Fantasy Aficionados discussion

Whilst roaming through forums noticed quite a few people mentioned that their favourite type of character is snarky/sarcastic and sometimes they would choose a book to read because of it. Just thought it might be an idea to make a list of this type of books as I could not find anything alike in listopia.

I imagine it should be main or at least important character in the story, could be good a bad. Doesn't have to be all fun and humor; my personal favourite are dark mysterious ones who just drop sarcastic comment here and there and make you laugh out loud in most inapropriate situations. Or alternatively could be an unexperienced almost naive hero who gets entangled in all sorts of funny situations?

Somehow Tyrion and Jamie Lannisters from Game of Thrones are first to pop in mind. Maybe because I watched the show yesterday.. But lets try and start the list properly:

The Last Wish - Geralt of Rivia, mostly dark and gloomy? character but occasional sarcasm certainly brightens up the noir atmosphere of the tale.
The Lies of Locke Lamora - Locke Lamora, not dark imo but certainly witty and snarky and has a tendency to get in rather difficult situations.
A Game of Thrones - Tyrion Lannister, opinion based on the TVshow as I haven't read the books yet, so I won't elaborate.
The High Lord - Akarin, not sure about this one; character starts off as 'bad' mysterious broody type but a few snarky comments at the right moments makes want to put him on a list.

Harry Dresden from the Dresden Files springs immediately to mind.

Definitely Harry Dresden. It's one of the reasons why I like The Dresden Files so much.

When I saw this thread, the first person I thought of was Harry Dresden, lol.

Eli Monpress in by Rachel Aaron. I just finished the series and loved every minute of it. There is quite a bit of humor and sarcasm. And when I say quite a bit, I mean the entire series is filled with it. 8)

I'm rather partial to Cal from Rob Thurman's

Christine wrote: "When I saw this thread, the first person I thought of was Harry Dresden, lol."

Johnny wrote: "Definitely Harry Dresden. It's one of the reasons why I like The Dresden Files so much."

Becky wrote: "Harry Dresden from the Dresden Files springs immediately to mind."


Ha! I already had Dresden Files on my to read list - now there's one more reason to read them :)

Lets see if we can gather enough books/characters to actually make this into the list. Keep it going! :)

Michelle Sagara's Chronicle of Elantra books have loads of snark, the first book in the series is Cast in Shadow.

Also Tanya Huffs Keeper trilogy, the first book being Summon the Keeper. There's a talking cat. That's all you really need to know =]

Sandman Slim barely has an UNsarcastic word in it.

Good Omens

The October Daye Books, and practically anything else written by Seanan McGuire.

Most urban fantasy books will have snark to some degree. It's become a trope of the genre, really.

Amanda wrote: "Eli Monpress in by Rachel Aaron. I just finished the series and loved every minute of it. There is quite a bit of humor and sarcasm. And when I say quite a b..."

Really!

I bought the omnibus (on sale) and cracked it open to read a paragraph. I ended up reading the chapter and then forced my self to stop (review books are waiting). I'll have to back track a bit!

MrsJoseph wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Eli Monpress in by Rachel Aaron. I just finished the series and loved every minute of it. There is quite a bit of humor and sarcasm. And when ..."

The book pulled me in from the first chapter of the first book and kept my interest all the way through the series. Of course, I'm a sucker for a character who is a thief/rogue. They are now some of my favorite books :)

Jane Yellowrock in the Skinwalker series.

Don't forget Jimmy the Hand, a beloved character of Raymond Feist.

-Kate Daniels ( ) might even beat out Harry Dresden in this one.
-Felix Castor ( ) basically communicates via gallows humour.
-Sam Vimes ( ): "Dark sarcasm ought to be taught at schools." I think almost all Pratchett characters are either snarkers or straightmen.

I just discovered the Markhat detective series by Frank Tuttle, and I'm honestly shocked that the author isn't widely known. Think Sam Vines crossed with Harry Dresden--less focus on supernatural politics and a little bit happier endings. But very good with a quip. First book isThe Mister Trophy.

I've always been amused by the understated humor of Kragar in the Vlad Taltos books.

Thanks guys! Some great books here. I'm not sure if we have enough to make it to the list yet, but my own 'to read list' is getting richer every day! :)
Now all I need is to figure it out where to get enough time and money to read all these books -.-

Kimberly wrote: "Don't forget Jimmy the Hand, a beloved character of Raymond Feist."

