The Riyria Revelations discussion
Character Comparisons
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I'm interested to hear what others think on this. For myself...When I was writing this series I had read very little fantasy (mostly just Tolkien and C.S. Lewis) I'm reading more of it now...and to be honest don't see too much similarities between characters, but I think that is a good thing as each author should develop characters that are uniquely their own.

@Krisjan - I hear that often, and since I've never read Lieber I can't say one way or the other. I know someone else recently mentioned that the only real similarities between Fafhrd and Grey Mouser was the professions and basic body types. So there is both agreement and disagreement on that point.

Polgara is such a powerful character that any powerful, strong-willed female character I run into is almost immediately compared to her unless there is some major difference. Thus, the comparison to Arista


Interesting...Many times similarites are purely coincidental I thought of and wrote Arista long before Pirates but I like seeing people finding connections to others.


I liked it & the rest of the Belgariad. The Mallorean wasn't quite as good, it's another 5 books of pretty much the same thing, nor did I care for the 3 other books, (Belgarath, Polgara, & the Codex). I loved Eddings' Elenium trilogy which is the first of two. Again, the second one was pretty much just more of the same, so didn't tickle me as much.

I usually just think of the Belgariad and Mallorean as one larger series. Really, the only thing separating them was the roughly ten years between the two. Most of the major characters are the same, but the world view is massively expanded in the second one.
The Elenium and Tamuli are both really good. Flute is my favorite Eddings character, and she grows much more in the second trilogy.
I just wonder if Royce's daughter is going to turn out like Ce'Nedra or Danae. Either way, he would probably go crazy very quickly.

Just finished Swords and Deviltry which contains 3 short stories about Fafhrd and the Gray mouser and wouldn't call them dead ringers for Hadrian and Royce. The tone of the book is also extremely different. Planning on picking up the next two books next week so will see if anything new develops to change my mind.
Interesting...I hear the comparison so often that I wonder what people are seeing. Is it just a matter of physical descriptions and banter? I don't know - but one day I will find out for myself.

Thanks for the additional information Chris - one day I'll see for myself - but hopefully not too soon, as that means no more Royce and Hadrian ;-(

I know it's a bit stupid, just because Snitter and Rowf are dogs and Royce and Hadrian aren't (well, that'll be a huge surprise).
Snitter is similar to Royce, according to me, or maybe more to Duster. He is crazy, but serious.
Hadrian is idealistic and somehow traumatized, and so is Rowf. Only Hadrian is tired of killing and Rowf of water, little difference.
I've never read Plague Dogs - But I'm a huge fan of Watership Down. I'll definitely give it a try.

@Dale - Butch and Sundance were definitely an inspiration. One of my favorite movies to it's age.

Books mentioned in this topic
Swords and Deviltry (other topics)Pawn of Prophecy (other topics)
From my readings, Arista would compare most closely to Polgara, but she does not have nearly the power or even noble bearing. She could also come close to Kahlan as they are roughly the same age.
Royce feels like Silk with a very dark side.
Hadrian is kind of a cross between Sparhawk and the pewterarm from Mistborn.