How do you like your characters?

A strong spirit. A desire to do right. A sense of humor.
- Juju, Tales of Whimsy

What are the qualities you look for in a main character? Do words like "strong," "funny," "relatable," "sweet," "smart," "sexy" and "well-developed" come to mind?
A word that I use a lot in my reviews is well-rounded. That's not to say that well-rounded characters go from one end of the spectrum to the other behaviorally, but it does mean that the characters seem to have enough development to make them real. Likewise, characters that are predominantly good and sweet are not necessarily flat. I was just thinking about it right now, that in all 5 books, I do not remember one time that titular character Percy Jackson did or said anything intentionally mean, hurtful, or selfish. Does that make him a flat, Gary-Stu character? NO FREAKING WAY! But he has enough personality to make him jump off the pages, to make him seem like he could be real. And that's what a well-rounded character is to me. They don't always have to undergo a character change, but they do have enough personality to allow them a wide range of emotional depth.

Who likes to laugh? It's my thought that humor is not only a great quality, it's necessary to a story. Not every character needs to be a clown, but the best books or series employ clowns. Although they are supporting characters, I am glad that Rowling created Fred and George Weasley. The HP stories just wouldn't be the same without them. And to those who have read the Mortal Instruments - I think that as entertaining as the series is, it would be missing something without Magnus Bane. This reviewer just loves to laugh - how about you?

When it comes to love interests (uh-oh, here we go!) I prefer the sweet, "gentle-warrior" guys who can be both sweet and affectionate and tough as nails if called to be. I'm glad there is a place in young adult literature for kindhearted, sweet boys as the love interest. Perhaps this is why Peeta is so lovable and has legions of devoted fans? You just don't get much more adorable than Peeta.
Wait, I'm being unfair! You know, while Gale gives off somewhat more of a tough-guy vibe, he too is kindhearted. Yay, Gale! AND YAY FOR EIGHT DAYS LEFT!

Here's what some of you said about characters:

Jillian from Reading Labyrinth:
"If I don’t like the main character/narrator, I will almost always be disengaged from the story" - I agree with this wholeheartedly because I have disliked novels because of the main character/narrator before. One good example: Tally from the Uglies trilogy. While I liked her in the first book, she went downhill in the second and third books where I felt she wasn't learning enough from her mistakes (and her personality went downhill as well).

Like Jillian, I love it when characters seem to grow, either over the course of the single book or over the course of the series (if there is one). The protagonist of a story may not be real, but he or she still has the power to influence and inspire, and I love being inspired.

Jillian continued:
Also, there are times when I don't know why I like a character. I think, though, that we're all inherently drawn to things we see in ourselves -- such as humor/wit, intelligence, compassion, etc. -- and our favorite characters lists somehow reflect that (even if *we ourselves* may not always see 'the why')

Shy from The Bibliophile's Journal:
I totally need to be able to relate to the main character (especially) in the book and I'd totally feel not satisfied with the book if I feel like the character is too foreign to me.

It's cute and fun to read about characters who are different from ourselves, but if the character is too over-the-top or too bad or too good or too anything, those differences start working against them. Relatability is a necessity in reading, or at least that's the message I'm getting. Great point, Shy!

Darlyn from Darlyn & Books:
I find that relatable and smart characters always work for me.

Jenny from Jenny Loves to Read:
For me a great character depends on the story as well as the characters qualities. The character could be great but if the story is a stinker, I don't care how much I like the character, I'm outta there. So my "ideal" character would be brave, funny, sarcastic, thoughtful of others....someone I would have a cup of coffee or a beer with. I think that answers the question :)

In My Mailbox [16] & What Am I Reading?

No books this week, still sticking to my book ban!

Just finished
and now on
AND THEN AFTER THAT...

ohhh, y'betcha! It'll be 1 week on Tuesday. I know you all are just PUMPED.

Okay everyone please help me out: I just finished The Replacement, but the book isn't scheduled to be released until September 21, which is over a month away. Should I go ahead and post a review this week or wait until closer to the release date?

