The Silmaril Awards 2019 Nominations: Least Competent Henchman

NOMINATIONS CLOSED!

Come back Monday (Sept. 9) to see and vote for the top 5 nominees!

 

I have some super, ultra, ubertastic, frabjous newssss! I HAVE JOINED THE SILMARIL AWARDS TEAM. Annnnd, as of today, The Silmaril Awards have BEGUN! *cheers and fanfare*

Alrighty, let me back up for just a sec because you may be tilting your head thinking, “What???”

 

What are The Silmaril Awards?

Back in 2016, Jenelle Schmidt and DJ Edwardson, being the brilliant, magical wizards they are, created a new type of awards ceremony. Not one for the best actors, singers, dancers, sports players, and everything else people tend to be awarded for a thousand times over. No, no. These awards were something different, something special. Something all geeks could come together for and celebrate.

LITERARY FANTASY CHARACTERS AWARDS.

That is correct! The Silmaril Awards, named after the silmarils from the great works of our father of fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien himself of course, are awards presented to the best of the best characters in fantasy literature. Those who have found a way into our hearts and refuse to leave…not that we’d want them to.

Basically? It’s a super fun blogging thing to geek out together about fantasy characters. It’s one of my most FAVORITE things in the blogosphere. And this year I have the honor of being a host! *SQUEALS*

WE’RE GONNA HAVE SO MUCH FUN!

 

How Does It Work?

There are 10 Silmarils in total, all presented in different categories—Most Epic Hero, Wisest Counselor, Most Nefarious Villain, etc., etc. Each category is hosted by a different blogger. All characters go through a fan-voting system, starting with nominations, then votes, and, finally, us 10 bloggers will present the awards ceremony and announce the winner for our specifically chosen category.

  • Week 1: Nominations – Sept. 2 – 6

This week you will be nominating your favorites in the comment sections of the presenters’ blogs. You can also “second” characters others have nominated by replying to their comment and saying you second that character.

You can nominate and second however many characters you want!

  • Week 2: Voting – Starting Sept. 9

Once nominations are closed, us presenters will tally up how many “seconds” each nominated character received. The top 5 in each category with the most seconds will move on to the voting round! You will vote for your favorite out of those 5 in each category via a voting form we’ll provide.

  • Week 3: Awards Ceremony – Sept. 16 – 27

The exciting part! (Actually, it’s all exciting.) One by one, each blog host will be providing the awards ceremony for their chosen category and share which esteemed character won said category! Annnd the awards may just be presented by certain Tolkien characters. *wriggles eyebrows*

 

The Rules

1.) Tolkien’s characters are NOT eligible to be nominated. We see them as the ultimate standard in fantasy fiction and thus choose to give them the honor of presenting The Silmarillion Awards. Basically, we already think they won. This will give some other characters a chance to shine. 😉

2.) Characters from LITERARY FANTASY ONLY can be nominated. That means no characters from TV shows, movies, or video games. Books only! As well as no sci-fi, dystopian, etc. (We all know Katniss is great, but, sadly, her story is not fantasy.) With that said, if you can make a strong argument that a certain book IS fantasy, us presenters will consider it. (For ex. The Lunar Chronicles is allowed. Though, yes, it’s sci-fi, it also has fantastical aspects.)

3.) We ask you to MENTION THE BOOK the character you’re nominating is from. As hard as we try to be well-read, we haven’t read everything. (The true tragedy of every bookworm.) We definitely need to know from which story each character hails.

4.) There are NO LIMITS TO NOMINATIONS OR SECONDS. Remember, the TOP 5 characters in each category who get the most seconds moves on to the voting round. So go wild nominating and seconding all your favorites!

5.) With that said, AUTHOR’S CANNOT NOMINATE THEIR OWN CHARACTERS. But definitely encourage your readers to do so for you! *wink, wink*

6.) PREVIOUS WINNERS CANNOT BE NOMINATED AGAIN. The Silmarils are lifetime awards. So characters who have won in the past cannot be nominated again in that category. For a list of previous winners, check out the Hall of Fame.

7.) HAVE FUN! This is nonnegotiable. Those who violate this rule will be sent to the Real World—the terrible place where no eccentric wizards come barging into your house and steal you away on magical adventures. So enjoy yourself in this time of reveling in fantasy characters, sharing with others your favorites, and giving these beloved people some love…or else.

For more information check out the website: SilmarilAwards.com

This year there is also a new Facebook group to keep up with all the news! Do check it out!

