Characters of the Year Book Tag | 2021

I’ve taken to doing this book tag every year to highlight the characters that left an impression on me.

I believe this tag was created by Amanda, A Brighter Shade of Hope, because that’s what I’ve said in my previous posts of this tag.

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FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Sand dan Glokta from The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

I was immediately drawn to Glokta from the first time he appeared in the book, which is probably from the first page (if I recall correctly). I think he’s the first POV character we read from.

Glokta is a war-hero and was once a champion swordsman, but he was captured and tortured by the Gurkish, who left him crippled and in constant pain. In turn, Glokta has become a bitter man who now works for the Inquisition, investigating crimes and torturing others into confessing. So far, Glokta is one of the most interesting characters in the book.

FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Delly from The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner

Dellaria “Delly” Wells was delightful and I had a wonderful time reading Waggoner’s Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry because of her. Delly is a “hard-drinking petty thief” and fire witch who got into a tight spot but got lucky by talking her way into a gig for which she has to help protect a young woman from being assassinated before her wedding day. Being from the lower class with not much respect for those of the upper class, it was very entertaining to read for Delly’s POV as she interacts with the other women also serving as bodyguards.

MOST RELATABLE CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Junji Ito from Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon & Mu by Junji Ito (illus.)

I actually don’t have an answer for this one, but Junji Ito in his Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon & Mu probably comes close because last year was the first that I spent an entire year living with a cat in the house. For Ito, it sometimes seems like an hilarious nightmare, but for me, it was… interesting, lol.

Okay, fine. The Jinster grew on me and I ended up really liking him, and now that I’m away from him, I actually miss him.

COUPLE OF THE YEAR

Granny Weatherwax and Mustrum Ridcully

Lol!! 🤣🤣 Ahhaa… Lol! Granny would kill me for giving such an answer, or hit me with one of her penetrating gazes or something, lol. But apparently in an alternate life…

Anyway, my real answer is:

Winn and Delly

So in Waggoner’s Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry, a sapphic romance blooms between Delly and one of the women on her bodyguard team. It’s sweet how the romance develops, so yeah — Delly and Winn are the best couple I read about last year.

VILLAIN OF THE YEAR

Billy Russo from The Punisher

Oh man, I really liked Billy in season 1 and season 2 too, but mostly in season 1 when he tried to act as if he wasn’t as evil and devious as he actually is. And, oh man! Season 2 when his memory was gone… and the psychiatrist and all… I actually didn’t care much for the psychiatrist bits but man… I wonder if there will be a season 3 and if Billy will pop up again.

MOST DISLIKED CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Ismae from Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Because she bored me to pieces and wasn’t as bad-ass as I thought she would be.

ROYAL OF THE YEAR

Golda Rosheuvel

She’s the actress who plays Queen Charlotte in the Bridgerton TV show, and I think she did a fantastic job. Oh my gosh! Whenever she or Adjoa Andoh (who plays Lady Danbury) are on screen, I can’t look away from them.

SIDEKICK/NON-MAIN CHARACTER OF THE YEAR

Microchip from The Punisher

I just love the chemistry, the bromance, between Microchip and the Punisher in season 1. Loved how those two played off each other, especially since I was expecting the worst the whole time.

SIBLING OF THE YEAR

Eloise Bridgerton from the Bridgerton TV show

Apart from the queen and Lady Danbury, Eloise was my favorite character in the show and who drove me to read the books because I wanted to know more about her — and about Lady Whistledown too, of course. I just love how inquisitive and determined Eloise is.

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Well then, those are my favorite characters of 2021.

Do you have a fav too?