I’m one of those innately greedy readers who get obsessed with a character or series and therefore can be found shrieking, “BUT I WANT TO KNOW MORE. I WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING.” Which leads me to daydream and compose wishlists of prequel books I would like. I want to know the childhoods of the heroes and villains! I want to know what made them who they are!
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF KID THEY WERE. *
Ergo, I present to you this list of childhood prequel novels I need.
I also fully confess to the gargantuan amount of villains listed here…but pfft. Villainy is the best very interesting. No one wakes up one day and randomly says to their cornflakes, “Hey I want to split my soul into 7 pieces and lose my nose”. ** So what exactly is the thought process behind their motivations? VILLAINS ARE SO INTERESTING, YES?!
I’m linking up with Top Ten Tuesday for their prompt “coming of age stories for adult characters you love“ and there are a lot of photos this week. BUT I HAVE NO REGRETS.
* This is very important after all. Your childhood can tell you a LOT about a person. For instance, my sister and I used to reenact the Roman Colosseum games on our trampoline. We called it “lion tamer” which was rubbish because we pretend to KILL EACH OTHER. We had a normal, healthy childhood I’m sure. Look at me now, after all.
** VOLDEMORT REFERENCE OF COURSE.
1. MARCUS ~ HALF BAD TRILOGY
99% of the reason I’m mentioning this is because I HAVE A LOT OF HALF BAD FEELS RIGHT NOW. This trilogy is incredible. You see that moaning heart-bleeding puddle on the floor? YEAH THAT’S ME AFTER THE FINALE. I’m okay. I’ll be fine. #lies
BUT MOVING FORWARD! Nathan’s father, Marcus, is arguably the most evil black witch of ever. SO THEY SAY. I would love his origin story. Especially since he fraternised with the enemy of witch witches — ergo Nathan, half blood, exists. More details on Marcus childhood/teenagerdom please.
2. WARNER ~ SHATTER ME SERIES
I honestly don’t remember this story enough. NOT ENOUGH. I want to reread the entire trilogy and drown in Warner feels again. Ahem. Least to say anti-hero’s tortured childhood pasts = yes I would like to read it.
WHAT BOOKWORM WANTS SANITY ANYWAY???
3. KAZ ~ SIX OF CROWS
We did get a little of Kaz’s past, but NOT ENOUGH. This dude is a mastermind and I still don’t really understand why he wears gloves all the time. I want answers. Basically I just want more books about Kaz. Infinite books about his dastardly deeds.
4. MORPHEUS ~ SPLINTERED TRILOGY
While we get the tiniest sandwich of a glimpse at his childhood in Untamed — it ain’t enough. I want Morpheus’ story from the beginning. FROM CATERPILLAR DAYS. I want to know exactly when he started being so sassily fabulous.
(He was probably born that way, to be honest.)
(Similar to me.)
5. ANY TARGARYEN EVER ~ GAME OF THRONES
“But, Cait,” you say, “weren’t all the Targeryen’s insane and mad?”
“WHY YES,” I reply, “YES OF COURSE. HENCE I WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT THEM.”
Particularly since they had fabulous hair and also pet dragons that ate castles. Dragons and fabulous hair are actually 94% of the reason I like this series. SO. More childhood stories, yes please and thankyou.

I’M AWARE JON SNOW ISN’T A TARGARYN. (OR IS HE?) BUT FABULOUS HAIR ANYWAY.
(The unfortunate thing about Game of Thrones is that the world is SO COMPLEX AND HUGE that I would literally trade my cake [which is a big deal] for backstories on SO MANY CHARACTERS. Brienne for starters. Jaime and Cersei. Ned Stark & Co. The Hound even. And will we get these stories? NOPE. BECAUSE GRRM WRITES LIKE THE SLOWEST FISH IN A JAR OF PEANUT BUTTER.)
(Also no I’m not watching Season 6. I’m stupidly waiting for the book…)
6. COUNT OLAF ~ A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
As a kid I loathed him. As a pretend-adult, I want to know mooooore. Count Olaf is probably one of the most MYSTERIOUS characters in the series. Because he’s so evil and ruthless — AND THEN THERE WAS THAT THING WITH GENTLY RESCUING THE PREGNANT KIT SNICKET??? AND I HAVE FAN THEORIES OKAY?!?? What on earth made Count Olaf turn out like he did? What was his childhood like?
I BET HE’S NOT EVEN A COUNT.
7. KHALID ~ THE WRATH AND THE DAWN
Because anyone who has evil curses lurking around them needs a childhood backstory prequel. Or it’s possible I just want more books in this series because — I DIDN’T REALISE IT WAS ONLY A DUOLOGY. Weep with me, fiends. I wanted only 9 million books in this series.
I’VE BEEN ROBBED.
(Also my copy of The Rose & The Dagger has just been shipped! CUE SHRIEKS.)