Whew! With all that official-ness out of the way, may I present to you…

 

My Category

For my first year as a SilmAwards Host I shall be hosting the award forrr…

LEAST COMPETENT HENCHMAN

*rubs hands together in glee*

Ooooh boy. You have to love them! Those poor, bumbling souls who try, they really do, but fail. A lot. A lot a lot. Usually the villains’ plans are utterly foiled due to them. They’re the ones who accidentally dropped that Ultimate Powerful Item down the well. Or forgot to hold their tongue and let slip the villain’s Huge Secret to the protagonist. Or who has really bad aim with an arrow or gun or…anything.

Helping taking over the world just isn’t their forte. But you gotta give them points for trying. Which is exactly what we’re gonna do!

Comment below with your nominations for your favorite literary fantasy Least Competent Henchmen!

Previous Winners for this Category:

That means neither Fezzik nor Mr. Smee are eligible to be nominated in this category as they already have this Silmaril.

 

The Other Categories

Don’t forgot to nominate (and second) in the other categories as well! Be sure to do it in the comments section of those bloggers’ posts, not mine, though. Nominations and seconds for Least Competent Henchmen here only!

Go forth and share some fantasy character love! And don’t forgot nominations will end Friday evening (Sept. 6), so do be sure to get in your comments before then!

Also, we’d love for you to share the fun. Spread the word and send your fantasy-loving friends to join in. If you want to share on social media (please do!) use the hashtags #SilmAwards2019 or #SilmAwards. The more the merrier! And who knows, you may just find some more fantasy books to add to your TBR. (We can never have enough of those, yes? *blissfully pretends she doesn’t already have some 2982 books on her own TBR*)

 

LET’S TALK!

Are you excited? I AM SO EXCITED! Nominate for your favorite Least Competent Henchmen below! Let’s give these inept but often endearing underdogs some recognition.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
86 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rogue9
Rogue9
September 2, 2019 11:52 AM

I nominate Dobby from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling.

Deborah O'Carroll
Deborah O'Carroll
September 2, 2019 1:51 PM
Reply to  Rogue9

Second!

Nicole Dust
Nicole Dust
September 2, 2019 7:27 PM
Reply to  Rogue9

I second!

Rebekah Stargazer
Rebekah Stargazer
September 3, 2019 2:47 PM
Reply to  Rogue9

Second!

Victoria Grace Howell
September 4, 2019 8:42 PM
Reply to  Rogue9

I second Dobby!

Tracey Dyck
September 5, 2019 8:19 PM
Reply to  Rogue9

I second Dobby!

Julia/ @AristaeH/ Arysta Henry
September 2, 2019 12:20 PM

I nominate Bramble from Nate Philbrick’s Where the Woods Grow Wild.

Deborah O'Carroll
Deborah O'Carroll
September 2, 2019 1:48 PM

I second Bramble!

Elise
Elise
September 4, 2019 12:30 AM

I second Bramble!

Kyle Robert Shultz
September 2, 2019 2:11 PM

I second Bramble!

Julia/ @AristaeH/ Arysta Henry
September 2, 2019 3:54 PM

Yay! *hoists a sign that says, “Votes for Bramble”*

Jessi Rae
Jessi Rae
September 2, 2019 4:11 PM

I second Bramble! Though it’s hard to consider the poor dear a kind of villain… He’s too adorable! XD

Beth Wangler
Beth Wangler
September 2, 2019 11:44 PM

I second Bramble, too!

Rebekah Stargazer
Rebekah Stargazer
September 3, 2019 2:48 PM

Second!!! <3

Grace T.
Grace T.
September 3, 2019 3:56 PM

Seconding Bramble for sure!

'Blue'
'Blue'
September 2, 2019 12:57 PM

I nominate Whisper, Hark, and Listen (who is invisible), of The Thirteen Clocks.

Anna
Anna
September 2, 2019 1:18 PM

I nominate Antorell from the Enchanted Forest Chronicles!

Deborah O'Carroll
Deborah O'Carroll
September 2, 2019 1:52 PM
Reply to  Anna

YESSS! Antorell! Totally second him! Xd

Elise
Elise
September 4, 2019 12:30 AM

Hahaha! Yes! I second Antorell!

Tracey Dyck
September 2, 2019 1:38 PM

Haha, I love how you worded rule #7! The Real World–oh no! XD

I nominate:

-The Burley Men from the Bright Empires series by Stephen Lawhead
-Palin from Dragons in Our Midst by Bryan Davis (while he has some incompetent moments, he’s also… not as evil as he might appear)

Deborah O'Carroll
Deborah O'Carroll
September 2, 2019 1:52 PM
Reply to  Tracey Dyck

I second the Burley Men!

