Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic is on animals from books (these could be mythical, real, main characters, sidekicks, companions/pets, shifters, etc.) and came through my topic request form from two people, so I knew I had to do it. Thanks for submitting this topic, @paigesquared and Jennifer Y. from Never Too Many to Read!
I love animals, but tend to panic when animals appear in books because I always worry that the author will bring harm to said animal. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve emailed an author to check on the beloved pets from the pages of their books. I haven’t had one author not respond to me yet! I just really love animals!
1. Bo the dog from Uncharted by Adriana Anders
Bo is Elias’s dog, and they meet Leo when she crashes her helicopter in their domain. People are out to kill both Leo and Elias, and they have to trek harsh Alaskan terrain to get to safety. Bo is there with them, and is so sweet and made me very nervous. I loved her.
2. Iisak the scraver from A Heart So Fierce and Broken and A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
Iisak is a ferocious, deadly winged creature (with a 12-foot wingspan) with claws that can slice through anything. He forms and alliance with some of the characters (who would normally be his enemies) in the last two books of the Cursebreakers trilogy. His job is to help protect and train them, and their job is to help him find what he’s looking for. He’s scary, but has a heart of gold. He’s full of wisdom and humor, and I just loved him.
3. The marmot from Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler
This marmot falls in love with Easton and follows him up the mountain, cuddling with him in his tent at night and screaming at River when she gets too close to Easton. I got a huge kick out of this cute little rodent.
4. Ulysses the moose from The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler
Seriously, this moose licks windows, harasses trucks, and loves the smell of fresh baked bread. He just sounds so, so sweet.
5. Toivo the husky puppy from Christmas at Frozen Falls by Kiley Dunbar
He’s the tiny little runt of the litter of new sled dogs, but he tries so hard and loves to be loved! Whenever Sylvie is sad, she goes and pets him while he snores. And he gives nose kisses! I want him.
6. Penelope’s rescued animals from The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare
Penelope is a spinster collects wounded or rejected/abandoned animals and even though they weren’t present in much of the story, they motivated many of her actions. She loves them more than she loves people. As the book’s back cover synopsis says, she has some kittens, “a two-legged dog… a foul-mouthed parrot… and a goat, an otter, a hedgehog…” I loved her animal family!
7. Petunia the Cat from The Trouble With Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis
This cat is a diva. Maaaajor attitude. Keane actually calls her Pita for short (which stands for Pain In the Ass). She gets into the duct work of a home and causes major issues, but I love her anyway. And I love that this little kitty has the power to bring a man to his knees and beg for mercy. So much fun.
8. The water horses from The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
“Based on the legends of the eich uisce — the Celtic water horse — The Scorpio Races take place on the tiny, fictional island of Thisby. Each November, water horses emerge from the black ocean and gallop the beach beneath the cliffs of Thisby. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.
Some riders live. Others die.”
I just loved the myth and how these horses were portrayed. Beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
9. The baby llama in Operation White Christmas by Nikki Edwards
Baby llama!! I repeat: Baby. Llama.
10. Hennessey the dog from Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
This dog is huge, and at their first meeting he was out to defend his territory and scared Carrie half to death. But then she melts him too, and he keeps her warm at night on the couch. She talks to him a lot when Finn refuses to humor her, and I loved how she was with him!
What animals from books do you love?
I had so many more I could mention, and it was hard to keep it to just 10.
The water horses made my list this week too!
It’s just such a wonderful book! I think I need to read it again this fall. :)
Petunia the cat was fun, and so were Penelope’s rescues. My only animal from a romance was Newton the corgi from The Viscount Who Loved Me. (So help me, they better include Newton in the second season of Bridgerton!) I went to town with this prompt, though; I threw the “ten” limit out the window. So, so many favorite animals, talking and not. Thanks for this prompt; I had a wonderful time remembering them all! (Well, I’m sure I forgot some, but I enjoyed remembering the ones I, er, remembered.)
Oh my goodness, there’s a corgi in The Viscount Who Loved Me!?! I just finished The Duke and I, and I am even more excited to move on to book 2 now!
I’m so glad you loved this week’s prompt! I’m going to come visit your blog now so I can see this list. I love animals so much!
I love that you do a check-in on the animals in books, Jana. I like the sound of the one about the marmot!
:)
Yes, the book with the marmot is one of my favorite books ever!
A lot of people often do twists on the topics. Today was my turn. But I had a lot of fun with it.
Happy Reading everyone.
I’m glad you had fun with it! I always encourage people to put their own unique spin on a topic or spice it up a little, so I’m really glad you chose to do that and make it into something that worked for you. :)
Thanks, Jana. I usually try to stay closer to the topic than this time and manage most of the time. If ever I don’t post a TTT, it’s not because I didn’t like the subject but because I was not well enough to write something. I always enjoy the exchange here and have met many other great bloggers on your site. Thanks.
My brother-in-law’s youngest cat is named PITA for the exact same reason! 😂
The water horses are a cool choice!
Back when I accepted review books, I was offered a few about animals. I always asked if the animal dies because that’s a deal-breaker. I even ask someone who’s already seen a Godzilla and/or King Kong movie if they die before I watch those! 😂
Oh my goodness, that’s hilarious!
Animal deaths are always a dealbreaker for me, too, in books and movies! Hopefully as more of us make ourselves known, writers will stop killing animals in media!
The Water Horses sound so cool.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-rabbits-from-books/
OOh nice picks! Quite a few new to me books here! I took this on the paranormal route of things!
Here’s my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
I’m definitely adding The Trouble With Mistletoe to my TBR for December. I love a diva cat!!
I hope you love it! This cat is wonderful, and the romance is pretty great too!
I need to meet that moose!
Oh my gosh, you do. You will fall in love with it and the town and the entire book series. It’s an all-time favorite!
I really liked how the water horses were described in The Scorpio Races too!
I read a lot of mystery/thrillers and pets do not usually fare well in them, unfortunately :(
I love that authors always message you back to let you know what happens to the animals in their books. That’s lovely.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
You’re right, animals often don’t fare well in mysteries and thrillers. Those are the authors I’m always writing to, because I love those kinds of books but I just can’t handle the anxiety of hoping each time that the animal will be ok! I’ve been so pleased with the responses I’ve gotten from authors. One of them even told me about all of his pets, and how each one of them endorsed his novel because their furry friend was just fine. I thought it was so sweet. :)
Bea’s pet hedgehog in Love in the Afternoon.
I loved the Scorpio Races especially the relationship between Sean and Corr
I love the ones from Sarah Morgenthaler’s books. I am trying to remember the dog’s name. She had some great animal characters.
How could I forget the dog?!?!?! His name is Jake, and you’re right. He’s amazing and I’m annoyed I forgot to include him and his little blind baby self. Sarah has written so many great animals!
I also worry about animals in books, especially dogs. I just can’t handle it if anything bad happens to them! Here is my Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!
In my experience, real-life animals in books are the cutest and the fantasy ones are the most badass!