“Tough Traveling” is a weekly Thursday feature created by Nathan at Review Barn where participants make a new list each week based on The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones. This hilarious little book cheerfully pokes fun at the most prevalent tropes in fantasy. All are welcome to take part, and there is a link up over at his site. Join in any time!
This week’s trope is MOMS:
Everyone has a mother. Including people in fantasyland. Just in time to be slightly early for Mother’s Day.
Moms. Can’t be born without them, amirite? But in all seriousness, there are a ton of badass mothers in SFF and personally I think that’s how it should be. Parenthood looks really hard, man! Here are some ladies who make being a mother look bad ass:
 Molly Weasley – The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
There’s so much to love about Molly Weasley. She’s just a classic mom, you know? Knitting horrible sweaters, making her children wear awful dress robes, etc. And between her seven children, she’s had to deal with a truly unbelievable amount of shenanigans. Plus there is her most famous line…say it with me now: “NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!” #badassmom alert! |
 Alanna – Saga series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona StaplesContinuing the #badassmom trend, we have Alanna. She was pregnant on the run, she gave birth on the run, and now she’s raising her daughter Hazel on the run. From intergalactic assassins. Pretty epic. Now those of you who’ve read Vol. 4 probably remember that Alanna has made some pretty major parenting mistakes; she is by no means perfect. But when you get down to it, she would do absolutely anything for Hazel – and that’s some seriously good motherhood juju. |
 Elena Michaels – The Otherworld series/universe by Kelley ArmstrongIt’s hard to talk about Elena’s #badassmom status without spoiling the books, so suffice it to say that she has some INSANE multitasking skills. She has at least three crucial jobs, and motherhood is one of them. Elena may get busy with her werewolf business, but she never loses sight of the most important thing: her family. Plus, Kate and Logan are the most adorable werewolf baby/children/beings ever. |
 Penryn’s mom – Penryn & the End of Days series by Susan Ee
Sadly, not all moms are created equal – and Penryn’s mom leaves a lot to be desired. Interestingly enough, she’s also the only unnamed mom on this list (she is unnamed, right guys?!). She’s a complex character, ranging from almost villain to fierce protector. She definitely has her #badassmom moments…and some more generally “bad” moments. Of course, she is suffering from a debilitating mental illness so it’s hard to know how much blame to lay at her feet. I have a lot of compassion for her, but I understand Penryn’s frustration. |
BiblioSanctum Blog
Ah, Penryn’s mom! Agreed, she wasn’t the most sympathetic character in the books, but I had to admire her raising her kids while dealing with a debilitating mental illness, and in the end she must have done something right because her eldest daughter Penryn turned out to be an outstanding young lady.
~Mogsy
Tammy Sparks
Molly Weasley is very popular this week! And actually so is Saga. I just bought a copy and can’t wait to read it:-)
Lisa (@TenaciousReader)
Nice! Saga is such a perfect pick. 🙂 And love the Mrs. Weasley selection as well
MaddalenaSpaceandSorcery
Apart from Mrs. Weasley I don’t know any of the other characters, but they look interesting and more than worth a peek so… thanks for sharing! 🙂
Jenn (@balancedshelf)
Seeing so much Saga this week – I should check it out! I like badass moms.
Kaja
Saga is popping up on a number of lists this week. Should I read Saga, Danya? You’ve yet to steer me wrong with book recs 🙂
I don’t think we get a name for Penryn’s mom, no. I like how she loved the kiddo (what’s her name, Paige? Dunno.) even after her gruesome “transformation”. I wonder what Book 3 will bring. I also want to know why everyone at the angels’ camp was afraid of Penryn’s mom – I know she’s scary but I want to know what she did to earn so much fear/respect.
Lynn Williams
Molly is ruling the world this week! I love her and such a great scene at the end when she kicks Bellatrix butt!
I’ve got Angelfall and looking forward to reading it fairly soon.
Lynn 😀
Tiara
Alana and Mrs. Weasley are ruling the world of moms this week with good reason. Great list.
Laura @ Half-Strung Harp
Loving the #badassmom theme you’ve got going on here! Glad to see Molly Weasley topping your list too. I really must read more of Kelley Armstrong – I’ve only ever read ‘Bitten’, and that was forever ago! 😀
Lily Lau
I love Alanna, I wouldn’t even be able to do half the things she does! 🙂
Lazy Penguins
Stephanie
Nice variety of moms! I think being a mom, even one outside SFF requires a certain level of bad assitude and it sounds like all these ladies exhibit it in one way or another! I of course love Molly Weasley and really want to read the Saga books!
Nathan (@reviewbarn)
Not my daughter is my wife’s very favorite part of the series.