Let’s talk bookish – anti heros!

I’m back – studying and reading (currently in the middle of rereading My Lady Jane and I’m having the time of my life!) has kept me from writing my blog, but this Let’s Talk Bookish topic is too good to be true: anti-heros. I’ll talk about my favorites, why I like them and then some books with anti-heros I wish to read soon! Let’s Talk Bookish is as always hosted by  Dani @ Literary Lion and Rukky @ Eternity Books!

Just as a side note: everyone has their own definition of anti-heros, and this is just mine and so please take that into account when you read this!

My definition and why I love anti-heros!

It’s quite simple, actually: they’re not perfect. They don’t have all the qualities of the protagonist, the hero (well of course, there are many flawed protagonists, but let’s just assume I’m talking about “the chosen one”), they’re conflicted. Often their flaws are caused by complicated childhoods, of psychotic stress and inner struggles. They have been hurt, and broken and still have the conflict between good and bad in them, they’re not the usual villain with 100% evil in them, they make mistakes, but they can act morally acceptable.

Some of my favorites!

1. Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter: well, Draco is not completely evil, he turns his back on Voldemort and when you take Cursed Child into account, has actually become quite the decent person. But he’s conflicted, torn between the school and the muggle-born classmates and his conservative parents. Personally, I have always been a fan of Draco because of the movies and Tom Felton and I have to say: he isn’t portrayed as evil in the movies as he actually behaves in the books. However, we have to consider his character development and that’s the main reason he’s a great anti-hero in my perspective!
2. Kaz in Six of Crows: first things first, is Kaz really an anti-hero? I’ve read many posts on anti-heroes and they all mentioned Kaz as their favorite and while he’s some of my favorite characters as well, I’m not sure he really belongs in this category. He is willing to do almost (or even everything) for money and to get back at Pekka Rollins, he has absolutely no moral compass – but then there’s his love for Inej, Jordie and the friendship he develops with the crew. Help. Where does he fit in?
3. Cardan in The Folk of the Air Series: Wow. The cruel prince and then later as the wicked king, he is the pure portrait of an anti-hero. Cardan’s personality was one of the most intriguing aspects of this series and I have to give it to Holly Black for creating one of the most unpredictable characters in history.
4. Maven in Red Queen: yes, I understand that he might be “the villain” for many out here. But his mother was the true evil person and his flaws developed because of her influence, I believe he loves Mare and somewhere deep inside, he loves Cal. And that’s why my heart gave a jump at the end of War Storm.

Books with awesome anti-heros I want to read!

1. Renegades by Marissa Meyer: I have been wanting to read this FOREVER now and I really have to get over myself and buy it. Enough with the excuses. The protagonist of this series is member of the “bad guys” (sorry, I don’t have the exact plot, or frankly anything about this in mind right now) and so she’s practically the anti-hero-protagonist number one!
2. The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde: I know absolutely nothing about this book, except that there is some picture and maybe even the destruction by stabbing said picture and that I’ve stayed in the hotel room where Oscar Wilde once lived in Paris (The Hotel, for anyone interested in that sort of stuff – very cute house in Paris where many famous artists used to have their apartment!). I therefore don’t know whether there is an actual anti-hero in this book, but I know it’s time for me to read Oscar Wilde and I always felt I had to read Dorian Grey first!

That’s it – unfortunately, I don’t have any more time on my hands to continue writing so I will just leave it like this. Tell me: what’s your definition of an anti-hero, which ones are your faves and which books do you want to read? Comment!! Happy reading!