Valentines Day YA Sci-fi/Fantasy Favorites
Valentines day is coming up soon and whether we love the holiday or abhor it, we still appreciate a good love story mixed in with our magic, legends, paranormal, or action packed dystopian novels. Falling in love for the first time is usually the theme in YA, but add that to the characters extenuating circumstances, (being in the hunger games, being in love with a caster, or being on the run) emotions can get muddled while surging and crackling like an overloaded breaker box. It’s a lot to take in and as readers, we find something extremely human about the power to love so strongly. As an adult, it’s about reminiscing or maybe still wanting that feeling. As writers, we try to convey not only the emotions our characters our feelings, but also the minor details that spark a relationship and the surrounding world that has an effect on those characters. Either way, no matter how commercial Valentines day is, Love- in these stories often times comes at a much higher price than an expensive box of chocolates.
I’ve come up with some categories that were hard for me to decide who would come in as my number one favorite, so I thought I’d post this and get some feed back. What’s your opinion?
The Guys
Sexiest Male in YA Fantasy? I think that Indian Prince Dhiren (Tiger’s Curse), who is also cursed to be a beautiful white bengal tiger may take the cake in this category. He is described as having these miraculous blue eyes because he’s actually mixed with Asian, while having dark hair that curls right by the ear. Also bronze skinned and toned, and his gracefulness rivals that of a vampire, so yeah, sexy.
Most Charming Male in YA Fantasy? It could easily be a tie between Ethan Wate (Beautiful Creatures) and Simon Lewis (The Mortal Instruments). Ethan can be a down right proper southern gentleman and with the story being told from his point of view, you know he’s not a jerk that just wants to get in Lena’s pants. Simon’s unrequited love of Claire is heartbreaking, but he is the best friend ever and stands by her side no matter what. Now that’s charming.
Dystopian Male Interest? I might have to go with Peeta (Hunger Games) because he’s such an underdog and living in these dystopian worlds are harsh, but he (spoiler alert) gets the girl. That says alot about his tenacity, charm, and willing to fight. A runner up could be Day (Legend) because he’s got SO much to lose but still he stays strong and of course finds love.
The Girls
Beautiful Girl in YA Sci/fi? This is very difficult because so many of the main characters are girls and told in the first person, that her looks at times, play second fiddle. This might have to go to Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles) because she’s not human but was still able to grab the attention of Prince Kai and also I think her beauty and self-worth is a big deal for Cinder, and her willingness to accept it will play a role in her ability to be able to help earth.
The Girl you wouldn’t want to make mad on Valentines Day? OMG, good job YA authors for creating such strong female roles in your stories. It would be Lena Duchannes (Beautiful Creatures) because seriously, she can split the moon and upset the order of things. That’s pretty powerful.
Conversely, The most Kick-Ass Girl? She’s a fighter, a survivor and would kill anyone trying to harm her or her man. Yeah you don’t want to mess with Katsa (Graceling), Tally (the Uglies), Scarlett and Rosie March (Sister’s Red), and I can’t forget Katniss (Hunger Games)
Favorite Couples YA Sci-fi/Fantasy? Some relationships are slowly built, some are love at first sight or smell, and some are damned from the beginning. That’s why I want to start with Grace and Sam (The Wolves of Mercy Falls) they spend the whole series trying to be together. Then theres Lena and Alex (Delirium). In a world where love is outlawed and considered a disease there is no way I wasn’t rooting for them.
I know there are plenty more characters that could fit into these categories or ones similar so I’m eager to hear back from you. Lastly before I go, I know there has been a lot of talk recently about how Harry should have ended up with Hermoine, and even the author agreed, but when I found out that Ron and Hermoine liked each other, I summed it up to the fact that Hermoine and Ron spent summers together in the Weasleys home and frankly I think without a ton of supervision. So I figured they were spending a lot of time alone, and even though Hermoine and Harry could have had some sparks, Ron is the sweet nervous one, faithful, even though a little scary at times, still very brave, and still a Gryffindor.
