When we think of book characters we often think about the main characters, the heroes of the story. We often talk about them and how great they are. But what about the villains of the story? Those that we love to hate. Some villains are more memorable than others. sometimes even more than the heroes. Here are some of mine.
This prompt was offered to us for the weekly top ten tuesday by The Broke and the Bookish as always.
- Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling)
I don’t think I am the only one that will have this one on their list. What sticks and what is so deplorable about Umbridge is that I think we have all known a person (though hopefully not a teacher) who was like this. - Joffrey Baratheon (A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin)
Someone we all love to hate is this youngster that let the power get to his head. He was just such a terrible person we all loved it when Tyrion made jokes at his expense and I don’t think anyone is sad about how his story line ended up as. - Darkling (The Grisha by Leigh Bardugo)
Oh the Darkling. Such an appealing villain. There were plenty of us that swooned a bit when he came into focus in the first book, Shadow and Bone. He isn’t a good person, but his connection with Alina was interesting. And so was our little crush as readers on him. - Bellatrix Lestrange (Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling)
Of course this mad hatter can’t be missed from this list, though I have to say that the movies did help with that. She is so twisted, you can’t forget about her. She won’t let you. - Levana (The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer)
Levana is a character that you remember because of how she became the villain as told in Fairest, the bigger novella book. It made me understand her without feeling sorry for her which is always admirable.
What are some of the villains that you remember most?
Umbridge made my list as well! I loved to hate her š There are so many great villains in A Song of Ice and Fire – really hard to decide who is the worst haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
ASOIAF has so many villain type characters, just mentioning the book should be enough haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many good villains! I agree with all of them so much! I did not add Joffrey to my list because I haven’t read the books yet (*shame*), but he’s definitely one of the most evil ones out there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I can imagine not having read them yet. š
LikeLike
I loved Fairest!! I think I liked it better than some of the actual books in the series. It was SO interesting to read about Luna and what it was like there and how Levana became who she is. But yeah, I appreciated that she went through some stuff, but I didn’t ever feel bad for her because she became something really evil and a messed up background doesn’t excuse that.
I also hate Umbridge with a passion. More than Voldemort, more than Snape (who I really don’t care for), more than Pettigrew or Bellatrix.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reading about Luna before getting Winter was great!
Yeah, Umbridge is terrible. I always forget about Pettigrew. He is so easy to overlook.
LikeLike
Yeah Joffrey was nasty. I almost had Jaime on my list because he’s such a layered villain, despicable at first but then you understand him better (even if he is still arguably despicable lol). Great list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I quite like Jaime because of those layers, especially in A Storm of Sword where he really grew on me.
LikeLike
Joffrey definitely earned his place in the list of the most despicable, vilest villains.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, he did.
LikeLike
I had The Darkling on my list too, I hated him in the books but I have to admit he is portrayed as being a bit dark and mysterious and more than easy on the eyes. Great list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bit too easy on the eyes. š
LikeLike
I liked Umbridge and Joffrey -.- ugh… I hated him!!!
LikeLike
There can only be hate for Joffrey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t even begin to describe the hate I have for Joffrey!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ugh, Joffrey. I’ve only watched season one of GoT but man, I hate him! I have The Darkling and Umbridge on my list as well. I wish I would’ve added Bellatrix too. She was so crazy and her do any thing for Voldemort attitude made her even scarier. Great list!
My Top Ten
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bellatrix and her dedication to Voldemort was icky a little, haha.
LikeLike
Forgot about Dolores!! š She was absolutely awful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She really is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dolores will be on a lot of lists, so will Voldemort. Both of them are evil, but nice with the addition of Bellatrix. She was heinous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I think Harry Potter (and ASOIAF) villains will be on most lists. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant list! I love to hate villains…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t we all. š
LikeLike
Wow! You have a ton of awesome picks on here! I wish I would have thought of Joffrey. Horrible little dude!
My TTT.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, awful toad he was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVED Bellatrix!!! She also made my list!
Great Top Ten š My Top Ten Tuesday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bellatrix was great. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think every TTT list have read today has had Umbridge and no Voldemort. Bellatrix and no Voldemort, too. XD
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tom just isn’t as memorable as he’d like to think he is. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone seems to love the Darkling. I haven’t finishing the series, but I must do so soon because I cannot get enough of Leigh Bardugo’s writing. Great list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes finish it and then straight onto Six of Crows duology. š
LikeLike
I didn’t make this list this week but I did many weeks ago and both Dolores and The Darkling made my list! The darkling is a seductive sort of baddie and Dolores is just deplorable – more so than Voldemort because she’s supposed to be on the side of good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The darkling knowns seductive well, yes, haha.
And agreed about Dolores.
LikeLike
I love that you have both Joffery and Umbridge on your list. Despite all their differences I found them to be very similar in temperament. They’re both vile characters who enjoy the pain and suffering of others. Great list! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I hadn’t thought about that but I agree now that you mention it. I don’t think they’d like the comparison though, haha.
LikeLike
Umbridge is definitely a memorable villain. I never had a teacher like her, and hopefully I won’t get a boss like her too. I’ve yet to read Fairest, but I’m really fascinated by Levana’s story. Have to get to that soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here is to hoping you never meet anyone like her at all.
And yes, Fairest is great so bump it up on your tbr list, after the Lockwood books of course. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed.
I’ll try to get to it as soon as I can!
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are all unfamiliar names to me, but I do hear great things about Leigh’s novels, so someday I should read one! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are all unfamiliar to me, but I’ve heard great things about Leigh’s books. Her newest, in particular, sounds really good! Thanks so much for visiting Finding Wonderland. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the Six of Crows duology is great!
LikeLike
Do you know I’m unfamiliar with ALL of the villains on your list? That said, I’ve heard Leigh’s books are really good/interesting. So here’s hoping I enjoy them when I finally read them! š
+ Do you like this series or the more recent “Six of Crows” books better?
Thanks so much for visiting Finding Wonderland.
LikeLike
Oh I hope you’ll love them. I prefer Six of Crows duology a lot more because of the characters. š
LikeLike
Did anyone else ever wonder what house Umbridge belonged to? My money’s on Slytherin but Rowling never outright mentions it.
LikeLike
Possible but I don’t think anyone likes to think too much on Umbridge as a child. š
LikeLike
Every single list I’ve read seems to have the Darkling on it, I guess it’s time to find the Grisha series and read it.
Pardon my lateness… I’m running so far behind on my comments! My TTT: http://books.thetechchef.net/top-ten-tuesday-16/
LikeLike