What's your favorite...?

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:04 pm

Every Sunday, I'll be asking you guys what your favorite... Something, is. I'd love to see your responses! Feel free to tell us why something is your favorite. It's no problem if you answer old favorites, either.

Favorites can come from any place, be it books, films, TV shows, games, or anything else.

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:05 pm

So for this Sunday, the question is:

What's your favorite dragon?

Goodreads · by **Coffeeholick** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:22 pm

I have to say te either Ferrovax or Book 13 Rand* is my favorite dragon.

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:27 pm

I think, from the ones selected by the team, Snow and Smaug come very close. Still, my favorite is Tolkien's Glaurung. He's much more epic and terrifying. :w00t:

by **Aldric** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:31 pm

I think I'll go for a runt. Ruth, Jaxon's dragon, from the Dragonrider series by Anne McCaffrey. He always knows when he is!

by **myyrdneopia** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:02 am

Ferrovax, Toothless, and Temeraire were the contestants for me. Ferrovax was just *that* awesome, though. Even though we only saw maybe five pages of him in thirteen books.

by **Rebecca** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:13 am

Kazul from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles. She's totally accepting of the idea of a non-traditional princess, and not just accepting but encouraging too. She's a grandma and (spoiler is for book 1 of the series)

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 1:57 pm

Ah, another Sunday!

What's your favorite villain?

by **Caitrin** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 3:39 pm

That's a hard question, as most of these are for me, because my memory is so spotty I forget most of what I've previously read! Useful for re-reading, not so great for remembering things like favorite villains. I had to make myself pay attention to even come up with favorite males and females so I'm going to have to think for a bit. I mean obviously first that pops to mind is Darth Vader but that's such an easy and somewhat inaccurate answer. Hmm...

by **Aldric** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 6:40 pm

I'd say Ruin, from Mistborn, is right up there. Let me think a sec, about an example of a corporeal villain I like.

I think I'll next say Nicodemus, of The Order of the Blackened Denarius, from Dresden Files. Though that's almost more of an evil spirit, so thinking once again.

Crap, I've gone through a lot of my favorite books on Goodreads, and can't come up with a truly awesome corporeal villain that I respect. So many villains are stupid Evil Overlords, that don't seem worthy of this thread. I guess it says something about me that the most awesome villains, for me, are non-corporeal.

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 7:37 pm

What, then, are you looking for in a corporeal villain?

by **Aldric** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 9:47 pm

Competence and reasons. Either logical reasons for their behavior, or believable emotionally caused ones.

In terms of Ruin -- I guess it's easier for me to accept the idea of a Dark God who seems to have a purpose that is similar (though not identical) to Entropy. A human who wants to End The World, well, sure you can hear he's just mad, but insane evil tends to get kind of boring and mundane.

How much more likely is it that somebody wants to RULE the world, and not destroy it?

I want a villain to be impressive, at least SEMI-logical, and have reasons for wanting to accomplish what he does. I'd also like it if he avoids some of the most blatant cliche errors from the Evil Overlords List.
-------

Hah, I had to share one from that list:

12. One of my advisors will be an average five-year-old child. Any flaws in my plan that he is able to spot will be corrected before implementation.

by **Bob Loblaw** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 2:30 am

Blaine the Mono, hands down.

by **Rebecca** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:20 am

Hrathen from Elantris by Brandon Sanderson because he's so completely in the wrong but he's got the most noble intentions. He's competent and really looks intimidating too.

Darth Vader because he can force choke people who get on his bad side.

Also, I thought of another favorite dragon. :oops:

(Better late than never!) Draycos from the Dragonback series by Timothy Zahn: he's not quite exactly a dragon, he's a poet-warrior of the K'da (as he is quick to remind his symbiote human Jake every time Jake makes the mistake of calling him a "pet dragon"). He's ridiculously powerful and yet so helpless sometimes and dependent on a human teen.

by **Aldric** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:59 am

I find it very amusing that you picked two "villains" who got redeemed by the end of the story. Give us somebody truly evil! (kidding)

I remember that character, Draycos. I read the very first novel in that series, and didn't end up going on to more. A semi-2d symbiotic character was pretty novel indeed.

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:23 pm

Ah, another Sunday!

What's your favorite secret author crush?

by **Aldric** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:49 pm

Seriously? Author crush? You could have at least picked character crush. It seems to me you have to be half stalking an author to have a crush on them. WTF.

