‘Where nomad has gone before’
16 October 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Fantasy Review Barn, Nomads, Tough Travelling
Being Thursday, I’ve packed up my toothbrush and I’m going travelling through the tropes of fantasy with the Fantasy Review Barn. Hosted by Nathan, every week we dig out examples of whatever trope is the topic and try to expand each others horizons – otherwise known as the TBR. So, this week:
DESERT NOMADS occupy the hot parts to the south, which is either desert or rather parched grass. For some reason this is ideal terrain for breeding horses, of which nomad clans have in large numbers.
Three by Jay Posey – a strange apocalyptic world where terrible creatures called Weir stalk the night shrieking and causing terror. Three is the lone gunman of the piece who against his own better judgement turns hero and comes to the assistance of a lone woman and her son in their hour of need. Can’t say there is any horse breeding going on here but Three is definitely a nomad type character travelling alone through the deserted plains.
The Painted Man by Peter Brett. Arlen is something of a nomad. He leaves his home and family in a quest to discover more about the lost wards that prevent the demons that arise at dusk from taking over his world. I could probably also have the character Jardir from the second novel in the series by the same author – the Desert Spear!
Smilers Fair by Rebecca Levene – probably a slight cheat but Smiler’s Fair itself does have a nomadic lifestyle. The whole fair packs up and moves on on a regular basis – in order to avoid the ‘worm men’ who come from beneath the ground. In fact most of the communities of this book have to regularly up sticks and move for that very same reason.
Aragorn – he rides a horse occasionally, I’m sure that some of the weather must be hot every now and again and he’s a ranger which definitely lends him a lonesome style of life. And, this allows me to get LoTR into my list as usual!
Darn it though – I can’t think of an example from Harry Potter. Drat and bother.
That’s it for me this week – tell me about your nomads please as I’ve done shockingly badly this week!
Books and travelling with Lynn 
Oh there goes Aragorn my love!
Ahh, deep sigh!
Lynn 😀
The titles for your Tough Traveling posts slay me. Too good. The only one on your list that I’ve read is LoTR, and of course any sneaky way we can get an Aragorn shoutout is fine with me. I’ve been seeing Peter V. Brett’s books around a lot for this category – I really need to read them.
Haha, sometimes I try to think of a good title – but I’m impatient, if it doesn’t come quickly then….
Peter Brett I’ve kind of got stuck on. I loved the Painted (Warded) Man, I thought Desert Spear was okay – but it’s one of those where the focus changes person. I ended up liking it but at first I wanted to continue with Arlen’s story. I haven’t read the third yet – I kind of got stuck on the size of it alone and then I read so many reviews that said it didn’t take the plot forward – I just need to grab the bull by the horns and read it.
Lynn 😀
Best…Title…Ever. Well done. I have wanted to read Three since it came out, fairly consistently shows up on a blog and reminds me.
Well, let’s face it – I didn’t do too well with the list so maybe the title will redeem me! I enjoyed Three but I did have reservations and I thought No.2 was not as good.
Lynn 😀
Lol, if Aragorn can make the list then why not Lupin? Because of the werewolf part of him, its been mentioned he has trouble finding steady work. That hints that he generally has to keep moving 😀
Yeah, Lupin could definitely make the list! He is a loner and does have to regularly move on. (In fairness, I’m always happy to add Aragorn to any list!)
Lynn 😀
Aragorn is a great choice. Although I always think of him as Strider when I think of him in his original role of ranger.
Yeah, you’re right of course – I’ve almost stopped thinking of him as Strider which is odd!
Lynn 😀
This week was really hard! I’m currently reading N.K. Jemisin’s Dreamblood Duology, which has some characters that fit, but I couldn’t think of anyone else.
It was tough this week! I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought so – actually I think a few found it difficult tbh. Elves should be easier – but then you start wanting to come up with something original – just to make it tough again!
Lynn 😀
LOL I was just thinking this week this is one where we’ll probably not see any Harry Potter! 😀
Nice picks, I know it was tough but I think you did fantastic…The Krasians were a must.
The Desert Spear was a ‘must’ for this week. Looking forward to elves – the thing is though, when something seems like it’s going to be easy it usually isn’t – and also there’s the element of feeling you have to come up with something unusual! I must have plenty of elves though – LoTR is a pretty easy one and HP!
Lynn 😀
How how HOW did I not think of Smiler’s Fair??? Good call! 😀
I must admit it felt like Smiler’s Fair was a cheat but on reflection fairground communities are nomadic travellers by nature so it actually fits better than I thought!
Lynn 😀