1984 Book Tag

In case you were wondering, there is a book tag based on George Orwell’s classic 1984. It’s a book I was supposed to read in high school for homework, but I remember being a bit bored by it and I can only recall half the story, so I’m pretty sure I only read half of it.

Anyway, this tag was created by Anne from Anne With a Book, who now runs a booktube channel of the same name.

Big Brother: Name a book featuring a powerful cult, dictator, etc.

There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool

As usually, I’m going with whatever comes to mind first, and for this category, I first thought of Pool’s YA fantasy trilogy set in a world inspired by Ancient Mediterranean cultures and landforms. In this world, people have abilities called Graces that enables them to manipulate esha, or spirit. The concept of Graces is closely tied to seven Prophets, who were highly revered and around whom a religion sprouted. But when the Prophets disappeared 100 years ago, it was prophesied that an “Age of Darkness” is coming that only the “Last Prophet” can help prevent. Well, when the story begins, it seems that the Age of Darkness is about to get going, and it seems that the Hierophant, who is presented somewhat like a cult leader, and his followers, called Witnesses, will bring on that dark age as they try to get rid of Graced individuals.

I really liked this story, after all, I tend to enjoy fantasy that deals with gods and religions. I enjoyed reading the first book but by the second one, I started to get impatient with some characters, which doesn’t help that the character POV rotates among the main characters.

Julia: Name a literary romance doomed from the beginning.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

My mind drew a blank on this, but luckily there’s a Goodreads list of doomed love and a few books on it that I’ve read, like The Great Gatsby and Wuthering Heights. I went with Me Before You because it’s been a while since I’ve mentioned it on here. So long, actually, that I’ve kinda forgotten what it’s about. I remember that it’s contemporary romance and there’s a young woman in it who got a job caring for a guy, who is paralyzed due to an accident.

I remember liking this book and even getting teary eyed at some points in the story.

Doublethink: Name a book/character who seriously did not make sense or constantly contradicted itself.

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

I couldn’t think of an answer, so I’m going with this manga on the grounds that it contradicted my expectations. When I bought it, I did so intending to finally try some of Ito horror-filled work. But what did I get instead? A humorous story about his love cats.

Winston Smith: A character living a secret life

Alanna from the Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce

I went with Alanna because she poses as a boy so that she can train to become a knight in this YA fantasy series. These books are childhood favs, and I still love them.

Ministry of Truth: A book filled with propaganda or a very obvious message (positive or negative)

The Farthest Shore by Ursula Le Guin

I’d like to revisit the Earthsea Cycle one day. I remember loving A Wizard of Earthsea, but didn’t like The Tombs of Atuan much because I didn’t like the setting, and didn’t care for The Farthest Shore because I found it too preachy, which is why I chose it for this category. What was it preaching about? I’ve since forgotten. The Earthsea Cycle is a fantasy series.

Mr. Charrington: A character who loves collecting things

Horace Slughorn and Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Slughorn quickly came to mind since I’m currently rereading this book via audio. Slughorn loves “collecting” talented individuals for his Slug Club. And Voldy is a collector too, since he has a penchant for trophies, especially to commemorate those he killed or tortured.

Room 101: A place in a book which changes the perception of a character (for better or worse)

Malta Vestrit from the Liveship Traders trilogy by Robin Hobb

I disliked Malta for the entire first book, Ship of Magic, in which she was an annoying, headstrong teenager. But somewhere in the middle of the second book, Mad Ship, Malta developed in a way that made me start rooting for her and beginning to like her. It was so subtly done that I can’t even tell where exactly this happens, but I think it begins when she’s left stranded floating down the acidic Rain Wild River with a spoilt, petulant prince.

The Liveship Traders books are fantasy novels part of Hobb’s larger Realm of the Elderlings series.

O’Brian: A character who betrays another character

Melisande from the Phèdre trilogy by Jacqueline Carey

Basically… Melisande betrays everybody. If it’s walking and breathing (and even if it isn’t), she probably betrayed it. The trilogy begins with Kushiel’s Dart and is fantasy with hints of erotica about a courtesan trained as a spy.

Everyman: Name an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary adventures/troubles.

Owen Wedgwood from Eli Brown’s Cinnamon and Gunpowder

Although this is historical fiction with nothing fantastical about it, the renown chef, Owen Wedgwood, finds himself in an extraordinary circumstance (for him) when he’s kidnapped by the ruthless pirate Mad Hannah Mabbot and made to cook her exquisite meals every Sunday in return for his life. Being stuck on a pirate ship and made to find all necessary ingredients and tools there, Owen’s creativity and ingenuity is put to the test. This is one of my favorite books. I love the writing and descriptions of food, and the characters too.

Emmanuel Goldstein: A character who never actually enters a novel but is instrumental to the story

Galbatorix from the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

I’m going with Anne’s answer for this because although I’ve read many books and seen many shows where this happens and love it when it does, I can’t think of any examples at the moment except Galbatorix, who doesn’t pop up in person until the last book, I think.

The Inheritance Cycle begins with Eragon and is about a farm boy who befriends a dragon and learns that he may be the last dragon rider, a much-needed hero to defeat the country’s tyrant ruler.

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Well, if you’ve read 1984, I tag you.