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Showing posts with label Top 20. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top 20. Show all posts

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Top 20 Literary Crushes: Part II

My mom always said I was boy crazy and I guess she was right!  Without further ado I present to you the second half of my top twenty literary crushes.  If you missed the first half, check out Part I.  As an aside, I don't have pictures of all of these guys, so you'll just have to take my word or read their awesome books!

In no particular order:

From a City of Bones Movie website
11.  Jace Wayland
       Cassandra Clare

The snarky, buff, blonde-haired, golden-eyed wonder that is Jace Wayland, I must admit was at the very tip top of my list for quite a long time.  Not only is Jace gorgeous, a BAMF and handy with a multitude of weapons (including his Shadowhunter steele), but I love his sense of humor.  “See? Look.  Jammies.”  There is no doubt the boy has lead a tortured life and needs some balance.  Jace is a tempest and can sometimes be reckless.  No doubt this fearless guy is swoon worthy.  My verdict is still out on Jamie Campbell Bower as the choice for Jace in the movie adaptation but he is growing on me.

12.  Will Herondale
        Cassandra Clare

Yes, another of Cassie Clare’s boys has made my top 20.  If Jace is tortured there is little to doubt that poor Will is broken and damaged.  Will is witty and can be very charming but he hides behind a façade.  You can tell he is a caring and sensitive soul but he prefers to show the world something completely opposite to keep everyone at a distance.  I think that’s the part of what draws me to Will; the need to crack open his hard exterior shell and get to know him better.  If you have read Clockwork Angel and judging from the attic scene, you know Will can be extremely passionate, which I love.      

Brightly Woven13.  Wayland North, better known as just North
        Brightly Woven 
        Alexandra Bracken

North is the second magic-user on my list.  He is a wizard (reluctantly) but that is just his occupation.  A gentleman, brave, super intelligent, courageous, and sweet in his own way, North is easy to love. He is very affectionate and does these little things like pushing back Syd’s hair or entwining their hands together that is so sweet.  I think he is the biggest sweetheart of my list.  Truly. 

14.  Kent Ourvelet
        Sharon Shinn

Kent is the cousin to the crown prince of Auburn and as an Ouvrelet he is expected to carry himself with dignity and display a sense of honor and duty.  While he is in a position of power, he doesn’t let it go to his head.  He even taught a guard how to read because he promised to – so he is a man of his word.  Kent is down to earth and will go out of his way to be the voice of reason to the pigheaded and hot-tempered Prince Bryan.  He is a private type of guy and does not let his feelings show.  Kent also knows how to sweep you off your feet and glide you across the dance floor and he's sturdy and dependable.     

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour15.  Roger Sullivan
        Morgan Matson

Roger Sullivan is a darling.  He has awesome taste in music – just check out his road trip playlists.  Adorable in glasses (sucker for a guy in glasses, I am), great with trivia, smart, sweet, easy going…Roger is just adorable.  His relationship is so natural with Amy.  If you need a shoulder to cry on, a co-pilot or someone to drive across the country with, Roger makes the perfect companion.






16.  Denver Beck
        Jana Oliver

Known to most as Beck, this twenty-two year old demon trapper extraordinaire hails from Georgia and is a military veteran, having served in Afghanistan.  Beck is prickly, self-confident, tough, and knows how to take care of himself.  But don’t let his harsh outside fool you; Beck has a soft interior (he listens to Taylor Swift!) and a protective instinct when it comes to Riley.  He is in complete denial about his feelings for her but it is clear he does feel something for the girl.  Beck has seen a lot in his short lifetime and it’s understandable that he keeps to himself to avoid more hurt.  Can’t wait to see more of him and Riley next week! (Check out my Waiting on Wednesday post about Soul Thief).

17.  "Four"
         Divergent 
         Veronica Roth

Four is the only dystopian guy on my list (sorry Peeta!).  Where to start with Four?  He is part of the Dauntless faction in a dysfunctional future Chicago.  Four is intelligent and tough and definitely good at fighting.  He could have had his choice of any job, but he chose to train new initiates of the faction.  Four is also computer-savy and works in a control room.  Buff, tough, nearly fearless, and highly intimidating; there is something dangerous about Four.  However, he fights for what he thinks is right and is a well-rounded character.  He pushes Tris to be the best she can be and doesn't treat her like a damsel in distress but is still supportive of her.  Something very sexy about all these qualities wrapped into one guy.  

