CHARACTERS OF THE YEAR BOOK TAG

Time for a new bookish tag, which is something I have come enjoy quite a bit. I found this one HERE, with many thanks to the blogger whose post inspired me: the past year is not so far away yet, so it’s going to be easy to find some answers to the questions!  I made a few adjustments to the questions’ list to suit my reading material, but otherwise I had great fun in finding the right characters for the various topics.

FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Caitlin Hendrix (Unsub series by Meg Gardiner)

Former police officer, then recruited by the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, she gives chase to serial killers with great determination, managing to overcome her flaws and the dark shadows of her past: the combination of strength and frailties turns her into a very compelling character.

FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Derossi Vargo (Rook & Rose series by M.A. Carrick)

On the surface, he looks nothing more than a crime lord with high social aspirations, but there is much more than that under the thick skin he presents to the world: this is a character made of many shades of grey that turn him into a very intriguing figure.

MOST RELATABLE CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Pounce, tiger-analogue nanny-bot (Day Zero by Robert Cargill)

Strange as it might seem, I fell head over heels for this thinking automaton that the story shows is more than the sum of its parts, especially when it comes to the love and fierce protectiveness it feels for young Ezra, the human child to whom it’s been a companion. I found it impossible to resist Pounce’s charm!

COUPLE OF THE YEAR

Elinor Tregarth and Sir Jessamyn the dragon (Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis)

A very unusual couple, I will grant you that, but when you take into account Elinor’s strong-willed stance and Sir Jessamyn’s dragonish cuteness, it does not look so strange after all… 🙂

VILLAIN OF THE YEAR

James Harris, vampire (The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, by Grady Hendrix)

Harris is not only a ruthless predator, he knows how to play his environment’s social rules so he can keep claiming victims undisturbed, with the unwitting complicity of the people he surrounded himself with. Totally despicable, even for a bloodsucker…

MOST DISLIKED CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Colonel Carl Butler (Planetside by Michael Mammay)

He started as a quirky character who did not care to follow rules to the letter, which gained him my initial sympathy, only to end as a cold-blooded killer without understandable motivations. Thanks, but no, thanks.

SIDEKICK/NON-MAIN CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Lock – short for “the Locksmith” (The Phlebotomist, by Christ Panatier)

A middle-aged ex marine with an apparently unflappable attitude even in the direst of situations and a master technician who provides a solution to most problems.

NON-HUMAN CREATURE OF THE YEAR

The Gullaime (The Tide Child Trilogy by R.J. Barker)

This one needs no explanation: if you read this series you know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t… what are you waiting for? 😉

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Ursala from Elsewhere (The Rampart trilogy by M.R. Carey)

She’s something of a traveling physician by trade, but she won me over with the way she – through her gruff and no-nonsense disposition which hides a big heart – leads her young charges through the dangers of a profoundly changed world.

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone: just feel free to dive in and share your favorite characters from last year!