Top 10 of 2012 is a fun-filled week where we look back at some of the best of “all things books” of 2012 and what books we’re looking forward to in 2013, co-hosted by: Rachel from Fiktshun, Lisa from A Life Bound By Books, Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books, and Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.
Of today's post options, villains was clearly the best. However, that does present a slight problem, as the identity of the villain often isn't revealed until later in a book, and even when you do know the villain fairly early, the reason they're a great one is often spoilery. So if that's the case, I'm just going to list the book info normally, and then, if you've read it, you can highlight below that to see more about the villain. That way nobody gets spoiled and everyone is happy. (Unless you have some kind of quota-fulfilling fetish, in which case, sorry, I only came up with six. Good villains are hard to find.)
2012
The King's Blood by Daniel Abraham
Geder Palliako: Geder is particularly scary because he's so believable. Most of the time he's a shy, awkward man thrust into a position he's nowhere near prepared for, but sometimes that lack of preparation and his own pettiness lead him to make bad choices. His intentions are generally good, or at least not evil in the sense of, say, Voldemort or Sauron, but his actions have terrible, devastating consequences.
Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews
John Drayton: I think the reason John Drayton is such a terrible villain is because he just thinks he's just doing what he has to do to survive. If it ruins people's lives and perpetuates the Weird's slave trade, that's unfortunate, but there's nothing John can do about it. I love Ilona Andrews for many reasons, and this is one of the main ones -- the attention they give to motivation and personality makes their characters seem so much more real.
Cold Days by Jim Butcher
Queen Mab: Mab isn't exactly the villain of the story, and she isn't even really bad...exactly. She's more a primal force than a person, but what we've seen of her layers upon layers of plans and manipulations are impressive enough to make anyone a little apprehensive.
Blackout by Mira Grant
The CDC: As the most trusted government organization in the country, no one would expect the CDC to be manipulating data and the Kellis-Amberlee virus itself. It sounds like your classic evil organization, but really the people involved are just doing what they think is necessary.
Pre-2012
An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire
Blind Michael: Most of the villains on this list are disturbing because they're so easy to understand, but there's something to be said for some good old fairy-tale, horror-movie scary. And that's Blind Michael. He's virtually all-powerful in his domain, he kidnaps children to use in his Hunt, and he's the stuff of nightmares.
The Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness
Mayor Prentiss: The thing about Mayor Prentiss is that even knowing that he's only interested in power, when he says he's trying to help, he's amazingly convincing. He ties Viola and Todd in knots trying to figure him out.
Of today's post options, villains was clearly the best. However, that does present a slight problem, as the identity of the villain often isn't revealed until later in a book, and even when you do know the villain fairly early, the reason they're a great one is often spoilery. So if that's the case, I'm just going to list the book info normally, and then, if you've read it, you can highlight below that to see more about the villain. That way nobody gets spoiled and everyone is happy. (Unless you have some kind of quota-fulfilling fetish, in which case, sorry, I only came up with six. Good villains are hard to find.)
2012
The King's Blood by Daniel Abraham
Geder Palliako: Geder is particularly scary because he's so believable. Most of the time he's a shy, awkward man thrust into a position he's nowhere near prepared for, but sometimes that lack of preparation and his own pettiness lead him to make bad choices. His intentions are generally good, or at least not evil in the sense of, say, Voldemort or Sauron, but his actions have terrible, devastating consequences.
Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews
John Drayton: I think the reason John Drayton is such a terrible villain is because he just thinks he's just doing what he has to do to survive. If it ruins people's lives and perpetuates the Weird's slave trade, that's unfortunate, but there's nothing John can do about it. I love Ilona Andrews for many reasons, and this is one of the main ones -- the attention they give to motivation and personality makes their characters seem so much more real.
Cold Days by Jim Butcher
Queen Mab: Mab isn't exactly the villain of the story, and she isn't even really bad...exactly. She's more a primal force than a person, but what we've seen of her layers upon layers of plans and manipulations are impressive enough to make anyone a little apprehensive.
Blackout by Mira Grant
The CDC: As the most trusted government organization in the country, no one would expect the CDC to be manipulating data and the Kellis-Amberlee virus itself. It sounds like your classic evil organization, but really the people involved are just doing what they think is necessary.
Pre-2012
An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire
Blind Michael: Most of the villains on this list are disturbing because they're so easy to understand, but there's something to be said for some good old fairy-tale, horror-movie scary. And that's Blind Michael. He's virtually all-powerful in his domain, he kidnaps children to use in his Hunt, and he's the stuff of nightmares.
The Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness
Mayor Prentiss: The thing about Mayor Prentiss is that even knowing that he's only interested in power, when he says he's trying to help, he's amazingly convincing. He ties Viola and Todd in knots trying to figure him out.
Dang! I haven't read those and villains is one of my fave book topics! Especially when there is a well built villain!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree about Steel's Edge's villain. I just.. it was one of the best books, and so satisfying in many, many ways, including the villains.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
Patricia
Great list! I can't wait to read Cold Days! I chose Villains today too.
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten is here if you'd like a look :)
I love a good villain =) I haven't read any of these books but from the way you described then I definitely think I should ^^
ReplyDeleteTop 10 Heroines of 2012
The Knife of Never Letting Go is on my tbr list, so I'm glad to know there's going to be a sneaky villain to keep my eye on.
ReplyDeleteI've recently started The Dresden Files, and am only on book three - I think, it's Grave Peril. Anyway, you have me looking forward to getting to Cold Days (eventually)!
ReplyDeleteHere's my list: http://proudbooknerd.com/2012/12/26/top-10-of-2012-best-adult-titles/