I firmly believe that just because a character is unlikable doesn’t mean that they are not well-written. In fact, I love reading the occasional anti-hero because I love their character arcs and I love the struggle between good & evil present in books with well-written anti-heroes. With The Young Elites series coming to an end, I was inspired to compile a little list of some of my fav unlikable characters.
1. The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Since this post is inspired by the series, it makes sense that the first book I mention is The Young Elites. Adelina is NOT likeable but you sympathize with her and you hurt for her. Unfortunately, all that doesn’t magically make her good and over the course of the series, she spirals further down as her burning hatred consumes her. Adelina also happens to be the MC and BOY does that make these books painful to read (but completely worth it).
2. The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma
To be fair, I only gave this book two stars but the reason it makes this list is because I ADORE the main character in this book (also Giselle liked the book so not all of us hated it ;)). This book features some quality writing and I love that the unlikable main character is contrasted with a character that is EXTREMELY perfect. Suma is a very clever writer and I love that she pushes us to ask so many questions about morality through these characters.
3. Delicate Monsters by Stephanie Keuhn
This book has three main characters and not a single one of them is likeable. SURPRISE. But the biggest surprise isn’t that they are all unlikable, it is how over the course of the book you find out how fucked up all of them are and that the one you like the least might just be the best one…
4. The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich
The main character is more unreliable than unlikable…at least at first. But the more unreliable she gets over the course of the book, the more you question her motives. BASICALLY, the characters are very complicated and you’re not sure who you’re supposed to like and who you’re supposed to hate. EVERYONE IS THE ENEMY.
5. Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar
You might want to read this book for its title alone but the main character is definitely a piece of (well-written) work. He is complicated, annoying and you wish he would take off those rose-tinted glasses and really see what is going on in the book. Character development occurs but I won’t tell you if he becomes more of a little shit or not. You’ll just have to find out 😀
How do you feel about unlikable main characters? Do you love them? Love to hate them? Have you met any of these characters? Any books with great unlikable characters you want to push at me? TELL ME THINGS.
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Jordan @ ForeverLostinLiterature
I really like the idea of this post! I definitely agree that there are some really well-written unlikable characters – which sometimes frustrates me, haha. 🙂 I’ve actually never read any ANY of these books :O, but I am super intrigued by some of your descriptions of the characters and may have to look some up. Great post!
Al
Delicate Monsters and The Dead House are going on my to-read list anyway. Both sound delightfully creepy.
Leslie @ Leslie's Bookcase
Interesting post! Delicate Monsters and The Dead House are especially intriguing to me.
I am reading a book now – The Book Thief, where the narrator is “death” that is interesting in that the death character is not unlikable for how it is necessarily, but just who it is. The “character” is actually more likeable than one would expect!
Your books all look like good Halloween reads too 🙂
Sinead @ Less Reality More Books
This id s really unique idea for a post! TBH most unlikable main characters are just that – unlikable. When I don’t like a main character I usually have to find a side character to enjoy to get through the book at all. If they’re anti-heroes thar’s a different story. An example that pops to mind for unlikable main characters is Clary from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. Really enjoy that series but can’t stand that character!
Evona
I love unlikable characters because it’s so RARE. It’s one of the reasons I loved The Young Elites. The evil MC just set it apart from all the other generic dystopian novels. It’s absolutely brilliant, and I wish there were more books with anti-heroes.