Here's what some of you said about Gone:

"Gone is good, not AMAZING but good, there's A LOT of gore though, let me warn you. and there's twice as much gore in Hunger."
- The Critic

"A fast-paced thriller with intriguing characters and some kick ass fight sequences."
- Cara, Chasing Words

"A modern take on Lord of the Flies. At turns it creeped me out, made me tense and even made me angry but definitely kept me intrigued."
- Lesa, Cozy Book Nook

something's rotten in Gentry

Currently reading The Replacement and found some pictures that remind me of the story.
Hope you enjoy -



The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff will be published September 21, 2010

i would like to know...

...what in the world it is about YA literature that cannot handle a male protagonist.

I would also like to know when it was decided that well-rounded, developed boys as MCs or narrators became a literary endangered species.

Or why every female character must be able to kick...that large extremity on your lower back.

Hmmm. Now call me stupid, and it's fine if you do, but if something is unattractive and unacceptable for some characters, shouldn't it be unattractive/unacceptable for all characters?
When did we come to the point where we allowed girls the right to walk all over people - parents, friends, and most importantly the love interest - but gasp and hiss when boys do it?

Reading fiction - and especially fantasy - requires the suspension of disbelief, but sometimes that becomes hard to do, even for a fantasy lover like me. When a girl character is written as a physically stronger and a more able-bodied fighter than the boy, my reason-and-logic radar goes off.

I've never been one to defend cliches and stereotypes, but I would like to know exactly where these books are that supposedly have weak, girl-needs-to-be-saved characters. And where these "knight in shining armor" books are as well. Because maybe BORDERS (store of choice) doesn't stock those anymore. I certainly haven't run into them lately. Seriously. And please, do not refer me to the Twilight series. Bella is accident-prone and in need of "attention" (or protection, whichever word you prefer) because it's in character, not because she's a girl. But that's just one example. You know, having every single stinking girl MC in YA be an Ultimate Cage fighter or a snappy sass-machine is indeed a STEREOTYPE and a new cliche. I do not understand the argument that girls need to be this way in order to overcome a cliche, because in actuality a new one is being created.

Perhaps my tastes (in love stories especially) are backward and not up to code for the 21st century reading/reviewing world. That's alright. I truly do not understand what is so offensive about having a strong and supportive share-the-burden love interest. Notice I said "share the burden" and not "take the lead." Because to be frank (and I'm sorry if this is graphic, too) I do not care what kinds of parts you have, no one should take the lead all the time in a relationship. There should be times when the boy becomes the beacon of strength. There should be times when the girl becomes the beacon of strength (but not always physical strength - remember, suspension of disbelief). And to speak honestly, nothing makes me roll my eyes than to see the world "STRONG" attached to a character, especially a girl. That's just an overused word - let's get a little more specific with what we're talking about, please. I do it, too. I try not to use the word "strong" when describing characters unless I'm actually talking about physical strength, because of the fact that the word is used a little too easily. And I don't really think that "strength" is really what a lot of characters have - I think it's a "macho, bad attitude bordering on self-preservation."

So when people say in their reviews or in their discussions "it's so awesome to have strong, kick-a--- girl characters for a change" (and that is NOT a direct quote from somebody's review, don't worry) I get a little puzzled by that. What books have you been reading - YA ones? Because the trend is killing off well-rounded, supportive and substantial guys. Maybe I'd like to trade, 'cause nothing gives me a headache more than amazon-y angry chicks with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. Apparently YA books aren't supposed to send messages or teach anything anymore, but I still think that it sends the wrong message. Everybody - regardless of gender - should be treated with respect indicative of their worth.

Here at Imagination in Focus, knights in shining armor are welcome to seek refuge here. Vain, arrogant misogynists will be escorted to the door, though. And endangered species-labeled boy MCs are welcome anytime, barring the Holden Caulfield complex.

