TOUGH TRAVELING | Extreme Climates

 

Tough Traveling is a fun meme that aims to tour all the tropes big and small, abhorred and loved that are littered across the fantasy landscape. It was conceived of and is hosted by Nathan at Fantasy Review Barn and here's how it's explained on the blog: 

Each Thursday, our copy of ‘The Tough Guide to Fantasyland’ in hand, we shall tour the mystical countryside looking for adventure and fun (and tropes) from all over fantasy.

This week's trope is Extreme Climates:

 Perhaps the handsome prince lives in a castle surrounded by green countryside and sunny days.  The rest of the land is forced to deal with freezing cold, searing heat, and every other extreme climate mother nature can throw at you.

Most of my Extreme Climates are not really Mother Natures fault but the work of magic. Here's a few books that popped in my head that feature some crazy weather phenomena

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"It's she that makes it always winter. Always winter, and never Christmas; think of that!"

1) The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

This was the most immediate book to come to mind.  The extreme climate in this case is not natural but is being manipulated by the White Witch.  During the book a dramatic thaw (and the appearance of St. Nick) signals the weakening of her power.

“The screen went black before I was out of the airlock. Turns out the “L” in “LCD” stands for “Liquid.” I guess it either froze or boiled off. Maybe I’ll post a consumer review. “Brought product to surface of Mars. It stopped working. 0/10.”

2) The Martian by Andy Weir

An immediate cheat by swerving into Science Fiction but where is the climate more extreme than the planet Mars?

3) Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

I don't know if it really counts as climate but the whole atmosphere of Luthadel is impregnated with ash and mist, thanks to the evil magical doings of The Lord Ruler.  I never understood how exactly everyone stayed alive and had food and stuff.

4) Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews

The setting for Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series is Atlanta but it's an Atlanta that is ravaged by alternating periods of magic and technology.  Because of this there are all kinds of weird phenomena.  If I remember correctly there is one street in the city that is always covered with snow - unusual for Atlanta not to mention the highly localized nature of the weather.

5) Greek Mythology 

Mount Olympus, where the Gods and Goddesses live. is paradise and certainly has a different climate than the world of the humans. It is said to be shrouded or hidden in clouds. "...blessed with mild climate, and surrounded by Uranus, the heaven. It never rained on Mount Olympus nor was it ever windy, only some clouds were appearing from time to time to isolate the god's kingdom from the outside world and bless the world with water.(source)"

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That's all I have this week.  Please go check out what the other travelers have come up with as there are always great ideas for your next good read! Fantasy Review Barn Tough Traveling