Sarah Pennington
September 2, 2019 3:19 PM
Reply to  Tracey Dyck

I second Palin! Even though he’s kiiiiinda more competent than 90% of fantasy henchmen, LOL.

Madeline J. Rose
Madeline J. Rose
September 2, 2019 3:38 PM
Reply to  Tracey Dyck

I second the Burley Men!

Rebekah Stargazer
Rebekah Stargazer
September 3, 2019 2:50 PM
Reply to  Tracey Dyck

Seconding the Burley men

Hannah V
Hannah V
September 6, 2019 11:55 AM
Reply to  Tracey Dyck

I second Palin.

Jenelle Schmidt
September 2, 2019 3:09 PM

Christine! I love how you worded all the rules… I may have to steal some of this for next year! LOL

I second:
Antorell from the Enchanted Forest Chronicles (poor guy… came so close last year)
Dobby from Harry Potter

I nominate:
General Khrak from the Wingfeather Saga
Elucidated Brethren of the Night from Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchet
Cinderella’s evil stepsisters (just in general… from whatever retelling you like)

Sarah Pennington
September 2, 2019 3:20 PM

I second General Khrak and the Elucidated Brethren!

Kate Willis
Kate Willis
September 2, 2019 3:59 PM

I second General Khrak!

Tracey Dyck
September 2, 2019 6:50 PM

I second Cinderella’s stepsisters!

Your Friendly Neighborhood INFP
Your Friendly Neighborhood INFP
September 2, 2019 10:29 PM

I second General Khrak!

Rebekah Stargazer
Rebekah Stargazer
September 3, 2019 2:52 PM

Second Khrak!

Shaina Merrick
Shaina Merrick
September 3, 2019 5:02 PM

I second Basta from Inkheart and Puzzle from Chronicles of Narnia!

Elise
Elise
September 4, 2019 12:31 AM
Reply to  Shaina Merrick

I second Puzzle

Hannah V
Hannah V
September 6, 2019 11:57 AM
Reply to  Shaina Merrick

I second Basta and Puzzle

Hannah
Hannah
September 3, 2019 11:07 PM

I second the Brethren from Guards Guards!

Madeline J. Rose
Madeline J. Rose
September 2, 2019 4:19 PM

I nominate Basta from Inkheart!

Tracey Dyck
September 2, 2019 6:50 PM

Oh, good one! I second Basta.

DJ Edwardson
September 2, 2019 6:56 PM

Oh, fiddlesticks, I need to read Inkheart.

Faith Thompson
Faith Thompson
September 3, 2019 6:22 AM

I second General Khrak and Basta! (not sure where this comment will end up….oh well xD)

Marlene Simonette
September 4, 2019 7:40 AM

Ooh, yes. I second Basra~

Marlene Simonette
September 4, 2019 7:40 AM

Ooh, yes. I second Basta! (I may have double posted, in which case I apologize; my internet is being funky…)

Christina Pankey
Christina Pankey
September 2, 2019 9:53 PM

Sporos from L’Engle’s A Wind in the Door

Addyson Huneke
September 3, 2019 6:57 AM

I second Sporos!

Wyn Estelle
Wyn Estelle
September 3, 2019 11:23 AM

I second Sporos, as well!

Emily G
September 2, 2019 10:40 PM

YAYYY THEY’RE BACK! And how exciting that you’re a host this year!! 😀

I nominate Puzzle from The Last Battle!

theonesthatreallymatter.blogspot.com

Addyson Huneke
September 3, 2019 6:57 AM
Reply to  Emily G

Ooh, I second Puzzle! I love him!

DJ Edwardson
September 3, 2019 10:27 AM
Reply to  Emily G

I second Puzzle as well. Talk about incompetence!

Wyn Estelle
Wyn Estelle
September 3, 2019 11:24 AM
Reply to  DJ Edwardson

I second Puzzle! Poor fellow…

Grace T.
Grace T.
September 3, 2019 3:56 PM
Reply to  Emily G

Seconding Puzzle!

Mary H.
Mary H.
September 3, 2019 6:01 PM
Reply to  Emily G

I second Puzzle!

Tracey Dyck
September 3, 2019 9:58 PM
Reply to  Emily G

Dear Puzzle! I second him too.

