At the end of last year, I read (and loved) A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. (Seriously, if that book isn't on your radar yet, you should probably check it out.) In one of the earlier chapters in this novel, there is a secondary character introduced that I just immediately fell in love with. And it struck me, when I realized how deeply I already cared for this character, that this was sort of a bookish version of instant love. Because when you meet a secondary character that provokes an emotional response in you right off the bat, it's magical and wonderful. You just know, you know?
I've been analyzing it for some time now, trying to figure out what it is about these guys and gals that just made me fall for them and want to follow them to the ends of the earth immediately. They might not be the main characters, but they definitely leave an impression right off the bat! I've found that, personally, I'm attracted to strong characters with distinct personalities, with a special affection for the ones who can make me laugh and the ones who are good friends. Here are some of my beloved secondary characters, the ones who I love so dearly (and sometimes even more than some of the main characters):
Roux from Also Known As - If I find out one of my best friends is a spy, I hope I'm as excited + supportive about it as Roux is. Plus, she's got a healthy sense of humor!
Kenji from Shatter Me - Now here's a guy who's not afraid to say what he thinks! Kenji has a quick wit and strong perception, and would make a great coach and best friend.
Iko from Cinder - Iko would be a fun companion to have, particularly if you needed updates on the latest gossip or opinions on your fashion choices.
Sturmhond from Siege and Storm - Who doesn't want a charming, smart captain to be one of their best friends (or potential love interests)?
Kat from Where the Stars Still Shine - One of my best friends is also my cousin, the way Kat is Callie's cousin. I love how supportive Kat is, even though their circumstances are so different.
Bailey from Making Faces - You'd think that being disabled would prevent you from having a sunny outlook on life, and then you meet Bailey. He's smart, fun + optimistic!
Zuzana from Daughter of Smoke and Bone - I would love to have a friend as artistic as Zuzana! This gal is not only talented, but is also majorly supportive when it comes to Karou.
Rowan from Heir of Fire - Here's the guy I would bare my entire soul to, who I would trust with every single part of me - good and bad and in between. It helps that he could be a protector as well!
Dee/Lilah from Open Road Summer - I love that Dee is a source of encouragement and support for Reagan, even though she has a career she is passionate about and truly involved in. Such a sweetheart!
Lucien from A Court of Thorns and Roses - And here's the guy who inspired this entire post! Lucien is a good friend to Tamlin, one who is funny, offbeat and really charming in spite of the things he's suffered. Doesn't hurt that Sarah compares him to a fox either!
And there you have it, some of the secondary characters that I'm head over heels for! I seriously wouldn't mind reading entirely separate novels about these guys and gals (Zuzana has her own novella!) if the authors were ever to write them. Now, you tell me, have you ever felt like this about secondary characters? Tell me your favorites!
I have definitely fallin' into insta-love with secondary characters before! I can't think of many off the top of my head, but most notably is STURMHOND. I'd heard so much about this guy before reading S&S, and I couldn't wait to meet him. And as soon as he stepped onto the pages of the book, I was in love. Hearts in my eyes, the whole 9 yards. Haha. OH and I loooove Iko too! She's so freaking awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't always happen to me, but there are those characters who just immediately capture my heart and make it all mushy within just a few pages of meeting them. :)
I actually HAVEN'T. Now that makes me feel like I'm missing out, actually. Dang! I know these characters, like Iko and Sturmhond. They definitely were awesome characters but in TLC, there are SO many characters, I guess I got distracted and in The Grisha, DARKLING had my full attention. So maybe my question should be "have you ever been distracted by the big plot or the main characters, you never saw the true beauty in the supporting ones" because my answer would TOTALLY be yes.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I haven't really given a lot of thought to this topic, and I think that is because of a... little problem I have that I am slowly getting over as my reading career progresses - I have issues with transitioning from a narrative about the main characters to a narrative about the secondary characters. For example, if a book in a series follows characters A and B, I get attached to them, but when the next book in the series is about A and B's best friends C and D I probably won't read it. I get too attached to A and B, and I want more of THEM! Like right now, I'm struggling with This Shattered World because I'm obsessing over when Tarver or Lilac will pop up!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think I have this problem because I don't connect with secondary characters easily. I can love them and appreciate them, but not really CONNECT with them the way I do MCs. Take Rowan. I love him because of his effect on Celaena. It's because of Celaena that I love him, because I have a connection with her. But would I read a whole book from Rowan's POV? Actually, this is a bad example because I would read ANYTHING Sarah writes.
The point is, I can't think of a time I've had insta-love with a secondary character. I've had insta-love with mains, and through them I usually come to love the secondaries. And now I feel like I'm missing out, and I WANT INSTA-LOVE!
Great choices! I would love to have more of Iko and Sturmhond. I think we'll see more of Rowan to come ;)
ReplyDeleteSo happy you loved Acotar, I cannot wait for May to arrive and finally have that book!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you love secondary characters it's just the best feeling ever, I love when that happens.
Rowan and Kenji and basically my favorites as well, I would read multiple books about them and never get tired! Also there's Magnus Bane from the Cassandra Clare's books, the secondary characters in Colleen Hoover's books and Marco from The Beautiful and The Cursed. I care a lot for all of them!
Moving = stress but GOOD STRESS. BUT BUT BUT = ONE PLUS ONE AND NOWHERE BUT HOME IN ONE MONTH!? A++++++++++.
ReplyDeleteOMG yes to ZUZANA, DEE/LILAH and KENJI. all the love for those characters. instant bond = formed!
ReplyDeleteWe're getting quite a lot of snow here in Switzerland as well and I love how everything's white and pretty at the moment. And there's nothing better than cuddling up with a book when it's snowing outside. :) I can't wait to read Last Will and Testament, I'll Meet You There and The Last Time We Say Goodbye. Looks like you had a great reading month. :) Happy February!
ReplyDeleteI automatically thought of Kenji when you first mentioned characters who automatically make you laugh. I'm curious though, has there been a secondary character you fell in love with but ended up being someone you despised in the end?
ReplyDeleteAww, this is a great post! I love it when secondary characters stand out. Roux immediately came to my mind, as well as Roar. I can't wait to meet this Lucien!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you guys are getting settled in! Moving can be so difficult. I also need to step up my fantasy game! Only 1 for me too!
ReplyDeleteI so want Kenji and Rowan in my life. And yes to Zuzana as my best friend forever! These are some fantastic characters you picked and I completely agree with you. I find it a lot easier to fall in love with side characters, especially the funny and a little protective ones. Great post!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the move, Alexa! I'm sure you and Macky are very happy with your new home! And yeay for snow days! I wish we had snow in the Philippines- although right now we have pretty cool temperatures at night. :) I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Past Perfect! That was a fun book!
ReplyDeleteHave a great February ahead, lovely! <3
Omg I can't wait to meet Lucien! I'm so dying to read ACOTAR! Meanwhile, I absolutely love this post! Some secondary characters are just super fab, Sturmhond and Kenji most especially! <3
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