Top 10 Sidekicks in Fantasy Novels!
Top 10 Sidekicks in Fantasy Novels
Secondary Characters take the Spotlight!
By Stephanie M. Bucklin
Let’s face it: heroes are great, but it’s sidekicks that really make a story. Whether they’re saving the hero from trouble, providing some much-needed comic relief, or listening to the hero complain yet again about evil this and evil that, sidekicks are a crucial staple of fantasy fiction.
We rounded up some of our favorite sidekicks from fantasy novels, from children’s to adult. Don’t see your favorite sidekick here? Let us know the character you’d nominate in the comments below.
Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings)
Every single sidekick list needs to start with Samwise. A stalwart companion and the friend everyone wishes they had, Samwise sticks with Frodo on their long journey away from the Shire and towards Mount Doom. Bonus: he doesn’t even seem the least interested in the most coveted piece of jewelry in Middle Earth.
Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)
The smartest person in the room and the girl who should have gotten with Harry Potter, Hermione is everything you need in a sidekick: skilled, rational, and just a little bit bossy.
Spider (Anansi Boys)
Sure, Spider might not seem like the most conventional choice for a great sidekick—after all, he steals his brother’s fiancée, gets him fired from his job, and wreaks havoc in his brother’s otherwise normal, staid life. But Spider also has an incredible array of magical powers, a persuasive charm, and a surprising loyalty to his brother Fat Charlie—even if he shows it in some odd ways.
Pan (The Golden Compass)
If you’ve never had a daemon, you don’t know what you’re missing. Daemons are essentially your spirit in animal form, changing shape until they finally fix into a final one during adulthood. Pan is Lyra’s constant companion, helping her out of scrapes, giving her advice, and talking through some very tough decisions. And even though Pan and other daemons can’t venture into the underworld, they’re still amazing companions everywhere else. Kind of makes you wish our world had them.
Tock (The Phantom Tollbooth)
If you’re going to take a little drive through the topsy-turvy world of Dictionopolis, there’s no one better to have at your side than Tock, the “watchdog” with a clock on either side of him. Tock is one of the few creatures in Dictionopolis who seems willing to take on another role and go on an adventure with Milo—not to mention, he’s smart, brave, and quite well-spoken for a dog.
Hodor (Game of Thrones)
He might only be able to say one word—his own name—but Hodor is gentle, strong, and incredibly loyal to the Starks, following Bran Stark through a number of dangerous adventures. And when his destiny is finally revealed, it becomes clear that Hodor is one of the best companions someone could ask for in a dangerous land.
Reepicheep (Prince Caspian)
Sometimes great things come in little packages. Like Reepicheep, the Chief Mouse of Narnia, an incredibly skilled swordsman who accompanies Prince Caspian on his adventures to the end of the world.
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Karrin Murphy (The Dresden Files)
If you’re fighting the supernatural world, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a police officer on your side. Murphy is an officer in the Chicago Police Department’s Special Investigations unit—not to mention a martial artist and great shot.
Perrin Aybara (The Wheel of Time)
Can your sidekick talk to wolves? This one can—Perrin is a blacksmith who gets thrust into a series of adventures after his old childhood friend Rand is declared the Dragon Reborn. Perrin is steadfast and loyal, and hey, with a nickname like “Goldeneyes,” he’s got to have some street cred.
Wrolf (The Little White Horse)
Rounding out the list of sidekicks is Wrolf, a huge animal that lives in Sir Benjamin’s manor with the rest of the family. Even though Wrolf is called a dog, he’s actually a lion—very befitting, considering Wrolf is dignified, smart, and protective of a number of generations of the Merryweather family.
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