Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week there is a new topic for bloggers to choose and list their top ten. This week’s theme is a villains freebie, so I picked Top Ten Villains I Loved More Than or as Much as the Heroes.
Every story needs a good villain, and they need to be as well written as the heroes they go toe-to-toe with. As much as I always root for the heroes of every book I read there are times when I can’t help but be more fascinated with the villain, so for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday themed free pick I decided to focus on those villains; characters I loved the most and who I’d love to learn more about.
Jaxon Hall
The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
Jaxon isn’t really the main villain of the series, but he’s still an enemy you’d want to keep an eye on. He has a dark past and when it comes down to it he’s just learnt to do whatever he has to to survive, which means siding with whoever he thinks will end up on top once the final battle’s been fought.
The Darkling
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Is there anyone out there who didn’t love the Darkling more than every other character in The Grisha trilogy? He’s such an interesting character and this is considering the fact that we didn’t get a massive insight into his past, which considering what we did learn about him would be extensive.
Cassius au Bellona
Morning Star by Pierce Brown
Cassius is more of a redeemed anti hero considering where his path goes in Morning Star, but his development in that last book was incredible, though heartbreaking. I’ve read Iron Gold, so I know where his story goes in the fourth book of the Red Rising series, but until I see proof I don’t buy it.
Jacks
Legendary by Stephanie Garber
Despite only watching from the sidelines as Tella played the game Jacks was a major player in Legendary. Even with the little I know, which is the bare minimum, I feel like Jacks will be a favourite character of mine, the small insights we got have definitely made him the most intriguing in this series.
Eli Cardale and Victor Vale
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Something about the way Vicious is told means I feel there isn’t a specific hero or villain to the story. Eli casts himself as the ‘hero’ and Victor the ‘villain’ but reading from Victor’s POV gives us another side to their story, and casts them both as villains. Either way what makes this book is the bond between both characters.
Hector Bowen and Alexander H.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Again these were two characters we didn’t learn much about, always on the sidelines, but who cast their shadows over Celia and Marcus. If we ever got a companion novel to The Night Circus I’d love to read something from their perspective, their pasts and the competitions they’ve forced their students into would make for an interesting story.
Holland
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab
In the last book of the Shades of Magic trilogy we got to see more of Holland’s past, and what made him the character we were introduced to in A Darker Shade of Magic. It was heartbreaking, but it added so much to his development and made Holland my favourite character in A Conjuring of Light.
AIDAN
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
This would not be a list of my favourite villains if it didn’t include AIDAN, although as an AI I’m not sure you’d class him as ‘villain’ the same way you can the other characters I’ve featured. AIDAN is programmed to ensure the survival of the fleet and that’s what he does, he just sacrifices countless lives to do it.
Cardan
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Cardin was Jude’s villain in The Cruel Prince, even if he didn’t end up being the main villain in the story. We didn’t get to see much more of him besides the bully Jude saw him as, but based on what little glimpses we got into his life (and that ending) I can’t wait to learn more about his character.
Gabriel
LifeL1K3 by Jay Kristoff
While it doesn’t excuse what he did Gabriel had a heartbreaking backstory behind what led him to become a villain. He’s insane, but he lost someone he loved and as an AI was he ever really ‘himself’? It makes for a very interesting character, and again the ending to LifeL1K3 means I can’t wait to learn more.
So what do you think? Did you take part in this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, if so let me know what you picked for this week’s themed free-for-all. Are any of these characters favourite villains of yours, and which villains do you love more than the heroes of the same story?
Oh yes there are so many amazing villains on your list, I love it 😍 I love Alina & Nikolai … but the Darkling just fascinated me so much, he’s one of my favorite villains! I also LOVE AIDAN and Victor Vale, my newest favorite 💕 I have only read ADSOM, but I loved Holland and now I’m even more excited to read the next books! 🙂
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There are just so many amazing villains in books now I guess. 😀 Yeah he was my favourite character in the Grisha trilogy, I would have loved more from him. AIDAN is an all-time favourite character of mine in general, and when it comes to villains V.E. Schwab is one of the best authors. 🙂 ❤
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Hi Beth!
I absolutely agree about AIDAN, Holland, Victor and Eli! They are great villains and anti-heroes 🙂 I have been thinking about Shadow and Bone every since I read Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Would you recommend this series as well?
