Every Thursday Nathan at The Fantasy Review Barn takes us travelling through the tropes of fantasy.  I love this although I have to admit that the newest books are the ones that usually spring most readily to mind and LoTR seems to be making my list virtually every week!  Without further ado this week we’re looking at:

‘NORTHERN BARBARIANS’

1.  Brodar Kayne from Luke Scull’s Grim Company.  Tough as old boots.  Used to be ‘The Sword of the North’ but now seems to be on the run from his former master, accompanied by his trusty psycho friend The Wolf.  He’s no longer a spring chicken but he can kick ass!  An entertaining pair!

2.  The Sa’ba Taalor from the Seven Forges by James A Moore- a race of people, largely forgotten who live amongst the huge mountain ranges of the north – The Seven Forges.  The Empire of Fellein, always in search of more places to plant a flag or collect goodies send an expedition over the blasted lands of the North and this expedition returns with more than they ever anticipated.  I’m not sure that I would call these Barbarians although I’m sure that the Empire thought little more of them than that until they had a rather rude awakening!

3.  Yeine Darr from The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N K Jemisin.  Yeine’s mother was once heir to the Amareri throne until she eloped with a man considered to be far below her status and was disinherited.  At the start of the story Yeine’s mother has died and Yeine is called back to the city in the Sky.  Against all odds, and not least because being half Darre she is considered a barbarian, she is named heir along with two others – and thus starts a political struggle with all kinds of deception and maneouvering.

4.  Sven Broke Oar – from Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Fools. – a particularly nasty character.  Ruler of the Hardassa Clan.  His Black Fort really is based far up in the icy North.

5.  The Nac Mac Feegles from Terry Pratchett’s Wee Free Men – I had to.  They’re rum little buggers with fiery tempers and unquenchable thirsts (for anything even remotely alcoholic).  Do not get on their wrong side.

‘OK, lads, this is what we’ll do.  As soon as we see somethin’, we’ll attack it.  Right?’
This caused a cheer.
‘Ach, ‘tis a good plan,’ said Daft Wullie