dollar he'd see you got back safe.
Aw Hannah, you should totally read it. It wasn't dissatisfying at all (in my opinion) But yes, I'd have to get on his good side. I think I could manage that….
Yes, I have considered it. Actually, I was pleased with Murtagh's final change of heart. If any books are written about HIM, I would most certainly read it (if he didn't do anything crazy, like, die.)
Christopher Paolini is going to write a fifth book! And Murtagh is one of his choices for a main character!! I think CP is smarter than to kill him. Who wants to be murdered by fangirls in his sleep?
EEEK! Okay, now I'm excited! Must find out more…
All right. At first I thought, Oo, easy.
But then I realized it would really depend on what WORLD I am in. In Middle-Earth, yes, Aragorn would awesome. Or Legolas.
If I was somewhere like Goldstone Wood, I would probably choose…well, Eanrin. He's a good fighter and very good at navigating the wily Wood. And its EANRIN! If I die, it'll probably be from laughter (and he'd be so offended).
But after consideration, if I was in any fantasy world, but a character still had their original power, I might say…Finrod Felegund.
Who, some of you might ask, is he? He's an incredible elf king from Tolkien's histories. He's a great warrior, full of power: disguised 12 men, including himself, as orcs, fought a battle of songs and almost won against Sauron, broke chains with thought, and killed a werewolf with nothing but his bare hands and teeth. Did I mention he's a great musician?
Now yes, there are some disadvantages to having Finrod. One, he's cursed to die. But if he dies saving Beren, that means he won't die with me, right? Still, maybe he's not the best choice. But he'd be cool to hang out with, nonetheless.
It depends too on the sort of perilous mission you're going on. What dangers will you have to face? If it's a dragon, then I might just choose Bilbo as my companion! ;) Or if it's a long terrible journey through a desolate wasteland, you might want a more cheerful companion to keep you from despairing when you run out of water for the fifth time.
Or … well, you get the point. There are so many factors involved! :)
Finrod Felagund! Oh yes! He is one of my absolute favorites. So faithful and honorable and such a great warrior. I absolutely love the Ley of Leithian!
Choices, choices! I'm in quite the same dilemma as Hannah! But my choice, I think, would be Aragorn, and my second choice would be Alastair Coldhollow from the Dark Sea Annals. Alastair, after all, has some mad skills, knows how to survive, and he's pretty awesome all around.
Oh yes! Alastair would be perfect too! :)
I still have to read the Dark Sea Annals. They must be awesome.
Hannah, they are good! I enjoyed reading them, for sure. Alastair is pretty cool … and so is Loch from the Errant King.
You must read the Dark Sea Annals! They're excellent. And Alastair and Loch are awesome.
Oh, girl! Why do you do this to me? Tough question indeed.
Aragorn is a fabulous choice. He'd probably be one of my first choices as well. If not him though, I'm thinking Howl from Howl's Moving Castle. He's a wizard after all, and has a knack for getting himself and others out of tight situations (even if a lot of times the situations are his fault…). Still, he'd be pretty handy to have around I think. Plus, I mean, it's HOWL. Who wouldn't want to go on a mission with him? *cough*
Ah yes, good ol' Howl. :D
Howl's Moving Castle is on my list of books to read. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Is it good? Should I move it up higher on the list?
It's very, very, very clever. Not my favorite of Diana Wynne Jones (I got a little bored and confused at points), but it was definitely really good. My favorite of Diana Wynne Jones is The Dark Lord of Derkholm. If you haven't read that yet, seriously consider it. :)
I actually love Howl's Moving Castle; it's my favorite Diana Wynne Jones book.
I nearly picked Howl as well, but I think that on a mission of this sort, I'd want someone a little more serious. Not that Howl can't be serious . . . he just generally isn't.
Oh, Gillian! You haven't read Howl's Moving Castle??? You must! MUST. It's such a fun book! It's one of my absolute favorite books, which you know is saying something for us avid readers who cannot choose favorites. It is just so awesome. The characters are an absolute delight and the story is far, far too much fun. You should definitely try it soon. ;)
Okay! I'll have to push it up my list a bit. :) Too many glowing recommendations to ignore!
Reepicheep from Chronicles of Narnia. Or Gimly from the Lord of the Rings.
Neither of them may be the very best of fighters, but what they lack they more than make up for it in spirit, courage, and a positive can-do attitude. :)
Both of those would be tremendous companions. You can't beat Gimli for stalwart loyalty. And Reepicheep would stand by your side till the bitter end, bravely defending you against all foes … those that he could reach, that is. :)
Gasp! I just thought of another one!
Eugenides, one of my cleverest + deadliest favorite characters! Oh yes, if there wasn't lot of magic involved in this mission (and possibly even so, though I've never seen him against it), Eugenides is the one for me, if I want to accomplish this mission in a way the enemy will never except. And we'll succeed or die. Because Gen doesn't quit. Ever. And if this mission involves stealing something…? Well. I've already succeeded. Because there is no thief like the Thief!
Eugenides is the main character in The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner, and if you haven't read it, you really, really should. The first book might be a bit tedious for the average reader, but it is great, and books 2 and 3 are absolutely ah-mazing!
So there. Eugenides for non-magical mission. Finrod Felegund for dealing with magic.
The Queen's Thief is another series I've been meaning to read. *sigh* Guess I'll have to move that one up the list too. :)
Yes. You must.
:)
Can I bring Beana, the Lady Knight/Goat? Not only is she epic, she is sensible, mysterious…and a goat! I love goats.
Ooh good one. And unique too!
You know, I actually considered Beana too. I know there's a LOT to learn about her, and I expect she's going to be more awesome than I can imagine.
Hard question. I'd have to say I'd want Jack Frost to accompany me. He helped defeat the boogy man, fear it's self. What could be better! I wouldn't mind Aragon or Legolas either. They are pretty cool. Or maybe Aslan?!
Aslan beats them all! Would so pick Aslan!
Aslan? Oh, good choice!
Aslan is my first choice. Then, Albus Dumbledore. Then, Aragorn.
Excellent choices there! (And great alliteration too.)
Hmm….
If it was a milk-run-turned-magical-peril situation, I'd want…Wizard Fenworth (in his younger years) from Donita K. Paul's DragonKeeper series. He's so wizardy! A sort of grouch, cleverer than he first appears, throws out idioms in a Yoda-like (but more understandable) fashion, and he has a HUMONGOUS LIBRARY in his TREE HOUSE!!!
I added "in his younger years" because in his "older years" (the ones we see him in), he has a habit of turning into a tree (which happens when he takes a nap) in the middle of things…
(*clash* *clang* *ugh!* "Would you mind doing something?!" "*Snork!* What is the girl shouting about, Librettowit? I must say, young people have no respects for their elders these days. My my, that is a superb sword: craftsmanship from the…oh, the grawlig's going to get it bloodied! Put that down this instant!" *some random and unpredictable spell is promptly hurled towards the offender*)
As amazing as he is, that's probably something that would happen. ;)
If I started on a quest and, say, some magic went awry and opened a portal from which I could summon any fictional character currently in existence, I would say Spider-Man. :D He's been everywhere; Asgard, the year 2099, New York… :)