Top Ten Tuesday: Memorable Characters

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly book blog meme now hosted by Jana over at The Artsy Reader Girl!

This week's topic is: Memorable Characters

This week's topic was for memorable characters quotes, but that seems a bit too involved for me this week, haha, so I've opted to instead pick some books with memorable characters. Below are books where I can pretty vividly remember the characters, their personalities, etc. (even if I can't always remember names... because I'm just bad with names these days, what can I say?) I've also listed a few of the main characters I think of from those books, though there are often much larger casts as well. 

Orka, Varg, Elvar - The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

French, Rose, Ri, Chi-Boy, Miig, Wab - The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Coal, Ilio, Yurzu, Jatiri, etc. - Flesh Eater by Travis Riddle (+ sequel!)

Kandri, Mektu, Chindilan, Eshett, Talupeke, Ariquina, etc. - Master Assassins by Robert V.S. Redick (+ sequel!)

Sir John Franklin, Captain Francis Crozier, Goodsir, Hickey, Collins - The Terror by Dan Simmons

Davian, Wirr, Asha, Caeden - The Shadow of What Was Lost by James Islington (+ entire trilogy)

Amalia, Zaira, etc. - The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso (+ entire trilogy)

Senlin, Edith, Voleta, Adam, Byron, & more - Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft (+ entire series)

Evie, Theta, Henry, Sam, Jericho, Mabel - The Diviners by Libba Bray (+ entire series)

Liobhan, Dau, Brocc - The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier (+ entire trilogy)

What are some books that you think have memorable characters?

Top Ten Tuesday Make-Up: Characters I Liked From Books I Didn't Like

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly book blog meme now hosted by Jana over at The Artsy Reader Girl!

This week's topic is: Freebie!

Since I missed this topic from a couple weeks ago, I though that I would just make it up today as my choice for the freebie! This ended up being a lot harder than I thought and I could only manage to come up with seven (based on books that I have recorded on Goodreads). 

Death from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
It's no secret that I did not enjoy The Book Thief at all, but I did really love the concept of having Death be a narrator, even if the execution didn't work for me.

Merlin from The Once and Future King by T.H. White
I still feel like it's blasphemy to not like this book, but I was just so bored throughout this book. Despite this, I loved the character of Merlin (I tend to love his character in general) and the scenes featuring Merlin were definitely the best ones.

The Darkling and Genya from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
I wasn't a huge fan of this book for many reasons, but I was always intrigued by the Darkling and Genya. This was one of those cases where I found them more interesting than the protagonist. I'm working on re-reading this trilogy to see if my feelings have changed because I don't remember a whole, and so far I've only re-read Shadow and Bone (and my feelings didn't change :/ ). Hopefully the rest of the trilogy improves.

Fetch from The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johannsen
Okay, so this is going purely off of what I think I remember because I remember very little from this book other than not liking it. Fetch is one of the only characters that I really remember and I do recall enjoying his character.

Clytemnestra fro House of Name by Colm Tóibín (but only in the beginning!)
The first portion of this book that features Clytemnestra's point of view had me really loving her character. She was so intriguing and had so many different aspects of her personality that shone through... and then somewhere everything shut off and she had nothing three-dimensional about her. Before that, though, I thought she was great!

Myra and Inge from Sky in the Deep by Adrienna Young
Okay, maybe it's too early to include this one, but I'm going to anyway. I wasn't a huge fan of this book (review will be up next Monday!), but I did really enjoy the characters of Myra and Inge for bringing a lot of life and interest to the story. I won't say more than that since the book isn't out.

Rook from An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
For the record, I didn't dislike this book so much as I was just disappointed in it. I really liked the character of Rook, however, and felt that he had a strong history and storyline that would've been much more interesting to explore.

What characters have you liked in books you didn't like?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Characters That Would Make Great Leaders

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly book blog meme hosted by the lovely girls over at The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is "Characters that would make great leaders," so I've decided to take it at its word and pick out some characters that I think would be fantastic leaders. Some of these characters are already technically in positions of power, but just because one is in a position of leadership doesn't mean that one is actually good at being said leader. Thus, I've compiled those that I think are most fit. 

1. Mabel and Evie
from The Diviners by Libba Bray 

I felt that both of these young women would make fantastic leaders. Mabel is a thoughtful, composed, and passionate person whom I feel could easily take her skills to a larger level. Evie is a much more outgoing person who has no fear of speaking her mind, and I think that she would be a very fair and strong leader as well. Both of these women seem like powerhouses!

