Tough Traveling – Witches

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? WITCHES

Witches are special and probably at least the equal of WIZARDS.

Right, so I don’t know how many of these qualify as witches really. Just because they are a magic user and female, does that make them a witch? Seems kinda stereotypical and sexist, but looking at my list, I am definitely guilty. (Although, I KNOW I have read a book with male witches, or at least one male witch. Just for the life of me can’t remember what it was.) Or if others label them as a witch, even if that’s not how they see themselves does that count? Some of my choices are likely tenuous, but I didn’t want a list of the Harry Potter cast, so this is what I came up with:

Red Witch (Melisandre) from A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

She may call herself a priestess, but when it comes down to it, she’s basically a witch. And a witch that is capable of doing and conjuring some rather disturbing things. She may seem a bit evil, but if you had a choice, you just might like having that power on your side. Problem is, I think she pulls all the strings and is actually the one in control. This is one where she does not refer to herself as a witch, but others (who fear her) do.

Bondsmagi (The Falconer and Patience) from The Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch

Ah, yes, nothing could possibly go wrong when all your magic users come from one place. And what makes a witch more scary? Being seriously messed up in the head, ala The Falconer style. I can’t remember if anyone referred to the bonds magi as witches, but I’m including them. They seem kinda witchy to me. And there’s men included with this entry!

Bethod’s Witch from The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie

Without her help, the Barbarian King would have been much less powerful without his witch at his side. I’m not sure if she has a name, just know that she was there making things harder for Logan and easier for Bethod and the Feared.

Jinna the Hedge Witch from The Tawny Man Trilogy by Robin Hobb

This hedge witch befriends dear ol’ Fitz and foresees something in his future. Ofcourse, this gives Fitz something to stress and ponder over as he tries to work out the exact meaning. And she has a hilarious cat. Love when we get to hear the inner thoughts of a feline character.

Shallan Davar from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

They may not call her a witch, but Shallan’s abilities to Soulcast and lightweave certainly make her powerful! Imagine being able to create illusions just by sketching them! Sounds amazingly witchy to me.

Lilia’s Mother (the Blood Witch) from Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley

Nothing says creepy like a blood witch. Although in this, she is a maternal figure and somehow, not at all creepy. It helps we see her through her daughters eyes. But with the right amount of blood to draw on, Lilia’s mother is incredibly powerful.