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? PRINCESSES
PRINCESSES come in two main kinds:
1. Wimps.
2 Spirited and wilful. Spirited Princesses often disguise themselves as boys and invariably marry commoners of sterling worth.
There, that oughta make up for the tough week we just went through. There is no shortage of Princesses in fantasy, think I will just pick a few favorites.
I tried to come up with examples of both. But, I want to kick princesses that are wimps, and if possible I choose not to read about them. So, any I have read have been banished to the recesses of my memory, and instead, I think my choices fall string in the Spirited and Willful variety.
Clarice from the House of Four Winds by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory – Definitely the Spirited variety of Princess. While we know she is a princess, almost the entire book consists of her traveling under the guise of ‘Clarence’ (so not just masking her royal-ness, but also her gender). And her ambition is to earn a name for herself as a master sword fighter. Yeah, that sounds like my kind of Princess.
Princess Lyrna from Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan – Another spirited princess. This one has both power and is on her journey to find peace for their lands is anything but pampering.
Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard – The princess in this one is not exactly a main character. But she is definitely mentioned a few times, and I liked and remembered what I heard. So, we may see much of her, but I have to love a princess that will dress in boys clothes to head out to the fair with her brother (the prince that is featured in this).
Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell – You know how to become a princess? Just start calling yourself one. That will definitely turn out well, don’t you think? Jesting aside, I won’t name this character since she does not start out as a princess. But eventually, she gains that status. If it turns out to be legit or not? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out. 🙂
Snow White in Poison by Sarah Pinborough – How can I make of list of princesses and not include a Disney princess?? But, since I’m not exactly a Disney type of girl, I am going with Pinborough’s version of Snow White. She is still much loved by people and nature, but now she has a more carefree, reckless way to her fun in the forest. And a penchant for enjoying all of the earthy pleasures afforded her.
I completely forgot Traitor’s Blade also has a princess, which sucks, because I made my post about the last 5 princesses I’ve read and she’s definitely in the last 5 :/
Rabindranauth recently posted…The Tough Guide to Princesses
😀 It is so easy to forget things like this. And that particular princess choice could be a bit debatable 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Monthly Musings – July 2014
I need to give Pinborough a read through some time. I have heard great things about those princess books, and they look short which is sometimes a plus.
Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Tough Traveling â Princesses
I musch preferred them to Mayhem, though they are quite different. Her fairy tales are just meant to be pure fun. I really enjoyed the two I’ve read (and have the third lined up, waiting to be read)
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Monthly Musings – July 2014
Great list! Naturally, I haven’t read most of these books, but I did think of putting the girl from Traitor’s Blade in but couldn’t think of her name. Glad you included her anyway. 🙂
Yeah, I couldn’t remember how much she was seen before she gained Princess status, so just the name off in case it was a spoiler
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Monthly Musings – July 2014
So happy to see Pinborough on here! I gave her books a mention. I love her retellings. Princesses who are far from pure as the driven snow! And, can’t wait to read Traitor’s Blade!
Lynn 😀
Lynn recently posted…Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess…
Yep, I saw your mention of them. They definitely have my kind of princess and were a lot of fun to read. Hope you enjoy Traitor’s Blade, so far most every has.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Monthly Musings – July 2014
argh I seriously need to get my hands on House of the Four Winds – maybe I should go outside and check the mailbox lol.
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…Fan Art Up! (16) – Everness, airships and a dragon doodle
Its a fun book, fingers crossed one comes your way soon. I was thinking I saw a contest for one, then remembered it was on your sight! 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Monthly Musings – July 2014
I had the same thought – I haven’t seen a lot of wimpy princesses in fantasy, but maybe that’s because we’re just reading the right books 😀 Wimpy princesses, no thanks!
I’ve read all the books in your list this week except Poison…but damn, I just realized I have like no recollection of the princess in Moth and Spark! XD
Mogsy recently posted…Book Review: The Magician King by Lev Grossman
Yeah, I am guessing I have read some, I choose to not remember them 🙂 The princess in moth and spark was really just mentioned a few times, but I liked what I heard of her. And I am sure you would love Poison!
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Monthly Musings – July 2014
I’m sorry, Traitor’s Blade has a princess?! Damn, that book’s got everything I love! Need to read is immediately.
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Tough Travelling: Princesses
hmmm…. see now I have to think of something it doesn’t have. I don’t think it has pirates. But, definitely worth the read. Hope you enjoy it!
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Monthly Musings – July 2014