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Yep — we’re now in the realm of “P”! Characters beginning with, that is. 😀

Just to run over the “Meet the Minor Players” drill it focuses on the minor (or more correctly, sometimes “more minor”) characters in The Wall Of Night series because:

“I think it’s the presence of the smaller characters that “makes” a story, creating texture around the main points of view.”

~ Helen Lowe (from my Legend Award Finalist’s Interview, 2013)

Welp, that’s a “long gal ago” interview now, but the principle still holds true — so without further ado, let’s meet (or remeet :D) Palla from Daughter of Blood.

~*~

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Palla: honor guard to the Earl of Blood, serving in the Red Keep

“We’ve already had this out,” Palla said. “Stand or fall, we’ll do it together.” But her shoulders were hunched and Kalan knew it must feel like being hurled off a precipice — from all it meant to be an honor guard one day, to exile from House and Keep the next.

~ from © Daughter of Blood, The Wall Of Night Book Three – Chapter 34, A Long Road

Currently I’m wrapping up my Year of Villainy in Fantasy with a Grand Finale,

As you’ll know from last week, I’ve joined with Kim Falconer and Amanda Arista to illustrate the genre and storytelling themes discussed in “Villainy Among Friends” with an upfront look at a villain from one of our books.

Given The Wall Of Night series pantheon, the question was which one to choose — but in the end it was hard to go past Arcolin and his encounter with Faro in the Ship’s Prow House, in the early part of Daughter of Blood.

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So I didn’t go past him. 😀 And I do think he makes a worthy contribution as Villain #3 in the Grand Finale of Villainy.

The crew at Supernatural Underground HQ think he’s ‘bad to the bone’, but I’ll let you read (or reread) and make up your own minds:

Arcolin in Daughter Of Blood by Helen Lowe

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Note: The excerpt has been abridged from the book.

On Monday, I posted all about the Grand Finale to my Year of Villainy in Fantasy, happening now on Supernatural Underground.

I also gave a shoutout for #1 in the Grand Finale’s series of feature posts:

Rhiannon in Curse of Shadows by AK Wilder

Now it’s time for our second villain-antagonist*:

Spencer Haverty in Diaries of An Urban Panther by Amanda Arista

My post, with a villain from The Wall Of Night, will be next up on December 6. So now I have to pick one. The only question is, which among the different classes of villain, discussed on November 1, will I choose… Watch this space.:)

* This is m'own little in-joke on Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash where the hero is, er, 
Hiro Protagonist...

It’s December 1 and so I’m coming to the end of the “Year of the Villain in Fantasy” on the Supernatural Underground.

But with the help of my friends and fellow authors, Kim Falconer and Amanda Arista, we aim to go out with a Grand Finale of Villainy, ending the series in style.

Supreme villainy…

Villainy Among Friends

KimFalconer

A Grand Finale of Villainy #1: Rhiannon in Curse Of Shadows by AK Wilder

The Amassia series

In terms of the rest of the series, Amanda’s feature will post on December 4 and mine on December 6, so lookout for an update on Thursday. 😀

Enjoy!

As noted on Monday, when introducing this two-part backlist post, the characters are featured in alphabetical order by name, but no preference should be inferred from the order in which they appear.

J is for John Aversin in Barbara Hambly’s Dragonsbane (Genre: Fantasy)

At face value a fairly ordinary sort of guy, John Aversin is the local leader (knight/baron) in the largely abandoned northern part of the kingdom in which he lives. He is a leader out of necessity and duty, but when events (a  dragon) require him to travel to the settled, populous part of the kingdom he also becomes a leader by example: in terms of compassion toward and fair treatment of those less favourably circumstanced than himself, and being willing to put himself at risk for the greater good.

M is for Mara of the Acoma in Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts’ “Empire” Trilogy (Genre: Epic Fantasy)

No discussion of leaders would be complete without Mara of the Acoma, who assumes leadership of her House when  its security and fortunes are at their lowest ebb. Throughout the EMPIRE trilogy, Mara’s survival as a political leader depends on her intelligence, strategy, and judgement – and the courage to think outside the square and take bold political risks. As a ruler, Mara chiefly acts through others, whether her soldiers, spies, or advisors – yet there is absolutely no question that she is a compelling and powerful leader.