8. HAYMITCH ~ THE HUNGER GAMES
Haymitch was 16 when he won the Hunger Games. According to this article, Haymitch has soooo much backstory — so can I just ask for it to be a book?! Please and thankyou?! PRESIDENT SNOW KILLED HIS FAMILY BECAUSE HE WON THE GAMES SNEAKILY. Plus he had an alliance with the girl from his district and apparently held her while she died? I feel Little!Haymitch’s pain from just a few paragraphs on a wiki article. WHAT WOULD A WHOLE BOOK BE LIKE???
9. THE WINCHESTER BROTHERS ~ SUPERNATURAL
This is 100% cheating. I REALISE. Although, to be fair, Supernatural does have a few books spun-off the TV show, right?! But I have 398398 pieces of feels from just catching up with Season 11 AND I NEED TO LET YOU KNOW I AM FEELING ALL THESE THINGS. (This show is my favourite, btw; in case it’s hard to tell.) We do get backflashes about Little!Dean and Little!Sam and their Horrible!Father. But more more more. I want to know more about how Dean raised his little brother and exactly how events unfolded to have Sam run away from the Hunting life.
Plus = fabulous hair again.
10. GANSEY ~ THE RAVEN CYCLE
My copy of The Raven King fiiiiiinally arrived. What have I been doing? ONLY REREADING PASSAGES AND PETTING IT. Also sniffling softly to myself. (A phrase here which means “Howling loudly at anyone who will listen”.) Ahem. IT’S BEAUTIFUL. Coincidentally you can read my review on Goodreads if you wish it.
Now, Gansey. Ahhhhh, Gansey. I still think we have TOO MANY MISSING YEARS of dear King Gansey. Particularly all those years he roamed the entire world and how did his parents let him do that??? All that time in England? When he just up and abandoned Mallory? What about how he met Ronan? They are like BROTHERS. But what started that?
BASICALLY I JUST WANT MORE.
Which, also coincidentally, is exactly what Maggie Stiefvater said she wanted her readers to feel. Darn her evil plans.
OKAY NOW I WISH TO HEAR FROM YOU, MORTALS. what characters do you wish had childhood-prequel-stories? do you agree with any of mine? aaaand is it just me or are the villains the most intriguing ones? (link me to your TTT posts too!)
I definitely want more Warner… even though I still haven’t let myself read Ignite Me yet. That’s probably the problem?
BUT CAN WE JUST TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH I WANT MORE THG BOOKS? Particularly Haymitch and Finnick and Annie and Mags’s games? I need to see/read them! Like yesterday. And even Effie’s childhood. Please. Just more THG!
WAHHHHHH. You need to read Ignite Me! IT IS AMAZING AND FEELSY AND PERFECT. And I honeslty have been absolutely struck with the need to reread that series. *adds it to endless TBR pile*
And omg can we talk about how BIG Suzanne Collins world is?!? And like literally EVERY character would make an interesting story on their own?!??!?!? BECAUSE I WANT HER TO WRITE MORE OMG. *cries with need* Also Johanna. I WANT TO KNOW JOHANNA’S BACKSTORY SO SO BAD.
AHHHH! I KNOW! I’m feeling a whole series reread too? So I can read the series as a whole?? And I’ve heard nothing but good things about it… so it has to be good, right? I don’t know what I’m waiting for!
IT”S SO INCREDIBLE. Why DON”T we talk about it more!?! And umm yes. How could I have forgotten about Johanna and her game?? Need. Now.
I often find that ‘taster’ backstories are not enough. I ALWAYS want more. Yes to everyone on your list (except the Winchester brothers whom I’m yet to be aquainted with). I want to know more about The Disreputable Dog from Lirael. (you should read it. You’ll feel the same way. Please Cait read Sabriel it is everything.) Villains are really interesting because why did they do that terrible stuff. I just finished Lady Midnight and I want to know more.
Omg I will I will! I promise Sabriel is on my list for this year at least!! 😂 I need to see if my library has an audio because I’m like 99% sure I’ll really like it on audio. Ahhhhem. AND YES. Lady Midnight is ripe with room for backstory-wanting. Although we do get a far bit in City of Heavenly Fire which is nice, at least. :’)
I WANT MAGNUS BANE BACKSTORY. I know there are novellas but…MORE.
HAYMITCH IS ON MY LIST TOOOOOOOOOO OMG. i haven’t read the rest of the books (still waiting to get my hands on TRK) but DAMN I LOVE YOUR LIST. and pretty photos. and A++++ usage of gifs.
I have nothing to add, Cait. nothing at all.
Awwww, you are so so nice. FLAIL WITH ME, ARA, AND LEt’S EAT CAKE TOGETHER.
CAKE YAY OK!
