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I have always loved trusty ol' Samwise Gamgee. In some ways, he can be seen as the true hero of LoTR, but even if you don't go that far, he is still one of the most likable and devoted supporting characters in all of fiction. But who are his successors? Who else has caught your attention lately as a strong and likable secondary character who adds richness, depth and heart to the story?

Without doubt, the A-Through-L (Ell, the Wyvern) from The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

"September, really. Which do you think is more likely? That some brute bull left my mother with egg and went off to sell lonemozers, or that she mated with a Library and had many loved and loving children? I mean, let us be realistic!"

I have to second Sam Gamgee. I always thought he got short-shrift. I'm also fond of Jean in "The Lies of Locke Lamora", without whom Locke would be dead many times over.

I liked Jean too, but I felt there was something missing, some aspect of depth to their relationship to make it more believable. Although, to be fair, Tolkien had many more pages with which to develop Sam's character and color in the relationship details.

I like Sam too:)

And the Luggage, Captain Carrot and Nobby from Discworld. Nobby mainly because he is so funny:)

Gotta second Jean and Locke. Their commitment to each other, especially in the second book, is great. I've always been fond of the relationship Between Jon Snow and Sam Tarly in ASOIAF. Though nowhere near as developed as Samwise and Frodo or Jean and Locke, I always loved their scenes.

Dont you think that Jean (in the second book) is more of a co-main character and not a sidekick? His beautiful thing with Ezri...

Wayne in the Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson.

I like TenSoon in the Mistborn series.

Smudge, the fire spider, from Jim C. Hines' Jig the Goblin series and Wolf, Torak's loyal companion in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series by Michelle Paver.

Yeah, Sam was a great supporting character. I doubt Frodo could of done it without his support.

Aewulf from Dawn of the Knight is a cool side kick too.

Not fantasy, but Han could of very well been the main character. I mean he gets the girl ; )

Max from Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series.

I would have to go with Bob The Skull from the Dresden Files.

John wrote: "I would have to go with Bob The Skull from the Dresden Files."

I love Bob! He is hilarious, especially with his penchant for trashy romance novels and risque innuendoes. :)

I'd forgotten about Bob. Thanks for the reminder.

Xetws wrote: "Dont you think that Jean (in the second book) is more of a co-main character and not a sidekick? His beautiful thing with Ezri..."

I definitely think he moved up a notch in "Red Seas Under Red Skies" - he had his own very involved storyline and his own personality came out more, including that he wasn't always willing to play second fiddle to Locke. Nice development.

Now, if Scott Lynch would just come out with the next one!!! My $$$ are waiting, right here...

K.A. wrote: "Xetws wrote: "Dont you think that Jean (in the second book) is more of a co-main character and not a sidekick? His beautiful thing with Ezri..."

I definitely think he moved up a notch in "Red Seas..."

Excellent! my $$$ too!!! XD

Samwise Gamgee will always be tops to me.

Ingold Inglorion from Barbara Hambly's Darwath series is a sword wielding wizard who would kick Gandalf's butt any day.

Saltheart Foamfollower and Lord Mhoram from the First Thomas Covenant series by Donaldson are just awesome characters who grow from book to book.

I quite like Saltheart, but found Lord Mhoram a bit less enjoyable. Ingold Inglorion was good too, and a bit more "real" than Gandalf. Good suggestions.

Tasslehoff Burrfoot probably

DavidO wrote: "Tasslehoff Burrfoot probably"

I second that vote.

Yes, Jean did come into his own in the second book. I love how in that book they save each other's asses countless times!

Second Tasslehoff Burrfoot

Let's not forget G-gnome from Monster Hunter Vendetta

I have to second Mat Cauthon from WoT and Wayne from Alloy of Law... those were both AMAZING characters. Perrin and Siuan Sanche from WoT were too. The other one I liked is Guenhwyvar from RA Salvatore's Drizzt books. Guen's a little different because she's a cat. Most non-human characters have to be extensively humanized to be supportive. Guen manages to achieve that while still staying very true to her cat-like nature. I always liked that about her.

