“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 SNARKY SIDEKICKS:
Why is everyone so serious all the time? Perhaps they need a friend that is there with a quick bit of wit to liven the day; even if the day is looking to quickly turn to blood. (Not actually found in the Tough Guide)
Ooo best topic ever! I decided to make things interesting by only choosing non-human snarky sidekicks, specifically fae.
 Tinker Bell – Peter Pan and Wendy by J.M. BarrieTinker Bell is the quintessential snarky sidekick…which is especially cool when you consider the fact that she doesn’t even say anything in the entire book! Well, not in English anyway. Fairy language sounds like the tinkling of bells to human ears. But Peter translates for her a few times and it’s always gold. Best Snarky Moment: |
 Tink – Wicked by Jennifer L. ArmentroutTink is a brownie, a benevolent fae creature in a world where the fae are generally considered evil killing machines. The protagonist calls him Tink (after Tinker Bell) because he won’t tell her his real name. He’s always ready with a Harry Potter quote! Best Snarky Moment: |
 Jenks – The Hollows series by Kim HarrisonJenks is a pixy – don’t you dare call him a fairy, or he will pix you with his magic dust and you’ll be sorry! He is full of verve and wit and, when the occasion calls for it, some seriously foul insults. He is also the father of a bajillion pixy children (that is not the actual number, but it’s a lot). Best Snarky Moment: |
 Moth, Mustardseed, Cobwb, and Peaseblossom – Eyes Like Stars by Lisa MantchevThese three fairies are pulled straight from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and they’ve got the sass to prove it! Best Snarky Moment: |
Nathan (@reviewbarn)
Ok. You going in and digging up actually quotes makes the rest of us look lazy. What is up with that?
Also, didn’t know anyone had actually read Peter Pan. And would I like ‘Eyes like Stars?’
Danya @ Fine Print .
Haha, you’re welcome.
I had to read it for school, do not recommend. Hmm…do you like Shakespeare? If yes, then you probably will. It’s the first book in a trilogy and imo it’s the best one of the lot.
Kaja
Ugh, I can’t believe I forgot about Tink! I just read Wicked… Peter Pan is *not* my favourite children’s book, though. I had to read it recently for a class and I didn’t enjoy it. Great idea, going for fairies and pixies 🙂
Is Eyes Like Stars by the same lady who wrote Ticker? Is it any better? I really disliked Ticker…
Danya @ Fine Print .
Tink was the best, wasn’t he? Great wingman, haha. Oh my gosh, I am not a Peter Pan love either! I always had a vague idea that it was racist and awful but then I actually read it and yikes.
It’s by the same woman, yes! Well let’s put it like this: I DNFed Ticker after 5 pages (I am a bad person) but I quite liked Eyes Like Stars! It’s leaps and bounds above Ticker.
Stephanie
I love your approach – focusing on snarky fairy folk! I haven’t read any of these which is fun and I’ll definitely be adding Wicked and Eyes Like Stars to the TBR.
Danya @ Fine Print .
Thank you! There are a surprising number of them, that’s for sure. YES do it! They’re both really good. 🙂
Bob Milne
I’m with Nathan – you’re making the rest of us look bad with your quotes. 🙂
Danya @ Fine Print .
Haha, sorry everyone! Just don’t expect that level of effort every week. 😉
Lisa (@TenaciousReader)
Ha! Love the quotes 🙂 And that you focused on fae snark.
Danya @ Fine Print .
Thanks, Lisa! I’m not very good at describing snark so I thought I’d leave that to the authors…hence the quotes!
Restiva
Wow, a lot of snarky fairies. Good call! And Tink sounds awesome. I want him in my house based entirely on that quote.
Danya @ Fine Print .
Right? I was surprised by how many I could rattle off. HAHA Tink was one of the best parts of Wicked, hands down. Not a perfect book but he pushed it into the 4 star territory for me.
mollymortensen
haha I didn’t think of Tinkerbell! I think I have to read Wicked now. I loved how you added quotes!
Danya @ Fine Print .
She’s so sassy, isn’t she? Yes, read it! Although it’s more heavy on the romance than the fantasy, so keep that in mind if that’s not your thing.
Laura @ Half-Strung Harp
I’ve never read the book, but that quote from ‘Wicked’ made me laugh out loud. Great list! 🙂
Danya @ Fine Print .
Harry Potter jokes are kind of a no-fail way to get people laughing these days, I think! Thanks Laura. 🙂
BiblioSanctum Blog
Oh, I love the extra touch with the examples 🙂
I couldn’t come up with enough this week to even form a theme!
~Mogsy
Danya @ Fine Print .
Hehe, thank you! What, the queens of Tough Travelling? I am shocked! Next week you and Wendy will be back with a massive list, I’m sure. 🙂
Lynn Williams
Hah! You just went next level – even with the quotes!!! bloody hell I’m super impressed. Hang on – was Tamora on this here list… wait…… WHAT? No Tamora. I’ll let you off as I didn’t (yet again) have lotr! I need to look at a lot of your prior reviews – think we could have a lot in common here! and you can’t have enough good recommendations now can you.
Lynn 😀
Danya @ Fine Print .
Thanks Lynn. HA! I knew you’d catch that. I think the fae are the one fantasy trope that Tamora Pierce doesn’t use…she’s got all the other magical creatures, but not faeries! Hey I could say the same to you – your lists always make me want to go on a book buying spree. 😉
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
Cookie from Darynda Jones’ Charley Davidson series is currently one of my favourite sidekicks; she’s not overly snarky because the heroine is enough of a smart ass for the both of ‘em, but she does have her moments.
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
Danya @ Fine Print .
COOKIE! I’ve only read the first book, but she was awesome enough that I remember her. And you’re right, if she were as snarky as Charley those two would never get anything done – they’d just be cracking wise at each other all day!