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They really are. They stand out as my favourite villains/anti-heroes of all time! 😀
I would actually, I don’t think the Grisha trilogy is as good as the Six of Crows duology but some characters from Shadow and Bone make appearances in Crooked Kingdom which was fun to see. Plus if you plan to pick up King of Scars picking up the Grisha books is an absolute must! 🙂
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I just realized the King of Scars is coming out soon!!! In this case maybe I should get to the Grisha trilogy sooner rather than later haha 🙂
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The fact that it’s nearly the end of 2018 is messing with my mind a little I won’t lie, but I guess it means we’re closer to the amazing books of 2019 which is a bonus! 😀
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Haha yes it’s crazy how fast time flies! Flipping through my 2018 calendar, I am surprised that I’m already near the very end of the year 🙂
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I can’t even remember where the rest of the year has gone! But I am very excited for Christmas this year so I’m glad there’s not much longer to wait! 😀
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Yes Christmas is just around the corner haha though I keep forgetting 🙂
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I could never forget, I’m so excited for Christmas this year! 🙂
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Such a wonderful list! I second so many of these! Jacks, Holland, the Darkling, and Gabriel are all amazing! I’m currently reading A Conjuring of Light and am simultaneously in love with Kell, Rhy, and Holland. Do I have a problem? Yes, yes I do. Hahahaha.
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Thanks so much. 🙂 There’s no such thing when it comes to ACOL, it’s such an incredible book and solely because of the backstory we got to all the characters in that last book I loved them all! 😀
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Someday I vow to finish The Illuminae Files. Vicious made my list, too. I love those characters, but I’d never want to meet them in real life.
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Someday you definitely have to, it’s an incredible sci-fi series and one of my all-time favourites. Ha, yeah I’ll settle for just reading about victor and Eli rather than meeting them. 🙂
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I loved Jacks, such a good villain!!
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Yep, I can’t wait for Finale now. I feel like there’s still so much to learn about his character. 🙂
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Cardan is such a perfect example! I can’t wait to see more of him too. Waiting for January is pure torture.
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Same here. I feel like I should be used to the torture that is waiting for books I can’t wait to read, but I never am. 🙂
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Great list I love Cardan 😀💜
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Thanks so much, and yeah I’m so excited for the next book to see more of Cardan. 😀
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You’re welcome 😀💜
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I’ve never seen that cover for Vicious!!!!! BUT I REALLY LOVE IT??? ❤ ❤ I agree, I think while Eli cast himself as the hero, he actually really sucked as a person. Victor was better morally for me, but I may be biased bc of my undying love and adoration for him XD The way he crosses out sentences in books and creates poetry!!! GAHH
but after reading the second book, I like Eli more than I used to. we get his backstory in book 2 which made me feel so many feelings for him???
also, I'm about to buddy read The Night Circus and now I'm going to be on the lookout for lovable villains c: c: c:
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It was the old UK paperback edition (before the new special edition hardcovers were release this year). I feel like in Vicious because we see most of the story through Victor’s eyes we’re automatically going to think of him as more of a ‘hero’ than Eli. At least that’s how I saw it. And yes I loved his poetry.
The second book gave us so much more of Eli and I loved it (I also loved the extra dynamic between him and Victor in Vengeful). I will say though even with that ending I hope we see more of him.
Oh yay, I hope you love it Malanie. You’ll have to let me know what you think. 😀 ❤
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AIDAN was pretty villainous for sure! 😀
Just finished Illuminae. Can’t wait to read the next book.
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Yeah, but he’s my favourite character in the trilogy still. Oh well then I hope you enjoy Gemina and Obsidio as much. It’s an amazing series. 😀
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I MEAN AIDAN HAS TO BE IN THERE HAHA 😂😂💕 A must!! I love this Top Ten 😍 Might reuse it another bookish post someday 😏
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Yep, for me this wouldn’t be a list of my favourite villains without AIDAN! 😀 Oh definitely do Trang, I’d love to see your top ten villains. 🙂 ❤
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Lovely list, Beth! I really liked Holland, I thought he was such a well-crafted villain, really and I loved finding out more about him as the story moved on.
You’ll be very happy to know that I finally read the night circus!!! and I so agree with you about these two characters, a spin off or something where we could just find out more about both of them would be fantastic 🙂
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Thanks so much Marie. 🙂 ❤ Holland was so well developed, it was in the third book when we got a lot more of his backstory that I fell in love with his character.
