favorite characters

[supercheesegirl]

sarahpender did a favorite characters list in her journal today, so i thought i'd spin off of that and do one of my own.

Aerin, from The Hero and The Crown, by Robin McKinley. i love this book like i have never loved any other book. this was the first fantasy novel i read that had a strong female protagonist, and i just fell in love with Aerin. she's got a great sense of humor, which is largely what gets her through all the things that happen to her; she's strong and honorable and brave. i never get tired of reading this book.

Valancy Jane Stirling, from The Blue Castle, by L.M. Montgomery (who also wrote the anne of green gables series, if that gives you a hint). on her 30th birthday, Valancy wakes up and realizes that her life sucks and she's an "old maid", and then the doctor says she has a weak heart and only a year to live. this finally gives Valancy the courage to stand up to all her ridiculous relatives and say all the things she's always thought and go out and not be afraid to do things anymore (and, of course, find love with a wonderful man). her character development is just great, and she's wickedly funny.

i might do some more of these later, when the mood strikes me. but these two have always been my favorites.

Comments

[sarahpender.livejournal.com]

Both of those sound very interesting. (and the wish list grows again...)

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

i do recommend The Hero & the Crown. it's technically "young adult fantasy", so nothing actually juicy happens (even when Aerin does in fact get laid), but that doesn't stop her from killing dragons and saving her country and stuff. nor does it stop her from having a great sense of humor no matter how old you are (and there's definitely some jokes that flew right over my head when i first read it at ten).

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

I also need to add to this:

Walker Boh, from the Shannara series by Terry Brooks. As formulaic fantasy as those books are, something about Walker just struck my heart. He waw always so alone, so isolated, always having to rely on himself, and then this destiny comes up out of the river of the dead and smacks him in the face and steals his arm. He rises to the occasion and becomes who he was meant to be, even though it changes him dramatically. And then Brooks had to go and kill him off at the end of that Jerle Shannara spinoff series, and shit did that piss me off. Walker actually had some friends, a girl who cared about him, a chance of building a new Druid council, and he gets offed. That was the last Shannara book I read because I refuse to care what happens now.

I also want to add Phedre no Delaunay de Montreve to this list, from Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel trilogy. Because she's amazing. She's so honest and real and brave. <3 <3 <3