Top Ten Tuesday: Unlikable Characters You Can’t Help but Love

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish
Now, hosted by Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl 

To take part, just pick your top ten, and add the link here.

 

Picking characters that I like on some level as well as hate was harder than I thought it would be.

This list is in no particular order, just as I remembered them.

Jorg - Broken Empire by Mark Lawrence

   This is probably the most controversial on the list. If you've read this book, you know this character is one that is very easy to hate, he does a lot of atrocious things. However, I think something people forget about characters is, even if they are the protagonist, that doesn't mean they are a hero. 

   Jorg is not a hero, he is an angry vengeful child who grows into an angry vengeful adult. He takes what he wants, and does what he wants no matter what. But there is a lot about this character that I found very interesting.

*****

 

Su-Won - Yona of the Dawn by Mizuho Kusanagi

   This character starts out as somebody everybody who has read this hates. But as you read, his reasons (all still bad ones and arguably unjustified) come to light and even though I still disagree with those decisions and actions, I can see where he thought it was the only course of action. Still hate him a little, and I have some pity for him. No sympathy just pity.

 

*****

 

Carden - Folk of the Air by Holly Black

This is a character who had to really grow on me. I'm unsure how "old" he actually is and all, since Fae can live for centuries, and age slower than humans in this world. So I don't know if he's the same age as the Jude or if he's just that immature that he behaves like a petulant child as a character trait.

 

*****

 

The Darkling - Grisha by Leigh Bardugo

While not exactly as vile as Jorg, this is another character where I just find them interesting. His actions did start based in protecting other Grisha, at first, but soon devolved into being in control. He got a bit power hungry and it all went downhill from there ultimately making things worse.

 

*****

 

Tau - Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

   Tau, let's face, it is kind of an idiot. I understand his need and goal for revenge. But he's moron when it comes to enacting it. A little too one-track mind that causes him to make mistakes.

 

*****

 

Rin - The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

   She is both likable and unlikable. I seem to have a bit of a soft spot for characters who have revenge plots. Rin is at least smart when it comes to trying to get revenge. She is also less willing to hurt bystanders to get that revenge. 

 

*****

 

Minya - Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

   She starts out as a character I thought was going to be one of if not the antagonist, but then I read the second book and all I wanted to do was give this little girl a hug. She's been through so much and really did the best she could given their situation.

*****

 

Aelin - Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

   Vastly unlikable for being very insufferable 90% of the time. But this series is a lot of fun, and reading is entertainment for me, so I can look past most of the nonsense in this book and how this character is always able to wiggle their way out of situations in the most unreasonable ways. 

*****

 

Warden - The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

   A compelling character with a hidden backstory for much of the series. I'd need to re-read the earlier books since there are years gaps between reading them so I don't remember all the details. Just that the reader learns of his past alongside the MC, Paige.

*****

 

Hermione - Harry Potter by JK Rowling

   Hot take of the year. But I said it. Hermione isn't that likable. She is kind of rude and dismissive of people's opinions that differ from hers. She adds a good dynamic to the trio, but she is a little close-minded at times.