So much yes for more Targaryen goodness, especially the fabulous hair. Minus the incest bits. I have something of a man crush on Rhaegar since the first time I read about him. A bookworm,ahem, bookdragon as kid. A warrior as a teenager. He also sings songs at the ruins while playing on his harp. By all accounts, he was honorable and valiant, nothing like this father. Sometimes I wish someone would just resurrect Rhaegar and put him on the Iron Throne. The gods know he deserved it. Then again, there’s always R+L=J. Anyway, in closing, I NEED a Rhaegar Targaryen prequel!
Omg yes. Let’s resurrect Rhaegar. Although he might turn out a bit weird after being resurrected — BUT WESTEROS TURNS EVERYONE WEIRD SO HE WOULDN’T BE ALONE IN THAT. Ahem. 😂
OMG, you’re right. Won’t want a weird Rhaegar. I guess the closest thing to him would be Young Griff, though I have doubts about him. I’ll have to keep hoping R+L=J is true then.
Haymitch!!! If Effie would make an appearance, I would scream, because I love them. I wanted to know more about Haymitch since I’ve read THG. And Finnick. So much love for Finnick and Annie.
We need a Haymitch/Effie novel TOO. WHERE THEY MARRY AND RAISE CHILDREN. *ships quietly in the background* I would definitely like a Finnick-backstory too…CUE SOBBING.
I absolutely agree on Haymitch but MY GOD A PREQUEL ABOUT WARNER, I’D SELL MY SOUL TO THE DEVIL TO HAVE THAT IN MY HANDS
SOMEONE GET US A PETITION TO SIGN FOR A WARNER CHILDHOOD BOOK, YES PLEASE AND THANKYOU.
I’ve never even thought about this question! Haymitch would be really interesting, and maybe Snow as well? IDK. HALP ME. Funny thing is, I don’t really read books were the main character would necessarily have interesting backstories – most of what happens to them is in the novel! WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT IGOTIT. Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean like we kind of know… BUT I WANT MORE MORE BECAUSE I AM A GREEDY PINEAPPLE AND I JUST STOLE EVERYONE’S CAKE. ALL CRY.
YES. YES TO SNOW TOO. 😂 I nearly put him on, but then I refused to myself because I HATE HIM. But omg I’m actually really curious. Like how on EARTH did he turn out so so very evil?! And omg too true about the main-character-not-usually-needing-childhood-books…that’s probably why 90% of my list is for secondary characters. 😂
*scrolls, scrolls, scrolls* WHERE IS THE GANGSEY? *scrolls some more* AH, THERE!
(not that I would think you wouldn’t mention at least one of them but I got a little nervous :P)
I would prefer a Ronan book though. And a Noah book, I need a skateboard-driving-super-happy-childish-Noah book! I really like Gansey but he is my least favorite of the Gangsey XD
Haymitch reminds me that it has been ages since I read those books. It’s about time to re-read. And watch the last movie >.<
Omg YOU MUST TRUST ME NOW. I will always mention a Stievater book. 😂 ALWAYS. (No no I’m not obsessed why do you ask…)
A NOAH BOOK YES. Because I want to know what pre-ghost-Noah was like…and Ronan. OF COURSE RONAN. Like any kid that can dream up humans at three freaking years old needs a childhood book.
*whispers* I haven’t seen the last Mockingjay movie either. If I live in denial then certain characters don’t die, right? RIGHT?!
I will forever refer to myself as a ‘pretend adult’ from now on. I have to agree with you Count Olaf though. I just need to know what the hell happened to him to make him that messed up and creepy. On the other hand, I totally want to know what happened to my little Baudelaire babies after the series ended. Are they less unfortunate now? Also, Gansey. YESSSSS.
Pretend adulting FTW I say.
I also need more answers about ALL the Snicket books. ALL. *nods* He seems to always open up 10 new questions for the 1 he answers. IT’S DRIVING ME CRAZY. I’LL NEVER GET OVER MY CHILDHOOD LOVE OF THOSE BOOKS.
I think you forgot Kell #ADSOMFEELS
Can I say I agree with 99% of the books/tv shows on this list? Even though I haven’t watched/read GoT and I’ve watched a few random episodes of Supernatural?
OMG, Gansey yes. We do need to know more about him? Also, Ronan. I love him so much I need to know more about him! Raven King looks so gorgeous, btw :’)
Khalid? Maybe? I’m perfectly fine with it. And more Marcus. And more Count Olaf (I have only read the seventh book what am I even saying) And more Sherlock and Mycroft (watching Little!Mycroft and Little!Sherlock fight with their brains would be awesome)
I’m being really random here, aren’t I?
AHHHHH. I NEARLY DID PUT KELL ON HERE. 😂 I only resisted because I’ve mentioned ADSOM for the last 3 weeks and I’m trying to vary myself. BUT OMG DANGIT I WANT TO KNOW KELL’S BACKSTORY.
