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The Smashing & Dashing 2018 Character Awards #BookTag (Time To Choose Favourites From Your Kids!)

by 38 Comments

Hey it’s nearly the end of the year! Time to choose favourites from our kids!

And by “kids” I clearly mean choosing-favourites-amongst-the-book-characters-we-love…who are basically our kids now, ok. In 2016 it was all “who’s your book boyfriend” and now it’s all “WHO IS YOUR SON AND WHO WILL YOU SMITE TO PROTECT THEM” and I love it.

But to the business at hand.

I always do a “Best Of The Year” post (closer to the end of December! I can still squeeze some more reads in!) but I never manage to mention enough books?! And characters??? I want to mention SO MANY and give all the recommendations. Hence, in 2016, I made up a random book tag called…

THE SMASHING & DASHING CHARACTER AWARDS

Which is about as enthusiastic and violent as you can expect from me. What can I say.

Anyway! Feel free to join in. Basically we’re just…

  • nominating characters to fit the categories
  • just has to be from books you READ in 2018 (doesn’t have to have been published this year!)
  • and link back to meeeee (or tell me you did the tag so I can come see your post!)
  • also if you are reading this and eating a christmas cookie….share?

1. MOST RELATABLE CHARACTER

Look for me, it’s a toss up between Mark Blackthorn (from Lady Midnight) who has a lot of dramatic emotions and 10/10 would throw himself down the stairs to make a point if given the opportunity. (Every time Julian says “please chill out”, Mark just replies very calmly, “I am a fAERIE we are just this way.”) Plus I thoroughly headcanon Mark is also autistic and I cannot be convinced otherwise.

AND I also should pick a new character I just this year sooo…I also adored Alice from Furthermore! She loved shiny pretty things and if anyone startled her, she kicked them. She also could hold like grudges for YEARS and, I have respect.

 

2. MOST PURE ANIMAL COMPANION

Aww Leo’s dog in Satellite was ADORABLE and so pure (AND DIDN’T DIE) and it broke me how much Leo absolutely adored that dog and wanted him so much ajfkdslad.

3. FIERCEST FIGHTER

I only just read The Last Namsara (I knoooow, I am very late) but holy wow Asha was terrifying, stabby, majestic with multiple weapons at multiple times, and basically, if she stabbed you, you’d thank her.

Also WE STAN a dragon hunter who turns into a dragon lover.

 

4. AM SURPRISED THAT I LOVED YOU??

Look I confess I do read a lot of books I “might not like”, which seems bizarre at first (I am risking wasting time?!) buuut what if I just…really want…to read absolutely everything. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I wasn’t sure I’d like Pacifica because I hadn’t liked the author’s previous books, buuuut THIS WAS AMAZING. It’s dystopian and basically has stabby girl trash pirate, the best boy-friendship duo ever (would dIE FOR EACH OTHER platonically) and characters who make and break your heart.

 

5. BEST SASSMASTER

  • Stalking Jack The Ripper — Thomas Cresswell cannot open his mouth without making a quip
  • Bring Me Their Hearts — Zera was so very sassy. She’s under a lot of stress (she’s kind of an undead witch’s slave?!) and she copes by making fun of everything. Relatable content.
  • To Kill A Kingdom — like no one could even help themselves here. Elian and Lira were just in a constant battle of who could be more pithy, aND WE SHIP THIS.

6. BEST ANTI-HERO

EVERYONE IN THE CRUEL PRINCE. Jude and Cardan were so backstabby and the entire fey court was terrifying. I am living for murder-faeries. (Just not, um, living if I am too close to them?? I would die in their world.) But I crave books were the girls are Slytherin and vicious. So this pleases me wondrously.

 

7. THE BEST FRIENDS OF ALL

I always mention The Raven Cycle or my Shadowhunters for this, soooo…accept that they are life goals. And let’s also nominate the squad in The Lady’s Guide To Petticoats And Piracy. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Plus they are an epic girls squad, where Felicity likes to cut up dead things, Joanna is a super fan of animals and will cuddle a dragon, and Sim would stab you and then protec you and how could you not love her ajdfsladklj.

