Also, I find it amusing that only 6 of the 16 characters mentioned are normal humans. Not sure if that says more about my taste in books or my taste in men ;-)
Anyway, these characters deserve a shout-out! And maybe I can introduce you all to some awesome ones you'll end up loving as much as I do!
This is actually not an official Top Ten Tuesday topic, I’m just doin’ my own thang to commemorate the end of the year. So my topic is:
Top Ten Male Characters from Books I’ve Read This Year
10. Matthew Diogenes Whitman – The Society Series by Christine Price
Matt was only a small side character in the first book, yet he was still my favorite. When he got his own book (which can be read as as standalone), he was just as funny, but also realistic, as I thought he’d be.
9. Samael AKA Grim AKA the Grim Reaper – The Immortal Sorrows Series by Sherri A. Wingler
It feels weird choosing the Grim Reaper, but he’s hilarious. He’s deranged and messed up in the head, but he owns it. (And I’m not even referring to his job.) He is who he is, so he just does his thing.
8. Adrian Faulkner – The Nightlife San Antonio by Travis Luedke
Adrian is the most raw, rough, honest, gritty character I’ve ever read. I love him for it.
7. Ash & Lyre – Steel & Stone Series by Annette Marie
The perfect pair to have your back! Ash is all sorts of mysterious and the most badass of all daemons, but with a heart of gold. And Lyre is playful, kind, and a lot more deadly and cunning than he looks.
6. Danello del’Sebore & Jeatar Bespaar (Is that his last name?) – The Healing Wars by Janice Hardy
Danello is such a sweetheart! You can’t not love him. And Jeatar is badass, but not just in a fighting kind of way, rather in a ridiculously intelligent, stealthy, cool, calm, collected, take-charge kind of way.
5. Elijah Walker – INK Series by Bella Roccaforte
Eli is a manipulative alcoholic, but he’s so realistic, broken, and ridiculously well-written that, even though I wouldn’t want him in my real life, I can’t help but have this soft spot for him as a character.
4. Sasha Kelly – The Incubus Saga by Amanda Meuwissen
Sasha is open, compassionate, and loving. He wears his heart on his sleeve and has insecurities but fights past them and stays pure of heart.
3. Ryn Larkenwood – Creepy Hollow Series by Rachel Morgan
Ryn stole my heart by being an asshole. He’s witty, charming, snarky, and brutally honest, but he’s secretly really caring and all around lovable.
2. Marcus Vorenus – Thieves Series by Lexi Blake & Hunter Series by Lexi Blake
Marcus is trusting and open, but also lonely and brooding (I’m cliche, so sue me). He’s the type of person you could stay up all night with having meaningful conversations. And, to top it all off, he’s a gorgeous, Italian vampire. (Did you really think I was going to make this list and not include at least one?)
1. Emery Thane – The Paper Magician Series by Charlie N. Holmberg
Basically, Emery is quirky and sweet and unique and sees the world differently and has hidden passion for the things he cares about and is always himself and doesn’t care what people think— *gasps for air* In other words, he’s perfect.
Runners Up
Runner Up #3: The Uncle – Drown by Esther Dalseno
I can’t say much because spoilers, but I really liked him, even if he did have a furry parasite on his face 😉
Runner Up #2: Marko & The Will – Saga Series by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples
Marko is just adorable and sweet one of those people who seems beautiful on the inside and out, and The Will is a surprisingly awesome guy despite being sent to kill the main characters.
Runner Up #1: Jeremiah Gallow – Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow
He’s this great combination of broken and badass. He’s gruff, harsh, sullen, and sometimes selfish—but sometimes he’s also selfless, and there’s more complexity to him than meets the eye.
Ah seeing Emery at number one reminds me to finish that series!!
I totally agree about The Will too, he seems a nasty piece of work but also kinda sweet at the same time!
I had to read The Master Magician pretty much as soon as it came out, Emery being my #1 and all lol.
Trust me, you’re gonna like The Will even more in Volumes 2, 3, and 4. He’s like a side character antihero. You forget all the bad things he must’ve done when you start seeing this whole great side to him.
I’ve been dying to read The Faerie Guardian! I have it on audio, but I don’t know if I like it in that format.
I don’t know about the audio format because I read the ebook, but you should so read it! Ryn is seriously the reason that first book is so good, so you just gotta wait for him to show up.
Even i think that the series is actually pretty awesome . I wish i was Violet.
That would be so great!
Oh the Shifter, i think I actually own that book. I’ll have to check my shelves to see if I can find it. I am glad to hear you enjoyed the male characters in that book. Those other male characters sound great too, I love those honest and caring male characters or those that seem cold, but are actually vulnerable beneath that.
Usually when I really like an authors books I like both male and female characters, although often with the 3 or 4 star reads it happens I prefer one of them. I just finished a book where I liked the female, but the male less so.
You make me really curious about Trailer Park Fea with that pretty cover and it sounds like a good book.
I probably am going to repeat myself from last week, but Kelley Armstrong and SJ Pajonas write the most awesome male characters. I basically fall in love with the way those two authros write their characters. There are few romances and male characters that I love as much as those written by those authors. I recently read the first two books in Jill Shalvis her Cedar Ridge series and she can write some great male characetrs as well.
You should definitely read The Shifter if you have it! That was the one middle grade series I read this year, and it surprised me how much I liked it.
You’re making me more and more interested in Kelley Armstrong and SJ Pajonas books since characters are the most important thing to me in books. And that’s interesting that you often like characters equally. I almost never do.
I’ll be reviewing Trailer Park Fae in January. I know I’ve included it in, like, every post lately, haha. The book isn’t exactly what you’d expect from the cover, the writing style is very lyrical, but I loved it.
Okay so the good news is that I have not read any of these books so I get to read them all for the first time and fall in love with these leads!!! 😀 I’m definitely going to check them out! Squee! Thanks for sharing these!
Haha I love your outlook! I will be so happy if you do fall in love with some of them lol.