P is for Paul Muad’dib in Frank Herbert’s Dune (Genre: Science Fiction)

Dune is one of the great science fiction novels and Paul Atreides follows an almost classic “hero’s journey”/ leadershp arc. Heir to Duke Leto Atreides, the titular ruler of the planet Arrakis, aka Dune, Paul flees into the planet’s deep deserts when his father is betrayed and murdered. (He is accompanied by his mother, Jessica, herself a notable leader.) He is accepted into the Fremen who dwell there and given the name Muad’dib, eventually rising through the ranks to become their paramount leader and general. Paul Muad’dib’s leadership is not only political and military, there are elements of the messianic in the Fremen’s acceptance of him. This is a book with plenty of realpolitik-ing and eventually, through both military victory and political maneuvering, Paul not only regains rulership of Dune but overthrows the established imperial rule in the universe of the book. Interestingly (to me!), I’ve never really liked Paul that much as a character, but he unquestionably has outstanding credentials in the “great leaders” stakes.

P is also for Pyanfar Chanur, from CJ Cherryh’s The Pride of Chanur & “Chanur” Series (Genre: Space Opera; SF)

The space captain Pyanfar Chanur is a renaissance figure: part merchant, part privateer, bold, swashbuckling, and tenacious. She also sees the big picture and knows how to play a long game. In many ways, Pyanfar is the classic hero figure who is forced into prominence by unexpected events and necessity. Circumstances drive her, but in the end she turns the tables and drives them, forming alliances beyond her own kind and forging an uneasy accord between many divergent species. Pyanfar is also humorous, stubborn, devious, and flamboyant—but at rock bottom, as honourable as the circumstances will allow.

S is for Signy and Beatritz de Barbentain, and Ariane de Carenzu: A Concert of Leadership in Guy Gavriel Kay’s A Song For Arbonne (Genre: Fantasy)

These three women play vital leadership roles in Guy Gavriel Kay’s A Song for Arbonne. Signy is the elderly Countess of Arbonne, who has only ruled alone since the death of her husband. Her daughter, Beatritz, is a religious leader and as such has political as well as spiritual power. Ariane, however, is the Queen of the Court of Love, an unquestioned leader in her society, but one whose power is solely that of influence and personality — which can count for a great deal. Mainly, though, I want to focus on the “concert”: that however powerful or important in their own right—and all three play vital parts in the story—it is by working in alliance with each other and others, that their individual contributions to Arbonne’s cause are most effective.

T is for Tyrion Lannister  in George RR Martin’s “A Song Of Ice and Fire” Series (Genre: Epic Fantasy)

Tyrion has a pretty rough row to hoe in the world of Westeros, but from the outset I found him one of the most intriguing characters in the series. First off, he is smart and able; he is also astute and personally brave as well—a quality that is often overlooked simply because he’s a dwarf. Tyrion leads a successful military defence of the capital city in the second book in the series, A Clash of Kings, and survives a great many political machinations as well. Unquestionably, Tyrion Lannister is one of the ablest, if also the most underappreciated, leaders in the “A Song of Ice and Fires” series.

I’ve been a tad under the weather this week, which inclined me toward refeaturing a backlist post. In pursuit of which I stumbled on an earlier series on “Twelve Great Leaders of SFF” — so I hope you will forgive me for a “reprise” week.

