As all readers and movie goers know right now – of any age, guys and gals – young adult books, television and movies are the end all and be all of entertainment. When you look back, it really was Mr. Potter with his owl sidekick and two best friends who turned the literary world upside down. In 1998, there certainly was no big ‘cry out’ in the world for a boy whose Aunt and Uncle loathed him enough to make him sleep in a cupboard underneath the stairs, but when you look back over a decade, you can certainly see that this one character WAS needed to offset a world that constantly talks about war, economic horrors, job deprivation, and other equally hideous subjects. We needed a hero! And we still need them.
Harry Potter was the ‘best of the best,’ and even though the last five or six years have gone from wizard to vampire, every reader can thank Ms. Rowling for opening the door to some of the richest, most delectable characters in fiction.
The end of the year lists are coming out – a totality of what 2011 brought to us all – and YA fiction is on the top of that list. The best heroes of all the books this year that sucked readers in and made them dream of the dark and mysterious; as well as the wounded ones needing a girl to understand them, or needing to save said girl so that their hearts could be full. (Although, no one has explained to this author quite yet why vampires would have such huge hearts considering they’re dead and their hearts don’t beat anymore.) BUT, that’s the world of fiction. Are Edward and Jacob classified as heroes. Well…seems that old Bella ended up doing a lot more than they did – but…it is what it is. (Although, you do have to give the chick props for pushing out that baby. Talk about a horrendous pregnancy, to say the least.)
But there are many others that have gone to the top of the heap. And today, we will look at them all. Some are coming to your screens – some may be coming to screens soon – and there is one, put out at the end of this year, that is quickly becoming the most talked about ‘new’ YA fiction on the market. And, boy, Raighne is one of the best heroes this YA novel lover has ever read about. And, frankly, Ian Somerhalder was born to bring this fantastic YA hero to the big screen.
This writer sat down with a group of young ladies and young men ranging in age from sixteen to twenty-one (but, trust me, there were Mom’s there as well who had input, seeing as that these YA titles are just as important to them). The conversation was beyond interesting, as they narrowed down their list to what they feel were the best heroes written A couple I’m sure you were ready for, but a couple, perhaps not. But above all, these are the characters that got to them. Without Edward, who didn’t materialize, there were a few other fanged ones for your enjoyment.
Michael Glass has a huge following. From the series, The Morganville Vampires, which is a HUGE series of YA novels written by Rachel Caine, the story concentrates on Claire Danvers and her housemates, who live in the vampire-controlled city of Morganville, Texas. Michael Glass, is a native of this ‘odd’ town. The owner of the Glass House, he is Shane Collins’ best friend and Eve Rosser’s boyfriend. When we began, Michael thought of Claire as a little sister when she arrived in town and joined the other three as their fourth roommate. Soon readers were a part of Michael’s mysterious disappearances during the day and learning that he had basically become a ghost – vanishing by day and corporeal at night. In this state, Michael could draw power from the house itself, but he couldn’t actually cannot leave the house to protect his friends. What to do? He became one of the fanged ones, and this tremendously responsible, mature and charming young boy captured many a female heart.
Hush, Hush, written by Becca Fitzpatrick is another that was talked about A LOT! Written from the perspective of Nora Grey, this young girl finds her life in danger when she becomes involved with Patch – a fallen angel with a dark connection to Nora. Her quest for answers lands her in turmoil after turmoil, finally leading her to the stunning revelation that Patch fell from Heaven and was meant to kill her, explaining why he was in her school to begin with. This is one of those heroes that is the heart throb, yet he is often described as a boy scout and his kind and noble manner definitely makes readers swoon.