18.  Nicholas Brisbane, "Brisbane"
       Deanna Raybourn

Brisbane is a private detective that could rival Sherlock Holmes.  Another man among men, he is not from a YA novel.  Brisbane is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.  He is dashing, charming, has an acute eye for detail, highly perceptive and just completely amusing.  He is fearless, versed in Shakespeare, a scholar, and jack of all trades.  There is nothing he can't do, ladies.  Brisbane will charm you off your feet and he looks amazing in his finery.  Deanna says the late Mark Frankel is how she envisions Brisbane but honestly... I prefer someone like Clive Owen perhaps...



19.  Gilbert Blythe
Gilbert rescues Anne from the bridge piling
       Anne of Green Gables series
       L.M. Montgomery

Gilbert Blythe was one of my very first literary crushes.  It also helped that he was played by the dashing Jonathan Crombie in the Sullivan Entertainment version.  Gilbert was the first example of how if a boy likes you, he will tease you just to get your attention.  He was always so devoted and besotted with Anne, even when she was to blind to see how much he cared for her.  Obviously Gilbert was brilliant; competing with Anne every step of the way academically, he went on to become a doctor!  Gilbert was truly selfless and always willing to do what was best for Anne (giving up his teaching post so she could be closer to home, studying with her, saving her from drowning in the lake) and was truly an example of "If you love something, let it go and if it's meant to be, they will come back to you."  Determined, loyal, honorable..so many great qualities.    

20.  Alec Ysvorod
         Coronets & Steel
        Sherwood Smith

Alec is my second Sherwood character and it's well deserved.  He is another in line for a throne but in a contemporary society.  Alec is very similar in disposition to Vidanric.  He knows his duty to his country, is well-versed in politics, is willing to sacrifice his personal happiness to fulfill what is expected of him, is suave and charming, and is like a knight in shining armor (minus the armor).  Alec looks delectable in a tuxedo and knows all the right things to say to make your heart skip a beat.  If your idea of a romantic outing is a picnic and night out under the stars, Alec is THE man for you.


I hope you've enjoyed my top twenty crushes!  Be sure to share your's with me.  I would love to read about them and add to the list of swoon-worthy men. 


  

Monday, August 22, 2011

Top 20 Literary Crushes: Part I

Many of my new Twitter buddies and I have been talking about teams and which literary crushes we have been favoring and well...crushing on.  #TeamKilt banded together to support Zachary Moore over at The YA Sisterhood during their Crush Tournament and fought hard against #TeamJace (Wayland).  That #TeamKilt camaraderie is still going strong!

Everyone has their favorites, am I right?  The special guys that make you swoon, make your breath catch, and the ones you might even dream about at night.  We feel strongly about these guys, clearly.  Otherwise, the competition this past month would not have been so epic!

Well, I wanted to take some time to show off some of my own personal favorites.  Some of these guys are well known and loved by many.  Others on my list might seem a tad bit obscure but they all have my heart in some way.  20 fictional crushes?  I'm crazy, right?  Well, my mom said I always fancied the guys even when I was little so I guess it's no surprise that I'm having trouble picking a top 10 so you'll get my top 20 in two parts.  (in no particular order)



1.  Vidanric Renselaeus, Marquis of Shevraeth
     Crown DuelA Stranger to Command 
     Sherwood Smith

Known to his close friends as Danric, he is tall, gray-eyed with pale blonde hair.  Not my usual type but he is mysterious while not brooding, intelligent, and handy with a sword.  Danric can ride a horse like he was born in the saddle thanks to his military school training (in A Stranger to Command).  He keeps to himself and it is hard to know his mind... but his romance with Meliara swept me off my feet.  Vidanric has been groomed to do great things and he proves that he is THE MAN for the job.  He is a true epic hero.

Jeri has said that Matthew Lewis is her favorite pick for Zachary
2.  Zachary Moore
     Shade Shift 
     Jeri Smith-Ready

The man behind #TeamKilt is of majority in his homeland of Scotland.  We first see him as the Scottish exchange student in Shade and from the first gentle roll of his brogue -- he had me at hello.  What I love about Zach is that he almost wears his heart on his sleeve.  He is so up front with Aura and tells her like it is.  Zach is my science geek pick of the lot.  Gorgeous, smart, great taste in music, and romantic beyond your wildest dreams.  Oh, and I hear he looks fabulous in a kilt!

3.  Miach of Neroche
    Star of the Morning, The Mage's Daughter, & Princess of the Sword 
    Lynn Kurland

Oh Miach where do I begin?  First man on the list that is not from a YA book.  Miach is all man.  He may be the Archmage of Neroche but he learns to defend himself (and his lady) without the use of his magic.  Poor Miach carries the weight of protecting the kingdom of Neroche from magical attacks.  He is fierce in love, battle and magic.  When he calls Morgan "gel" it makes me melt.  If you need looking after, Miach will be the one to do so gladly.

