“Tough Traveling” is a weekly Thursday feature created by Nathan at Review Barn where participants make a new list each week based on The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones. This hilarious little book cheerfully pokes fun at the most prevalent tropes in fantasy. All are welcome to take part, and there is a link up over at his site. Join in any time!
This week’s trope is ENFORCERS:
Some people are made to give orders; others are made to make sure they are carried out. Be it through muscle or guile there are just some people you don’t want to hear are looking for you.
This trope was surprisingly difficult! Aside from the obvious pick (C & G), I really had to wrack my brains for this one. Thankfully I was able to come up with a few examples from urban fantasy to save the day!
 Crabbe and Goyle – Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
These two are the quintessential “dumb thug” style of enforcers, basically serving as muscle for baby Malfoy. Draco isn’t a very kind master either, often calling them dumb to their faces and smacking them around. I was actually pretty disappointed that they never tried overpowering him…dude’s pretty skinny. |
 Katsa – Graceling by Kristin Cashore
When the novel opens, Katsa is serving as enforcer for her uncle, King Randa. She’s infamous for her combat skills and the mere mention of her can prevent her uncle’s enemies from misbehaving. But there’s more to this badass warrior than meets the eye, and she may not be as willing to carry out Randa’s commands as she would have him believe… |
 Clayton Danvers – The Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong
Clay Danvers is the enforcer the North American werewolf pack and Jeremy Danvers’ second in command. He has worked hard to cultivate the myth of his brutality and savagery – and it’s only part myth. If someone threatens his family or his pack, Clay will use his smarts (he’s got a PhD!) and his skill in a fight to bring you down. |
 Charles Cornick – The Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs
Hey look, another North American werewolf! Charles serves as enforcer for the Marrok, the leader of all the North American werewolves. He’s smart, he’s lethal, and he’s old…meaning that he’s powerful as all get out. When a werewolf messes up and breaks the Marrok’s rules, Charles is tasked with ‘dispensing justice’…which usually involves killing someone. |