{ ++ } Why I Love Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous Alexis at Reflections of a Bookaholic. (If you don't know her, go follow her blog, mm'kay?!) Each week Alexis picks a topic for book bloggers to highlight. The only rule? Show some MASSIVE love to the recipient of her weekly topic.
Why I Love...a book hero/heroine
{ ++ } Is It okay if I'm a little wordy? I want to tackle a couple different aspects of this question. :)
First of all, I have qualities I like in my lead males/females. (Personally I prefer stubborn, snarly alpha males and kick-ass females. HEE.) Seriously though, it really irks me on a deep down fundamental level when the female heroine is the type to continually doubt herself, or even worse, measures her self-worth judging by what her significant other thinks of her. (This was one of my biggest issues with Twilight, and why it makes my skin crawl.) I want my lead females to be self-aware and honest with themselves. Everyone has quirks and issues, and a lot of times that can make a character feel more real. But she needs to have a personality and a bit of spunk to her, please and thanks.
Guys, guys I really do think there is something oh-so-appealing about alpha males. I just generally like guy characters who are good at heart if a little tortured, but again, they need to have a personality and some strength of character. And to me, hero/heroine well, those terms imply (to me) that the male/female has some courage to them, some grit, and is able to, at some point in the book, act heroically.
Now. As for why I love certain heroes/heroines in particular, I'll talk about one or two, then I'll stop rambling. Promise. :)
Favorite heroines: Katniss Everdeen. Gemma Doyle. Hermione Granger. Why I love them: they're different. They're rebels in their own way, even if it means acting beyond the restraints of their time (in Gemma's case), starting a rebellion (Katniss), or daring to be unique (Hermione).
Favorite heroes: Kvothe. Rand al'Thor. Dirk Provin. Why I love them: they're all badass in their own ways; some of them know it (Kvothe), some don't (Rand) and some know it and use it (Dirk.) But it's more than that. They all have a desire to right a wrong done either to them or to those that they love. I get all swoon-y over Kvothe, especially. He's a smartass but I just adore him.
{ ++ } What about y'all? I'm forgetting so many I love, but I had to find a way of limiting myself...or we'd be here all day. :D What about you guys? Who are your favorite heroes and heroines?