 

 

8. BEST VILLAIN TO HATE

Can we just point to the Demon King from Girls Of Paper And Fire and LOATHE HIM. He’s a despicable rapist, conqueror, and entitled monster. Usually books like this give the villainous men a redemption arc, but NO THE GIRL ACTUALLY GETS SOMEONE GOOD AND DESERVING. Lei and Wren forever ajfdskald, these brilliant girls.

 

9. AWARD FOR THE BEST VS WORST YA PARENTS

BEST ➸ What If It’s Us was super super cute and had also some super annoying issues (for me, anyway) bUT can we point out that it had two sets of supportive and loving parents?!? They were 100% here for their queer sons and it was so heartwarming.

WORST ➸ It is like the absolute opposite of the above in It Looks Like This…parents who are cruel and close-minded and drive their queer kids to terrible heartbreaking things. This was such a hard book to read. (Also pointing out it’s #ownvoices and very important,,,crying)

 

10. SHIP OF ALL SHIPS IN 2018

  • Lei x Wren = Girls of Paper And Fire
  • Mark x Kieren = Lady Midnight/Lord of Shadows (shhh)
  • Tella x Dante = Legendary
  • Sarai x Lazlo = Muse of Nightmares
  • August x Jack = The Wicker King
  • Ronan x Adam = (I read the Opal novella and aww)
  • Andrew x Neil = The Foxhole Court

 

11. MOST PRECIOUS MUST BE PROTECTED

Look I don’t know if I can honestly nominate my own characters without being very very narcissistic. BUT I struggle with the fact it’s ok to flail over your characters when they’re unpublished…so like??? Can I pls still flail? I am still a blogger.

Also Beck, Joey and August need to be protected fROM ME but whatever. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Beck is so Soft™ and just doing his best and is so grumpy until he is fed cake.

 

 

12. HONESTLY SURPRISED YOU’RE STILL ALIVE

Dude I am just putting forth everyone in The Foxhole Court series. Because for Neil, my main question is: HOW. And for Andrew, the fact he hasn’t exploded a national monument with himself standing on top is an actual wonder.

Reasons Neil Might Die = 20% because of ticking of mobsters, 8000% because he got stabbed by the enemy and then Andrew stabbed him again for getting stabbed in the first place.

(LOOK I SWEAR THIS SERIES IS AMAZING. JUST GO WITH IT. OUR FAV PROBLEMATIC DISASTER SONS.)

 

 

13. AWARD FOR MAKING THE WORST DECISIONS

Boomerang was just one long list of bad decisions, with Sean and Trip just needing to pause for a moment. But did they? No. I love them so so much bUT BOYS….THINK ABOUT THIS.

Also Todd from The Knife of Never Letting Go series? (Which I finally finished this year! BEST trilogy. Ruined me.) He is a prime example of someone who is Doing His Best and yet the worst happens.

 

14. MOST IN NEED OF A NAP

Absolutely going to say Jack and August from The Wicker King. I LOVE THIS BOOK. I deeply deeply love this book. I’ve read it twice this year and it just took my heart and…you know, smashed it. But also healed it. Books about being broken and healing are incredibly special. And afjdsladjk they were both so so tired by the end. They need to just take a long nap together, thanks.

 

15. WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT YOU

Absolutely nominating the squad from the Strange The Dreamer duology. I am absolutely starry-eyed and in love with these two books. Best of all ,it finished, but left the world WIDE OPEN. I can see infinite possibilities for more stories and I want them all!! (Especially I want a story about Nero and Calixte and their queer squad.)

A DUOLOGY WASN’T ENOUGH.

 

…the questions if you want them…!

1. Most Relatable Character
2. Most Pure Animal Companion
3. Fiercest Fighter
4. Am Surprised That I Loved You??
5. Best Sassmaster
6. Best Antihero
7. The Best Friends Of All
8. Best Villain To HATE
9. Award For Best vs Worst YA Parents
10. Ship Of All Ships In 2018
11. Most Precious Must Be Protected
12. Honestly Surprised You’re Still Alive
13. Award For Making The Worst Decisions
14. Most In Need Of A Nap
15. Want To Read More About You

do you always struggle to talk about your favourite books enough at the end of the year?? tell me (1) a character/book you’re surprised you loved, and (2) a character you would totally protect

and if you want to do the tag, go ahead!!

