Addicted to fantasy?
10 December 2014 
This week over at the Fantasy Review Barn we are again travelling through the tropes of fantasy. This week the topic is:
DRUGS- Driver of all the underground economies. At times glorified, at times responsible for all the world’s evil, but just as common in Fantasyland as our own. A big thanks to Tammy for the suggestion as this is not from the Tough Guide.
Jaye Wells – Dirty Magic – street drug that turns people into animals – very nasty!
Scott Lynch – Gentleman Bastard series. Lots of drugs used in this. There is the drug from the first book, which I can’t remember the name of, but basically turns anyone who uses it almost into a zombie and Capa Rasa is planning to use on all the nobles. There is the drug that Locke and Jean are infected with during Red Seas Under Red Skies (although is this really a drug or a poison?) I seem to remember that in the political games of Republic of Thieves – the political assistant who aids Locke and Jean is a drug addict?
Cherie Priest’s Boneshaker contains a highly addictive substance called Yellow Sap which again with continuous use renders the taker into a zombie like state.
Tarnished by Karina Cooper. Another steampunk adventure where the main protagonist is addicted to Opium.
I’m away from home this week so apologies for the short post, any mistakes and lack of graphics. I know there are lots more great examples but I can’t think of them right at this moment. I know I’ll be kicking myself when I read everyone’s posts!
Books and travelling with Lynn 
Nikoros (Republic of Thieves) was, I believe, addicted to Dust? I recall Locke referring to him as a Dusthead. Im probably wrong though.
I do believe you’ve got it!! Thanks – now I won’t have to keep picking my brains!
Lynn 😀
Sap! I got that one too. I think being addicted to opium is a requirement in steampunk. But I feel dumb for not thinking about it, I could have padded the list some.
And if a drug can make me a wolf I am all in.
Haha, I like that you want the wolf ‘drug’. Although – they weren’t particularly friendly wolves tbh!
Lynn 😀
I wanted to put Gentlemen Bastards on my list, because I could swear in one of the books someone, either one of the more prominent characters or a secondary character was on drugs or got addicted. But for the life of me I couldn’t remember the details either!
I know – so annoying! I know that I was thinking of Republic of Thieves and the political game between Locke and Jean v Sabetha – just couldn’t remember the name of the assistant/go to guy!
Lynn 😀
I’m not sure this counts, but the deities in Brandon Sanderson’s Warbreaker definitely have a need in order to keep going on and on. Some of the main characters have the same magical need.
Yes, it counts – at least I think so – it’s an addiction after all! I suppose I could have also added Jean’s addiction to coffee!
Lynn 😀
Oh yes, Dirty Magic. I’ve heard that the drugs in that series are intense, lots of weird rioting and bizarre behaviour apparently. Good picks, I wouldn’t have thought of any of these – because I’ve read none of them. 😉
Haha, that’s a good reason for not picking them of course – I do think you’d love Lynch though. Of course I’m biased!
Lynn 😀