Your Friendly Neighborhood INFP
Your Friendly Neighborhood INFP
September 3, 2019 10:39 PM
Reply to  Emily G

I second Puzzle!

Brie Donning (Oztralia)
September 4, 2019 12:34 AM
Reply to  Emily G

I strongly second Puzzle.

Marlene Simonette
September 4, 2019 7:38 AM
Reply to  Emily G

Definitely seconding Puzzle.

Darik Swisher
Darik Swisher
September 4, 2019 7:44 PM
Reply to  Emily G

I second Puzzle!

Maya
September 3, 2019 11:08 AM

I second Puzzle, Dobby, Palin, and Khrak!
I nominate Brac from The Story Peddler by Linday A. Franklin. He’s trying to do what he thinks is best, but he’s very bad at being on the opposite side as Tanwen.

Rebekah Stargazer
Rebekah Stargazer
September 3, 2019 2:51 PM
Reply to  Maya

*giggles*
I second Brac!

Tracey Dyck
September 3, 2019 9:58 PM
Reply to  Maya

Ha, I second Brac.

Rebekah Stargazer
Rebekah Stargazer
September 3, 2019 2:53 PM

I nominate. . .
Selene Ravenwood from Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse. She wasn’t the best hench-lady. XD

Morgan Huneke
September 3, 2019 5:54 PM

Second Puzzle and Sporos!

Mary H.
Mary H.
September 3, 2019 6:00 PM

I nominate S.Q. Pedalian from The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart.

(I literally couldn’t think of anyone and had to look at my bookshelf. And I cracked up big-time as soon as I thought of him, because he’s *perfect* for this! XD LOL!)

Mary H.
Mary H.
September 3, 2019 6:04 PM
Reply to  Mary H.

(Oh, and it’s necessary to specify that it IS fantasy, though it’s other things as well. There’s a slight but definite fantastical aspect.)

Elise
Elise
September 4, 2019 12:33 AM
Reply to  Mary H.

I’m not completely convinced it’s fantasy, but if it is, I whole-heartedly second S.Q. as the best ever bumbling henchman.

Anna
Anna
September 3, 2019 7:00 PM

I second Dobby, Palin, Cinderella’s stepsisters, and Puzzle!

Kiri Liz
September 3, 2019 7:14 PM

I second Cinderella’s stepsisters and Puzzle.

I nominate:
— The huntsman (from the fairytale Snow White)
— The toothy cows from The Wingfeather Saga (Andrew Peterson), just because 🙂

Wyn Estelle
Wyn Estelle
September 3, 2019 8:45 PM
Reply to  Kiri Liz

I second the toothy cows, cause they are truly wonders of nature.

Elise
Elise
September 4, 2019 12:33 AM
Reply to  Kiri Liz

Hehehe. Toothy cows. Ah, what the heck, sure, I second toothy cows.

Marlene Simonette
September 4, 2019 7:37 AM
Reply to  Kiri Liz

I second both Toothy Cows and the unnamed huntsman.

Wyn Estelle
Wyn Estelle
September 3, 2019 8:48 PM

I second the toothy cows, cause they are truly wonders of nature.

Rouge9
Rouge9
September 4, 2019 1:06 PM

I second Antorell.

Jenelle Schmidt
September 4, 2019 5:43 PM

Oh, the toothy cows! Yes! Second!

By the by… Christine… did we warn you that all the nominees come stay at your house during the awards? Most of them will leave once we’ve narrowed down the top 5 in each category… but the Henchmen don’t like rules…. well… they do… but they’re not good at following or enforcing them…

Tracey Dyck
September 5, 2019 8:22 PM

*laughing*

Deborah O'Carroll
Deborah O'Carroll
September 4, 2019 6:22 PM

I second:
General Khrak
the Elucidated Brethren of the Eben Night
Brac
Selene Ravenwood (I’m dying. XD)
the huntsman
the toothy cows

Mem
Mem
September 4, 2019 8:01 PM

I second Puzzle from Narnia, Basta from Inkheart, and Toothy Cows from the Wingfeather Saga.

This post series is amazing. I love it so much. X’D

Julian Daventry
September 4, 2019 8:14 PM

Puzzle from The Chronicles of Narnia! 🙂

Wyn Estelle
Wyn Estelle
September 4, 2019 8:46 PM

I second General Khrak!

Nancy
Nancy
September 6, 2019 12:06 PM

I just want to say I am looking forward to reading the presentation account you will write, Christine! 😉