The characters featured are in alphabetical order by name, so no preference should be inferred from the order in which they appear. 😀

~*~

Twelve Great Leaders of SFF: Part 1

B is for Bitterblue from Kristin Cashore’s Bitterblue (Genre: YA; Fantasy)

I have always been a fan of Kristin Cashore’s Bitterblue. In terms of why, I can’t really say it better than Kristin Cashore herself did, during our interview in June 2012: “…I love her loyalty…I love how hard she tries, and I love her refusal to give up.”  A big part of what Bitterblue is trying so hard to do is be a good head of state for Monsea, the kingdom traumatised by the rule of her father, King Leck. In addition to Kristin’s comments, my own take on Bitterblue was that: “I was also impressed by her generosity, as well as her “fidelity”:  the way she strives to keeps faith with her subjects, and the truth of the past…”

So, yes, Bitterblue is definitely on my “great leaders of SFF” list.
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C is for Coltaine, nomad horseman and a general of the Malazan empire in Steven Erikson’s Deadhouse Gates, the second of the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. (Genre: Epic Fantasy)

Coltaine is another one of my favourites, a “barbarian” outsider regarded with suspicion by many, who puts his doubters to shame through his  leadership, courage, and sacrifice. This includes holding together a fighting retreat known as the “Chain of Dogs”, a ‘great march’ in the face of constant privation and hardship as well as battle. Throughout, Coltaine is courageous and astute, a strategist and leader. He is also very human, neither invulnerable nor infallible, but able and determined.
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C is also for Creideiki from David Brin’s Startide Rising. (Genre: Space Opera, SF )

Creideiki is the dolphin captain of the Terran spaceship Streaker, in a future where humans are constantly skirmishing to maintain their independence in a far-from-friendly alien universe—and where dolphins and chimpanzees have been “uplifted” to sentience. When the story opens, he has managed, despite almost overwhelming odds, to outsmart and elude pursuing alien fleets, proving himself a leader who performs under pressure. He is also a thinker and a philosopher, pursuing keneenk, a hybrid style of reasoning that combines human logic and cetacean philosophy. Creideiki is brave, smart, and resilient, but  I’ve also always thought him an interesting and credible as a non-human protagonist.
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E is for Elfrid, in Ru Emerson’s The Princess Of Flames (Genre: YA; Fantasy)

Elfrid is a character who has leadership thrust upon her when she must stand in for a kinsman as the general of a mercenary army. As such she is no figurehead, but must both lead in the field and devise military and political strategy. She is a trained warrior and shares the same magical gifts as the general she is pretending to be, but is challenged by the responsibility for others’ lives. A reserved personality herself, Elfrid also finds it difficult to emulate the general’s easy bonhomie and “common touch.” She is an excellent example of a person who teaches herself to become what she naturally is not, succeeding as much through hard work as natural gifts.
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F is for Faramir in JRR Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings (Genre: Epic Fantasy)

I know what you’re thinking, “Why not Aragorn?” Unquestionably, the latter is a great leader of SFF, but so too is Faramir (imho) and in the books he’s also a much more human and accessible character than Aragorn. The qualities that make him a great leader include that, like both Galadriel and Aragorn, he is able to refuse the temptation of the ring. This demonstrates insight, personal integrity and strength of will. However, although a good start, on their own they do not a great leader make. But Faramir not only holds Osgiliath longer than anyone thought possible, but once it is overrun he also holds together a fighting retreat ‘against the odds’. Although readers learn from other parts of the story that the soldiers of Minas Tirith not only respect but love Faramir as a leader, I suspect the defence of and retreat from Osgiliath make that clear in any case.
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I is for Ista in Lois McMaster Bujold’s Paladin of Souls (Genre: Fantasy)

Ista is a middle-aged dowager Queen, recovering from a prolonged period of magic-induced mental illness. She sets off on a pilgrimage, not so much to find herself as to escape from a stifling existence, but gets caught up in  sequence of events that force her to once again assume a leadership role in her society and also to confront the exact same magic that led to her illness. Her leadership arises from an interesting mix of events, social hierarchy (she is the dowager Queen after all), but also from dogged determination, forcing herself to do what she sees as her duty, gradually accepting her own power — and finally, the willingness to take personal and political risks. Ista is a great example of an individual’s transition and/or rehabilitation back into a leadership role.

So-o, on Monday I featured an Alice Hoffman quote on crows, which I like very much — as well as quoting from the poem A Murder of Crows by that maestro of the mot juste, Joanna Preston.

