This week’s theme is “Ten Characters You Just Didn’t Click With” and actually, I’m having a bit of trouble thinking of it. Okay, here goes…
- Jill Pole and Prince Rillian from The Silver Chair. Actually, most of the characters in the last two books. They just didn’t have the magic, somehow.
- Prince Sameth, Lirael & Abhorsen. Compared to their mother, both him and Ellimere are just weak tea. He spends so much time denying his responsibilities, where his mother just took it all on and never dreamed of saying no. In a way, it’s a more realistic characterisation, but gah, so much whining.
- Elvira, from Half a Crown. I love most of Jo Walton’s characters, but Elvira’s concerns seemed so far away from the concerns of the more mature characters we’ve already spent time with.
- Boromir, from The Lord of the Rings. I know he’s actually a good guy at heart, and we see the evil power of the Ring twisting him, but there was something so glory-seeking and self-centered about the guy, especially when compared to Faramir.
- Malta Vestrit, from The Liveship Traders trilogy. Ohh my god, so spoilt. And it doesn’t really get better even as she begins to grow up; I never liked her. Mind you, a lot of the characters in this trilogy were very dislikeable, to me.
- Miriamele, from Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. Speaking of spoilt characters…
- Jaelle, from The Summer Tree. I never felt like I really understood the character, and I wanted more out of her.
- Katsa, from Graceling. I know! She’s pretty kickass, but I never really connected with the character. It’s why I didn’t like it that much the first time I tried it.
- Lancelot, in anything. Almost the sole exception is Heather Dale’s music and parts of Steinbeck’s retelling of Malory.
- Dorian Havilliard, Throne of Glass. Actually, I didn’t really ‘get’ either love interest in the first book, but Chaol is growing on me. Dorian… there are some aspects I’m liking, but in the first book, he really didn’t win me over.
I tried to pick books I liked, in general, and characters who are not meant to be villains. I’ll be interested to see what other takes people have on this theme!
I definitely agree with your choice of Boromir. I know the Ring corrupted him, but he always seemed arrogant to me. A bit like Denethor to be honest. And while I love the Throne of Glass series, Dorian isn’t my preferred character either.
Great list!
Yep, arrogant is definitely the right word for it. Both of them have reasons and causes but, I don’t know, it just doesn’t excuse their baseline personalities, to me.
Ok, so I haven’t read any of the boks on your list *hangs head in shame* but I have watch TLOTR films and I agree that there was always something a little off about Boromir. I don’t think we would have been friends if I was in the fellowship with him. I’m much more of a Legolas type of person! (and not just because he is played by Orlando Bloom in the movies, but because he is just awesome!) I just got Throne of Glass so will be able to check out Dorian very soon!
Legolas is pretty awesome! But my favourite is probably Aragorn. Or Faramir (more so in the books).
Ooh, I disliked Malta so much. I’m at Book 2 now, so I’m hoping she’ll improve more but she’s so selfish!
And yes, Dorian wouldn’t be the first on my list of friends either. I wonder what will happen with him (something horrible, probably) but I prefer Chaol, too.
Some people liked the way her character developed, but I alas am not one of them…
I still need to read Heir of Fire… I have Queen of Shadows sat next to my desk as a reminder!
Totally agree about Jill and Rillian! I loved Puddleglum. Puddleglum is like my spirit animal. XD
Yes! And Tom Baker played him in the BBC series and was great.