The Smashing & Dashing 2016 Character Awards #BookTag (Which I Made Up Just Now)

by 142 Comments

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You know what the end of 2016 means, don’t you?

MORE CAKE!!!!!

Wait. Excuse me. My fingers slipped and I don’t know who’s talking about cake when clearly what I meant to type is it’s award time! Everywhere I turn in the blogosphere we’re doing yearly-recaps-posts and looking-back-at-our-favourite-books posts and gorgeous-covers-to-slay-your-eyeballs posts and IT’S FANTASTIC. And by “fantastic” I mean, “fantastically painful” because I’m supposed to remember what I read this year when I don’t even remember what I ate for dinner last night. *

So why don’t I torture myself further! And do a spontaneous Smashing & Dashing Characters of 2016 Awards tag. And I’m saying “tag” which means you can steal this if you want or just ignore me while I party randomly on my own. **

And WHO KNOWS. Someone else might be hosting a tag like this! I HAVE NO CLUE! This is just some random tag-time fun for me because it’s the end of the year and I’ve decided not to blog responsibly anymore when I can just shout randomly and throw pretty bookstagram photos at you. ***

 

Here’s How The #BookTag Works:

  • There are a bunch of random award sections for different characters in books I’ve read in 2016.
  • The books don’t have to just be published in 2016 however. BECAUSE TOO MANY RULES IS BAD FOR MY DIGESTION.
  • I shall answer them and if you want to answer them on your own blogs GO FOR IT.
  • But credit me because I’m precious.
  • Also please wear a Santa hat and sing the Aussie Jingle Bells which is something about a rusty Holden ute and I just want to see the Americans looking at each other confusedly and saying “BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN????” because I’m evil and Australian and easily amused.

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* I’m such a rotten liar! I  totally remember! I ate…omg. Let me go ask my mum because I have no idea???? Wait it was fried chicken. And I had a small vegetable too because I’m an adult.
** Why yes I am #FABULOUS and also strange.
***”But when do you ever blog responsibly, Cait?” you ask. And yes. I see your point. Mostly never. No wait, I did once this year, I think, briefly. You might’ve missed it if you blinked.

 

 

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1. MOST RELATABLE CHARACTER

I re-read Illuminae this year and I still marvellously relate to AIDAN. Yes. I am talking about the genius psychotic robotic computer system. We all have our persnality faults. But he tries so hard to relate to people (and fails) and he’s a know-it-all and suffers from short-term-memory-less and is sassy at times, and well, that’s just me.

I also hugely related to the adorable anxious wrecks in The Lost & Found. As an adorable anxious wreck myself — I SHOUT THAT THIS WAS WELL WRITTEN.

 

 

2. MOST PURE AND PRECIOUS ANIMAL COMPANION

Even though I’m still bitter about the novel of Pax overall…I ABSOLUTELY ADORED PAX THE LITTLE TAME FOX!! Yet he’s slightly outdone by the enormous glory that is Mister Kindly the talking cat made of shadows from Nevernight who is so sassy I’ve given my own dog the book so he can read and educate himself.

 

 

3. FIERCEST FIGHTER

Let’s just yell LADA from And I Darken and be done with it. That woman would stab you in the face with a butter knife and then go back to eating her scones. If she had scones. Which she didn’t because THAT’S THE WRONG ERA, CAIT.

But you get my drift.

Don’t eat breakfast with Lada.

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4. MOST AMAZING SIDEKICK

Can we pause a moment for Sevro from the Red Rising trilogy who is not only (A) sassy, and (B) a dessert enthusiast, but (C) absolutely freaktastically scary?? Love him.

“You! Troll!” Sevro shouts. “I’m a terrorist warlord! Stop throwing me. You made me drop my candy!” Sevro looks at the floor of the hallway. “Wait. Where is it? Dammit, Ragnar. Where is my peanut bar? You know how many people I had to kill to get that? Six! Six!”

Also it’s possible that Sevro is me when it comes to delicious snacks.

