Sunday, 28 June 2009

My Top 5 YA Boys

Kelsey, Khy, Jordyn and Trish Donner's fantastic lists enthused me to compile my five fave boys in YA. I will preface this list with my decision to only list one character from one author's work (otherwise this would have to be re-titled the Marchetta Males List).

The Big 5
1. Gilbert Blythe (Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery)
Anne Shirley's mon ami, he's proud, self-sacrificing and he's loves Anne even after she breaks a slate over her head and other untold damage. I like a man confident enough to love a clumsy woman.

2. Jonah Briggs (Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta)
He's my biggest YA crush - he's got the whole military uniform going on, plus he's strong, masculine but a great listener. He's no push over, he's fully developed and he's buff.

3. Lucius (Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side - Beth Fantaskey)
If I am going to have to have a supernatural man on the list (unfortunately the Winchester boys don't qualify) then it's going to be this Romanian born, male chauvinist, elegant and charming gentleman vamp. He likes his woman feisty, curvy and snarky - what's not to love? (Evernight's Balthazar just got edged out.)

4. John After (Going Too Far - Jenn Echols)
I think the uniform thing is becoming an issue but this guy puts up with a whiny firecracker in the passenger seat of his cop car. He's protective, understanding, responsible, wounded and steamy.

5. Owen Armstrong (Just Listen - Sarah Dessen)
It seems necessary to have a Dessen boy on this list as they are the shadow in which all other YA authors must create their own romantic leads. Owen is great though as he's quiet, confident, self assured enough to pursue his passions, understanding and encouraging. He doesn't lie. He's also pretty tolerant of an extremely vexing younger sister.

Romance Repellent:
1. Edward / Jacob (Twilight Series - Stephenie Meyer)
Two dimensional being who lust after a boring, helpless, snivelling girl aren't my thing. I'd much rather Charlie.

2. David / Tamari (Wings - Aprilynne Pike)
A Triangle of Yawn.

3. Jace (Mortal Instruments Series - Cassandra Clare)
A temperamental little jerk-face.

4. Lucas (Evernight - Claudia Gray)
Annoying, yucky, issue ridden and not Balthazar.

5. Professor Bhaer (Little Women - LM Alcott)
He's old and boring. How could Jo want him over Laurie?

(I will post a Top 5 Girl Crush List next week).

15 comments:

Jordyn said...

Oooh now I want to do the top/bottom 5 girl crush too!

Lenore Appelhans said...

Hmm...let's see...

Guy from Willow. Peeta. David from Shannon Greenland's Specialists series. Umm...have to think some more...

Diana Peterfreund said...

I think Gilbert would be pretty high up on my list, too.

Kelsey said...

Excellent list Adele! I'm glad someone agrees with me on Jonah and Owen. *swoon*

Anonymous said...

Oooh great post. I really like this idea. :D

prophecygirl said...

Nice list! And triangle of yawn... LOL!

a flight of minds said...

Great list! Although my tastes are much different. I wasn't so hot for John After nor Owen. I'm more of a Wes/Dexter fan. :P And Jace! How can you not love him? I do like Balthazar plenty though also.

- Alex

Khy said...

YAY someone else doesn't like Jace!

mstohl said...

OMG I was in shock when Jo March ended up with that old Professor guy. I HATED THAT. HATED THAT. HATED HATED HATED THAT.

I will always, on the other hand, be in love with Gilbert Blythe. And I thought Lucius was the most annoying person in the world until I suddenly LURVED him. How did that happen? xo

Steph Su said...

Grrr I can't believe Jo ended up with that professor as well! Such an anti-happy ending. But Gilbert Blythe = love. Forever and ever. And I'm happy to see Lucius up there as well! I might have to do this "meme," it's so much fun...

Sarah MacLean said...

I love Owen with a frightening intensity. I actually read that book on my honeymoon. I think it freaked my husband out. And not a little bit.

Sarah Rees Brennan said...

Oh, these lists are tempting me to make my own... I can't wait to read the girl crush list!

Anonymous said...

I did my top 5 a little while ago as well. It was tough but a lot of fun. And I agree very much about Edward Cullen. I don't get the fascination.

Anonymous said...

Hello there. I spent my morning (a good five hours) on your blog, it's so so so great (I am supposed to work but this is far more interesting). What about Marcus Flutie from Jessica Darling series? I spent years having a very real crush on this fiction character. Am I the only one?

booklineandsinker said...

responding to emily--
nope...i love marcus to this day. i live about 20 miles from megan mccafferty's fictional 'pineville' and bought the first book without knowing anything about it. i just like books set in places i'm familiar with. :)

nat@ book, line, and sinker