Next up on my end of the year lists: characters from the books I’ve read and games I’ve played! I also sneaked one podcast in here, but the title stays because it’s not worth the work of changing the graphic. I also sneaked more than ten characters in here, technically, but that’s ok. And I may have talked too much about some of them when these are supposed to be quick descriptions, but I couldn’t help it, I enjoy talking about things I love. And I do love a good character!

Wade – Secondhand Skin by Hailey Turner

Wade has always been a lovable character, but this book making him the main character finally gave him a chance to shine. And it was fun seeing him handle the situations in his own unique Wade way. He had such a casual air about him, because he doesn’t want to deal with drama or formality, but he’s also a dragon, which makes him near-indestructible in most situations and terrifying to most other supernaturals when he wants to be. So scenes where he’d go to talk to someone who didn’t know what he was and then suddenly bust out a bit of his dragon-ness to intimidate them? But still be so casual about it? I loved it.

[ My Review ]

Lio – The Sun Blessed Prince by Lindsey Byrd

Lio is honestly probably the single most lovable character on this list. I dare anyone not to love him. So good and wholesome and loyal and a sweetheart with a heart of gold who genuinely cares about other people and is willing to fight for them.

[ My Review ]

Everyone – Seven Wonders by Jay S. Wright & EM Jeanmougin

Am I cheating by choosing everyone? Who cares? My blog, my rules. These characters and their relationships are flawed and messy and touching and some of them would do anything for each other and some of them don’t even like each other and there’s also so much loyalty and it’s just great. At the heart of it all though is Crimson, the immortally old werespider who is charming and obnoxious and emotionally mature and completely oblivious all at once, and Jasper, the not-quite-human who is more quiet and reserved but has dealt with all the hate and danger and messed up situations thrown at him with an incredible amount of grace and understanding and growth. I feel like it’d be easy for a character like Jasper to be overshadowed by a character like Crimson, but he stands out to me just as much.

[ Review Coming Soon ]

Tadek – Tadek and the Princess by Alexandra Rowland

I loved Tadek in the main book when he was a side character, so I loved getting a story about him. He’s loyal and charming and clever and sometimes a little shit, but in a way you can’t help but love. This book really leaned into his backstory and loyalty though and made me feel for him even more.

[ My Review ]

Torquil – Fire Spells Between Friends by Sarah Wallace & S.O. Callahan

I didn’t think I would like Torquil from the description because they are essentially a gossip columnist. But then I started listening to the book and got to know them, and they were just so lovable. Sweet and a little sassy and confident in some ways but shy in others, and I really felt for them and their struggles.

[ My Review ]

Lorenzo – Thirsty by Lucy Lehane

Lorenzo was awkward and ridiculous at the start, an old vampire somewhat out of touch with people. But then I got to know him, and he had sweetness and loneliness and depth and struggles.

[ My Review ]

Everyone – Love at Second Sight by FT Lukens

Yes, everyone again, but the best thing about this book was the friend group! Their funny tension and awkwardness that become genuine care. And individually, imperfect, lovable teens doing their best. Especially Gemma, she didn’t get enough credit, they’d all have been lost without her.

[ My Review ]

Imphrey, Trembath, Drint – Sub-Verge

My biggest gripe with this game was that the characters were so interesting, and this just wasn’t the right way to explore their depth. So, despite not getting to know that much about them, I do still find myself intrigued by them and their relationships. Especially Imphrey, so angry and dabbling in dangerous things, and Trembath, so macabre seemingly as a result of her chronic pain, and Drint, with her emotional arc of grief and revelations and losing faith in herself.

[ Review Coming Soon ]

Reth, Jel, Einar, The Gardener – Palia

Jel is sort of an emotional mess of an artist (fashion designer), dramatic, sweet, and romantic, and I loved him from the start. Reth took more time to grow on me, but the more I got to know him, the more I realized how great of a person he is, how much depth he has, how his flirty and outgoing demeanor hides a lot of struggle. Einar, he’s just an adorable robot, and I love him. And the Gardener is so grumpy that it just makes me laugh, but he’s coming around to me, he likes me now 😅 I love a lot of characters in this game, but I have to stop now or we’ll be here forever. (Here’s my Palia referral link so I can get a cute little decor item if you sign up!)

[ Review Coming Soon ]

Ava – Midnight Burger

There are a lot of great characters in this podcast, but I specifically want to shout out Ava. She seemed sort of insufferable at the start, but she’s really grown on me. I’m not saying she’s without flaw, but I genuinely love her confidence in herself. There was an episode I listened to recently (I just finished S3) in which I think someone asked something like, if you could go back and do things differently, would you? And the gist of her response was no, because sometimes it’s not you that’s the problem, it’s everyone else in the situation. And obviously that can be a dangerous way of thinking if you always automatically assume that, because no one is perfect and that kind of thinking can keep you from learning and growing, but sometimes it’s the truth. Anyway, that’s been “Life Lessons with Kit (and Ava),” thanks for reading 😅

Check out my other end of the year posts!

Cover Love: Best Book Covers from Books I Read in 2025
Bookish Musings: Top Ten Characters from Books I Read and Games I Played in 2025
Bookish Musings: Top Five Books/Series I Read in 2025 + Some Non-Bookish Things