None.
[edit]
Why do I have the feeling we're going to be hearing about Rothfuss' legendary beard?

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:05 pm

Haha, there will actually be a favorite author beard in a couple months.

But take a look at the article, the author crushes are pretty innocent and fun.

by **Aldric** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:16 pm

Ok, I've learned Julia has a crush on somebody's grandmother.
I've also learned that James wants...

I would take him out to dinner all night long, if you know what I mean!

That doesn't sound very innocent to me. Although, I suppose it could mean he really wants to try out a 25 course formal dinner? You make the call.

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:23 pm

Hahaha, ok, I should have read that before I posted it. But then, it's James. When has he ever been innocent? :whistle:

by **Aldric** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:31 pm

True fact! So who is your authorial crush on Stephen?

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:58 pm

Ah, I was Patrick Rothfuss, obviously! (Y)

Well, him, and Maria Dahvana Headley, because she's mad and an amazing writer. And she swears like a sailor.

by **James** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 2:00 am

I AM VERY INNOCENT, TYVM.

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:17 pm

What's your favorite fantasy creature?

by **MsFehrwight** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:42 pm

Calcifer from Howl's Moving Castle!

by **Aldric** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 6:00 pm

Oooh, this is a great one. Now I have to think.

I think I'll give three, in no particular order.

A gholam, from the Wheel of Time.

TenSoon, a kandra from Mistborn.

Oh, and for total wish fulfillment, Dragons from Pern. Who doesn't want to have a partner-dragon who will always be loyal to you, will fly you around on its back, and can teleport anywhere in the world with you? I do mean specifically these kinds of dragons, not dragons in general. Some might say this is a SciFi creature, but screw those people!
[edit]
Oh geez, how could I forget to mention that once the dragon is yours, you both can speak telepathically to each other as long as you live. Constant and loyal company is also key.

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 6:07 pm

Ah, gholams rock! And those Pern dragons sound pretty awesome as well! (Y)

by **myyrdneopia** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 6:23 pm

Guenhwyvar from Legend of Drizzt.

by **Aldric** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 6:30 pm

Oooh, that panther was freakin' awesome. You have to love how it attempted to be loyal to Drizzt regardless of who held its figurine. Hah, just the name of that makes me want to read that prequel trilogy. It's probably still my favorite of all. Drizzt seemed a bit less whiny then, as compared to once he hit the surface and had long depressing soliloquies.

by **myyrdneopia** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:50 pm

Aldric wrote:Oooh, that panther was freakin' awesome. You have to love how it attempted to be loyal to Drizzt regardless of who held its figurine. Hah, just the name of that makes me want to read that prequel trilogy. It's probably still my favorite of all. Drizzt seemed a bit less whiny then, as compared to once he hit the surface and had long depressing soliloquies.

The third book there, Sojourn, is easily one of my fave Drizzt novels, if not my favorite.

by **Rebecca** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 6:01 am

Oh, I'd forgotten Calcifer! He's awesome. :w00t:

I also absolutely love TenSoon and Guenhwyvar. (L)

by **Stephan** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 4:46 pm

What's your favorite book cover?

by **Stephan** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 2:47 pm

Wow, not much replies last week. Let's try it once more:

What's your favorite old book?

by **Aldric** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:10 pm

Most definitely Les Misérables. I've only read the unabridged, so I don't know how good the abridged version is. I totally love it, have read it twice. In another few years I'm sure I'll have to reread it again. My french I took in school notwithstanding, I've only read it in its translated-to-english version.

Wow, this says it's 1463 pages. I remember it being over 1k, but not that much over.

by **Stephan** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 4:13 pm

What's the difference between abridged and unabridged?

by **myyrdneopia** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 4:51 pm

unabridged |ˌənəˈbrijd|
adjective
(of a text) not cut or shortened; complete : an unabridged edition.

abridge |əˈbrij|
verb [ trans. ] (usu. be abridged)
1 shorten (a book, movie, speech, or other text) without losing the sense : the cassettes have been abridged from the original stories | [as adj. ] ( abridged) an abridged text of his speech.
2 Law curtail (rights or privileges) : even the right to free speech can be abridged.

