Top 5 Most Interesting Characters from 2013

There are characters who stand out more than others while you are reading. It could be for a variety of reasons. Some you love and some you love to hate, but either way you're fascinated by them. Here is my list of the top five characters who made sure I wouldn't forget them when 2014 rolls around.

1 Anne Boleyn from Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

I would expect putting your own take on a character like Anne Boleyn would be daunting. She's been written about many times, and is probably the most well known of Henry's wives. Katherine Longshore created an Anne who was passionate, desperate to be heard, a woman who believed her voice was important. She also created an Anne who was clever, sharp tongued, and impulsive. She allowed the 'flaws' (as seen by those at court) to become the very thing that endears us to her. We also know they'll be her downfall. It results in a sympathetic, and vivid character. I've said before that Tarnish reads as extremely accurate and it's because Anne feels all too real.

2 Celeste from Tampa by Alissa Nutting (**ADULT CONTENT**)

Celeste is an enigma. You want to hate her. She's unflinchingly, unabashedly a predator. She's also very self aware, and doesn't make excuses for herself (or her behaviour). She's someone you won't soon forget, and neither is Tampa itself. She hides her true nature from everyone but herself. She's darkly funny, and there are a few moments where, as a reader, I found myself thinking she was clever. I've said that nobody in Celeste's life matters but Celeste and that is the reality. She is selfish, driven to make herself happy no matter what the consequences for others. Consequences for anyone but herself barely enter her thoughts. Alissa has created a character who leaves you conflicted, angry, and hopefully changed the way you look at predators.

3 Cress from Cress by Marissa Meyer

As this title has yet to hit shelves, I will keep this brief and spoiler free. I will say that Cress will win over your heart. She's everything I wanted out of a Rapunzel inspired character. She's adorably naive, braver than she gives herself credit for, and a hopeless romantic. She's resourceful, and eager to please. Marissa always manages to make her characters come to life, and Cress is no exception. Marissa also manages to make them use the skills and talents they do have, without denying them flaws. People are not perfect, and they certainly aren't capable at everything. Cress uses what she can do to help, and remains completely in character the whole time. This makes her character leap off the pages, and makes her easy to relate to.

4 Victor and Eli from Vicious by VE Schwab

I am including both of them, because each is intertwined with the other. Victor wouldn't be the Victor we know without Eli (and vice versa). Two incredibly intelligent, and driven young man who are both beyond competitive. Their friendship is always borderline antagonistic and that's woven in perfectly throughout the story. They are both a little skewed and while this leads them to become friends, it also allows for them to turn on each other. Two man who are obsessed with power and harness it to create superpowers ultimately show that power does corrupt. Victoria uses both of these characters to twist how you view villains and heroes. These two characters are so well written that you'll want to visit them again (and perhaps beg Victoria for a sequel).

5 Judith from All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

Judith is a survivor. She's resilient, strong and brave. She is also clever, determined, and due to inability to talk she's quite perceptive. Following her story as she tries to reclaim her voice that has been ripped away from her is inspiring and that's how you end up feeling about Judith.

When I first picked up All The Truth That's In Me, I wasn't expecting to adore Judith as much as I did. She lets you in slowly, but it's worth the way. She's a remarkable character who hasn't let her spirit be crushed by the unthinkable. That makes her voice not only memorable, but engaging.

All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry
Release Date - September 26, 2013
Publisher Website -  Penguin
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages -  384 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**obtained for review from publisher via BEA**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.

Part historical, part mystery All The Truth That's In Me captivated me, and kept me turning the pages late into the night. A novel that evoked feelings of rage, joy, happiness, sadness, anger, and ultimately hope all at once. It's a novel that imparts a unforgettable message, and includes a fascinating main character.

The narrative is written in form of a letter or diary that Judith is writing to Lucas. This narrative allows us to get to know Judith immensely but creates side characters who are not as well developed. This wasn't an issue for me, as I felt I knew what I needed to about them, but others may want more. I like the choice of the narrative, because Judith's voice is what truly shines in this novel. 

Judith resilience is undeniable. She copes with everything that is happening to her with a spirit that is breathtaking. It doesn't destroy her, even thought it seems it should. Her teasing sense of humour, whit, and desire is never crushed. Her voice is one that will be with me for a long time, and will make my top voices of 2013 list. She came to life for me in a way that characters don't always manage to do. I admired her desire to better herself through education, and how she wouldn't back down even if things got a little tough. Her courage, even when faced with unflinching scrutiny, is displayed time and time again. This is the long way of saying that I ended up adoring this character.

Lucas, Judith's brother and mother are all characters I felt we got to know enough about. Lucas really becomes developed later in the story. Judith's mother is deplorable. Instead of being happy her daughter has returned at all, she's worried about the impression her daughter's trauma will make on their family. Her brother is a typical spoiled child who is quite kind to Judith. My favourite relationship was an unlikely friendship that blooms between Judith and other character. I won't spoil who, but it delighted me. This friendship helps Judith find what's been ripped away from her, and reinstall some of that confidence that Judith needs to stand outside the shadows.

The mysteries of Judith - why she can't talk, where she's been for the past two years, and the circumstances surrounding why she was the only one to return - are all unraveled in such a way that is perfect for this type of story. We start with a focal point, a small part of the picture, and gradually expand what we can see until the full picture is in front of us. This means that little things are being teased and revealed throughout the novel, and that keeps the pace at a fever pitch. The short spurts of narration instead of chapters ensure that you'll keep reading as it's deceptively easy to say 'just one more section'.

A stunning voice and a unforgettable main character. This novel hit me, and made sure that I won't be forgetting Judith or her story for a long time to come. A novel about reclaiming your voice when it's been taken from you, it's not only entertaining, but packs a wonderful message to always speak out.

Waiting On Wednesday... All The Truth That's In Me

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.

Sounds chilling, and a little spooky. I am hoping it's as good as the synopsis makes it sound. The cover is also really eye catching. I like it alot.

Expected release date - September 26, 2013