Is having an animal companion one of those overused tropes that get annoying or one of those overused tropes that you still kind of dig if it's done well? I'm writing a story about five sisters (to make a very long story short) and part of my world is that every generation or so, there are a handful of people who are prophesized (for lack of a better word) to have such dangerous lives they're assigned spiritual guardians that take the shape of animals who will protect them. The five sisters are some of the people who end up getting guardians, but I'm worried people will read this and be like "You must be joking". Thoughts? In addition, the sisters aren't the only ones who will have guardians, they'll come across other people who do as well, just not everyone.
I think it will really just depend if the animals are cool, and I like the idea of them having just dangerous lives. If it were one or two books and not really a series I think you might do it really well.
Heyo! if you want an example of animal guardians done well, check out The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman.
I love the idea of animal guardians, but that's because I just love when animals and humans work together. I think it could be super cool/well done if you make your human characters just as strong as their animal guardian. It could turn out kinda lame if the guardian has to step in every time something remotely bad happens to the human; but if the human can mostly take care of him/her-self and the animal guardian is kinda "backup" or like the "trump card" in a fight that could be really awesome! Personally I love when humans and animals make a team or partnership; both more or less equal. Just a thought. ;)
@Dragon_Rider24 Has a good point but if done right a human can be weak and need saving too. Look at His Dark Materials. Its been a while since I read it. I think that's the one I'm thinking of. Where they have demon companions or something of the like. They are guardians for a reason, but with that said you want your human to be able to grow and think on their own and contribute where they can. Otherwise whats the point of being a protagonist?
I think another thing that would be cool is that they would get a guardian that is specifically built to help with their problem. Like if they're life is super dangerous then they could get a creature who is strong and is capable of protecting them. But if they're problem is more emotional or mental then they would get a guardian who can comfort them or something. I'm not sure if that's what you were going for but it might make the story a little more interesting.
I think another thing that would be cool is that they would get a guardian that is specifically built to help with their problem. Like if they're life is super dangerous then they could get a creature who is strong and is capable of protecting them. But if they're problem is more emotional or mental then they would get a guardian who can comfort them or something. I'm not sure if that's what you were going for but it might make the story a little more interesting.
I have to agree with this. This is a mega cool idea and lends itself to the "smallest of creatures can be the cunningest." or the "the most delicate of creatures can be strong in their own way." Like if you look at older Disney movies with animals in it. The most brave and the strongest animals happen to be tiny like mice. Fido, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nihm, the unsung unlikely hero, or as they also put it the underdog. everyone likes to root for an underdog. Birds even. Strength doesn't have to be physical.
I think animal companions can be effective if they're treated like actual animals, needing to eat, sleep, poop, etc., because we humans immediately start fawning (no pun intended) over animals as soon as they begin acting like them. Hell, my main character's animal companion is a freaking Chain Chomp, but everyone loves Chain Chomps because they're big metal dogs! Including animal characteristics will endear them to the audience and keep them fresh. There will always be a time where you need to cuddle up with an animal and just relax, and having your characters do just that will inject a bit of color into them.
Also, for the love of God, DO NOT KILL THEM OFF FOR THE SAKE OF DRAMA! It kills the narrative if the owner is just like "Oh, they can hold the army off long enough for us to escape. Let's boogie!" No, no, there needs to be the tearful goodbye, all of the character development culminating in this heroic sacrifice, making your audience weep and write hatemail of "How could you kill the animal companion off?! I loved them!" and then you write back "I did a good job, then!"
I'm sorry, I really enjoy animals. I won't go see dog-based movies because I KNOW that the dog is gonna die in the end, or my heartstrings will be tugged, and I'll be left broken in the theater like I was after Infinity War.
I would highly suggest reading Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nihm to see how animals are handled.
