We’ve been talking about some deep topics on this blog for the past month or two, so it’s time to touch on something lighter: standout characters in YA novels.
What are your favorite fictional characters and why? Is it because you relate well to them, or do you admire them for being so opposite you?
Here are a few of mine. While most of the below-mentioned books are not Christian fiction, all are ones I recommend without hesitation to readers looking for clean YA fiction that avoids questionable moral content.
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In This Article
6 Standout Characters in YA Novels
Charlotte “Charlie” Reynolds, from On the Fence by Kasie West
To be honest, I can’t relate very well to Charlie—and that’s what I love about her. I was raised with one sister, she was raised with four brothers. She’s tough, excels at sports, and knows how to interact with boys. But there’s a unique coming-into-herself that happens when she finally embraces her feminine side, making her even more endearing. And she doesn’t even have a mother to help her figure it out.
Finnick Odair, from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Let’s just get this out there: When it comes to favorite Hunger Games characters, Peeta Mellark usually tops the list. I find Peeta admirable enough, but talking about him feels cliche so I’d like to focus the spotlight on a lesser, noble-in-his-own-way character—Finnick Odair.
At first, Finnick comes off as a player, a little too swarthy and alluring for his own good. But as events unfold, we glimpse his depth in the way he fights, in his choice of actions during the Games, and in who he loves. He’s darn good with the trident, too. Who doesn’t wish they could handle one of those?
I won’t disclose the end for you but if you haven’t read this series, be prepared to have your heart broken if you like Finnick, too.
Connor, from Split Second by Kasie West
Connor has a really cool “Ability” in this paranormal YA novel, but that’s not all that makes him likable. It’s how he uses it. He’s the classic bad-boy-with-a-good-heart and a worthy counterbalance to the book’s headstrong female protagonist. I liked his character right away, but his final act during the last pages of Split Second was the cherry on top of this two-book series.
Billy McQueen, from Someone I Am Not by Cher Gatto
If you read my review of Someone I Am Not, you probably already figured out that Billy is among my favoritest of favorite characters. He’s so real, both in his struggles and in his heart. When you consider the circumstances under which he operates, you’ll be touched by his honor and loyalty, especially when a little brother is added to the mix. But he’s not a wimp either. He stands up and fights, sometimes to his own detriment. If I’d had a brother, I would have liked him to be like Billy.
Tessa, from Real, Not Perfect by Stephanie Coleman
In this novel, Tessa is handed the ultimate trial for a teenage girl: her parents are getting a divorce. I’ve never been through this ordeal myself, but her emotions felt so real to me, I became angry alongside her. If you’ve ever wished you could lay into someone who hurt you and let them know how you really felt about their actions, you’ll relate to Tessa—and be rooting for her when she finally does just that.
Charlie Swan, from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
You gotta admit, the deck was stacked against Charlie when Bella permanently moved in with him. Dads have a hard time “getting” teenage girls, and his struggle to relate to her is both endearing and funny. And realistic. I liked him so much, I hurt for him when I read Life and Death, Meyer’s reimagining of the classic Twilight story—which has a terribly different ending from the original (but is a great read nonetheless).
I will say, Charlie Swan is one character I appreciated just as much in the movie as I did in the book.
Tell me yours!
Who are your favorite fictional characters? Drop me a note. (They don’t have to be from YA fiction.) Who knows, maybe you’ll convince me to read something I haven’t read yet! And be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive monthly Christian fiction and clean ya fiction reccommendations.