Character seems to be mentioned in quite a few of his books. Do you have any particular book/series in mind?

Raine Benares and Tam Nathrach in the Magic Lost Trouble Found series.

Harry is my favorite smart arse in this genre, but Jane Jameson in Molly Harper's "Nice Girl" series has a flair in snark, as well.

There is actually a stand alone book by Feist called Jimmy the Hand.

There is Silk from the Belgariad Series.

Inquisitor Glokta from The Blade Itself. Awesomely witty character.

Charlton wrote: "There is Silk from the Belgariad Series."

Love him

Charlton wrote: "There is Silk from the Belgariad Series."

Have Belgariad series marked - hope to get to reading them some day. Read good things about it. Good to know there is a sarcastic character in there too! :)

T.K. wrote: "Inquisitor Glokta from The Blade Itself. Awesomely witty character."

Just about to finish The Blade Itself. And yeah, Glokta is certainly most unusual character! :) Despite all the horrible things he does can't stop myself enjoying reading about him for all the snarky comments. Few scenes there made me laugh out loud. (like the one there the poison is suggested as a cause of death hehe can't stop laughing even now) :P

I have to agree with Carly - Kate Daniels is one of my favorite members of the Snark Section.

I have recently discovered Charley Davidson, whose series begins with . It is a light read, but she is pretty snarktastic!

There is also an independent series, The Black Knight Chronicles whose snark is very Whedonesque by John Hartness.

James Stark from Sandman Slim is a wonderfully snarky character. There are a few books in this series, they read easy and they are great fun. This is from the description on Amazon: "James Stark spent 11 years killing monsters in Lucifer's arena for the entertainment of fallen angels, but now he's back in seedy, magic-riddled L.A., trying to avenge his girlfriend's murder and hunt down Mason Faim, the black magician responsible for getting him sent downtown." Well worth reading.

How about Hadrian and Royce from Theft of Swords. They reminded me of Butch and Sundance with their witty banter.

Good call, John.

Nice suggestion here. Kate Daniels, Sandman Slim, Theft of Swords got added to my to read list :)

It is good to see the list growing!

Also it seems we have quite a variety of characters: both genders (although I thought it's gonna be male dominant) which is rather cool and different classes too - not just thieves, we got some monster hunters, mages, even torturers! :)

Good work! Keep it going! :)

What about Raistlin from the Dragonlance series? Although he was at times downright mean.

Just noticed that the Black Knight Chronicles Omnibus from one of my favorite snarktastic authors, John Hartness, is a Kindle daily deal today, so thought I'd share

Valerie wrote: "Just noticed that the Black Knight Chronicles Omnibus from one of my favorite snarktastic authors, John Hartness, is a Kindle daily deal today, so thought I'd share"

Thanks for sharing Valerie. Readers are commenting on how funny it is and comparing it to Dresden Files so it looks like a good UF read! Certainly making it to the list :)

Damn wish i had caught the black night omnibus. Guess it's full price for me.

It is worth full price :)

Um - I adore snark!

Lisa Shearin's Raine Benares
Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson
Lindsay Buroker's Amaranthe
Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels
Moira J Moore's Dunleavy
Gini Koch's Kitty Katt
C E Murphy's Joanna Walker
Sarah A Hoyt's Athena
Lois McMaster Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan

Lisa Shearin is my current favorite solely because that is the way I like my fantasy: magical and medieval. I don't care for urban fantasies and their vampires, but that seems to be where most of the snark lies. So, I have to make a decision as to whether I want snark or real fantasy. ;) Some of this can also be classified sci-fi. Still snarkable though.

After finishing The Mister Trophy, I wholeheartedly agree with Carol's suggestion of Markhat. I don't think Markhat voices an unsnarky opinion in the entire book, and as he's a first-person narrator, that's quite a feat.

Bob Howard from The Atrocity Archives narrates with a voice that's somewhere between nerdy snark and black humour.

I like Miss Braun and Agent Books in Phoenix Rising - much snarkiness :-)

I forgot about Sorcha! Geist

Biff from Christopher Moore's Lamb invented sarcasm. Dresden is pretty good at it though.