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? MONSTERS
MONSTERS are likely to lie in waste areas, caves, and old ruined cities. You can usually detect their presence by smell.
Water Based Monsters in Irenicon by Aidan Harte
Beneath the surface of a river that was forced through the city by its foes, lies unnatural creatures that will carry anyone who ventures too close to their death. And just to keep the residents on their toes, keep them from feeling too safe away from the water, occasionally, one breaks free and will walk the streets. They are kind like a water based zombie, drowning anyone who happens to cross its path.
Corelings/Demons from Warded Man (Demon Cycle) by Peter V. Brett
I expect this one to be on lots of lists this week. And for good reason, the demons (corelings) in Demon Cycle have quite a strong presence, they dictate how people live, causing them to fear being outside of their wards. And the demons are quite varied in type. They can emerge from water, fire, wind, rock, sand, wood …. well, seems like almost anywhere. There’s even a wiki where you can peruse the different demons if you so choose.
Monster who chows down on Nuns from The Red Knight by Miles Cameron
There are many creatures in this book that people see as monsters. They serve Thorn, leader of the Wild. But I’ll focus on the monster that is terrorizing people. The one that kicks our story off and causes a convent to hire mercenaries to track down the monster that killed one of their own. You have to love an unknown, mysterious threat from the woods (or the Wild) that pretty much just causes terror!
Monsters that come with the snow from Snowblind by Christopher Golden
A monstrous winter storm brought more to fear than just cold and ice when it descended on a town and left those who survived forever changed, mourning those lost and fearful for another storm that was more than just a vicious weather event. This is essentially a haunting tale where the threat comes not from some old house, but a white storm of snow.
Bad Monsters! from Foundling by D. M. Cornish
Alright, this might be one of my least favorite reads in the last couple of years. But, it does have monsters! And quite a strong “Monsters are bad, People are good” prejudice that is blatantly set up to teach a lesson. Maybe its OK for kids, but yeah. It has monsters. They are predatory and people can earn a Monster Blood Tattoo for killing them. Or at least I think that’s the case. I’ve done my best to rid my brain of most of this book.
Draccus from Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Often mistaken for a dragon, as it is scaly, looks somewhat reptilian and breathes fire. Since these creatures are herbivorous, they are generally not a threat. But View Spoiler »
The wyverns in The Red Knight were only the tip of the iceberg in the long run, eh? I love that book. Great list!
Rabindranauth recently posted…The Tough Guide to Monsters
They were the scariest I do believe. But I think anything from the Wild, people not from the Wild considered to be a Monster. 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
Didn’t know you had read the Red KNight. You like it? I gave up because I saw too many real world references in the fantasy land-someone later told me it may be a bit deliberate.
Oh that damn dragon in NOTW. Could have done without the whole scene. But it is a monster! Count it!
Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Tough Travels – Monsters
It took a while, but I enjoyed it. Can’t quite get motivated to read the next one though. 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
Nice – I had the corelings in my list as well.
Bob @ Beauty in Ruins recently posted…Tough Travels – Monsters
They were the first thing I thought of 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
I’ve always wondered what Irenicon by Aidan Harte was actually about. The river monsters make it sound even more interesting. Might have to give it a try.
Wendell(@Bookwraiths) recently posted…TOUGH TRAVELING — MONSTERS
I loved Irenicon. More people should read it 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
The Draccus! Whoo hoo!
He he …. nothing like a common draccus to brighten the day. With fire. From its mouth.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
Dont they go berserk for that resin stuff?
I would have thought corelings would make it on a lot of lists too, but yours is the first I’ve seen so far. They’re indeed some scary monsters, especially the big hive queens or whatever they have under the ground that just keep breeding other adorable little corelings.
How was Snowblind? I think I saw that in the audible thrills and chills sale and I was tempted to hit the buy button on it.
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Tough Traveling: Monsters
I enjoyed Snowblind. It was a like a snowy winter ghost story.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
Wowza another list where I haven’t read even one of them yet. Makes me feel so ….incomplete haha
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…Fan Art Up! (29) – Bad Girls vs Cute Girls
I am always surprised (or maybe not so surprised) by how many books on these lists I haven’t read. 🙂 You are not alone, there are just SOOO many books!
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
Completely forgot about Brett! So happy you got NoTW – I was wracking my tiny brain to think of how I could get Rothfuss on the list.
Lynn 😀
Lynn recently posted…“I beheld the wretch — the miserable monster whom I had created.’
🙂 I was surprised to not see Brett on more lists.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
I didn’t even think of Draccus, good call! And those Peter V. Brett books have been on my list for ages now. I have the first two – are they any good?
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Monthly Recap: October 2014