 

 

5. ONE YOU’RE SURPRISED YOU LOVED

So I accidentally severely liked Blackhearts?? And I say “accidentally” because this is a pirate book THAT IS NOT A PIRATE BOOK and that’s the most disappointing thing in the world. * BUT YET I JUST KIND OF LIKED THE STORY. And I have high hopes that Teach will turn into a dastardly villain soon. Go, my son and future Blackbeard. Be evil. I believe in you.

 

* Second only to the disappointment of those delicious soaps that are carved and prettified to look like cakes but are actually genuinely soap and taste gross. Not that I would ever lick one, obviously.

 

 

6. BEST SASSMASTER

This is slightly cheating because I’m only halfway through but….THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA, PEOPLES. JUST GO READ IT AND THANK ME. It’s about thieves who spend 5% of their time stealing things and 95% of the time being sassy little hellions and admiring their own wit.

Also honourable mention to the sass levels of:

 

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7. BEST ANTI-HERO AND MORALLY GREY GRAPE

This Savage Song is full of very very stabby monsters who will probably eat your soul while they play beautiful music — SO OBVIOUSLY I LOVE THEM.

And I would be a deluded grape if I didn’t mention 100% of the cast in Crooked Kingdom who are all AWFUL AND WOULD STEAL YOUR SOCKS WHILE YOU SLEPT but are also my favourites.

“Where do you think the money went?” he repeated.
“Guns?” asked Jesper.
“Ships?” queried Inej.
“Bombs?” suggested Wylan.
“Political bribes?” offered Nina. They all looked at Matthias. “This is where you tell us how awful we are,” she whispered.

 

 

8. BEST WORST VILLAIN TO HATE

I’m going to say Captain James Hook out of Never Never who is truly THE WORST AND MOST DISAPPOINTING VILLAIN EVER and spends at least 87% of the book crying and then expecting me to believe he’s evil. Like, no child. Could you even stab someone with a spork? You’re pathetic. You shame the pirate name.

 

 

9. TRULY ASTOUNDING WORST YA PARENTS 

  • My Sister Rosa — Like someone award these parents for having a sociopathic child and NOT CARING AT ALL EVER AND LETTING HER DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS HAHA IF SHE KILLS SOMEONE IT’LL BE FINE.
  • The Raven Boys — to dear Adam Parish’s father….WELL I HOPE YOU FALL ON A TURNIP AND HIT YOUR HEAD, SIR, GOOD DAY YOU EVIL FIEND.
  • And I Darken — oh the dad just SOLD HIS KIDS to potential death. No biggie.

 

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10. TRULY ASTOUNDING BEST YA PARENTS

  • Crooked Kingdom — Jesper’s dad was just about the sweetest thing ever.
  • The Upside of Unrequited — I’M CHEATING BECAUSE THIS IS A 2017 RELEASE BUT. Molly’s two mums are the nicest.
  • The Serpent King — Lydia’s parents were like NICE and it was so shocking I nearly FELL OFF MY SEAT.

 

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11. TOOT TOOT BEST SHIP OF THEM ALL

IT’S TOO HARD. PYNCH?? BLUESY?? NINA + MATTHIAS??? NABRIEL??? KESTREL + ARIN???

ME + MY BOOKSHELF????

 

 

12. THE MOST IN NEED OF PROTECTION

I shall say literally everyone in The Serpent King, because they are sad and precious little sardines who need better lives even if I must kidnap them from the author to give them this. (Great book, by the way. READ IT IMMEDIATELY. IT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITES OF THE YEAR.)

Also second place will go to Colton and Danny of Timekeeper for they are entirely precious. And since we’re dishing out multiple places — WHAT THE HECK — I’ll also squish in Henry and Rachel from Words In Deep Blue (hurrah #LoveOzYA) because they are damaged souls but love books. Clearly the best.

 

 

13. MOST BORING AS A BARNACLE

I shall kindly nominate Truthwitch with its cast of special snowflakes and promised “strong female friendships” which equated to the two females NEVER EVEN BEING IN THE SAME ROOM. Who’s napping? Not me, surely.

 

 

14. BEST LITTLE ROYAL

Oh dear little ELLI from The Impostor Queen who is the worst magical queen ever. Because she’s not magical.

Also Em from Ruined who is again the worst magical queen ever because she’s not magical.

There’s something with the E names???? Avoid if you want to be magical.