YES to Sherlock and Mycroft! Omg YES. I didn’t even think of them, but I so want to know what their childhood brains concocted. YOU AREN’T RANDOM. YOU ARE AWESOME.
Yes I totally agree with every single one! I really want more backstory on Marcus!!! My Half Bad feels are killing me 🙁 And Kaz!! MOOOORE. AND Haymitch! I really want to read about his Hunger Games. Even though we know a little bit, I want to see what happened. YES THE WINCHESTERS! I really want more young Dean and Sam, and how horrible a father John was, and how Dean raised Sam! *crying because of feels*
THE HALF BAD FEELS ARE KILLING ME TOO. AND ALSO KILLING EVERYONE, TBH. OMG. LET ME CRY, CLOE. *wretched sobbing*
Omg I’m secretly glad you think John was awful too. I JUST CANNOT STAND HIM UGH. He so treated those boys so badly…precious darlings.
Oh P.S. I just tagged you in my post here and I would really appreciate it if you checked it out! Thanks so much! 🙂
We might find out more about Kaz’s background in the next book! I do hope so.
I think the book mentioned that the reason Kaz always wear gloves is because he doesn’t want to have skin contact. He has to touch things with his hands unlike the rest of his body, so he wears gloves to avoid the skin contact. That was due to the trauma of you know what .<
YES WE MIGHT!! fingers crossed, right?!? Omg, how did I miss that about his gloves?! *facepalm* Least to say I’m 100% rereading before the next book comes out!
hahaha I can’t stop laughing with the Jon Snow bomb you dropped there. Because, IS HE REALLY? How the whole Jon Snow business will unravel, I don’t know but I have to agree on the fact that the Targs, as I like to call them, are cool and badass AF. I mean, yeah, some of them were kinda nuts, but ah well nobody is perfect. Also, dragons. Also, how cool is having a name that takes hours to announce?
MWHAHAHH. 😂 Ikr?! There are so many fan theories…but THAT is one I’m really hoping is true because DRAGONS ARE COOL AND JON COULD BE A DRAGON PERSON. HUZZAH. Except he’s probably not crazy enough. Something is seriously messed up with the Targeryan’s. Hmm.
Oh and SPELL. Don’t forget how-wonderful-it-is-to-have-a-name-nobody-can-spell…. 😂
Supernatural is so totally not cheating – it’s a book series in-universe. And yes to Gansey! Definitely!
Weirdly enough, I’d like Hogwart years for the Weasley twins. And Voldemort. I know we kind of got Voldemort’s backstory, but details. Details. Please? Also, Noah from Embassy Row, and Sam from the Wolves of Mercy Falls.
Not that I mind cheating, ahem, BUT YAY. I WAS GOOD AND DIDN’T CHEAT! *awards self with cake* And omg YES to anything and everything regarding the Weasley twins. Also Voldemort. I mean, we got a few scenes…but I could read an entire backstory book about him too. ;D
YES TO SAM. I NEARLY PUT HIM ON HERE, BUT I HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HIM AND GASNEY. SO I GANSEY’D. But Saaaaaaam. Tragic adorable little Sam. <3
I definitely agree that childhood stories of villains would be very interesting to read about! I can already tell that it’s going to be a cool one, especially when it talks about how that villain became, well, a villain (lol).
I’ve only read TRC, TWATD, THG and 6OC from your list, and I think I agree to have Kaz’s childhood story the most. He’s such a secretive guy that I JUST WANT TO GET TO KNOW HIM MORE. I think it’s a thing where I immediately get intrigued about people who have secretive lives. I’m snoopy like that.
And Haymitch! I think if I ever read his childhood story, I will cry. Just thinking about him experiencing a life-and-death situation makes me nervous. >.<
Omg I AM SNOOPY LIKE THAT TOO. 😂 I mean the intrigue is interesting….but I WANT ANSWERS DANGIT AND I WANT THEM NOW. Ahem. *composes self* Let’s hope we do get more Kaz backstory in Crooked Kingdom, right?! ;D
I totally agree that Kaz should get a prequel! He’s such an interesting character because he’s so morally ambiguous and unpredictable. I just want to know more about why he is the way he is!
I also want a prequel for Inej because she is totally BADASS AND AWESOME. Mmm…also Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs as little boys because I’ll just be sitting there crying while reading because EMOTIONS.
EXACTLY! And we really didn’t get enough of him in Six of Crows! MORE KAZ! MORE KAZ FOREVER! And yes to Inej as well. And omg I wouldn’t say not to Jesper and Wayland’s backstories either…aaaaand Nina. ;D So, um, basically everyone. I’M NOT EVEN SORRY.
(Also Will and Jem as kids = YES. I’d also love Magnus as a child!!)
YES TO HAYMITCH. I was so intrigued at his backstory of which we had a glimpse in the second book. I want to know more!
