Top Ten Tuesday – Characters I liked That Were in Non-Favorite Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. There is a new topic each Tuesday, so check out her blog for more info!

This week’s topic was hard for me. There aren’t a lot of books that I’ve read recently that I disliked too much. Also, if I didn’t like the book, chances are it was due to the characters. With that being said, I decided to list a combination of characters from books that weren’t my favorite or from books that a lot of other people disliked. Don’t roast me, please! This is just for fun. So here we go… the top ten characters I liked from books that are not my favorites/others disliked!

Katherine – Three Dark Crowns ★★

I think I need to re-read Three Dark Crowns, because I really did not enjoy it the first time around. I did, however, love the sequel. Despite my lack of love for the book, I still felt invested in the three queens, especially Katherine. I think she’s a cold, confused young woman who has so much potential for an amazing character arc. I also love her House and her power (poisoner).

 

Finch – The Hazel Wood ★★

Ugh. This book. I really wanted to prove all the bad reviewers wrong by liking it. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I even wrote my own review here. The only saving grace was Finch. This guy was the only smart, level-headed, likeable character in the entire book.

 

Simon – City of Bones ★★★

Oh, Simon. I really sympathized with him. Friend-zoned and thrown into a world of vampires and shadowhunters, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the guy. I think City of Bones is a very weak first book in a series, but Simon gets a lot of character growth as the series goes on, and Cassandra Clare’s writing improves, too.

 

Prince Maxon – The Selection ★★★

The Selection is such a fun, silly series. But oh my word, the main character, America Singer (yes, that is her real name) is so annoying. I wouldn’t re-read this series. I enjoyed it at that point in my life, but looking back, there were so many issues with it. However, Prince Maxon will always hold a special place in my heart.

 

Warner – Shatter Me ★★★★

It is amazing how many people despise Warner before finishing the Shatter Me trilogy. I will forever and always love Warner. I haven’t read the fourth installment, Restore Me, yet. I heard it is heart breaking and I am just not ready for that!

 

Barrons – Darkfever ★★★

Darkfever might not have been my most favorite book, but I want to keep reading the series. I hear it’s a slow burn, but it’s worth it to get more Barrons, right?

 

Nesta – A Court of Wings and Ruin ★★★★

ACOWAR was not my favorite in the ACOTAR trilogy, and Nesta gets so much hate from… everyone. I personally loved her character growth and think she’s very complex. Maybe I just gravitate toward cold, misunderstood characters. But, seriously, though. The parts that made me laugh out loud while reading ACOWAR can be credited to Nesta’s sharp tongue.

 

Vasilisa – The Bear and the Nightingale ★★★

I know The Bear and the Nightingale gets a lot of praise, and I can see why. The writing is lyrical, beautiful, and magical. Unfortunately the story itself wasn’t a favorite of mine. However, I loved Vasilisa. She is the definition of girl power. I’m considering reading The Girl in the Tower just so I can get more Vasilisa.

 

Jude – The Cruel Prince ★★★★★

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! The Cruel Prince is one of my favorite reads of 2018! I love it! The reason I decided to include it in this list because I’ve recently read a lot of hate for this book, especially toward the main protagonist, Jude. So, I feel the need to defend my girl. I keep seeing people complain she’s whiny (um, no) and “trying too hard to be a badass” (um, what?). Jude IS a badass. Hands down. She is morally grey, but that’s why I love her so much. She can fight, she can hold her own, and she can be just as calculating as the rest of ’em.

 

Audrey Rose – Stalking Jack the Ripper ★★★ 1/2

If I could rate the plot alone, I’d give Stalking Jack the Ripper 3 stars. I found it very mundane and predictable. However, what moved it up a notch for me were the characters: Audrey Rose and Thomas. Audrey Rose is a wealthy lord’s daughter, but instead of being a cookie cutter lady in the year 1888, she joins her uncle in his lab to perform autopsies. And, of course, she stalks Jack the Ripper. So not only did I love her fearlessness, but I also loved her witty humor and feminist attitude.

That’s it! What do you think of these characters? Yay or nay? Are there any characters you love from books that aren’t your favorite? Leave a comment and let me know! ❤

xx,

Amy