[Mirror]

I'd like to know who you have found to be the baddest, most realistic, and most likeable characters, man or beast, you've followed in fantasy. Who are the greatest developers of the characters in their books?

[Nakor]

OK, this is only my opinion- but by far the best author for character development is Ray Feist. My freshman roomate in college had just about every fantasy series you could think of- and the only fantasy I had read before was LOTR in high school... not bad but I am more of a Tom CLancy guy.
Anyway, I started to read some of his books, and was still not sold on the genre until I read the Riftwar saga. I'm sorry to say but Feist writes about a one of the most plausibe (at least for fantasy) world that you could think of.... he deals with more adult themes that most of the other sword and sorcery stuff that I have read....but by far what sold me on him was the awesome characters he created.
My favorites are Amos Trask, the swearing, bull-necked former pirate turned admiral, and of couse Nakor the Blue Rider, who is practically insane and takes delight in the most dangerous of situations.
Take for example the novel "Rise of a Merchant Prince." Book 2 of the Serpent War series- and not your typical sword and sorceror read- no real fighting and very little magic. What made this book refreshing and enjoyable in spite of lacking these elements is the characters. Hey it's like the movies- was Lost in Space a good movie just because it had great special effects? Good movies have good characters (GoodFellas, Caddyshack, the Godfather)and the same applies to Feist and his books... you all can argue with me all you want but there is no way I can change my mind- if you haven't read Feist yet give him a try.

Nakor

[Cadfael]

Nakos... Why would we want to change your opinion?? In fact... how could we change your opinion? I can see from your other post that you are not close minded on this because you are prepared to give other fantasy books another chance... but don't get to defensive... if you like Feist... good, hell!! I love Feist as well!. You are gonna find he is quite well respected, but you will find that some members may not like him, but they will repect that you do.

Back to the topic... most unforgetable character... Jon Thomam Merriweather from the Spellsinger books, but only b/c I find his name so damned funny http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by dennizm (edited June 26, 2001).]

[Bardos]

I agree with you, Nakor.
Plus, I have to say I very much like the characters from the Dragonlance Saga.

[MajicK]

Nakor (the actual character, not the poster) was my favorite character of Feist's, but he is not unforgettable to me.
However, one creature that I will always remember is Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia, which are very dear to me. I think that love for a certain character is quite individual. For example, a character that you may indentify with, one that you might like to be, or one that you just admire greatly (like myself as a child with Aslan...*sigh* my hero). An unforgettable character, although not fantasy, is Hannibal Lecter--he's fantastic!

[Demandred]

I think Raistlin from the Dragonlance books is one of the best. I read it ages ago and still remember his character.

[tamlyn]

Tristan from C.J. Cherryh's 'Fortress of...' books.

also flute from eddings elenium and tamuli.

[This message has been edited by tamlyn (edited June 26, 2001).]

[Zsinj16]

Gimli from "The LOTR Trilogy"
Also Binabik from "The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Trilogy"

[Cellandros]

I second the motion on Jon-Tom. Actually I would add a bunch of characters from Spellsinger....Mudge, Falamazeer (sp?), Clothalahump (oh god I can't spell any of them right), etc. I haven't read those books in a while but still remember all the great characters.

I also have to throw in Thomas Covenant and Saltheart Foamfollower from Stephen Donaldson's work; they've always stuck in my mind.

[Cadfael]

Callandros... thanks a lot my friend... I have been racking my brain for the name of that damned Otter... Mudge is another unforgetable character, b/c he was so randy