City of Bones was the first in The Mortal Instruments series written by Cassandra Clare. Set in New York, this series has received some considerable praise from all the major bestseller lists and literary magazines, and a big reason why is Jace Wayland. Jace is a Shadowhunter, orphaned at a young age by the murder of his father, who now lives with the Lightwoods and Hodge Starkweather at the Institute. He is said to be the best Shadowhunter his age, and is described as having golden hair, eyes, and skin, making him popular with girls. Yes, he is a bit arrogant, to say the least, but is a very kind and thoughtful person underneath. Clary Fray is the ultimate heroine in this set of novels, but Jace is the one who really gets hearts a-pumpin’.
This one may come as a surprise to some, but during the meeting, The Underland Chronicles was still spoken about as having a hero that no one, as yet, has beaten. A five-part series of fantasy novels that were published between 2003 and 2007 by the ultimate writer – Suzanne Collins. The critical acclaim and awards were huge for Gregor, and this eleven-year-old hero became a true literary figure for girls and boys. With his two-year-old sister, Boots, Gregor appears in the Underland that offers giant spiders, rats, and cockroaches living in harmony with humans. Because a prophecy foretells it, Gregor’s arrival is treated as no accident. And when he learns his father’s disappearance has something to do with the Underland, Gregor reluctantly embarks on life-changing adventures. (If you haven’t read them – read them). This is really no surprise being as that this writer also went on to create the hugely popular Hunger Games series!
Ahh…those darn vampires. Dimitri Belikov came from the mind of Richelle Mead and her Vampire Academy series. Dimitri is known as a ‘Russian god’ to readers – dedicated, loyal, and a fierce warrior, this six-foot-seven hero is sent to Portland to bring Princess Lissa and Rose Hathaway back to St. Vladimir’s Academy. He is a twenty-four year old guardian, and with a slight Russian accent, he is also a lover of western novels, and a duster is most definitely part of his wardrobe. Although first being described as an anti-social god because of his preference for being alone, he captured females hearts and the film rights have been sold. It has even been rumored that Ben Barnes will take on the leading role, however, that is all still up in the air.
And the newest hero to come into our world? He comes from a place called Vaalbara, and the amazing locales and plot that author, Michelle Horst, has put together are blowing people’s minds out of the waterfall (so to speak). Beginning with a new student named Ryan coming to a school that is inhabited by a shy, sarcastic young girl named Aislinn, this particular hero speaks as if he’s from another time and place. It doesn’t take long for the readers to learn that Ryan is actually Raighne – a guardian sent to bring Aislinn (real name Alchera) back to her home of Vaalbara. Stepping through a waterfall is how Alchera finds herself back home and learns her destiny of having to retrieve the Ten Chosen Ones from Earth. The immortals on Vaalbara must train this long lost girl but for fans, the heart throb Raighne by her side is what has readers riveted to the page
Raighne must deal with a lot when it comes to the woman he loves – even when she begins to find the ‘bad guy’ slightly charming. This, too, is a series that all YA readers are beginning to ‘attach’ themselves to, and with the slight rumor (and rumor only, people) that the author wants no one else besides Ian Somerhalder to head through that waterfall, fans are chomping at the bit to see this happen!
What’s up next, you ask? Readers are looking for those angels – and not just the fallen ones. What many people are hearing around the campfire is that Tribute Books is about to release a series in 2012 that will produce an angel/warrior team that all ages will love. A smoking romance, trials, tribulations, history, and plot twists that don’t follow anything that has been seen before. Want a hint? The Angel Chronicles (and, no, we’re not talking about Buffy’s beau). The first in the series is scheduled for February titled, Until Next Time, and there are many in the industry already calling this series a ‘fresh’ piece of YA fiction. Although the fanged ones are still beloved, the conversation amongst this group turned to discovering some real angels out there who simply want to fight for the rest of us. God knows…we all need them! Perhaps even Mr. Radcliffe can drop the wand and don the wings for this one.
So from a wizard who had to battle Voldemort comes fanged ones, an Overlander, a Shadowhunter, a stunning hero named Raighne who sparks the internal fires – and a world of angels that is about to commence. Old Mr. Potter did a darn fine job!
Until Next Time, Everybody!
Until Next Time 