4.  Paul Schafer                                          
      The Fionavar Tapestry Trilogy
     Guy Gavriel Kay

Paul is the second of my list that is not from a YA novel.  In the Fionavar Tapestry series, Paul and four friends are whisked away from Toronto, Canada to a land full of magic and various species of creatures where they meet many foes and make several alliances to fight against the evil brewing once again in Fionavar.
A dark, brooding and mysterious boy, we learn little by little about Paul and what tortures his soul.  Paul feels deeply, is a voice of reason, and is willing to sacrifice himself for what he feels is right.

5.  Valek
     The Study Trilogy 
     Maria V. Snyder

Shoulder length dark hair and piercing sapphire blue eyes grace Valek's face.  He is graceful and as lithe as a snowcat, ready to pounce on his enemies but he doesn't need to touch you to disarm you or take you out.  Valek is the adviser to the Commander of Ixia and also serves as head of intelligence and is a master spy and assassin.  Not to mention he's a master of poisons.  Valek is a force to be reckoned with and is untouchable in battle (he can take out at least 3 men single-handed).  Something about Valek is irresistible.  Maybe because he's deadly.  Oh and I love a man in uniform, especially official dress!

Ben Barnes is a popular choice of
fangirls for our favorite Russian
6.  Dimitri Belikov
     Vampire Academy series
     Richelle Mead

Another foreign hottie, this one hailing from Siberia, Russia.  Dimitri is a Dhampir guardian and trainer at Saint Vladimir's Academy.  Long brown hair, massively tall, and built like a god, Dimitri is a powerhouse and all around BAMF.  He likes 80s music (me too!), Western cowboy novels (a guy needs his quirks), and constantly sports a long, ankle-length cowboy duster.  When whispering sweet nothings to Rose, he frequently resorts to his native Russian tongue.  Dimka is steadfast, honorable, courageous, strong, and guards his feelings.  What is not to love?      

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey, #4)  7.  Ash
      The Iron Fey series 
      Julie Kagawa
The Ice Prince of the Unseelie court...fangirl sigh.  Another dark haired, blue-eyed guy (do you see a pattern here?) that is deadly with a sword.  Ash has been around a long time, has suffered the cruelties of his mother's court of faeries, and has both loved and lost in his lifetime.  To me, Ash is conscientious, courtly, chivalrous, caring, romantic, and above all, loyal.  He knows what he wants and he will sacrifice all he has ever known for love.  What could be more romantic?  Ash faces hardships and perils that are almost insurmountable.  His story isn't over yet!  I can't wait to see what Julie has in store for Ash in his novel The Iron Knight.

8.  Christopher Garron
      The Moorhawke Trilogy
      Celine Kiernan

Christopher...Chris...where to start?!  When you first meet Christopher you're not sure whether you can trust him or not.  He is portrayed as a scoundrel and the female protagonist, Wynter, immediately dislikes him.  However, Chris proves his worth a hundred times over by the end of the series.  Falling in love with him sneaks up on you.  Another long & dark haired lad, he is quick with his wit, tongue, and is steadfast loyal to his prince and his lass.  He may seem untamed and reckless at first, but he will have you sighing in love.  Christopher has a secret but it's not mine to tell.  You'll just have to read the books to find out for yourself.

9.  Will
     Angelfire 
     Courtney Allison Moulton

Will is quite something else; dark brown hair and piercing green eyes, another lad adept in the ways of the blade and fighting with weapons.  He also plays a mean guitar (Ellie catches him playing Journey's "Wheel in the Sky").  Will's love knows no bounds.  What he has had to endure since taking up his role in Ellie's life..there are no words.  It's just heartbreaking.  Charm, intelligence, bravery, courage, and deep intense love like none you have ever seen before.



10.  James Orcutt 
        Secret Society Girl, Under the Rose, Rites of Spring (Break), and TAP & GOWN 
      Diana Peterfreund

Okay another non-YA young man, we first meet Jamie as a senior at Eli University as a member of Rose & Grave. (I'm not revealing his Digger name b/c you need to discover who he is through reading the book so neener neener).  I am not going to lie.  At first I thought Jamie was a down right jerk.  He's rude, pricklier than a thorn bush, argumentative, and just down right impossible to get along with.  BUT (and this is a huge but) Jamie grows and changes so much over the course of the series by book #3 you are cheering him on.  He may not have fashion sense, but he is a vegetarian, is down right loyal, smart in a big way (hello mr.-Eli-Law-grad student), and dedicated.  A true Digger through and through.  Jamie also happens to be dark haired and gray eyed.


Have you noticed a pattern?!  Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this first installment of Literary crushes.  Check back on Thursday when I let you in on my next ten crushes.

In the mean time, who are some of your top crushes?