Today, I’m rounding out my crow theme with some excerpts from The Wall Of Night series, which I believe “speak” to why the Alice Hoffman quote appeals.

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“The fog in front of him lifted slowly and drifted apart, revealing the tall figure of a man.  His back was turned to Kalan and a long black cloak fell almost to his booted heels; his right hand grasped a tall, hooded spear and a crow perched on his left shoulder.  The bird’s head turned, snaring Kalan’s gaze with one bright eye, then it lifted its wings and cawed, the harsh cry echoing through trees and mist. …”

~ from © The Heir Of Night: The Wall of Night Book One, Chapter 19 — The Huntmaster

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Malian’s dream was darkness: blackness without stars, water without light, a tower without a shadow that she remembered climbing—but that too fell away as she plummeted, diving head first through the dream. She kept her eyes open, remembering the crow in the shadow tower, the one that had told her this was something she would need to learn how to do.

~ from © The Gathering of the Lost, The Wall Of Night Book Two – Prologue

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“Malian had sold her cob in the nearest market town and abandoned the identity of Heris the scribe for that of Crow, Raven’s companion hedge warrior … two itinerant swords-for-hire, of indeterminate origin but sporting cloth head-wrappings and the bone-and-feather fetishes favored by Lathayran mercenaries. She had even woven the hair on either side of her face into the narrow braids favored in Lathayra, working in crow’s feathers pulled from a hedge outside Stoneford to give color to her mercenary’s name. …

Birds of ill omen, she thought wryly, recalling how both innkeepers and caravan masters had eyed them askance … “

~ from © Daughter of Blood, The Wall Of Night Book Three – Chapter 14, Crow

“A crow can recall every route it has ever taken…crows are messengers, spies, guides, companions, harbingers of luck, deliverers of trinkets and treasures, tireless in all ways, more loyal than any other man or beast.”

~Alice Hoffman

I’m sure you all know Alice Hoffman’s writing, but if not, you may recognize the names Practical Magic and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. But she’s published over thirty books so there is a lot more to check out and enjoy.

For today, though, I’m focusing on this quote, attributed to her, which I love — as I also love crows. We don’t have them here in Aotearoa-New Zealand, but I’ve encountered them in Australia and Europe.

Of course, crows also have a bad rep in some quarters, as their collective terminology, “a murder of crows” indicates.

I also love the way Joanna Preston explores that rep in her poem of the same name, which is part of the Venery sequence:

“The wires were thick with them now,
hunched like grief against the sky.
…
a crow to show you
that a corvid’s breastbone
is the keel of a longship,
cleaving the air
…”

©  Joanna Preston, The Summer King, Otago University Press, 2009

I’ve only featured a few of my favourite lines, but what a way with words, eh?

Absolutely no surprises (imho) that both The Summer King and Jo’s second collection, Tumble, have won multiple awards and been widely praised.

If you’d like to read some of her poems in full, as featured here and on The Tuesday Poem blog, here’s the list:

• Cowarral Sequence iii—A Summer Storm
• I Wish You Angels
• Cowarral Sequence ii—The Orange Tree
• Female Nude
• A Host of Sparrows
• Lijssenthoek
• Lucifer in Las Vegas

Enjoy!

How can it be “About the Characters” time already?! But it is and this month’s character is Orth, who plays a relatively small, but important, part in the ongoing story.

In fact, if you’ve also read the recent Supernatural Underground (“how could it be 1 November already?”) post on villains in The Wall Of Night (with two great companion posts from Kim Falconer and Amanda Arista respectively, focusing on their series), Orth is pretty much one of those villains — despite also being a Derai, who as a people, believe themselves to be the champions of good.

Just to recap in terms of this “About The Characters” series, it focuses on the minor (or more correctly, sometimes “more minor”) characters in The Wall Of Night series because:

“I think it’s the presence of the smaller characters that “makes” a story, creating texture around the main points of view.”

~ Helen Lowe (from my Legend Award Finalist’s Interview, 2013)

Initially, the series focused exclusively on characters from The Heir of Night, but now I’m continuing on with minor characters from both The Gathering Of The Lost and Daughter of Blood — in alphabetical order, by name, of course!

