When was the last time you said, "Aw, cool! I wish that was me!"

[Jefferson]

When I read fantasy novels now, as an adult, I enjoy a great tale with plenty of plot twists and good character development. But when I was a teenager, I was all about young characters who had secret knowledge that made them more powerful than the adults. I still love reading, but I feel the stories less intensely now than I did then, and I can't remember the last time I experienced that "Aw, cool. I wanna be him!" moment. It's been a LONG time since a book made me actually envy the characters, and I kind of miss the thrill.

So what about you guys? Had any character envy moments of your own lately? What book was it? And what was going on that made you want to taste the moment for yourself?

[Jason]

Everything Wade / Percival got to do in Ready Player One. As a child of the 80s, that book fired on all cylinders for me.

[S.J.]

For me it was in Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series: when Lessa Impressed Ramoth.... now THAT would have been cool!!!! :)

[Jefferson]

I remember quite clearly feeling this way about Superman as a kid, and about the protagonists in a couple of Heinlein Sci-Fi novels, but other than once wanting to be Bilbo, I can't remember the last time I felt deeply envious of a fantasy character. I'm hoping to get a recommendation that will change all that.

[Bryek]

haven't had one for a long time but recently I thought it would be awesome to be Kip from Black Prism/Blinding Knife. I just love the world that Weeks built here.
I guess I also thought it would be cool to be one of the T'en from Rowena Cory Daniells book Besieged but I wouldn't want to have my pick of house...

[Katey]

In one of Scott Lynch's books, I thought it would be terribly cool to be one of the two women playing at the Sinspire with Locke and Jean. I loved how in his books women were in _no_ way considered the "gentler sex." As a teenager I wanted to be a character/sibling from Gaiman's Sandman comics. Essentially being able to cast spells would be fabulous. Might be time to roll a Mage Ina video game. _smile_

[Chêtto]

Red Seas Under Red Skies Is fabulous!
I think at some times i would like to be at The Name of the Wind University. Or even replacing the main character Kvothe in some of the events he has been through!

[Chris]

When Vin begins to use her powers well in Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson. Having those powers would be so awesome.

[Cerys]

I love that feeling!

I get it a lot with movies, too. Probably everything, lol. I'm probably way too much of a dreamer sometimes, so maybe that's a part of it.

I watched The Hunger Games movie and felt that way during some parts of it. I bought the book and am going to start reading it soon, so I'm sure the feeling will come back as I read, too.

This is one of my favorite parts of books, actually. I don't necessarily mind what happens with the plot(though I do prefer a good plot to a bad plot), but I think books are a lot more fun when you can really get a feel for the characters and their emotions, what they're doing and feeling. It's wonderful.

[Jefferson]

I am so glad to hear you say that, Cerys. A book without a plot isn't much fun to read, but the REASON we read - or at least the reason *I* read - is for the experiences. I want to be in those fantastical lands, I want to see what the characters see and feel what they feel. As a writer, this is where I focus most of my energy - trying to feel things as fully as I can, and then passing those experiences on to readers. Because THAT is the magic of a great book.

[Lára]

Honestly, never.

[T.P.]

The Witch Hunter books in the Warhammer franchise, centering around Matthias Thulmann. As someone interested in dark fantasy, the way he (a mere human) armed with courage, pistols, sword, as well as zeal, suspicion, hate and darker emotions, can face down horrific evils and demons- it made for a very compelling character.

I like the idea of being able to face those horrors face to face with those basic tools, although the actual risk of fighting demons and being part of the fascist and ruthless way of thinking of the Witch Hunters and the Empire, does not appeal to me specifically.

[Ron]

I frequently get that awe-inspiring, imagination spurring feeling while reading fantasy novels, i think that is why i keep coming back to them so frequently. I grew up playing D&D, Magic cards, and RPG video games and continue to play RPG's almost religiously. I think its those experiences of taking the reins of powerful characters and leading them through adventures that continues to allow my imagination to connect with well-written heroic characters. Some of my favorite characters that always seem to inspire that childlike "wish i was them" fantasy include:

Arya Stark- Her adventures throughout the Song of Ice and Fire series always grab my attention and emotions. Her journey, as well as strength and resiliance make her easily one of my favorite characters in any book. The continuous injustices that plague Arya's life make you wish you were there to lend her a hand. Her development into a strong heroine unwilling to accept defeat after such adversity makes her a very sympathetic character and one i always admire.

The Bloody Nine- In all six of Joe Abercrombie's novels i have been awed by the strength and savagery of his characters. Abercrombie is an incredible writer, his ability to create sympathy for ethically unheroic characters is unmatched. The physical strength and prowess of vicious killers like Logen Ninefingers, Caul Shivers, Bremer Dan Gorst, and Black Dow are so graphic and brutal in representation it makes my heart race and lungs tighten. The image of the "Great Leveler" covered in blood laughing hysterically while crushing his enemies windpipes will always leave a lasting image in my imagination.