logo

10 Characters to Make You Feel Better

logo

Those who follow VBC on Twitter may know things are stressful these days here at the VBC HQ. One of my close family members has a rare brain cancer — complete with experimental treatments. (He has the best doctors and is in great spirits.) My point in mentioning this isn’t to be a downer, but to say things kind of suck. I’m in a perpetual state of tension, but I’ve been getting a nice break from reality with great books lately. In the last few days I’ve read Sharon Page’s Blood Wicked (which we’re giving away here), Ilona Andrew’s Magic Bites and I’m about halfway through Moira Rogers’ Crux. That said, I have some re-reads planned, too.

It got me thinking; which beloved characters would make me feel better right now? Who offers the best pick-me-up? Who would distract me? And because I can’t go all bikini-in-the-yard like Sookie Stackhouse (because it’s raining and I’m too fair to tan), I give you:

10 CHARACTERS TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER

1. Zsadist from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

Zsadist from the Black Dagger Brotherhood

Z is the first character that came to mind. His story in Lover Awakened (review) and his growing protective and loving nature — especially scenes with Bella and John Matthew — just warm my heart. Also, let’s just say the scarred Brother is delicious.

2. MacKayla Lane from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series.

MacKayla Lane from KMM's Fever series

Painting nails. Margaritas. Possibly a beach or maybe a cake. Sure, we lost some Rainbow Girl elements over the course of the series, but Mac can make for the ultimate girls’ night companion.

3. Packard from Carolyn Crane’s Disillusionist series.

As a highcap, Packard was able to pull anxieties and fear from Justine. The man will do it for me. Right?

4. Rose Hathaway from Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series.

Rose Hathaway / Sophia Bush

Rose can scheme. She could devise a good, get-out-of-your-mind idea for you. Or at least she’d run with you and talk about a certain Russian.

5. Katniss from Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy.

It could be worse. Much worse.

6. Jenks from Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series.

Just get him all worked up and then giggle at the pixie swearing (example: “Oh for the sweet humpin’ love of Tink!”).

7. Jasper Hale from Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series.

Alice and Jasper in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

(Oh shush.) Empaths do it with feeling, folks. Similar to Packard, this man could literally make you feel better. Also, hair aside, southern gentleman.

8. Dorian from Richelle Mead’s Dark Swan series.

Silk ribbons. (See comic book cover for reference.)

9. Cat from Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series.

Cat & Bones from Night Huntress series

If we honestly wanted to talk about it, we’d sit down with Cat. Also, the bonus of having Bones around as eye candy would not hurt.

10. Phin the Unicorn from Allison Pang’s A Brush of Darkness.

Phin is made of Win (A BRUSH OF DARKNESS)

If a miniature unicorn with a penchant for playing in the panty drawer and a serious love of bacon can’t cheer you up, then all hope may be lost. (Read our review to get a better understanding of A Brush of Darkness.)

 

That’s it. Our 10 suggestions. Now it’s your turn. Tell us who you agree with and — better yet — suggest your favorite feel good characters.

 

 

16 Responses to “10 Characters to Make You Feel Better”

  1. Airy Elser says:

    I so sympathize with you on this topic. My grandmother was battling cancer and just passed away this week. I have been filling the silence with feel good music and listoning to my favorite books on audio.
    I have too choosen not to tan aswell, but I have been spending hours with Sookie Stackhouse. Yeah, she does have an upbeat outlook on life that helps you look on the bright side, however its that 1000 year old blonde viking that really does the trick. Its not as good hearing Eric’s from the female reader as it did in my head (when I read the series myself), though good enough. It also helps that there is a gougous actor who plays him that I can eye at.^_^

  2. Just wanted to express my good wishes to you and your family.

  3. Smash Attack says:

    My heart goes out to and you and your family.

    Aside from Phin and Dorian, and I am intimately acquainted with the rest of your list, and I agree wholeheartedly.

  4. Sookie is a good call. Mercy Thompson is constantly the target of humans, fey, vampires, demons and wolves.

  5. Karen says:

    I just spotlight Z on Monday as one of my comfort reads. LOVE him. I just read Ilona’s Magic series last year. It took me a little while to get into it but Magic Bleeds is amazing!
    This is a rough year it seems *hugs*

  6. Thanks for the kind words and hugs, guys.

    @Smash Attack – Ash, you’d totally dig A BRUSH OF DARKNESS. Oddly, I almost didn’t read it because I caught “miniature unicorn” in the blurb — now I love that character. lol

    @Karen – That appears to be the consistent thought on the Kate Daniels’ series. First book is good, but not “wow”…but I find that’s often the case with first books in UF series. I’m going to continue. I may need more Kate and Curran.

  7. Mandi says:

    So sorry to hear about your family member.

    I would add Jane Jameson from Molly Harper’s books..she would make me smile 🙂

  8. Sara H says:

    Very sorry to hear about your family member.
    I would add Nicole Peeler’s Jane True. She’s been through a lot but still manages to retain her witty/snarky personality.
    Anyone that compares their lovers’ skills in the bedroom to Jimi Hendrix’s guitar skills would be great for a night of therapeutic girl talk.

  9. Julie says:

    Great post and Great list! All the boys from the BDB are usually good to focus on when you’re blue. After all, if they can survive the sh*t they’ve faced, then anyone can, right? 😉

    My thoughts are with you and your family.

  10. Erin says:

    I would argue that if you are pri-ya, Barrons would make you feel real better.

  11. katieb says:

    I’m sorry to hear about your family member, sending lots of positive thoughts your way. xxx

    I was never really a team Edward or Jacob girl it was always Emmett for me, also Lucian Areneau and though a minor character Simi from the Dark Hunter series always makes me laugh.

  12. Deanna says:

    What a fun post! I only know three of your 10 characters…Mac, Jasper and Cat and I do agree with all of them! Some other feel good characters for me are Fred & George Wesley from the Harry Potter Series, they are such goof balls. I love Sam Merlotte from the Sookie Stackhouse series too, just a genuinely nice guy.

  13. ROZA says:

    haha, lol, Jasper can definitely make you feel better. he can make you feel anything! I love Richelle Mead too, and Rose is an awesome character. However, I think Dimitri would be a pretty awesome person for this list, as you can lose your troubles in his warm brown eyes…mmmmmmm

  14. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers

    As for my list Acheron, Simi , Sunshine from Dark Hunter series, All the Demon’s from the Demonica series, as well as all the Lord’s from the Lords of the Underworld series. See a pattern all hot guys to keep my happy and mind off of things 🙂

  15. Zuzu says:

    Your Gran is in a better place now.
    I love Z from BDB, he’s my fave among the Brothers! I would also like to add Jack from House of Night, he’s suck a happy-go-lucky character that’s bound to make you smile. Afrodite and the Twins too, their witty comments are entertaining.
    Also, I agree with Rose, she’s cool! Sookie Stackhouse as a series, it get’s you trough the day. Morganville Vampires series has a nice set of characters and plot that will make you think your life (as in curfew hours) is better. The Marker’s Song will definitely keep your nose in the books, great series.
    Also, I know it’s not vampire related, but Angelology is a great book, if you’re into nephilimum.

  16. Zuzu says:

    such* i meant such… damned be typos!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo
logo
Powered by WordPress | Designed by Elegant Themes
Malcare WordPress Security