Top 5 Tuesday - Top 5… Fave Characters P-T

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme that explores different topics. Originally created by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm, it is now hosted by Meeghan at Meeghan Reads. For a list of September topics you can click here. To participate, link your post back to Meeghan's blog or leave a comment on her weekly post.

We are back for another Top 5 Tuesday. Continuing with this month's theme, we are looking at favorite literary characters. Sometimes it's easy for me, but sometimes I struggle. Let's see what this week looks like.

Top 5… Fave Characters P-T

The Amazing Spider-Man cover art by penciller Jack Kirby and inker Steve Ditko 

Peter Parker or Spider-Man joined the comic book world in 1962. Peter lived with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben after the death of his parents. He is bitten by a radioactive spider, which enhances his athletic abilities and allows him to cling to walls and ceilings. Peter then develops a gadget that allows him to shoot webbing. 

Unlike the typical superhero of the day, Peter is a teenager and self-centered. He refuses to stop a robbery, which would prove to be an error he would always regret, because that same criminal would later murder his Uncle Ben. As Spider-Man's first story closes, Peter reflects upon the horrible lesson he learned; a lesson that he would carry with him from that day forward. 

Panel from Spider-Man, Amazing Fantasy #15

Dr. Quinn, is such a cheater's way to approach this, but I'm really at a loss otherwise. Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman is a television series that aired from 1993 to 1998. Michaela Quinn is the daughter of a Bostonian physician, who answers an advertisement for a doctor to practice in Colorado Springs, CO. From the moment she arrives, she turns the town on its head, making enemies and friends along the way. The show became so popular, that a few tie-in books were written by two different authors. So, I guess it works.

Rue only appears in the first book of The Hunger Games series, but her impact lasted throughout the series. She is the youngest tribute in the 74th Hunger Games and from District 11. She finds Katniss trapped in a tree by the career tributes and points to a tracker jacker nest. Katniss cuts the tree branch and the nest falls on the career tributes, killing two of them. Rue cares for a sick Katniss, who was also stung by some tracker jackers. They become allies and make plans to destroy the careers' supplies. Unfortunately, Rue is killed after being trapped in a net set up by the careers. 

Determined to show the Capitol that Rue was more than just a part of their Games, she covers her body in flowers before bringing her fingers to her lips and raising her arm, a gesture signifying respect and admiration in Katniss' District 12. District 11 sends Katniss a loaf of bread as a sign of respect and appreciation. (In the movie, a riot breaks out after Rue's death.)

Katniss will mention Rue and their friendship more than once in future books, and it appears Rue's death propels Katniss in wanting to take revenge on the Capitol and make them pay for the dreadful Games where so many lives are lost.

Miss Stacy becomes Anne Shirley's teacher after Mr. Phillips leaves. She is Avonlea's first female teacher. Well liked and admired by her students, she employs more modern methods of teaching, which become popular with her students. Anne is immediately drawn to her and considers her an ally as Anne studies for her entrance exams at Queen's Academy.

It is possible, without Miss Stacy's influence, Marilla would have encouraged Anne to seek out a more traditional lifestyle for young women her age. Instead, she joins the class of scholars and, later in the series, goes on to teach at a private women's college.

We meet Mr. Tumnus in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. A male faun, he is the first Narnian Lucy Pevensie meets when she passes through the wardrobe into the land of Narnia. They become fast friends. 

When Mr. Tumnus invites Lucy to his home, he plans to lull her to sleep with his flute and bring her to the White Witch. He is, however, unable to go through with it and leads Lucy back to the wardrobe. Though Tumnus will pay the price for deceiving the White Witch, he takes the time to let Mr. Beaver know about Lucy and gives him the handkerchief Lucy originally gave to him so that she would know he is a friend. 

How do you like my list? Do we share any of the same favorites? What are some favorites I should add to my list?

Book Review: ONCE WE WERE KINGS by Ian Alexander

Be drawn into an epic battle of good versus evil in a world of shape-shifting spirits, deception, and powerful forces in ONCE WE WERE KINGS by Ian Alexander.

Render is a mistreated orphan from the Kingdom of Valdshire Tor. He escapes his life of slavery to seek his true identity and stumbles upon conspiracies.

Ahndien is the sole survivor of a heinous raid on her village in the Eastern Kingdom of Tian Kuo. She sets off in search of her father, who has been captured by Torian troops.

Both discover abilities they never knew existed. Neither realizes their destinies are entwined.

They meet as enemies, but soon discover they have been called to unite their kingdoms against a powerful enemy that threatens to destroy both realms.

I'm not a huge fan of fantasy novels, but I saw this book reviewed at Life in Review in May, and I knew I had to have a copy. Render and his brother Kaine are orphans who live as slaves for different masters; so Render feels alone much of the time. He wants to know more about their parents, but Kaine isn't too keen on sharing. These boys are plucked out of slavery and brought to the Citadel, where Render finds more than he bargained for: like preternatural powers that allow him to wield the destructive forces of nature.

Ahndien, is a peasant girl living with her family--father, mother, and younger brother. While she is in the woods, her peaceful village is attacked, killing everyone. This pivotal moment will change Ahndein's life forever. With the help of Lao-Ying, she discovers she can manipulate fire. They make haste to the Sojourners Council, but are hurt and angry by what they find. When Render comes along with his group--his cat, Greifer and Branson, the bratty son of Lord of Argon, Ahndien is quick to assume the worst of those who live in the opposing village.

The influence of C.S. Lewis is clear throughout ONCE WE WERE KINGS. As I was reading, I couldn't help but think of Narnia. Not that the stories are so similar, but there were moments as the plot unfolded that reminded me of the feel of these classic novels. Valhandra is like Lewis's Aslan. As I got to know Branson, he reminded me of the Pevensies' annoying cousin Eustace. Readers of the Bible will find passages that feel familiar as Valhandra speaks to Render.

My only tiny pet peeve in an otherwise perfect young adult fantasy novel, is the use of a third person omniscient point of view. Now, I'll admit, this is my personal pet peeve, so it's nothing to do with the book itself. This is a fast-paced, action-filled adventure story that will draw in older teens and adults alike. Using this point of view, however, pulls me out of the story when the narrator tells the reader something a character doesn't see or know.

I could easily see ONCE WE WERE KINGS on the silver screen. It's outstanding! Lovers of this genre won't want to miss this one.

Title: ONCE WE WERE KINGS
Author: Ian Alexander
Publisher: Dawn Treader Press
ASIN: B004URS18W
SRP:  $3.99

I received a mobi version of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide this review.