2. Kara Westfall
 from The Thickety: A Path Begins by J.A. White

After everything Kara Westfall goes through in this book, how she is even still functioning like a normal person is beyond me--but she is. Not only that, but she takes charge of taking care of her brother and attempts to do even bigger things. This girl is truly inspiring and amazing.

3. Lazlo Strange 
from Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
(Review)

Lazlo Strange doesn't initially give off 'great leader here!' vibes, but throughout Strange the Dreamer we get more and more glimpses of his sharp mind and ability to process complex information. Even when strange or shocking events occur, he tends to keep a fairly cool head and tends to immediately err on the side of communication over violence. His overall demeanor seems to draw attention because of his calm, quiet, and rather astute, and because of this I think he'd be a strong leader.

4. Janey Solomon 
from Gather the Daughters by Jennie Melamed
(Review)

If you've read this book, then you already know that Janey is capable of stepping up and demanding action. I can't help but agree with this book that she would be the one to take action and somehow draw people together into maintaining a strong force. She would absolutely be a great leader with her commanding presence and ability to see past exteriors meant to throw people off and catch them off guard.

5. Hook 
from Lost Boy by Christina Henry
(Review)

This is another one of those books where a character isn't directly a leader, but they are somewhat of a de facto leader--and a good one at that. Hook is extremely just, but he isn't blind to the evils and unfair actions that life often wreaks upon people's lives. I think Hook would be one of the best leaders out there, and I would absolutely be okay with following his leadership.

6. Jess Brightwell  and Morgan Hault 
fromThe Great Library series by Rachel Caine
(Review-Paper and Fire)
(Review-Ash and Quill)

I think Jess and Morgan would work well together and make great leaders together. They might individually make great leaders as well, but together I think they could be very strong (as long as they communicate!). Both have distinct skill sets that vary from technical to social and it is because of these that I think they could be strong leaders.

7. Egwene 
from The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan

She might need to be slightly more personable at times, but Egwene seems like a strong, silent young woman who could easily take a position of leadership on her shoulders. I think after a few years on the job she'd be practically unstoppable, as well as very fair to whoever she's leading. Also, I think she's be a pretty great feminist leader.

8. Chaol Westfall
from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
(Review-Throne of Glass)
(Review-Crown of Midnight)
(Review-Empire of Storms)
(Review-Tower of Dawn)

Okay, I know that we already all know Chaol's a good leader, but I had to include him because he truly is! This series constantly refers to and exemplifies how his soldiers and those he has trained and worked with over his years have almost unflinching loyalty to him. Chaol would be an amazingly fair and badass leader.

Image: Merwild

9. Marianne 
from The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck
(Review)

Marianne is one of those women that just gets shit done. She doesn't complain, doesn't make a big fuss, just knows what needs to be done and does it. If she needs someone to do something or go somewhere, she just tells them and moves on with her life. It doesn't matter if it's unpleasant or uncomfortable, it needs to be done. Marianne is absolutely the person I want in charge of leading my in almost any event in my life. 

10. Reuben 
from The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

(Review)

Reuben is a smart, resourceful, and incredibly endearing kid. I can't imagine him being anything less than a strong, charismatic leader who would be well-loved by everyone. I would love to see what Reuben can do as an adult.

11. Leah Westfall 
from The Gold Seer Trilogy by Rae Carson

(Review-Walk on Earth a Stranger)
(Review-Like a River Glorious)

I think Leah has already proved what an immensely capable woman she is, but I feel it needs to be reiterated that she is one incredible woman. She realizes she has to do something and does whatever she needs to achieve that goal-- you know, such as dressing up as a boy to get to California. 

12. Arabella Ashby 
from Arabella of Mars by David Levine

(Review)

Arabella is yet another character that would lead any adventure that comes her way. She is strong, outgoing, and fairly fearless. She will also dress up as a boy to achieve her goals, and I admire that. I would be honored to go on any adventure led by Arabella.

13. Lady Margraine 
from The Empire's Ghost by Isabelle Steiger

(Review)

Let's just say that if I'm ever going to war or ncountering some huge obstacle that I need to work through in my life, I want Lady Margraine to be there. She is bold, blunt, and highly intelligent. She's not exactly the most charismatic or endearingly friendly person, but.... who cares!?

Bonus!

14. Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley

from the Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling 

Whether working together or individually, I think we can all safely say that Hermione and Ginny would be incredible leaders. Hermione is highly astute, full of common sense, and always one to take charge. Ginny is outspoken, calm, and also incredibly intelligent. They were born to lead in some sort of capacity--and they do! 

What characters do you think would make great leaders?

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