Last week, we discussed the latest books that we couldn’t put down or had kept us up all night, and several also chimed in and said The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.
This week, we’re asking who’s your favorite hero in YA literature?
Bean from Ender’s Game is my favorite. He figures out that he’s smarter than Ender, and he understands the seriousness of “the game” they’re playing at command school, so he stands ready to take Ender’s place if Ender should fail. He’s willing to stay in the shadows and get little or no recognition because he knows how high the stakes are. – Jenni Frencham
I’m going to say Jace Wayland from Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series. I love this character because he has so much heart. He fights for the ones he loves and he would even die to save his own kind – the Shadow Hunters. He loves Clary Fray with a fury and an uncontrollable passion. There’s even enough love in his heart to care for Clary’s best friend Simon. And he even saved Simon from dying by offering him his own blood. There are times where he is led astray, but that is because the annoying Valentine is constantly messing with his life. Through all of his disadvantages, Jace always seems to prevail. He also rides a motorcycle and wears black leather, and can draw runes on his body so what else could you ask for? – Kimberli Buckley
Froi from The Lumatere Chronicles is definitely my favorite hero. His character arc through the three books is so full of redemption. When we first meet him, he’s a petty thief who tries to rape the heroine of Finnkin of the Rock, Evanjalin. But she sees potential in him and challenges him to be a better person, and over the course of the series, struggles with his past and his terrible deeds, takes on great risk for his adopted kingdom, and even finds love. – Molly Wetta
Melina Marchetta’s Froi was actually one of the first that sprang to mind for me too, but since Molly already mentioned him I’m going to be completely unoriginal and say Harry Potter. It’s true. There are so many meaningful characters in Rowling’s series, but at the end of the day I somehow always come back to Harry. Harry never loses his sense of self, even when he’s full of doubt, nor does he lose hope. He makes difficult choices time and again, endangering and even sacrificing himself for others. He’s not a martyr, though, and his anger keeps him honest and makes him feel real. Harry makes mistakes, too, and though he often learns from them, sometimes he doesn’t, just like the rest of us. I think Harry is what many of us would hope to be, should we be called upon to battle a Dark Lord while keeping up with homework and friends, winning the big game, and dating. – Julie Bartel
Sage/Jaron from The False Prince. I loved his quick wit, mysteriousness, and cunning throughout the entire series. He fought for his people, for his friends, even when he was sick and seemingly helpless. One of my favorite characters ever! –Stacy Holbrook
Who is your favorite hero in YA literature? Share in the comments!
— Molly Wetta, currently reading A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab