Tag Thursday || Characters of the Year Tag (2020 Edition)

Now that the year is over, I’ve already taken the opportunity to talk about some of my favorite books, but I don’t think I’ve talked much about my favorite characters from last year yet. So what better opportunity than a blogger tag?!

Thanks to Ashlee @ Books Are 42 for tagging me in this one!

For me, characters can make or break a book faster than anything else.

Love them, hate them, fantasize about running off with them … doesn’t matter, as long as I feel something for them. Feeling means caring about them in some way. So let’s take some time to appreciate all the great characters 2020 has brought us!

Favorite Male Character of The Year

Ben Braver

Does this one surprise you?! Welp, it sure surprised me. There were so many fantastic male leads this year that I was going through and trying to choose from, but I keep coming back to this stinking series. So why not? Ben deserves some love.

First, this is a superhero book in which the main character is technically not a superhero, which is novel enough in itself. Oh sure, he wants really badly to be one (and who doesn’t?!), but wanting it just isn’t enough. Yet somehow, despite not having super cool powers like his friends, he still manages to save the day and come through every time.

While this book is just all-around super funny, and Ben is totally relatable in so many ways, what really strikes me about his character is his perseverance. He just tries so darn hard, and sometimes that makes a difference.

Favorite Female Character of The Year

Jane McKeene

This should surprise absolutely no one, because Jane is a BAMF who deserves all the love, for so many reasons. As if being Black in a super racist society that keeps trying to keep her down isn’t enough … there’s also zombies. And Jane takes both of those in stride.

I loved Jane’s sarcasm, of course, and her loyalty and strength, but I also particularly enjoyed her emotional journey. As one might imagine, it’s not exactly easy for her. Her character brought so much to the table and just sticks with me, even now, though it’s been over a year since I read this! I would love more books in this series (even though that doesn’t seem likely).

Most Relatable Character of The Year

Nick Bell

I sort of want to say that I wish Nick wasn’t quite as relatable as he is … but the sad truth is that Nick is almost identical to teenage me. I like to think that I’ve done some growing up in that time, but … eh, probably not nearly as much as you might expect.

Nick has ADHD, which poses a fun challenge that I like to call “daily life.” He doesn’t necessarily fully think through his plans, he’s prone to fanboying, and it would take a world-class daredevil to make some of the leaps in thinking that he does. Yes, yes, and yes. *checks all the boxes* My poor husband can attest to all of the above.

Couple of The Year

Kihrin x Teraeth x Janel

This isn’t exactly your traditional “couple,” nor is it quite your usual love triangle, either, which is why I kind of love it. This isn’t endgame at all yet, so I’m really crossing my fingers and hoping that it is. Because in this world? Having three consenting adults agree to be in a relationship isn’t seen as particularly weird.

I just really don’t want to have to choose, okay? I want to be able to love them all at the same time together, because having to split up any of them would break my heart and I refuse to do it.

Villain of The Year

The Shamble Man

I can’t even tell you who my favorite villain is, they’re that good. That’s how you know this is cream of the crop stuff. The name they’re given by the people of Alke, though, is The Shamble Man. That’s right, this villain is so creepy that they get their own moniker from the people they terrify. I’m telling you, this is good stuff.

What I love about The Shamble Man (other than the obviously super creepy nickname) is that he manages to be absolutely, utterly terrifying and dark … and yet, when you find out who it is, it makes perfect sense. Somehow, this villain flips the narrative right on its head, because Tristan Strong was always meant to be the hero … right? RIGHT?!

Most Disliked Character of The Year

Veronica Speedwell

I know people who absolutely love this character and this series … but this wasn’t it for me. I found her infuriating. I mean, you can’t tell me how smart a character is and then proceed to have her do the dumbest things. I’m not going to believe you the next time you say it.

Veronica was so heavy-handedly “not like other girls” that it was unbearable for me. I’m all for strong females, strong personalities, and fierce independence … but that’s not a reason to look down on other women. Plus, for me, it needs to still fit in the time period. You can’t be so unlike other girls in your time that you feel like a transplant from another time or you’re going to completely lose me. And it did.

Royal of The Year

Hypnos

Hypnos is just everything. He’s in this weird position, during a historical fiction, of being biracial, which comes with its own set of problems. Then there’s the fact that he’s the leader of a house, which is another set of problems. Really, all he wants is a group of friends to belong to, and I feel for him.

More than that, though, Hypnos is an absolute delight. He’s super sarcastic, witty, and over-the-top dramatic in a way that instantly endeared him to me. Yet, he’s still vulnerable and has his moments where you just want to hug him because he clearly needs it.

Sidekick/Non-Main Character of The Year

Silas

This one was freaking hard to choose, because 2020 was filled with amazing side characters. Ultimately, I’m going to have to go with Silas! Silas is *chef’s kiss*. He’s suave and cool and collected, slightly homicidal in the best of ways, fiercely loyal and protective, and has a cutting wit. In short, he’s just all-around swoonworthy.

Siblings of The Year

Abi, Max, and Louis

Ugh. Just ugh. I still can’t think of these three without my heart hurting a little, but in a good way. Max and Louis are full siblings, and when their mother marries Abi’s father, the three of them have to figure out what in the world it means to be siblings and live together now. The journey is anything but easy. There’s a lot of hurt feelings, of big emotions, and sticky changes. It’s definitely not a smooth transition, by any sense of the word.

I’m choosing these three for several reasons. One, I’m from a blended family myself, and the struggle can be real. We need more of this in literature, especially middle grade, and the honest portrayal of the challenges. But two, these three are so stinking cute and their journey into siblinghood is so worth reading.

Tag … you’re it!

• Dini @ DiniPandaReads
• Leelynn @ Sometimes Leelynn Reads
• Fiona @ Fi’s Bibliofiles
• Gee @ All Things Gee

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