Yay, oh what did you think? Did you enjoy it? Yes I would kill for any kind of spin-off/sequel/prequel for The Night Circus, I'd just love anything more from Erin Morgenstern. 😀
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I really enjoyed it!! It was really good – I liked the atmosphere and writing so much and, even if some things left me confused by the end of it all, overall I really liked it 😀 >3
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Oh that’s good to hear. Yeah I think this is one of those stories that can be a little confusing, like some magical realism books, but for me the writing and world building more than made up for it. 🙂
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I love Holland and AIDAN so much 😍😭 Vicious has been on EVERYONE’S lists and it’s making me so mad at myself for not having read it yet 😂😂
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Those two are my favourite characters on this list. Vicious is one of those books which is perfect for this weeks topic, and yes definitely read it. It’s incredible. 😀
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I really like your spin on the topic! I need to finally read Illuminae because I keep seeing it everywhere
My TTT: https://bookloaner.wordpress.com/2018/10/22/top-ten-tuesday-mean-girls/
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Thanks so much, and definitely pick up Illuminae when you get a chance. It’s an incredible read. 🙂
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AIDAN is my fav too, he’s like an innocent 6 yo boy!! I hate Gabriel from Lifelik3, although I could understand his pain but what he did is so cruel!!
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Ha yeah, but he has a lot more power than a 6 year old boy does. Gabriel was one of those characters I liked to hate, but I feel like his story will go interesting places in the second book. 🙂
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I love reading this week’s topic as there are so many of my favorite characters! What’s interesting about Vicious is, it depends on which pov you put yourself in. If you read from Victor, then Eli is the villain. But if you read from Eli, then Victor is the villain. Both have their own mistakes and think they are the hero of the story, is fascinating.
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Yep, and villains can be my favourite characters to read about so this was a great topic for me to take part in! 😀
I completely get that. It’s interesting about that book, Eli really does think he’s the hero but because we see most of the story from Victor’s POV it felt like he was the villain (I kind of read it as Victor being hero just because we spent more time in his head.)
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Totally agree- the Darkling was so much better than all of the other characters in Grisha!! And I loved to see Cassius get his redemption, cos I always thought he wasn’t so bad deep down (that was what made him great to me). Love that you included both Victor and Eli! And yeah Holland’s story was heartbreaking. Ahh AIDAN is a fantastic villain too!
Wonderful list!! 😀 ❤
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Yeah I would have loved to see more of him in the trilogy, and yes Cassius’s development in Morning Star was incredible. It was probably one of my favourite aspects of that book! I don’t think I could have chosen just Victor or Eli, and in my mind this would be a list of villains with AIDAN! 😀
Thanks so much. 🙂 ❤️
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I definitely agree that Holland is one of the most interesting characters in ADSOM!! Although for me, I did NOT like the Darkling. I’ve only read the first book of that series so far, but he just seemed so creepy and predatory *shudders* I haven’t read the other books on this list, but it looks like a collection of great villains!
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Holland is an incredible character, and like I mentioned it was his development in ACOL that made him a favourite of mine. Oh that’s a shame, but I think like with Holland we get more development to the Darkling in the second and third books (especially the third) so there may still be hope for him for you. 😀
Thanks so much. ❤️
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Awesome list! I love to hate President Snow from the Hunger Games. Does he give anyone else the heebie jeebies?
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Thanks so much, oh I get what you mean. I haven’t read The Hunger Games books in ages but I hated President Snow. He deserved what he got in the end.
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AIDAN is so so fascinating. It was so incredibly interesting to read about AIDAN. SUCH A GREAT LIST.
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Yeah I couldn’t talk about my favourite villains without talking about AIDAN. He’s actually one of my favourite characters full stop! 😀
Thanks so much. 🙂 ❤️
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I forgot about AIDEN. That is a great one!
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Oh AIDAN was the first character I thought of for this post. He’s probably my favourite of the ones I featured this week too. Thanks. 🙂 ❤️
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Yes! Schwab writes the BEST villains. Vicious is amazing. And I LOVE Holland.
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She really does, and actually I feel like this post could have been top ten Schwab villains. As it was I limited myself to my top two! 😀
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Love this idea! Great post
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Thanks so much. 🙂 ❤️
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❤
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