Currently, we’re traversing the Marvelous Realm of “O” — which brings me back to Orth. 😀

~*~

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Orth: a warrior of the House of Swords

The nearest Derai looked at her from under his brows. He was a bull of a man, very tall and heavily muscled, especially across the shoulders, and his expression was far from pleasant. “Light and safety on your road,” he grated out finally, just before his silence became outright insult. … Jehane Mor met his stare, her own gaze still tranquil, and he was the first to look away.

~ from © The Gathering of the Lost, The Wall Of Night Book Two – Chapter 1, The Road to Ij

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“Steady, brother,” he told Tercel, keenly aware that they had not found the giant Orth’s body among the dead. Orth, who had tried to kill Audin in the sword ring and later sought to force a fight on Tarathan of Ar, despite the inviolability of heralds in every realm from Ij to Ishnapur.

An oath breaker and a murderer, Kalan thought, as the horses’ circle brought the dockside tavern back into view.

~ from © Daughter of Blood, The Wall Of Night Book Three – Chapter 6, The Pastry Thief

Probably in keeping with the rest of the reading world, I chiefly associate Elizabeth Gilbert with her memoir Eat, Pray, Love. So I was intrigued when I spotted her novel City of Girls in a local “book fridge.”*

“OK, what’s it about?” you cry. Welp, I would call it recent historical fiction, of the kind that focuses on a particular phase of a character’s story then follows them through the rest of their life, but always tying the rest back to that first phase or experience.

In this case the main character is Vivian Morris, a young lady whose chief talents are dressmaking and an appetite for life, who arrives in New York city at age 19, in the year 1940. She is going to live with her Aunt Peg, who runs a revue theatre (the Lily Playhouse) in midtown Manhattan.

In 1940, the era of burlesque, vaudeville, and showgirls was on the wane but not yet gone (Ziegfeld’s Follies had a successful rerun in 1943-4.) It’s definitely hanging on at the Lily, where Vivian gets swept into what she sees as glamour and a swinging nightlife with the showgirls, a course that eventually ‘gangs awry.’

It’s the going awry that ends shaping a significant part of her life, although that will not become clear for many years later. In the meantime, Vivian and the Lily crew spend the war entertaining the workers and keeping up morale in the naval dockyards, before she and a friend open what becomes a highly successful bridal business in postwar New York.

There’s more to it, but to say more would be a spoiler. Overall, I enjoyed City of Girls, which was (and is) fun, light, but with enough gravitas to keep me reading.  I also loved Vivian’s “voice” from the outset. She is insouciant, and light of heart and spirit throughout.

Ms Gilbert has a gift for capturing relationship and personalities, and I particularly liked Vivian’s friendships with Marjorie Lowetsky, who becomes her business partner; and also with Frank Grecco, who has served with her brother in the navy (Pacific theatre), during the war. The other major relationship, of course, is Vivian’s love for New York city. The sense of place in City of Girls is very strong, always a plus for me.

In among the insouciance and Vivian’s swathe through New York and life, there are some great insights into human nature. One that struck a particular chord was when Frank, who has become a policeman in civilian life, observes to Vivian that:

“The world ain’t straight. You grow up thinking things are a certain way. You think there are rules. You think there’s a way that things have to be. You try to live straight. But the world doesn’t care about your rules or what you believe. The world ain’t straight, Vivian. Never will be.”

‘The world ain’t straight’  — true dat, I thought, on reading it. I felt, too, that the observation illuminates the heart of the book, which  is well worth reading, especially if you like novels like Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life, Ann Patchett’s The Dutch House, or The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.

I read a trade paperback edition, 466 pp, published 2019 by Bloomsbury Publishing, acquired (as aforementioned) from a local book exchange.

*In this case it's not a fridge but a cupboard on the exterior wall of a local community hall--
but actual fridges, with books in them, appeared around Christchurch during the earthquake years,
and for me at least (but I believe other Christchurch folk) the term has stuck. :D