10 Books With Talking Animal Companions Almost as Charming as Princess Donut

Obviously, there's no talking animal more charming than Princess Donut, and it would be an outrage to suggest otherwise. But while Dungeon Crawler Carl's ​​​​​​reigning princess might have claim to Best in Show, there are other lovable animal companions out there. For many readers, Princess Donut is the best thing about Dungeon Crawler Carl. No doubt she'll deliver more unforgettable moments in the next installment, but in the meantime, what's a reader to do? There's always another DCC reread to fill the Princess Donut-shaped hole in your heart while we wait for a Book 9 release date. But you could also spend some time in the pages of another story with a charming animal companion character for a change of pace. Whether you're after a talking dog, cat, or something a little less conventional like, say, a rat, bat, or animated plant, chatty animal sidekicks abound in books. They're often adorable and frequently charming, and some of them are even almost as delightful as Princess Donut. Almost. Starter Villain by John Scalzi Naturally, there can only be one Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk. But when it comes to books featuring down-on-their-luck men with a cat sidekick that's almost definitely smarter than them? Well, as it turns out, there are at least two books like that. And oh, the conversations Donut and Hera would have if they ever met. Starter Villain follows Charlie, a divorced substitute teacher who suddenly inherits his uncle's supervillain business. Thankfully, hyper-intelligent spy cat Hera has been keeping an eye on Charlie for a while, and she's ready to help him learn the ropes. She takes her job as his protector quite seriously, even if she also thinks he's a bit of an idiot. You can purchase Starter Villain here. The Blue Moon Cafe & 24-Hour Occult Emporium by Lexie Sharabianlou It's hard to beat a talking dog, but have you considered a talking corgi that also happens to be an all-powerful magical being? Because that's precisely what readers get in The Blue Moon Cafe & 24-Hour Occult Emporium. And it is, frankly, delightful. When Talula's mother steps away on urgent magical business, she recruits a powerful magical being to take over magic lessons. But Simon is far from what Talula expected. For starters, he's a corgi. Though he starts out a bit overly self-assured and aloof, Simon is an absolute delight who truly cares for Talula. He will win you over not only with cuteness, but with his willingness to grow and learn. And his true identity is a fun little surprise, too. You can purchase The Blue Moon Cafe & 24-Hour Occult Emporium here. The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne Druids and talking to animals often go hand-in-hand, especially in games like Dungeons & Dragons. So it's not too surprising that a series called The Iron Druid Chronicles features at least one prominent talking animal companion. Loyal Irish wolfhound Oberon may not be able to talk out loud, but his telepathic connection with Atticus lets him voice his opinion plenty well, thank you very much. This 10-book urban fantasy series starts with Hounded. It follows Atticus, the last of the druids, who has been on the run along with his dog Oberon for two thousand years. Like you might expect from a dog, Oberon really loves food, especially bacon, and really hates squirrels. No word on how he feels about cocker spaniels, but we won't hold that against this otherwise charming and hilarious talking animal companion. You can purchase book 1 in The Iron Druid Chronicles here. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst Okay, yes, Caz is technically a spider plant, not an animal. But he is sentient, talkative, and charming, which earns him a place among some of the best chatty companions fantasy books can offer. Though the spell that created him was a crime, Caz was allowed to remain at the Great Library where he was born. But when political upheaval forces librarian Kiela to flee the city, Caz goes with her. Kiela and Caz wind up living on the island she once called home. Their goal? Stay out of trouble and avoid attention until they and their quite-possibly-illegal hoard of books can return to the city. But soon, they find themselves running an illicit spell shop and experimenting with magic. Despite his anxious tendencies, Caz is often the voice of reason in Kiela's plans, making him both charming and relatable. Their friendship is absolutely heartwarming, and it's easily one of the best things about this cozy fantasy. You can purchase The Spellshop here. Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb The Farseer Trilogy is a prime example of the Chosen One trope done well. But this series doesn't just deliver the start of an unforgettable epic fantasy with a dubious chosen one. The second book, Royal Assassin, also introduces readers to Nighteyes, the wolf companion who accompanies Fitz. Like many animal companions in fantasy, Nighteyes doesn't talk out loud. But thanks to the Wit, the wolf can communicate telepathically with his human friend and companion. Nighteyes is fiercely loyal, but also very much a wolf who isn't afraid to point out the all-too-human worries that plague Fitz throughout the series. And much like in DCC, the bond between human and animal companion has plenty of time to grow and develop over the course of several books, giving readers plenty of time to fall in love with Nighteyes. You can purchase Royal Assassin here. The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig Cats, dogs, and wolves are pretty common animal companions in fantasy novels. But bats? That's a good bit less common, but as Anastasia proved, it works. And Rachel Gillig delivers a new charming bat-like companion in the form of Bartholomew. Technically, he's a stone grotesque, aka a gargoyle, in the shape of a giant bat. And he's so popular that you can buy a talking mini of him for your desk. Bartholomew quickly became the most beloved character in Gillig's duology thanks to his role as Sybil's helpful companion and one of the main sources of comic relief. Like Princess Donut, his quippy nature has earned Bartholomew entire Reddit threads devoted to his best quotes. But his tragic backstory also lends him a serious, emotionally resonant role in the story that makes us all love him even more. You can purchase The Knight and the Moth here. Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz Yes, we have another animal-like sentient plant in the mix. And no, technically Bartleby doesn't talk. But thanks to his knives and his close connection to Violet after years spent side-by-side, he communicates pretty well all the same. The sentient pothos steals every scene he's in, and he's so popular that he returns in the standalone sequel for a brand-new adventure. Bartleby was once human, but the infamous Thorn Witch accidentally turned him into a pothos. She's been trying (and failing) to turn him back ever since. As a plant, he keeps Violet company as she tries to start over. But he also really, really likes knives. And brandishing said knives at people, especially ones who threaten to hurt Violet or her friends. You can purchase Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore here. In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce Simon and Schuster The Song of the Lioness quartet is an iconic YA fantasy series for so many reasons. And though the cat known as Faithful doesn't enter the series until book 2, he is nevertheless one of the most memorable parts of the series. Introduced early in In the Hand of the Goddess, the mysterious black cat with purple eyes quickly becomes a steadfast companion of Alanna's. Faithful, aka The Cat, is sent by the Goddess to watch over Alanna. He can talk to her directly, though others only hear meows (unless he chooses otherwise). He is witty, sarcastic, and a tad bit on the cynical side, making him a charming animal companion who tries to keep Alanna's temper in check. Much like Donut and her Magic Missiles, The Cat is more than just a cat and has the magical abilities to prove it. You can purchase In the Hand of the Goddess here. Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer Assistant to the Villain kicked off a beloved cozy fantasy series when it released in 2023. The premise of a young woman working for a surprisingly charming villain is, obviously, a huge part of the appeal. But so is the talking frog, Kingsley. He captivated readers so much that readers left book 1 desperate for more of his backstory, which gets slowly revealed as the series progresses. Given that he's actually a human cursed into frog shape and wears a tiny crown, Kingsley is a pretty clear nod to the concept of a frog prince. He communicates primarily using signs and body language rather than actual speech, but that hasn't stopped him from claiming fans' hearts. He has a quick wit and provides plenty of comic relief, not to mention merch for Assistant to the Villain fans to proudly display on their bookshelves. You can purchase Assistant to the Villain here. Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson Tress of the Emerald Sea may be set in the Cosmere universe, but it's a bit unique compared to Sanderson's other novels. It also functions as a standalone, making it perfect for newcomers or those wary of committing to a long series. And it also happens to feature a talking rat named Huck. Readers first meet Huck when Tress rescues him from a cage aboard a ship. A relatively ordinary-looking rat, aside from the fact that he can talk, Huck becomes her constant companion. His helpful nature, charming personality, and devoted loyalty to Tress, make Huck one of fantasy's most beloved animal companions. And his bigger role in the story is one you won't soon forget. You can purchase Tress of the Emerald Sea here. Dungeon Crawler Carl Publisher(s) Penguin Random House Publication Date September 21, 2020 Number of Pages 444 ISBN# 979-8688591507 Author(s) Matt Dinniman