So to close, I disagree strongly with the complaint that "strong" "smart" "insert-empowering-word-here" female characters are lacking in YA. I'd like to know - where have all the dudes gone? Maybe if we had more well-rounded guys in true teen fiction in addition to MG literature. (and shout-out to the authors of the younger side of YA - ya'll are doing a GREAT job!), maybe more teenage boys would be reading. But that's another post for another day. REGARDLESS of the absence of guy MCs, the ladies of Young Adult literature need to be examined. Or given estrogen pills, whichever.
Does anybody else have any thoughts on this? I'd love to hear what you think, if for no other reason that to know that you do read these posts. I have to post something in between reviews...

(PS the pictures are from the awesome and incredibly hysterical A VERY POTTER SEQUEL. I used pics of Dolores Umbridge because if we're talking about strong, sassy chicks in YA...nobody does it better than Mama Umbridge. Watch AVPS on youtube now!)

Cover Wars [12]: THE REPLACEMENT

Hey! It's been awhile since I've done one of these, but I wanted to do one for the current book I'm reading. The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff isn't even out yet and it already has two really cool-looking covers: one for the US edition and one for the UK edition.

I think I like my creepy-beautiful cover best. But what do you think?

Spoiler-Free Review: PARANORMALCY

Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy, #1) - Kiersten White
Genre: YA Paranormal (duh) fantasy
# of pages: (ARC)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Recommended for: ALL AGES.
Paranormalcy @ Parental Book Reviews

(Isn't this cover beautiful?)

The following review has been declared SPOILER FREE:

I’ve been fortunate to read MANY amazing, 5-star-worthy books this summer, so it’s no little thing when I say that Paranormalcy blows them all out of the water. In fact, Paranormalcy is the newest Must Have book for the fall, a treat every teen needs to ease those back-to-school blues.

While I love to hand out hugs and giggles,I’m pretty stingy handing out my A+ grade. Kiersten White's Paranormalcy didn't get an A+, it EARNED it. There is no way that I could give it anything less.

The characters were all so unique, quirky and absolutely lovable. The narrator, Evie, is just about as awesome as her zebra dress and pink boots. Her voice was funny, sassy and endearing – all the ingredients needed to cook up one of the best fictional characters of 2010! It was so great to watch her grow and mature over the course of the story. Oh, Evie, I'd love for you to be real. If you thought high school was fun, just you wait until you come to college with me! :P
But I can’t forget the love interest, Lend. Abso-freaking-lutely going in my Boyfriends! file. Besides being completely swoon-worthy, Lend is also an incredibly original character. Vampire? Nope. Werewolf? Uh-uh. Faerie? No way. Angel? Fuggedabadit. You’ll just have to see for yourself. And Reth… you know, I didn’t expect this to happen, but he became one of my favorite characters. His scenes were absolutely delicious. WORD to Aprilynne Pike’s blurb.

But characters aside, what impressed me the most about P was its sheer originality. I’ve read YA nearly exclusively for 2 years now, and I can honestly say that Paranormalcy was like nothing I’d ever read before. If we’re all sitting in a circle, holding hands and being honest, I thought I had this story pegged from page one. I thought I knew – because it was a “paranormal” book – what would happen in the story. Guys and girls – I wasn’t EVEN close! I can’t tell you all enough just how creative and ORIGINAL Paranormalcy is. This amazing story full of amazing characters populating an amazing world came straight out of the mind of the intensely talented Kiersten White, and I WAGER that you have not read anything like this! Evie and the world of the IPCA was so brilliantly created and put together.

From one YA lover to all of you, I guarantee you don’t want to miss this phantasmagorical thrill ride.

Paranormalcy will be released August 31, 2010.

(PS – am I the only one who is surprised that ‘phantasmagorical’ is a real word?)
Reading Teen's review and content radar for Paranormalcy

Final Grade:

ARC Winner!

Hey everybody! Thanks for entering my last-minute contest.
Cutting right to the chase -
the winner is

BRIANA

Congratulations! Email me with your info and I'll get the book to you right away!

Thanks again everyone!