"Prickly" Heroes & Heroines

[Kathy (Kindle-aholic)]

I've mentioned before how the Disillusionists paved the way for my love of other "grey area" characters, so I thought this would be a good place to list any recommendations for prickly heroes and heroines - ones you might not always like, might cringe while you read them, but you still need to get your hands on the next book.

FOr me, Chess Putnam from Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series is about at the top of my list - drug-addict, lots of betrayals, book 2 nearly had me howling. But I still loved it.

Dead on the Delta by Stacey Jay - Annabelle Lee is very prickly. An alcoholic who hasn't quite hit rock bottom yet. I know things are going to get darker in the next book.

Lilith Saintcrow's Dante Valentine series - yeah, Dante is way screwed up. I'm on book 2 right now, but I have a feeling that things will never be quite right.

[Michelle]

I would pick Riley Jensen by author Keri Arthur, Raylene Pendle from The Cheshire Red series by author Cherie Priest, Toby Daye by Seanan McGuire and Eugenie Markham in the Dark Swan series by Richelle Mead. Maybe not bad characters, per se, but I find myself actively questioning their choices.

[Bookwormgirl]

Dante Valentine is one very messed up heroine. She never really healed or grew as a character except for more tragedy.

I think another character that is "prickly" is Stark from the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey. Stark, is foul mouthed, morally ambiguous, and loves to kill things. He is also very sarcastic and entertaining.

I think these types have a draw for us because of their flaws. Their flaws give them a depth that is lacking in the perfect hero.