I wasn’t into Game of Thrones until last year, but I still haven’t read the books (I know, SHAME ON ME). But I agree, among the countless characters, I am most fascinated by Targaryen’s background. And that R+L=J theory, I can’t get enough of it! Perhaps we’ll be having a treat this season, based on the trailers, *fingers crossed* and finally get to know what actually happened in the infamous battle.
And, if one day Jo Rowling decides to write about the Marauders, I think I’ll wallow in my tears of happiness.
I wasn’t into GoT until last year either! *hi fives for being late arrivals* 😂 Although I DID read all the books and afjdksald I love the books so so much more than the show. XD I’m trying to avoid all spoilers for S6, but I dare say that won’t happen. *gnashes teeth* We’ll see if I can hold out from watching it. ;D
YES TO THE MARAUDERS YES YES.
That would be a hard challenge, to avoid the spoilers, because the second episode yesterday sparked /madness/ everywhere!!
Oh I KNOW. 😂 But I know the twist about Jon Snow…thanks to the internet being like “OH JON SNOW IS ALIVE HAHA SORRY FOR THE SPOILER BUT EVERYONE KNOWS.” I mean. Seriously. 😑 😑 😑 At this rate I’m going to quit and watch it.😂
You take the most beautiful photos of books. Wow.
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/05/child-book-characters-whod-make-for.html
Aww thank you! 😀
Loveeee your “or is he” comment about Jon Snow!! I think that theory would produce a very interesting twist to the story, don’t you? You’re not watching the new season?!?! I know, I would have preferred to read the book first and this is probably going to totally screw me up when I do read the next book, but OMG – EPISODE 2!!!!!!!! It was so awesome :).
Omg I KNOW, right?!? I think it would be an insanely interesting twist. :O And aghhh, it’s so FRUSTRATING that the series is in front of the books now *weeps* And also I’ve heard that the books won’t follow the show that much anyway?!? My brain is going to get SO BEFUDDLED.
But do you know what happened?!?!?! I don’t want to type it out and spoil it, but have you seen it on the Internet?
Oh oh nope. I don’t have details yet!🙈🙊
It was awesome!!! You need to at least watch episode 2 :).
Yes to Haymitch! I’d totally read that. And they’re movies, not books, but it someone came out with the prequel to Captain Jack Sparrow in book form… 😉 Or Sherlock Holmes in his younger years.
YES TO JACK SPARROW OMG. YESSS. I didn’t even think I needed that until you just said it. 😱 😂
But there IS a Targaryen prequel novel – well three novellas, ‘The Tales of Dunk and Egg’, about Aegon I think. Although that’s post dragons is it? Anyway, don’t be encouraging him to write more prequels, he’s got a series to finish first!
My TTT: http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/top-ten-tuesday-literary-characters-id.html
Bahah TOO TRUE. 😂 We need the ending of this series before we’re all 900 years old…
Yes Kaz! I am reading Six of Crows at the moment – I know finally and I just want him to be mine. Can he? This a really good list.
KAZ IS AMAZING. *hugs Kaz* *probably would get stabbed if attempted that* Ahem. 😂
I laughed so hard at the GRRM comment. He truly is the slowest fish in a jar of peanut butter. I already saw a spoiler on season 6, so now I might as well watch it. He said the books would go in a very different direction anyway? So I might as well. I also want backstory on Gansey (although I haven’t read the Raven King) and Supernatural (but I’m a season behind now).
You know what else just entered my mind? I’d love to read about the childhood of Neville, Luna, Fred and George. Not of Percy, because who cares about Percy. But the others! Or James & Sirius in school? I NEED IT.
YES I did hear the books are not going to match up with the show…but I don’t know if that makes it more depressing or less. 😂 I already saw a massive spoiler too…but I mean, it was pretty OBVIOUS it was going to happen. But yeah. Grr. I didn’t actually finish watching S5 because I didn’t want to see Jon die. 😂 😂 😂 READING IT WAS SO HARD I ACTUALLY THINK I HAD SEVERAL SMALL STROKES OMG. WHY DO I EVEN CARE ABOUT THIS SERIES IT’S KILLING ME.
ahem. 😂
Omgggg, YES to wanting to know more about Neville/Fred&George. And also the Marauders for sure. I DEFINITELY want to know what their school life was like. Also I wouldn’t say no to knowing more about Snape? OR VOLDEMORT.
KAZ. YES. <3
Also, my understanding is that he wears gloves because he can't stand the feeling of skin-against-skin because of when his brother died and he was tossed in with all the bodies and like… if I remember right, he used his brother's dead body to float back to the shore? CAN'T REMEMBER THE DETAILS but yeah. That's what I gathered, also from his reaction to having to get into the prison wagon with all those people? and he had a mini-panic attack? He's claustrophobic and can't stand touching anyone's skin with his bare hands. So he wears gloves alla time.
