Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Each week we talk about our top ten with a different topic provided by Jana. This week’s topic is top ten – Villains (favorite, best, worst, lovable, creepiest, most evil, etc.) I’m going to go with a combination of all the options. This list will include some of my favorite villains, who are the best and the worst at the same time, but also loveable. Some will be the evilest and maybe a little creepy too. Villains are some of my favorite and a great Spooktober topic!
1. The Darkling, Grisha Verse by Leigh Bardugo – Anyone that knows me knows that I miiiight be a little obsessed with this series and the Darkling. He’s such an excellent villain. Attractive and mysterious, he lures you in before pulling you into the dark side. A backstory that gives him a human side. He’s excellently developed and I just love him.
2. Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – Creepy, downright evil, this guy is just the worst in all the best ways. He’s a character that I love to hate.
3. Maven Calore, Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard – A loveable villain in the first book. Before we’re blindsided by the fact that he’s actually the villain for this series. I loved him in Red Queen and HATED him the rest of the series. Aveyard made him loveable and personable and I still love him a little even though he’s pure evil.
4. Tea, The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco – Tea is made out to be the villain in this story but as we read we find out that she’s doing what she really believes in, despite the fact that she knows it will upset pretty much everyone. The minute she finds out she’s a bone witch she’s already given a stigma of being bad.
5. BeiTech, The Illuminae Files by Aime Kaufman & Jay Kristoff – I think this interesting twist of making a corporation the villain of the story is really cool. Though there’s more to this villain I won’t spoil anything. I think this was a well thought out and well-executed villain.
6. Empress Celestine, The Shattered Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima – There’s still much to learn about this particular villain, but so far she’s very intriguing. She’s the worst, but I find myself liking her more as we get deeper into the series.
7. Nova/Insomnia, Renegades by Marissa Meyer – The main character who is a villain, but seems to start to have conflicting feelings about being a villain once she finds herself surrounded by heroes.
8. Martin Chatwin, The Magicians by Lev Grossman – Martin is just the worst. He’s basically psychotic on top of being pure evil.
9. Adelina Amouteru, The Young Elites by Marie Lu – Adelina was one of the first characters that made me realize I might like villains more than I thought.
10. King of Hybern, ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas – This guy sucked. He was actually the worst and I hated everything about him. Greedy and selfish, not satisfied with what he already has so he has to stir up all kinds of drama.
Who are your favorite, best, worst, most evil villains?
Keep on reading lovelies, Amanda.
Still haven’t read Victoria’s ‘Red Queen’ series, but I do own the first three books, so SOMEDAY, I need to dive in and discover these characters. 🙂
I’m still making my way through it! Haven’t managed to get around to picking up that last book (it’s so big and intimidating!)
Adelina is an interesting one, as both the protagonist and the villain of the story. She didn’t immediately spring to mind when I first saw the topic, but now that I think about it, she’s a good pick.
She totally sparked my love for interesting villains. Made me think more about what makes a villain who they are and maybe they’re not all bad (or at least are bad for a reason)
I actually think it’s really cool that you can point to this character and say that it changed your perspective on something beyond the scope of the series she’s in–there’s always something special about the books that give you that.
For sure! I think it’s because that’s kind of when i really started reading more fantasy books. For a long time i stayed away from the genre (not sure why. Just happened that way.)
Well then, as a lifelong fantasy fan, I certainly hope you’re enjoying your time with the genre–though from the books you’ve included in your list, it might be safe to assume that you are. It’s always fun to come across more fantasy readers.
For sure! After i started reading more and more fantasy a few years ago it seems to have taken over as what i read most lately. It’s so easy to get lost in the incredible worlds that are created.
Wonderful list! 🙂 The Darkling made my list too. He’s so wonderfully wicked!
He’s one of my faves bad guys!
Yes!! He made many lists this week!
Glad I’m not the only one obsessed with the Darkling haha
Both Adelina and Maven made my list this week. I still have to read the Grisha Trilogy and ACOTAR. I’ll probably get to it in 2019.
As soon as you can! You won’t regret it!
Ooh, Martin Chatwin is a good choice.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I only recognise Voldemort from this list, haha. I need to catch up! They all sound interesting though!
I had to go back and look, but they are definitely mostly from newer books and series!
I haven’t read any of these books, but the ones I have read, I agree with.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/top-ten-tuesday-182/
Adelina FTW! She’s such an interesting, complex character. I haven’t finished the series yet but I’m looking forward to seeing what happens!
Ohhh you have to finish!! The last book was so good! I love her character development for sure
Adelina made my list as well, though I still need to read the conclusion to the series. And Maven….I never really trusted him, he was just too convenient. BUT he did blindside me and I spent the rest of the series mourning him. 🙄
Here is our TTT.
UGH MAVEN. I loved him in the first book and definitely also spent the rest (will spend bcuz I’m not done with the series.) mourning him.
Oh, I love Tea. I need to do a reread of that one before diving into the second book. I expect to see the Darkling on many people’s lists.
I didnt love her until i read the second book lol! It’s so much better than the first.
Looking forward to it!
Voldemort is the ultimate villain. He’s so creepy!
Totally!!