Top Ten of 2011: Characters that Stole the Show

Today is day four of Top Ten Week, hosted by Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic and Lisa from A Life Bound By Books and co-hosted by Rachel from Fiktshun and Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books. Today, I wanted to talk about secondary characters that stole the show from the main characters and made these books infinitely more enjoyable. Here are my top 10:

1. Grimalkin

The Iron Fey series, by Julie Kagawa

With his quick wit, sarcasm and dry humor, Grim is probably my favorite character in the entire series.

2. Vic

Touch of Frost and Kiss of Frost, by Jennifer Estep

You just have to love Gwen’s bloodthirsty talking sword. He is awesome and even though I read the books, I could just hear him waging revenge in that British accent of his.

3. Pamela Rowe

Dearly, Departed, by Lia Habel

While the book’s main character is searching for answers and learning how to defend herself from zombies, her best friend Pamela is out killing them. With a parasol. Love this girl!

4. Hector Delos

Starcrossed, by Josephine Angelini

While Lucas may be Helen’s love interest, his cousin Hector is so much more interesting. And hotter. I’m hoping there is a lot more of Hector in the sequel.

5. Master Alcantara

Isle of Night, by Veronica Wolff

This Vampire gives off some seriously sexy/creepy vibes. I’m still not sure if I should be attracted to him or repulsed by him, but he does add delicious drama to the book!

6. Tamra Jones

Vanish, by Sophie Jordan

I hated that Jacinda and Tamra has such a poor sisterly relationship in Firelight so it was awesome to see Tamra really grow in Vanish. Plus, the whole complicated thing she has going on with Cassian is so tense and dramatic!

7. Lia Berttini and Luca Forelli

Waterfall and Cascade, by Lisa T. Bergren

While reading these books, I found myself wanting to know more about what was going on between Lia and Luca than Gabi and Marcello

8. Devon McCallister

Trial by Fire, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Got to love a quick witted werewolf with keen sense of style who delivers awesome one liners. I’m still hoping that he and Lake end up together….

9. Justin Spellman

Clarity, by Kim Harrington

I’m not one for cheating ex-boyfriends but Justin is a really sweet guy who made a horrendous, drunken mistake. I really liked him and hope that Clarity can forgive him and take him back. As you can tell, I’m kinda on Team Justin.

10. Kaleb Ballard

Hourglass, by Myra McEntire

While I don’t think he is a good match for Emerson and a teeny bit too sexually aggressive and self absorbed, Kaleb kept things interesting. Loved the fact the he was so much more easy going than Michael.

Who were your top ten characters for 2011?

Top 10 Books I’ve read in 2011

I’m so excited to be taking part in Top Ten Week hosted by Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic and Lisa from A Life Bound By Books and co-hosted by Rachel from Fiktshun and Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books. Even though Today is technically the second day of the event, I am playing a bit of catch up so you will see more ‘Top 10’ posts from me today.

I read so many great books this year that it was hard for me to pick my Top 10. I tried to narrow it down to books that were published in 2011 and these are the ones that were the most memorable for me:

10. Trial by Fire, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
This book really surprised me, especially since it’s a sequel (which are usually not as good as the first book) AND I did not love the first in the series. Trial by Fire has tons of action and plot twists that I never saw coming. 

9. Half-Blood, by Jennifer Armentrout
I love mythology so it’s no surprise that more than one books with myth will pop up on my ‘Top 10’ list. I really enjoyed this story and I can’t wait for the sequel!

8. The Lost Saint, by Bree Despain
Technically, this was published at the very end of December 2010 but since I read it this year and loved it, I wanted to include it in my Top 10. While the relationship between the two main characters does hit a rough patch (as is typical in sequels), I still loved it. This entire series is a winner for me.

7. Waterfall, by Lisa T. Bergren
If you are looking for an adventure book with great romance, Waterfall has it all: time travel, gorgeous Italian warriors and kick-butt girls who fight with swords and bow and arrows! I really enjoyed reading this.

6. Delirium, by Lauren Oliver
Another genre that I love is dystopia and while I read and enjoyed many dystopian books this year, Delirium stood out to me mostly because of how beautifully Lauren Oliver writes. Of course, beautiful writing is nothing without an exciting plot and wonderful characters and Delirium has that too.

5. The Iron Queen, by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Fey series is one of my all time favorites and while I love all the books, The Iron Queen was my favorite.

4. Starcrossed, by Josephine Angelini
I can’t get enough Greek mythology and Starcrossed has a lot of what I love: sweeping romance, big feuding families, lots of fighting and great characters. I’m really looking forward to the sequel.

3. There You’ll Find Me, by Jenny B. Jones
There You’ll Find Me made me laugh and cry. It is an awesome feel good book that you don’t know you need until after you finish it. I adored this and can’t wait for the next book from this author.

2. Divergent, by Veronica Roth
There was so much hype about this book and it is very well deserved. It’s exciting and romantic with a crazy good ending that I did not see coming. It’s everything I want in my dystopia. 

1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor
Hands down my favorite of 2011. I had no idea what to really expect with Daughter of Smoke and Bone but I did not expect the awesomeness that I got. This is an intricately woven fantasy that I absolutely loved. The world building is excellent and the plot is fantastic. I cannot wait to read what Laini Taylor has in store for us in the sequel.

 Which books are in your ‘Top 10’ for 2011?