[foolofgold]

Three pretty big series have come out and/or have gotten off to a very strong start in the past two years. All three are great debut's from three great new authors. Which character is your favorite?

Locke Lamora, Kvothe of the Edema Ruh, or Logen Ninefingers.

Locke being from The Lies of Locke Lamora of course, Kvothe from The Name of the Wind, and Logen from The Blade Itself.

[al'Kael]

Ugh... this is way too hard.


Each of the characters stuck with me for different reasons.

Locke: His wit, charm and imperfection made him an instantly endearing and likeable.

Kvothe: Seeing the struggles he goes through and how the legend of Kvothe the Bloodless really comes to hand was an incredible experience. On top of this I, as I'm sure many other men can attest to, very much empathize with him in regards to Denna. She makes his life a living hell... and he can't get enough of it.

Logen: Maybe it's because I just finish reading Joe's books... but Logen might come out on top for me. He's an intensely complex character with an incredible history. Seeing him through the eyes of not only himself, but the others around him, allowed me to get to know him like almost no other characters I can think of. His resilience in the face of his own fear, anger and pain astounds me.

[Joe Abercrombie]

Much respect for the other two, but I think I'm gonna have to go with Ninefingers here, buddy.

[Leiali]

Really Joe? Are you sure? I'm surprised, I honestly am...

Anyway, back to the question. I don't think I should pick between them without more information about Kvothe. I get the impression, despite the size of The Name of the Wind, that we've only just begun his journey, and that his character hasn't formed yet. However, bearing that in mind - I don't think Locke is a contender as the characterization in general is lacking for me in the series so far and Locke in particular is two dimensional and all about tricks rather than emotions, I prefer Jean to be honest.

So that leaves me with Logen Ninefingers, a legend who can't understand what the fuss is all about; where Kvothe and Locke have been a bit taken in by the myth surrounding themselves. Logen is realistic, pragmatic, funny and interesting with what seems like more genuine interactions as a result.

Logen wins for me.

[foolofgold]

I'd have to say my favorite is Kvothe. There's a special place in my heart for first person narrative characters, you get so much more in touch with them.

Buuut, Locke is just such a damn cool character. He reminds me of Tyrion with his witty comments and his on the fly thinking. I lovelovelove the end of "Lies", the Locke/Jean/Grey King confrontation, it almost sets Locke above Kvothe. It's nearly a tie between Kvothe and Locke.

Logen is my least favorite, don't get me wrong, I love him, his 'down to earth' wholesomeness makes him such a strong, believable character. It's just that warriors aren't my thing. I'm more of a mage type of guy, hence my love for Kvothe.

[Wulfa_Jones]

Having not read "The Name of the Wind" I can only base my decision on the other two characters.

While I do like Locke, he's a bit too full of himself (well was, not read the next book yet to see what effects the events of the first book have had on him).

Logen however is the classic fantasy hero with a twist and I think he has to be my choice.

[thrinidir]

Locke would be the guy to hang out with...

Logen is the easiest to get into, to symphathise with, to read about...he is my kind of guy :p

Kvothe is the "superhero" you watch from a distance and admire his demenour.

[Hobbit]

That's another way of thinking about them:

Which would you like to spend time on the town with?

Which would you like to sit and talk to?

Which would you trust your family with?

Tough choices there....

So far, I make it:

Logen 3 (not including Joe's rather biased vote... :) )
Kvothe 1
Locke 0

Hobbit

[Simon F]

Logen for me - he'd win on his own for reasons already stated but he is also the Bloody Nine - nails!! + there is something of Druss in the both of them that appealls - i can almost imagine Druss passing on Snaga......

[Wulfa_Jones]

That's another way of thinking about them:

Which would you like to spend time on the town with?

Which would you like to sit and talk to?

Which would you trust your family with?

Tough choices there....

So far, I make it:

Logen 3 (not including Joe's rather biased vote... )
Kvothe 1
Locke 0

Hobbit

Again without knowing Kvothe (tried to find the book yesterday in a bookshop - always a bad idea I know)...

I'd spend time on the town with Locke - he's a fancy pants type of guy, he'd charm the ladies, score free drinks and get us into the most exclusive places.

I'm not sure I'd leave my family with any of them, it would be Logen if it wasn't for that whole Bloody Nine thing...