DUDE, OMG THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. HOW DID I NOT EVEN REMEMBER THAT? *facepalm* Okay I 100% want to reread before Crooked Kingdom. I HAVE TIME, RIGHT?!? 😂
A REREAD MIGHT BE A REALLY GOOD IDEA. Pshh, of course you have time, girl XD
Oh so true. Can I get a backstory for [mostly] every villain ever? That’s why I loved Fairest so much. Because at the end you still hate Levana, but you understand her and, in a way, pity her. She had an epic back story.
Count Olaf is a good one. I never eve considered his back story.
Not books, so I’m cheating too, but I would love to see the Disney Princess’s female villains, like Maleficent and Ursula, in cartoon form. I know it probably wouldn’t be kid friendly, but the contrast of the association with animation and princesses to a dark and haunting back story would make a chilling combination, in my opinion.
YES! I loved Fairest! I still hate Levana, but I actually feel hugely sorry for her…SHE JUST WANTED TO BE LOVED AND SHE DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO BE LOVED AND IT TURNED HER BAD AND FJADSKLADJ *cries*
Dude. YES. Have you seen the Maleficent movie though?! THAT WAS GOOD. (Although kinda kid friendly.) I Am all for decidedly dark fairy tales though, especially of villains backstories. Apparently there’s a book coming out next year that does Ursula’s backstory (!!)
OMG A MILLION TIMES YES TO SUPERNATURAL. I ADORE that show!! And I need to know ALL of the things! Also? YES to Gansey. SO MUCH YES. And Khalid!! And Haymitch! I NEED ALL OF THESE!! You have killed me with this post Cait. Now I will be forever pining for these^^
YOU ARE MOST WELCOME, MICHELINE. We can suffer together in NEEEEEEED that will never be satisfied. *sobs*
I would love a Haymitch book. Actually, I’d love another book about any of the Hunger Games characters. I’d probably read anything set in that universe. Great list!
SAME!! They’re all so interesting, right?!? Like Effie! I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT EFFIE. And Cinna…like why he was so compassionate when everyone else in the Capitol wasn’t? Not to mention all the tributes. AGHHHHH I WANT A PREQUEL NOVEL ON FINNICK AND JOHANNA.
HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING SEASON 6 OF GAME OF THRONES!?!?! BECAUSE I LOVE IT INFINITELY AND YES, Jon Snow has some seriosuly fabulous hair. And I’m 99999999.9% sure about that Targaryn theory (and I hope hope hope so much it’s true. That would be awesome.) And I would so read something more about Warner. <3 <3
NOPE. I DON’T WANT TO SEE IT BECAUSE I WANT TO READ THE BOOK FIRST. I know I know it’s silly. But gahhhh. I don’t want to be thinking the BOOK is wrong when it comes out, because they’ll obviously be different. *sighs*
I really want the Targaryn theory to be true???? But idek, I feel like GRRM probably won’t do it if the fans want it too badly. 😂
I am totally on board for a prequel about Count Olaf or Haymitch. I really didn’t know I needed that in my life until now.
You are MOST welcome for this enlightenment. 😂 And maybe Lemony Snicket will someday?!?!? Since he DID write a prequel series for, um, himself. heheh.
Marcus, Olaf, Haymitch, The Winchesters, and Gansey – I need more about these characters! 🙂
I wouldn’t have ever considered Olaf before, but now I want to know his backstory! 🙂
Yesss, Olaf is kind of CREEPY (okay, not “Kind of” …he definitely is creepy 😂) and I want to know WHY HE TURNED OUT THAT WAY OMG.
I think there is a movie about Haymich??? Lionsgate plans to shoot a prequel movie…well…but i know…movies are never the same as book…so…
I did hear rumours about that, but I kind of am worried….like if Suzanne Collins doesn’t write it then isn’t it just fanfic? I want Suzanne Collins to write more!
YES, Haymitch’s story would make such an interesting book!
And I still haven not read the Raven Cycle, but you sound so enthusiastic! I need to read them like right now 😱
AHHHHHH I HOPE YOU TRY THE RAVNE CYCLE. I SWEAR THEY ARE THE BEST THING IN THE HISTORY OF ALMOST EVER.
Such beautiful photos – especially of the A.J. Howard book. I agree with with the Targaryen books although I have only watched the series – and thanks for the pic of Jon Snow – he always makes the day a tad bit brighter. Great choices.
JON SNOW IS EVERYTHING. *pets his hair* And omg are you going to try the books someday?? I think they’re much better (and more complex and clever) than the show 😂
Argh. I still need to read ALL of these. How sad is that? My TTT
There are a LOT of books out there to read, so it’s understandable! 😂
THIS IS AWESOME! I totally agree with you on Haymitch and Count Olaf. ESPECIALLY Olaf. I loved his character in the books and his eccentricness in the movie (is eccentricness a word? WHO CARES IT DESCRIBES OLAF PERFECTLY!)
