Thursday, June 30, 2011

A few of my favorite characters

A special guest post as part of the Blog Party for the Four Hundred Days release




So many times, it’s the main characters that are the focus of a book review.  I can’t talk about The Mortal Instruments without talking about Jace and Clary.  There is no way to talk about The Iron Fey without talking about Meghan, Ash and Puck.  But there are some characters that make the books so much better and never get the spotlight.  I want to give a little of that spotlight on those kind of characters today.


The first one is Grimalkin from the Iron Fey series.  According to Julie Kagawa, “Grimalkin in the name of the witches’ cat in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A grimalkin can also be a term for an old gray cat, but if they are one and the same, Grimalkin isn’t saying.”  (http://www.juliekagawa.com/funStuff.html ) 

Now Grimalkin is a cat but he’s a Fae cat so there’s a lot more to him than a normal cat.  The best part is that he can talk and he says some of the funniest lines in the whole book.  Here are a few:

“The cat didn’t blink. ‘Human,’ he said, and if a cat could sound patronizing, this one nailed it, ‘think about the absurdity of that question.  I am resting in my tree, minding my own business and wondering if I should hunt today, when you come flying in like a bean sidhe and scare off every bird for miles around.  Then, you have the audacity to ask what I want.’ He sniffed and gave me a very catlike stare of disdain.” The Iron King Julie Kagawa

"I could have taken a nap instead of waiting for you to finally show up. What took you so long human? Did you walk?" The Iron Daughter Julie Kagawa

“For the record,” Grimalkin stated as we ventured, single file, into the black, “I do not think this is a good idea. But, as no one listens to the cat anymore, I will have to wait until we are completely lost to say ‘I told you so." The Iron Queen Julie Kagawa

"Grim, wait. Are you sure you'll be all right?" Grimalkin smiled. "I am a cat."  And, just like that, he was gone."  The Iron Queen Julie Kagawa

The next one is Church.  Church is a cat in the Mortal Instruments series.  What I love about Church is he doesn’t talk but he says so much.  In the City of Bones, he is the guide around the Institute.  Whenever Clary needs to find someone or someplace, Church is the guide.  And normally, Church takes you where you want to go but the one time he doesn’t is the best.  When Jace and Clary return from visiting Clary’s house they are looking for Hodge or Alec.  Jace asks Church to take them to find one of them. 

“He stood up, and church shook himself, trotted a little way down the corridor, and glanced back over his shoulder” Page 134 City of Bones Cassandra Clare

Of course, Jace follows Church but instead of taking them to Hodge or Alec, he takes them to the kitchen and Izzy and she mad that Jace brought Simon into the Institute.

“I told you to bring me to Alec! Backstabbing Judas.” Page 136 City of Bones Cassandra Clare

“Isabelle cast an indifferent look at Simon.  ‘I suppose not,’ she said, absently dropping a piece of fish on the floor.  Church fell on it ravenously.”

“‘No wonder he brought us here,’ said Jace disgustedly.  ‘I can’t believe you’ve been stuffing him with fish again.  He’s looking distinctly podgy.’” Page 137 City of Bones Cassandra Clare

Church never says a word but so much is communicated.  I love the cat.  I missed him in City of Fallen Angels.  I was not the only one and Cassandra has promised he will be in City of Lost Souls.


Don’t think that everyone of these characters will be a cat.  The next one isn’t a cat.  No this one is a mouse.  Do you remember Reepicheep from Prince Caspian and Voyage of the Down Treader in the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis?  He becomes the leader of the mice that aid Caspian. Reepicheep is dedicated and funny.  The first time I read this book, I was actually listening to it.  The reader for the audiobook does the best voice for Reepicheep. 

"Why should your majesty think it? My own plans are made. While I may, I sail East in Dawn Treader. When she fails me, I row East in my coracle. When that sinks, shall I paddle East with my four paws. Then, when I can swim no longer, if I have not yet reached Aslan's Country, there shall I sink with my nose to the sunrise... and Peepiceek will be head of Talking Mice in Narnia" C. S. Lewis


So now you think I am only talking about animal characters.  No it doesn’t have to be.  How about Seth from Twilight.  Yes, Twilight.  I know not everyone likes those books, but I have to tell you that reading that series started my adventures into YA paranormal and though it is not my favorite, I still love it. 

We see Seth in Breaking Dawn mostly.  I love the banter between him and Jacob.  He “makes” the part of the book from Jacob point of view.  Here are a few of his lines:

“Wait up. My legs aren’t as long as yours.” Breaking Dawn Stephanie Meyer

“You want me to be all doom and gloom, or just shut up?” Breaking Dawn Stephanie Meyer

“Alice wants you, too. She says she’s tired of hanging out in the attic like a bat in the belfry.” Breaking Dawn Stephanie Meyer

So what is the point of all this?  Well, I just wanted to point out a few of those great characters who are not necessarily the main characters.  They may be minor but they make such a great contribution to the book that they desire some lime light. 

Now I know I missed some good ones, so let me know in the comments who I missed.  Who are your favorite minor characters?

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3 comments:

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  2. My favorite minor character is probably Reepicheep ^.^ Interesting post! :)

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  3. My favorite minor character would have to be Jane. She is off of the twilight saga. I love how she is able to inflict pain. that is cool.

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