Fantasy has always been my genre of choice because of its sweeping scale and the idea that magic lurks around every unexplored corner of the world. Because most adventures are epic, it’s usually populated with robust characters, ones that feel special in a book or film where even the world is a character. And the romances are usually a slow burn, lasting over countless pages (or minutes) and miles of landscape. You get a chance to see these characters fall for each other as they struggle to survive and by the end of it, I’ve fallen for them too.
Here are my top 5 crushes from fantasy books and movies in no particular order.
- The Darkling from The Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo- I’m not usually into the bad guy. I know some folks love them but I always root for the hero. Except in this book. The Darkling was one of the most charismatic and tempting baddies I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting in a fantasy novel and I was captivated. The moment he was on the page, I couldn’t stop reading about his darkly enigmatic presence and found myself skimming through the book for when he was going to show up next.
- Logan from DEFIANCE by CJ Redwine- There’s nothing sexy on a guy than his brain and Logan has this is spades. I’d really liked his relationship with Rachel, how it felt like they had a past before even opening the book but what made me realize how much I liked Logan was when he showed his resourcefulness after getting captured. There are few times as a reader when I can’t see a way out situations characters find themselves into but when Logan was trapped in a cell and used nothing but the meager amount of things on him to get out, I was swooning. Smart guys will always be sexy.
- Valek from The Study series by Maria V Snyder- Valek was one of my first experiences meeting the rogue archetype and boy, did he sweep me off of my feet. His knowledge of poison, strategy and espionage made him sizzle off the page. Couple this with the fact that he trusted Yelena enough to discover things on her own and later in the series, he relied on her, made him a must for this list. Valek and his sharp mind and shoulder length black hair more than earned his place in my heart.
- Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter by JK Rowling- I considered putting the boy hero himself on this list but it wouldn’t have felt right. As much as I love Harry, he wasn’t the one I fell in love with. Neville started out as this scared, clumsy kid that everyone disregarded but through the books, he grew up into the boy that almost was Harry, the one who could have just as easily been the Boy Who Lived if things had gone differently. He found himself and with it, he found his courage and he’ll always be my favorite for that!
- Westley from THE PRINCESS BRIDE– I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never read the novel based off the movie but it couldn’t stop me from adding the Dread Pirate Roberts in here. Westley is who started my love for fantasy. I had no idea when my cousin told me we were going to watch a VHS from the library that I was going to be transported into a world that was beautiful, funny and full of adventure. I love how Westley uses his brains, his wit and his undying love for the woman he adores to get him through any situation. Plus, that little bit of arrogance always leaves me swooning.
There are so many other amazing characters I had to leave off this list that have charmed me with their bravery and knowledge. I hope that once you get your hands on GARDEN OF THORNS, you might consider Rayce for your list. He’s definitely on mine but I’m biased!
Who are your fantasy crushes?
GARDEN OF THORNS by Amber Mitchell
After seven grueling years of captivity in the Garden—a burlesque troupe of slave girls—sixteen-year-old Rose finds an opportunity to escape during a performance for the emperor. But the hostage she randomly chose from the crowd to aid her isn’t one of the emperor’s men—not anymore. He’s the former heir to the throne, who is now leading a rebellion against it.
Rayce is a wanted man and dangerously charismatic, the worst person for Rose to get involved with, no matter what his smile promises. But he assumes Rose’s attempt to take him hostage is part of a plot to crush the rebellion, so he takes her ashis hostage. Now Rose must prove where her loyalties lie, and she offers Rayce a deal—if he helps her rescue the other girls, she’ll tell him all the Garden’s secrets.
Except the one secret she’s kept for seven years that she’ll to take to her grave if she must.
Young Adult Contemporary | Young Adult [Entangled, On Sale: March 6, 2017, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781682814444 / eISBN: 9781633758483]
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About Amber Mitchell
Amber Mitchell graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in Creative Writing. She likes crazy hair styles, reading, D&D, k-dramas, good puns and great food.
When she isn’t putting words on paper, she is using cardstock to craft 3D artwork or exploring new places with her husband Brian. They live a small town in Florida with their four cats where she is still waiting for a madman in a blue box to show up on her doorstep.
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