Characters I think need prequels: Definitely Chaol from Throne of Glass. He’s just so awesome and he’s my baby and I died in Queen of Shadows because he and Celaena were my #1 OTP (mostly because I pretended was Celaena).
Day from Legend! I adore him so much and I think there’s the Life Before Legend book but I haven’t gotten to read it yet.
Daniel from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer! His character is so cute and wonderful and I obsess over his relationship with Mara (as siblings duh)
And the best for last: Jem Carstairs because I can never not get enough of Jem. Especially him and his Chinese (the ‘piao liang’ part in CA killed me because I took up a bit of Chinese before and totally understood when he lied). I know Cassandra wrote a bit of him and Will but I NEED MORE.
I’m like 99% sure eccentricness SHOULD be a word even if it’s not. BECAUSE IT IS A VERY VERY GOOD WORD *nods emphatically* Olaf is a creepy weird thing, but I WANT TO KNOW WHY HE IS THAT WAY. His childhood must’ve been the worst. :O
I STILL CRY OF CHAOL. I feel like SJM destroyed his character…like he was so awesome and then….in QoS he was nothing??? #confused I’m not even probably going to read the 5th book because I’M THAT UPSET ABOUT IT ALL ARGH. Ahem.
(this reminds me I haven’t finished Legend yet. AHHH. need to do that! 😂) And Daniel is AWESOME. I actually have a ton of questions about Noah too, but we’re getting more books about him, aren’t we??)
Hayyyyyyyyymitch! I will read that book 45674 times! *sniffles and curls up in a ball and then dies*
*screams and melts into a puddle of feels with you*
Nods in approval of Targaryen prequels….though at this rate I doubt Martin will ever write one :/
I knoooow, right?! I don’t think he will. 🙁 I’ll be surprised if he even finishes writing the series. ;_;
SO YES TO GANSEY! I need to know all the things about him. *sobs into a puddle of feels*
I’m still on the first book of Splintered, but I’m sure I’ll want to know more about Morpheus, too.
I’d also love to see a prequel of Kelsier from the Mistborn trilogy. I have SO MANY QUESTIONS THAT I NEED ANSWERED.
(P.S. I ordered a mug from you. 😀 Pictures will come when it gets here.)
*sobs in a puddle of Raven Cycle feels with you* I WILL NEVER EVER RECOVER FROM THAT WONDERFULNESS THAT IS THAT SERIES. I want to reread it and I only JUST REREAD IT. *cries*
Ahem.
Ohhh yes to Kelsier! I’ve only read the first book but I HAVE QUESTIONS.
Omggg you did?! THANK YOU, RAYNA. <3333
Yes, please. I want baby Morpheus stories. He’s so sassy and great, I want to see him as a young child being sassy to people and getting yelled at by people. That and didn’t he used to have a thing with the White Queen or something? There’s so much I want to see.
Baby Morpheus would be GREAT. I was so annoyed that there wasn’t more of his childhood in the novellas! I WANT MORE MORPHEUS. NEVER ENOUGH MORPHEUS. 😂
Darn Maggie. I know, right? I wanted more Gansey. I wanted more EVERYONE.
Also had to snigger at the ‘BECAUSE GRRM WRITES LIKE THE SLOWEST FISH IN A JAR OF PEANUT BUTTER’. INDEEEEED. I read all the books before the appropriate GOT seasons and it was magical… but now I’m watching and I have no idea what’s gonna happen and it’s kinda good? BUT I’m worried how they’re talking about the book/tv going different paths, but ending up in the same spot. I JUST WANT BOOK CANON STUFF, K? AND I WANT THE BOOK.
DARN MAGGIE FOR SURE. *sobs* *hugs books* I love her writing so much but I AM A WRECK. Ahem.
I read all the books before the show too!! I actually didn’t even finish watching S5 because I was SO traumatised by the book-version of Jon’s death. he is my FAVOURITe. *weeps* And I know the show is going down a different part, but dangit, I don’t want the show to be the “right” version in my head???? I want the book to be! CANON FTW, TOO, I HIGHLY AGREE.
So I just checked out a bunch of new books because I’ve seen them before on your blog, and if you’re obsessed with them, they must be precious unicorns.
YES I want Count Olaf’s backstory so badly. I would sell my soul for a book on the Winchesters. Little Dean and Little Sammy would be so adorably messed up!
GANSEY! The PRECIOUS CUPCAKE. I want to know so much about his childhood and “life-before”.
I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of Fablehaven, but it has a villain (that I can’t reveal the name of because *River Song voice* spoilers.) Basically he believes in what he’s doing so fervently, and he is one classy badguy. I just really want to know HOW WAS HE RAISED.
Then I would probably sell my firstborn child to a shady midget to get the childhood of the Jackal and Sevro. I want to be able to tag along their day to day life as kids and see what shaped them into the people they are. In fact, a giant backstory on EVERYONE in that series would be fantastic.
