Nathan over at Fantasy Review Barn is the mastermind of Tough Traveling. What’s Tough Traveling? Pretty much, it’s a weekly feature on Thursdays where we dig around to come up with examples of common tropes in fantasy, using Diana Wynne Jones’ The Tough Guide to Fantasyland as our inspiration and guide. Nathan has invited one and all to join in the fun, so feel free to come up with your own lists and add the link on Nathan’s weekly post, which will also contain (unleash) the next weeks theme. So let the fun begin …
This weeks theme? PRACTICE/COMBAT RINGS
PRACTICE RING OR COMBAT RING is a sanded circle used for sparring and WEAPONS practice… It can be found attached to any school of weaponry, outside mercenaries’ winter quarters, and quite often on the outskirts of aggressive towns.
Hmm… I’m running a little late with this this week. But I have something. Hopefully it’s not nonsense. I have a few I feel like I can picture from reading, but I can’t for the life of me match them with books. I’m hoping when I look at the other lists I will have a couple of A-HA moments 🙂
Green Rider Series by Kristen Britain – Here you will find the elite Black Shields (or Weapons) practicing. As well as Karrigan and King Zachary. I do believe once Karrigan even practiced wearing a corset after failing at a sword fight when she was caught off guard on a date.
Irenicon by Aidan Harte – Training in this book is a bit different, but quite serious. This place is all about war and fighting. We see our protagonist, Sofia training with banners (which is basically like fighting with sticks). As for practice, if I remember correctly, they practice in something like a warehouse. They also practice in fights across the city, spanning rooftops and such.
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie – This series starts of with introducing us to Jezel, an accomplished swordsman who is training for the Contest. His instructor shows no mercy, referring to him as a fainting schoolgirl when he goes down.
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin – That’s right. I’m including this series again. But how could I not?? The practice area at Castle Black is quite the training ground as they take a bunch of misfits who have never so much as held a sword before and try to teach them to be real fighters. Well, Lord Snow has held a sword before, but
Enders Game by Orson Scott Card – The Battle Room is a zero gravity combat area is used for teams of students in the Combat School to practice and raise their ranking. When students are hit, a section of their body (armor) will freeze, leading to some interesting tactics.
Awesome list. I have ASoIaF on mine also 😀 I had more than enough picks this week, I actually left The First Law off in favor of Blood Song.
Rabindranauth recently posted…The Tough Guide to Practice Rings
Blood Song was a great pick 🙂 And, ASoIaF, I mean, it *has* to be on here.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Tough Traveling – Practice/Combat Rings
I had a couple of AHA! moments while looking at your list, myself 😀 I actually thought about Irenicon as well! I kinda recall that sparring was how the main character hurt her arm, wasn’t it? And definitely ASoIaF and those scenes where Jon Snow whoops ass at Castle Black!
Mogsy recently posted…PANELS: Rat Queens vol.1: Sass and Sorcery
Actually, I think it was the [spoiler]crazy old nun that broke her arm[/quote]. But, I know initially I thought it was normal sparring. I guess it was still sparring though, just a bit unexpected. Thinking about it makes me more anxious for the sequel, I really enjoyed that one! 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman
Oh jesus, are you the only one who came up with Jezel? All the first law fans and we all miss it?
Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Tough Traveling – Practice/Combat Rings
Ha! I thought for sure that one would be on several lists. But, I was also missing some major ones myself, so I guess it all works out 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman
Ooohhh, I’ve had The Green Rider on my TBR forever, how did you like it? And I’m starting a BR of The Blade Itself today. Great picks 😉
Jessica @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Question: Does Reading Romance Make You Question Whether You Are Normal?
I really enjoy the Green Rider books. Karrigan is a little bit whiney in the beginning, but her character grows. Hope you get to someday, and if so, I’d love to see what you think. I don’t really “know” anyone else who has read them.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Magician’s Land by Lev Grossman
I’ve only read one on your list this week! Still have to read the First Law – SOON!
Definitely a very good original list. Kudos.
Lynn 😀
Lynn recently posted…Guess where?
I hope its Game of Thrones that you have read 🙂 And you have much to look forward to if you’ve not read Abercrombie yet 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Tough Traveling – Practice/Combat Rings
I hear you on the “AHA!” moments; they arrive each week when I see Abercrombie and Sanderson on every list. Kind of like: AHA! I need to read those books. Seriously impressive list!
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Tough Travelling: Practice/Combat Rings
Ha! Yes, you totally should read those. Although, I don’t recommend Abercrombie to everyone. Nor do I recommend Sanderson to everyone, so there is that. 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Tough Traveling – Practice/Combat Rings
I have only read Ender’s Game and Game of Thrones (thru book 3) but I definitely plan to read the others and already have them thankfully,
Tabitha recently posted…Review: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead
Would the circles that the come up in Wheel of Time count? I think they used circles while sparing in several of those books… although maybe I am crazy and making stuff up 😛
Tina @ Not Yet Read recently posted…When books are shelved in genres where you don’t think they belong