ORIGIN Middle English (in the sense [deprive of] ): from Old French abregier, from late Latin abbreviare ‘cut short’ (see abbreviate ).

by **myyrdneopia** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 4:54 pm

Also, is the Mabinogion old enough for ya?

I love me some of the original Arthurian tales.

by **Aldric** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:42 pm

Stephan wrote:What's the difference between abridged and unabridged?

Along with the exact definitions Myyrd gave you, the specifics in this case: the unabridged Les Misérables on goodreads is 1463 pages as I said, the abridged version is 544 pages. Almost down to 1/3rd, kind of crazy.

The abridged is rated higher, too.

Maybe I should try that one when I feel like a reread.

by **Captain Barbossa** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:56 pm

It's so weird to see people like our writers/authors XD I always felt like i was the only one who knew about them, here in small Greece XD heh...

That's a nice list you picked. Like all of them. But to say a different book than the ones you already picked at the site....i will say Emma and Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. For some reason i can't think of any fantasy books older than 20 years (loved Magician by R.Feist) which are not in greek mythology or plays and not in your list as well.

Oh wait! The Famous Five by Enid Blyton are old too!

by **MsFehrwight** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:02 pm

This should not come as a surprise - Jane Austen. Picking one is hard, but going by the mood I'm in I'll say... Persusasion.
And let us not forget the amazing Dorian Gray. (Why do I have trouble thinking of it as an old book?)

Gosh, I'd really love to get some Arthurian stuff read! I've read the couple last chapters (we are only assigned the bits sure to spoil) of Morte D'Arthur, and I really really really want to read the whole thing! Time is the only obstacle... but I'll get it done, eventually.
I take it Mabinogion is worth a go as well.

by **myyrdneopia** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 9:27 pm

MsFehrwight wrote:
Gosh, I'd really love to get some Arthurian stuff read! I've read the couple last chapters (we are only assigned the bits sure to spoil) of Morte D'Arthur, and I really really really want to read the whole thing! Time is the only obstacle... but I'll get it done, eventually.
I take it Mabinogion is worth a go as well.

The Mabinogion is the collection of many of the original Welsh tales which developed into the more well-known Arthurian versions today. I think they predate even Geoffrey of Monmouth (unproven, IIRC, but quite likely, in my mind).

by **MsFehrwight** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 10:07 pm

myyrdneopia wrote:The Mabinogion is the collection of many of the original Welsh tales which developed into the more well-known Arthurian versions today. I think they predate even Geoffrey of Monmouth (unproven, IIRC, but quite likely, in my mind).

My lecure notes say Mabinogion is 1000-1100 and is, according to the meager info my copy of Monmouth provides, the earlier one. (Seeing as Monmouth lived in Oxford or something around 1130s.)

by **Rebecca** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:15 am

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion
L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables (the entire series, all eight books)

by **merssong** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:33 pm

While not a book, Shakespeare's Macbeth is one of my favorite stories.. The Lais of Marie De France, which would today be called a short story collection, is also entertaining.

by **MsFehrwight** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:30 pm

Macbeth is love! It seems like everyone likes Hamlet best, and I've never really seen why...

by **merssong** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:48 pm

Macbeth all the way. I actually dislike Hamlet, he never does anything but whine and complain. He also never accomplishes anything. Plus, Macbeth has those lovely witches.

by **Stephan** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:05 pm

Who's your bachelor(ette)?

Here's the article:
http://www.rantingdragon.com/ranting-dr ... helorette/

So, who's your favorite?

by **pooks** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:12 pm

Severus Snape.

The true hero of the Potter series who fell in love with a woman unworthy of him.

[Hermione would have forgiven the boys for just about anything. Lily? Went with the bullies.]

by **MsFehrwight** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:24 pm

merssong wrote:Macbeth all the way. I actually dislike Hamlet, he never does anything but whine and complain. He also never accomplishes anything. Plus, Macbeth has those lovely witches.

pooks wrote:Severus Snape.

The true hero of the Potter series who fell in love with a woman unworthy of him.

[Hermione would have forgiven the boys for just about anything. Lily? Went with the bullies.]

I agree with both.
And add Locke Lamora. If he can't have Sabetha, he'll just wallow. As annoying as it can be.

by **Rebecca** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:16 am

Well, I'm rather fond of Kaladin, obviously. I think I like Raoden and Lightsong both better though. It's been too long since I read Elantris, but I think Raoden would be my top choice. :oops:

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