I just re-read Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy. I know many people think the Fool is a great sidekick, and I agree, he's a richly drawn and nuanced character, but for sheer sidekickish devotion, and supportiveness, my vote has to go to Nighteyes. There is truly a man's best friend.

Jefferson wrote: "I just re-read Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy. I know many people think the Fool is a great sidekick, and I agree, he's a richly drawn and nuanced character, but for sheer sidekickish devotion, and s..."
Second! Second!

K.A. wrote: "Xetws wrote: "Dont you think that Jean (in the second book) is more of a co-main character and not a sidekick? His beautiful thing with Ezri..."

I definitely think he moved up a notch in "Red Seas..."

http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

!!!

Some of my favorite side kicks are in Janny Wurts Wars of Light and Shadow series - Dakar, Sulfin Evend, Asandir, Sethvir, Elaira.... just a few of the many vivid characters in this series.

Since I just reread The Morgaine Saga by C.J. Cherryh, I have to throw in a vote for Nhi Vanye, the guy who gets swept along with Morgaine on her quest.

What's particularly interesting is that even though Vanye is technically the sidekick, the story is told almost entirely from within his point of view -- we only see Morgaine as filtered through his perception, and never actually get inside her head.

Joseph wrote: "Since I just reread The Morgaine Saga by C.J. Cherryh, I have to throw in a vote for Nhi Vanye, the guy who gets swept along with Morgaine on her quest.

What's particularly interesting is that eve..."

Cherryh does that a lot. Have you read her Fortress series? AWESOME!

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Cherryh does that a lot. Have you read her Fortress series? AWESOME!"

I read the first four years ago. At some point I do have to go back and revisit them (and the fifth one). I also have to reread the Rusalka books now that she's selling revised versions on her website.

Xetws wrote: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

Well, hallelu!

I have just finished the two audio book instalments of Mark Lawrence'sMark LawrenceBroken Empire series. Prince Jorg's sidekick Makin is a favourite of mine (pls excuse spelling if I am wrong, an audio book does not come with a glossary),

Makin is a flawed character but also has a shred of decency that Jorg simply does not possess. He puts up with Jorg's erratic behaviour that would have had them killed many times over if not for sheer luck ... and the authors need to finish the series with his main protagonist alive. :)

Cheryl wrote: "Max from Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series."

I second this one! I really liked Max

Brian wrote: "DavidO wrote: "Tasslehoff Burrfoot probably"

I second that vote."

And I'll third it :)

Almost every buddy Dresden ever had, with specific props to Bob the Skull (as already stated), but also Karen Murphy and Molly.

Loiosh, the familiar, from Steven Brust's Vlad Taltosh books.

Krupp from Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen

Silk from The Belgariad. (I like to pretend that The Malorian didn't happen, much like the Star Wars prequels and that fabled fourth Indiana Jones movie my kids keep trying to convince me actually happened.)

Cadiva wrote: "Brian wrote: "DavidO wrote: "Tasslehoff Burrfoot probably"

I second that vote."

And I'll third it :)"

I'll fourth it!

Don't fourth it. It might thnap off. :-)

Oliver DeBurrows-from "The Crimson Shadow".
And I'll 5th it for "Tas".

Hey You wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "Brian wrote: "DavidO wrote: "Tasslehoff Burrfoot probably"

I second that vote."

And I'll third it :)"

I'll fourth it!"

Rofl.
Samwise Gamgee.
Alberto Malich
The Luggage:)

Who's Rofl?

Fizban. After Samwise Gamgee, I'd say he's the most memorable to me.

K.A. wrote: "Who's Rofl?"

I think it's rolling on floor laughing.

Took me ages to work out. Rolfmao is "Rolling on floor laughing my arse off.

Not that I spend too much time online:)

Yeah, I know. In this case it looked like a name in a list. I was joking.

Nakor in Feists midkemia books. Always the best insight and wisdom and never takes himself, or others seriously.

Wayne is a great choice from The Alloy Law

I also really like Mat from WOT

I would say why not Bean from Ender's game? He was a good character and even gets his own book!

Let's go with Samwell Tarly from ASoIAF.

Who from what? Tarly from what book?