Tough Traveling: Dark Ladies
The Thursday feature “Tough Traveling” is the brainchild of Nathan ofReview Barn, who has come up with the excellent idea of making a new list each week based on the most common tropes in fantasy, as seen in The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynn Jones. Nathan has invited anyone who is interested to come play along, so be sure to check out the first link for more information. Compulsive list-maker that I am, I’m very excited to take part!
This week’s tour topic is: DARK LADY
DARK LADY. There is never one of these – so see DARK LORD instead:
(There is always one of these in the background of every Tour, attempting to ruin everything and take over the world He will be so sinister that he will be seen by you only once or twice, probably near the end of the Tour…)
Mogsy’s Picks:
Dang, I think I might have used up a couple of my Dark Ladies for Dark Lord week, but let me dig a little deeper into my shelves and see what I can come up with. One or two of these might be a stretch; like the description suggests, there are relatively few of these compared to their male counterparts…
Mage’s Blood by David Hair
Sainted Mater-Empress Lucia, mother of Emperor Constant, takes the top spot for evilness in this series, pulling the strings behind the scenes and juggling her network of cronies, essentially making her own son her puppet. The extent of said evilness wasn’t made apparent until the second book which I just read recently, but now that we know more, up she goes on this list.
Stormrage by Richard A. Knaak
A prominent character in the Warcraft video games, Sylvanas Windrunner actually styles herself as “the Dark Lady” or “the Banshee Queen” after being transformed into an undead and becoming supreme ruler of the Forsaken faction. She appears here and there in the World of Warcraft series of novels. In Stormrage, Sylvanas dreams about being a high elf once again while under the twisted effects of Emerald Nightmare.
A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani
The main characters Sophie and Agatha return to the School for Good and Evil in this sequel to find that everything they knew about their fairy tale world has changed. A new villain is introduced in the form of Evelyn Sader, the new dean who has taken over the school and rules it with an iron fist, using her butterflies as innocuous seeming spies to keep all the professors and students in check.
Summer Knight by Jim Butcher
Mab is the Faerie Queen of the Winter Court, also called the Queen of Air and Darkness — that’s close enough to a Dark Lady for me! She makes her first appearance in this book. Easily one of the most powerful beings in the Dresden Files series, Mab is ruthless and moments of compassion from her are very rare.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Queen Levana of Luna is the main villain of the series, who came upon her throne by starting a fire in the palace nursery, killing her own sister and supposedly her niece. She is greatly feared by her people, due to her extremely powerful glamor abilities that can make anyone submit to her instantly, which is why no one has ever been able to oppose or overthrow her.
The BiblioSanctum 
Lucia is a great choice. If she has her way… Oh watch out. There is a character very much like her in the early stages of Prince of Nothing as well.
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I really want to read Mages Blood and I have to start the Dresden Files soon.
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Same here! I’ve had the first three Dresden books sitting on my shelf for months, and Mage’s Blood has been on my wishlist for what feels like years. 🙂
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Mab totally would’ve made my list. My favorite Dresden story lines are the ones with her in them. I didn’t even think of Cinder! This is the first list not the have The Lady in it, congrats. I’m enjoyed reading your list. 🙂
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Oh this time I know about 2 books, I’m glad when i know some lol.
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Great picks as always – there are just as many Dark Ladies in fantasy as there are Dark Lords!
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I so wanna read that first book
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Well done for holding down the fort on this one. I drew a complete blank.
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I know quite a few of these. I’ve read Jim Butcher at least and thought about Mab. Still not read Cinder – had it for ages – should I get on that?? Still need to read the School of Good and Evil too *headdesk*.
Lynn 😀
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I know that she’s evil and all that but I’m very intrigued by Levana – she’s a very compelling character and I’m really looking forward to Fairest. And as for A World Without Princes…what is it with boarding school SFF and the evil headmistresses? Umbridge was a real piece of work, too.
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Oooh Dark Ladies! Is it bad to admit I’d read a book for a Dark Lady alone? Well, I would do the same for a Dark Lord. I just like dark characters altogether. (Does that mean there’s something wrong with me? :P) The only one of these I’ve read is Cinder, and yes, Levana is definitely evil. I find myself really wanting to know more of her back story and why the way she is (isn’t that the fun of any dark character?). Can’t wait until Fairest is out for that reason!
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Seriously. Queen Levena is one dark lady. So is Semirhage. I know you’ve read some WoT, but I don’t know if you got to her. Creepiest. Forsaken. EVER.
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