Since I really feel that I can't pick one favorite male character, I will give you my top five.
#5 Prince Mark of the Lost Swords series- written by Fred Saberhagen
Mark is one of those rare characters who has virtually no flaws. In the stories written by Fred Saberhagen, Mark's biggest downfall is his parentage. He believes himself to be of the peasantry, raised by a metalsmith and his young wife. He is the only character in the story who comes into contact with the Swords repeatedly and keeps them only for the good of others. He never uses them to further his own ambitions, except once in looking for a cure for his son. He stands as one of those reminders that not everything has to be dirty, common or raw in order to be complex and interesting.
Sadly, this character has never been put to film, so I have no picture to show you.
#4 Jace Wayland-Morgenstern-Herondale-Lightwood of the Mortal Instruments series- written by Cassandra Clare
Jace puts Edward Cullen to shame as the sexiest literary character of YA-Paranormal-Urban-Fantasy-Romance world. Yes, I said it: I dig Jace over Edward. My reasons?
He's just as "good looking" (remember: this is all in your head, so every character is only as handsome as you make them), but he's funnier. Waaaaayyyyy funnier. For instance:
''Shadowhunters: Looking Better in Black Than the Widows of our Enemies Since 1234''
"Let me guess, Simon's turned himself into an ocelot and you want me to do something about it before Isabelle makes him into a stole. Well, you'll have have to wait till tomorrow. I'm out of commission." He pointed at himself - he was wearing blue pajamas with a hole in the sleeve. "Look. Jammies."
"My Romanian is pretty much limited to useful phrases like, 'Are these snakes poisonous?' and 'But you look much too young to be a police officer."
"We love reproducing. It's one of our favorite things."
See? Funny. AND he kills people/thing with his bare hands, not his venomous teeth. And he wears a lot of tough-looking black leather. Like a rock star.
#3 Finnick from the Hunger Games trilogy- written by Suzanne Collins
I know, most people love Peeta and Gale, and for different reasons.
But I love Finnick. I know he's obnoxious at first, but that's all a cover for what's really important to him. He's learned how to play it against the government, and he knows that he has to act like there's nothing worth losing.
But he does have something worth losing, and it means more to him than anyone could possibly imagine. His willingness to go to any and all lengths to protect it, and the fact that he works to bring Peeta and Katniss back together (not necessarily in a romantic way- Finnick is more concerned with the war than their love life) is what impresses me about him.
Plus, the fact that we get all this from a secondary character is fantastic.
#2 Richard Cypher-Rahl of the Sword of Truth series- written by Terry Goodkind
This one is similar to Prince Mark. He's given the power of wielding one of the most powerful magical instruments in the world, the power against the Dreamwalker, the power to protect all those loyal to him from the Dreamwalker, he is the first person to be born with both sides of magic (like a dark side and light side of the force, for lack of a better analogy) in over 3,000 years, and only the second person on the planet to ever have figured out how to truly love a Confessor.
Yet he's a humble guy who just wants to go and live a peaceful, free life.
He doesn't want the Palace, the power or the accolades. He does what he must to secure freedom for his people, for those depending on him, and then he essentially disappears to go live his life with Kahlan.
#1 Severus Snape of the Harry Potter series- written by JK Rowling
One of the most complex characters ever put to paper. He killed the embodiment of the "good" side, Dumbledore, and yet readers argued over his allegiance. This character was convincing to so many on both sides- either outcome would have been believable. His reasons for choosing the side he did are both simple and realistic. And that is the beauty of this character: Snape is simultaneously the most complex and most simple, relatable character ever written.
A blogging friend of mine posted a bookish meme, after reading it on another blogging friend's site. I can't not participate! This post was written in response to the 30 Days of Books.
The full list:
Day 01 – The best book you read last year
Day 02 – A book that you’ve read more than 3 times
Day 03 – Your favorite series
Day 04 – Favorite book of your favorite series
Day 05 – A book that makes you happy
Day 06 – A book that makes you sad
Day 07 – Most underrated book
Day 08 – Most overrated book
Day 09 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 10 – Favorite classic book
Day 11 – A book you hated
Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore
Day 13 – Your favorite writer
Day 14 – Favorite book of your favorite writer
Day 15 – Favorite male character
Day 16 – Favorite female character
Day 17 – Favorite quote from your Favorite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favorite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favorite romance book
Day 21 – Favorite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favorite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favorite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your Favorite book of all time
