I have a confession to make: I have never read a single word of A Song of Ice and Fire nor watched a single scene of Game of Thrones. “But it’s so good!” everyone and their mother tells me. Hell, even my own mother tells me that. But I’m just never in the right mood to get invested in the show and the books intimidate me. Me, the total nerd who’s loved reading since she learned how. Me, whose Goodreads goal is to read a hundred books this year. Me, who usually nuts over honking bricks of books. And yet, I still have the audacity to do this tag. What can I say? I graduated Suma Cum I-Don’t-Give-a-Fuck. I still have a passing knowledge of the world regardless. Anyway, this tag takes different characters from the books and show and forms questions out of them. Here are my only somewhat informed answers:
- Arya: A character that’s all about revenge
Adelina Amouteru from The Young Elites series by Marie Lu. I mean, she bases her entire reign on revenge: revenge on the Daggers, revenge on her father, revenge on everyone who has oppressed malfettos, revenge on everyone. She’s a bad bitch and you can’t kill her!
- Varys: A book featuring political intrigue
The Winner’s trilogy by Marie Rutkoski. While there are a few battles, most of the series takes place on the political sphere. We watch Kestrel and Arin carefully navigate this pit of snakes, taking calculated risks in order to help their side advance. It’s all about gaining allies and keeping people on their toes. An action series this is not, but it still keeps me and thousands of other readers on the edge of our seats.
- Joffrey: A villain you just love to hate
Queen Levana Blackburn from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. Truthfully, I completely understand her motivations. I don’t condone her actions, but I can’t fault her for her reasons. She genuinely wants what’s best for Luna, even if fantasies of grandeur sometimes get in the way. Additionally, her vanity is driven by a deep-seated need to be loved, even if she doesn’t know how to elicit it without a glamour. While I actively root for her demise, I can’t pretend I don’t empathize. And perhaps that’s the scariest part of all.
- Jon Snow: A coming-of-age story
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice & Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. Nobody comes of age like Monty. Seriously, his character growth and increasing maturity is incredible. Truly a sight to behold.
- Jaime & Cersei: A ship you just can’t get behind
Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Since there are books and comics that are just as canon as the movies, I say they count. Also, as I made clear earlier, I don’t give a fuck. I’ll do what I want. It’s my blog. This “relationship” is toxic and unhealthy at best, abusive at worst. I mean, let us not forget Kylo tried to torture and kill Rey. The fact he was unsuccessful means nothing. Rey hates Kylo and he’s only interested in her for her power. Not to mention, you know, he killed Rey’s father figure. Plus, they’re almost certainly related, so it’s probably incest as well. Oh, and Rey is pure and deserves better than that punk bitch. And she’s a lesbian. All in all, it’s just a really bad ship I will never support.
- Lady Olenna: A kick-ass older character
As if this question could be invented for anyone other than Professor Minerva McGonagall from Harry Potter. She is, hands down, one of the best teachers Hogwarts ever had. She was the best deputy headmistress and, honestly, would’ve made a better headmaster than Dumbledore. She did the complex magic is takes to become an Animagus and occasionally fucks with her students in cat form. She never supported sending Harry to the Dursleys and she’s incredibly supportive behind her stern exterior. Aside from Harry, she was Umbridge’s biggest opposition. She’s a talented witch and a force to be reckoned with. Also, she’s totally a lesbian. Pottermore doesn’t know shit.
- Dany: A book featuring dragons
The Seraphina duology by Rachel Hartman. The series follows Seraphina, the titular character, a court composer and half-dragon in a world where dragons are second-class citizens. Dragons can shift into human form and half-dragons have special abilities. Although dense, it’s a well-written and inventive duology and I desperately wish there was more.
- Sansa: A character you grew to love
Once again, I’m doing what the fuck I want. My answer has to be Regina George from Mean Girls. I mean, I guess technically Mean Girls was based on a book, but I never read said book so I don’t know how similar it actually is. When I was younger, I hated Regina. In fact, any pretty, mean girl was on my shit list. But now she’s my main bitch. I fucking love her. Granted, I also love when she gets her just desserts, but still. I love how two-faced and confident she is. She is honestly my favorite character in the whole movie and those teeny boppers in the sequel-that-shall-not-be-mentioned wish they could be even close to her level.
- Melisandre: A favorite magic system
I really like the magic system in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. Technically, it’s called the “small science” and the Grisha don’t consider what they do magic, but it’s still a fantasy world and the whole concept is so unique. I’m especially fond of heartrenders.
- Tyrion: A character whose weapon is their mind
Three words: Julian. Atticus. Blackthorn. Sure, he’s a badass Shadowhunter (from The Dark Artifices by Cassandra Clare), but the thing that really makes him formidable is his ruthless and devious mind. He’s always at least three steps ahead and knows just what to say and do to get people where he wants them. He’s devastatingly terrifying in the best of ways and I would die for him.
Do you have any answers to any of these questions? Let me know in the comments!
Strange Storyteller 