Monday, April 21, 2014

A to Z Challenge... my favorite "Q" and "R" characters

OK, so I am officially behind... but its my first time getting behind in this challenge, ever, so I get one slip up, right? I'll roll right along and squeeze two of my favorite characters into today. Onward!

Q is for... Quasimodo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame

No, not that ridiculous excuse for a Disney movie. In high school, this was one of my favorite books, and largely because of Quasimodo. As a character, he is brutish and violent, but his love for Esmeralda also makes him textured and sympathetic. If all you know is the iconic "Sanctuary!" scene, this book is definitely worth a read. I don't often call classics "page turners" but you will likely find that this one is.

R is for... Reagan from Chasing Memories

Chasing Memories is not your average Paranormal YA novel, due in part to a unique plot and part to a character that feels so real that you expect to find her sitting next to you when you close the book. From my initial review of the book:

"Meet Reagan. In many ways, Reagan is just your typical teenager, worrying about Homecoming court, cheering for her football-star boyfriend, and pouring over the latest paranormal YA novel. Yep, pretty normal... oh, except for that whole she-might-be-a-werewolf thing...

Reagan doesn't so much come to life as she vaults off the page in your face. Nonetheless, where other 'typical teen' narrators might annoy (hello, Bella Swan), the muted desperation to understand what is happening that lies beneath her teenage 'tude makes Reagan unquestionably sympathetic. I felt for her, I wanted to hug her, and I wanted to know what in the heck was happening to her."

I was gleeful at the opportunity to be a beta reader on the follow up, and found Regan just as exciting there. Tia Silverthorne Bach is a talented and dynamic author, and this is a character you will want to get to know.

5 comments:

  1. You're just a little bit behind. I'm sure you can catch up! I thought the book was going to be about President Regan, not a girl named Regan. Surprise!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I didn't know about this. Nice to meet and connect through Atozchallenge http://aimingforapublishingdeal.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am your newest A to Z follower, and I'm glad I ran into this blog. Don't worry about getting behind… People are still going to come to see what interesting books you can tell us about. I just added them to my TBR list. Thanks, and it's nice to 'meet' you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I never read The Hunchback of Notre Dame, even though I like the Disney movie.

    Never heard of the other.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi there - haven't read either of these. Chasing Memories looks interesting. I'll have to check it out. btw, it's ok to be behind. :)

    ReplyDelete