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? ELVES!
The section in the Tough Guide for Elves looks to be about the longest one yet, but here’s the gist of it:
ELVES claims to have been the first people in Fantasyland. They are called the Elder Race. They did not evolve like humans, but sprang into being just as they are now.
Elatians from Green Rider series by Kristen Britain (review of Book 5: Mirror Sight)– They are called Eletians, but basically they are elves. They have the near immortal (but not invincible) thing going on. Their race is older, wiser and more endangered than ours.
Elves from Bearers of the Black Staff duology by Terry Brooks (I believe it appeared on other books by him as well, this is just the ones I have read) – The elves reside in Arborlon , a thriving city of elves complete with an Elf King.
Royce from Riyria Revelations and Riyria Chronicles by Michael J. Sullivan (reviews of Riyria Chronicles) – OK, technically Royce is mir, which is only half elf. But still, the elves exist in this world, and Royce is our largest exposure to them. He is small, unusually agile and stealthy. All traits he owes to his elven ancestry. And all traits that help him tremendously in his thieving ways.
Puck from Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare – I absolutely loved this one when I read it as a teenager, and still, love it today. And Puck is hands down my favorite character. A mischief sprite (or elf) who can’t help but stir the pot.
Captain Holly Short from Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer – Elves in this world are one of the families of fairies. Elves are shorter, have tanned skin and pointy ears. They also possess magic. You know, standard elf qualities. Holly is the first and only captain in LEPrecon, and a bit feisty, so she’s my kind of girl.
I have read 1/4 of a book off that list. Though I have started enjoying Shakespeare more later in life and may start digging through his stuff a bit more.
Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Tough Travels – Elves
If you have to pick just one from this list, Shakespeare is the best choice!
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Tough Traveling – Elves
I LOVE HOLLY.
Rabindranauth recently posted…The Tough Guide to Elves
🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Tough Traveling – Elves
Nice! I think more than a few of us are destined to mention Brooks somewhere in the conversation, but I hadn’t thought about Britain. Then again, I’ve only read the first book of the Green Rider saga, and that was quite some time ago. I need to catch up if I ever find the time.
Bob @ Beauty in Ruins recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday: The Secret Lives of Twin Peaks by Mark Frost
I think the Elatian come more into play in the later books, but not entirely certain. I may have just forgotten details from the first 🙂 The books get better as the series goes one, imo.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Tough Traveling – Elves
Really need to read the Green Rider Saga. I do love Brooks’ elves.
It’s a fun series. Not perfect, but fun.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Mad Ship by Robin Hobb
Fun is good 🙂
I have the Brooks books. Elves are among some of my favorite characters.
Loni Townsend recently posted…Appetizers for Every Letter
They are fun! And mysterious, and magical. And sometimes, mischievous.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Tough Traveling – Elves
Okay, the Royce thing was something that I totally forgot about. How I don’t know.? (Stupidity, I’m guessing.) But, anyway, it was a great call.
Wish I could say I’d read all these books, but at least, they are now on the “to be read” list thanks to you. 🙂
Wendell(@Bookwraiths) recently posted…TOUGH TRAVELING — ELVES
I remembered Royce, but I couldn’t remember much about the full elves in the book. Ah well.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
I have just this week bought the first two from the Dark Legacy of Shannara – is this the same series as yours above? Have you read?? More importantly do you like Brooks????
It’s nice to see someone else picked Puck.
Great list.
Lynn 😀
Lynn recently posted…“Master has presented Dobby with clothes! Dobby is free!
I honestly don’t know. Those two books in the duo logy are the only two books I’ve read by Brooks. I do know they are set in the same world as at least some of his other books, but I don’t know which. I picked these to read because my library had the ebook versions of them 🙂 I was also glad to see Puck on your list! 🙂
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
I love how we both have Riyria on our lists. Those books are viewed pretty universally as conventional fantasy, but I thought Sullivan’s vision of elves was pretty cool, actually. In fantasy they’re usually so hoity toity and holier than thou when it comes to their relationships with humans, and here we have it the other way around with elves being a conquered race and their half-blooded brethren enslaved or treated horribly.
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Tough Traveling: Elves
That’s true. They are usually the more elusive, but also more intelligent, with a richer past, shunning our mere mortal crude ways.
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
Wow I haven’t read any of these – well though I admit I did try Terry Brooks Shannara books, I read the prequel one ages ago, love it then tried to read the first in the series and couldn’t stand it for one reason or another….mind this was when I was like hmmm 12 or 13 years ago?
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…Review: The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead
These lists are often full of books I haven’t read (other people’s lists 😉 ) Its a nice way to see a bit about them, discover some new things to add to the TBR
Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Mad Ship by Robin Hobb