This week's Top Ten is....Top Ten Characters Who either Broke or Stole my Heart.
For me, book characters are my life. So, I'd like to start off the list with...
10. Sydney Carton from Charles' Dickens
A Tale of Two Cites. Let's just say I felt perpetually bad for him and his situation, but I love his manner towards Miss (Or Mrs.) Manette and her family. At the end of the book...though it was fitting for his situation and character, it made me sad and I felt my heart snap in two.
"I am a disappointed drudge, sir. I care for no man on earth, and no man on earth cares for me"
-Dickens,
A Tale of Two Cities
"And yet I have had the weakness, and have still the weakness, to wish you to know with what a sudden mastery you kindled me, heap of ashes that I am, into fire."
— Dickens,
A Tale of Two Cities
Sydney Carton*
9. Sebastian Verlac from Cassandra Clare's
Mortal Instruments series....I have NEVER had someone make me so angry before. *COUGH* spoilers that I can't talk about *COUGH COUGH* It broke my heart learning just how he really was, and I wish he could change back.
"If I cannot move Heaven, then I will raise Hell.” Clare,
City of Lost Souls
"Your boyfriend's dead. I thought you should know." Clare,
City of Heavenly Fire
Art by Cassandra Jean*
8. Will Herondale from Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series stole my heart! Sarcastic and witty, he is always making offhand remarks about ducks and demon pox. However, the jokester outside is hiding years of hurt and heartbreak. A dashing British teen, Will might just steal you heart...or break it.
“Astriola. That IS demon pox. You had evidence that demon pox existed and you didn't mention it to me! Et tu, Brute!' Will rolled up the paper and hit Jem over the head with it.”
― Cassandra Clare,
Clockwork Prince
“Love potions? For Will Herondale? T’aint my way to turn down payment, but any man who looks like you has got no need of love potions, and that’s a fact.”
― Cassandra Clare,
Clockwork Prince
"Nice work in there, Herondale, setting the place on fire." Gabriel observed. " Good thing we were there to clean up after you, or the whole plan would have gone down in flames, along with the shreds of your reputation."
“Are you implying that shreds of my reputation remain intact?" Will demanded with mock horror. "Clearly I have been doing something wrong. Or not something wrong, as the case may be."
He banged on the side of the carriage. "Thomas! We must away at once to the nearest brothel. I seek scandal and low companionship.”
― Cassandra Clare,
Clockwork Angel
Art by Cassandra Jean*
7. Tris Prior from Veronica Roth's Divergent series is one of the toughest, most admirable characters I have met since Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. She is willing to do whatever it takes to free her society and her people from total control...even if it means someone dies. Her sacrifices, spirit, and fiery, dauntless heart is something every teenage girl should come to know. She broke my heart after making one final choice in Allegiant that would change everything as we knew it.
"And I'm the kind of person who does not let inconsequential things like boys and near death experiences stop her."
— Veronica Roth (Divergent (Divergent, #1))
Official Movie Still*
6. Anna from Kendare Blake's Anna Dressed in Blood is certainly someone who makes me smile and cringe all at the same time. Though she is known for ripping people limb from limb, and though she is dead, she can be seen as either a goddess of death or a sweet sixteen year old girl who is just trying to fight a curse put on her decades ago. She broke my heart after making a sacrifice in the sequel to protect everyone else.
“I peek over the back of the couch and there she is, my goddess of death, her hair snaking out in a great black cloud, her teeth grinding hard enough to make living gums bleed.”
― Kendare Blake,
Anna Dressed in Blood
“God, living people are irritating.”
― Kendare Blake,
Anna Dressed in Blood
Cover*
5. Peeta Mellark from Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games is the second sweetest, most caring fictional character I've read about. His heart and love for Katniss shows throughout the series, and his selflessness for her and others is something I admire. He breaks my heart because he tries so hard to keep everyone he loves safe and protected, no matter the cost.
“I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever.”
― Suzanne Collins,
Catching Fire
Official Movie*
4. Edward Cullen from Stephanie Meyer's Twilight makes me want to GAG. (No offense, Twi-hards.) God, is he creepy. I almost have no words besides the fact that he almost scares me, and though he's seen as this hero, I suppose...It breaks my heart to see a character developed like this. Bonus points on just being sketchy.
“I coveted you. I had no right to want you--but I reached out and took you anyway. And now look what's become of you! Trying to seduce a vampire.”
― Stephenie Meyer,
Eclipse
Official Movie*
3. James "Jem" Carstairs from Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices is definitely one of my favorite characters I've ever read about...simply because he stole my heart! *swoons* :)
His sweet, caring, forgiving air is so much more to me than anything else. Though he is terminally ill and massively weakened from demon poisoning, he doesn't make excuses. He fights alongside the rest of his friends the same as anyone else would.
“Will has always been the brighter burning star, the one to catch attention — but Jem is a steady flame, unwavering and honest. He could make you happy.”
― Cassandra Clare,
Clockwork Prince
“Jem spoke with enormous care; talking to Will about anything personal was like trying not to startle away a wild animal.”
― Cassandra Clare,
Clockwork Angel
Drawing by Cassandra Jean*
2. Augustus Waters from John Green's The Fault in Our Stars....Wow. Okay. I think Augustus would be my best friend in the entire world. Seriously. I love this kid. He's smart, funny, philosophical, and the best part...he READS *gasp* I would totally go meet him...if he was real, of course. *cue sobbing* He has most definitely stolen my heart.
"Oh, I wouldn't mind, Hazel Grace. It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you."
— John Green
The Fault in Our Stars
"Tell me my copy is missing the last twenty pages or something.
Hazel Grace, tell me I have not reached the end of this book.
OH MY GOD DO THEY GET MARRIED OR NOT OH MY GOD WHAT IS THIS?!"
— John Green,
The Fault in Our Stars
Ansel Elgort as Augustus Waters*
1. Ruth Berger from Eva Ibbotson's The Morning Gift would totally be another best buddy. I find her to be both reasonable and funny in all the right spots, and boys are not her first priority (though she appears to be married). She is yet another heroine I admire as she struggles through the second World War back in the 1940's. She is one of the only characters who both broke my heart in half, then patched it back up by making a better final choice in the end.
"I want to live like music sounds."
— Eva Ibbotson,
The Morning Gift
Cover*
*Disclaimer: I own none of these pictures. All rights go to those who created or drew them.