 

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15. VERY SURPRISED YOU’RE STILL ALIVE

The entire cast of The Emperor’s Blade should be dead. Honestly now. I mean, many of them did die. But seriously…there was probably only about 3 chapters altogether where someone wasn’t being nearly murdered.

I like this book.

 

 

16. BEST AT HORRIBLE DECISION MAKING

Both Jack and Libby from Holding Up The Universe. Just like…both of you, I love you but: no stahp this and think for a minute.

 

 

17. CUTEST DORK

MAGNUS DORKY CHASE. But I shall also nominate Lara Jean from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before because she likes sewing and baking and cute clothes and is just all around THE CUTEST DORK.

 

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18. CLEVEREST LITTLE HELLION

  • Kaz from Crooked Kingdom…like if I mention him one more time you’re liable to hit me with a small shovel. BUT WHAT CAN I SAY EXCEPT HI MY NAME IS OBSESSED-WITH-THE-DREGS AND I HAVE NO REGRETS IN OBSESSING OVER THIS SERIES.
  • Kvothe from The Name of the Wind. So smart he got a magical university to pay him to enter instead of the other way around.
  • AIDAN from Illuminae who has the brain the size of a continent and is definitely clever and also uses this brain to (A) wipe out thousands of lives, and (B) make word art photos of Kady because #crush.

 

 

19. MOST IN NEED OF A NAP

Me.

HAHAHHAAH JUST KIDDING. I’M NOT A FICTIONAL CHARACTER! (Or am I…)

I will actually say most characters need a good long nap? Because seriously how do you even go on full-speed for months and months without naps??? Or snacks for that matter??

But let’s nominate:

 

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20. WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT YOU

RONAN LYNCH AND HOPEFULLY MY PRAYERS WILL BE ANSWERED IF MAGGIE STIEFVATER PUBLISHES THE RONAN TRILOGY.

I also want more Sean and Puck from The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater.

And I wouldn’t say no to like finding out the actual END of the Lament and Ballad series by Maggie Stiefvater —

Wait. What do you mean I’m obsessed with Stiefvater books? FIRSTLY HOW CAN YOU TELL? SECONDLY, DON’T BE RIDICULOUS. I am nothing if not subtle.

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ME BEING SUBTLE IN MY LOVE FOR STIEFVATER BOOKS.

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And yet I still feel like I missed out on mentioning some favourite characters!

Probably because I was trying to answer every question with “KAZ” which I don’t regret but does explain some things. Either way — I wish to flail with you now over our favourite thing of ever WHICH IS FICTIONAL CHARACTERS, BLESS THEIR DEVIOUS FAKE LIVES. And I’m really monstrously pleased I’ve read some exceptionally epic books this year! 2016 has been rough for us all, I think, BUT AT LEAST WE HAVE OUR FICTIONAL BESTIES TO SEE US THROUGH.

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#TAG QUESTIONS IN CASE YOU WANT TO STEAL THEM:

1. MOST RELATABLE CHARACTER
2. MOST PURE AND PRECIOUS ANIMAL COMPANION
3. FIERCEST FIGHTER
4. MOST AMAZING SIDEKICK
5. ONE YOU’RE SURPRISED YOU LOVED
6. BEST SASSMASTER
7. BEST ANTI-HERO AND MORALLY GREY GRAPE
8. BEST WORST VILLAIN TO HATE
9. TRULY ASTOUNDING WORST YA PARENTS
10. TRULY ASTOUNDING BEST YA PARENTS
11. TOOT TOOT BEST SHIP OF THEM ALL
12. THE MOST IN NEED OF PROTECTION
13. MOST BORING AS A BARNACLE
14. BEST LITTLE ROYAL
15. VERY SURPRISED YOU’RE STILL ALIVE
16. BEST AT HORRIBLE DECISION MAKING
17. CUTEST DORK
18. CLEVEREST LITTLE HELLION
19. MOST IN NEED OF A NAP
20. WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT YOU

 

CHAT

so! time for you to give a few awards in the comments below! nominate your (A) most relatable character, and (B) most in need of a nap character!! BECAUSE I NEED KNOW. and obviously tell me what you think of my picks. and also steal the tag if you wish!! AND LET US FLAIL!