Adding the list the Jack Sparrow childhood, because I now require that like I require tea.
They ARE precious unicorns. I am always obsessed with the most precious of precious unicorns. Ahem.
DON’T SELL YOUR SOUL, OMG, HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING FROM SAM AND DEAN!?? 😂 (But seriously now, omg I want Little!Dean and Little!Sammy so much I could cry. The little snippet/flashbacks we get are NOT ENOUGH.)
GANSEY IS A PRECIOUS TORTURED CUPCAKE AND I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT MYSTERIOUS BOY.
I have heard of Fablehaven but I haven’t read any of it. I kind of want to????? But I have so many books to read. 😂
OMGGGG YES TO JACKAL AND SEVRO. Particularly Sevro because he has an insanely interesting backstory that we know nothing about. #ThanksForNothingPierceBrown 😂 AHem.
Omg I need a book about young Kaz so badly. I NEED IT. I NEED IT SO BADLY *shrieks forever* Like, I would read the heck out of that over and over again. Also Khalid. Just, I cannot. *flails*
*Shrieks forever with you* I’m honestly SO ticked off we didn’t get more in Six of Crows!! I kept getting annoyed when it delved into everyone else’s backstory BECAUSE I JUST WANTED MORE KAZ, DANGIT.
Great list! I NEED more Warner, Kaz, and Morpheus. My heart… I just love them so much! *sobs* They’re all so perfect. I absolutely loved Warner, so knowing his childhood would be really interesting. And I’d like to know how his and Juliette’s life is after Ignite Me. I’m hoping we learn more about Kaz in Crooked Kingdom! Morpheus is just a really fascinating character to me, so I’d love to know his life pre-Splintered. Count Olaf would be super cool. I actually had the Baudelaire children on my list. I loved that series growing up!
AHHHH I’M GLAD YOU AGREED WITH SO MANY ON MY LIST. 😂 We need petition these authors, right?!?
I think Kaz wears the gloves cause he’s freaked out about touching human skin and such after his terrible human body incident. OR SO I ASSUMED. I could be very wrong. But that’s what I thought it was? But like also a symbol for his disconnect from other people cause I took an English course twice in Uni and so now I’m qualified to identify symbols in novels.
And I would LOVE a Haymitch origin story. This needs to happen right now. And then how he makes friends with all the other champions cause he totally knows them all. That would be fantastic. I would eat that up.
Oho hhhhhh that makes PERFECT SENSE. 😂 Thanks so much for explaining that! Hehe. I plan to reread the book before Crooked Kingdom because omg I don’t remember NEARLY enough of it. (And I loved it so much!) I also will fully bow to your symbolism-finding-skills because I have exactly none. 😂
First of all, WHY ARE YOUR PICTURES SO PRETTY/GORGEOUS/RESPLENDENT/SUMPTUOUS/DAZZLING *lists every synonym ever made*. My eyeballs are more or less greedy little beasts right now. Ahem.
I agree 10000% with wanting more backstory on Warner >>ohmygoshpleaaase<>good lord I’ve managed a rant<< SO, my point is, villains are more attractive typically because they're more realistic. That brings me to the ||final point|| *yay*. If I could have a childhood-prequel it would be all about Mictar from Bryan Davis' series "Echoes from the Edge". Seriously, I want to know EXACTLY what happened in this twisted inter-dimensional stalker's childhood that drove him to become hungry for the souls of innocent kids, WHICH HE CONSUMES THROUGH HIS BARE HANDS. Please tell me more. Who hurt this disgusting creature and why did they do it and why does he hate music and WHY IS HE OBSESSED WITH EYEBALLS!
—
TL;DR – villains are broken cupcakes & I want backstory on an eyeball-consuming, soul-sucking, inter-dimensional jumping monster who hates music.
:O NOOOOOOOOO
I promise, I had this huge rant about villains and why they’re more interesting than heroes, BUT YOUR BLOG ATE IT?!?!?!?! (speaking of the devil 😐 ). Well, there goes 10 minutes of my time, lost to cyberspace. HORROR OF HORRORS.
WAHHHHH, MY BLOG ATE PART OF YOUR COMMENT?! OMG I’M SO SORRY. *cries* Evil blog. It shall be glared at most fiercely.
But omg thank you about my pictures. 😂 I’m glad you like! BOOKS MAKE GOOD SUBJECTS OMG. (Plus they don’t move around, so….so much bonus.)
I definitely think villains are more complex…and sometimes I think they’re better developed than the hero, because they HAVE to have motivations, whereas sometimes the hero is just swept along? IT’S A THOUGHT ANYWAY. 😂
“Villains are broken cupcakes” needs to be on a tee shirt IMMEDIATELY.
I cannot explain the extent to which I want a book just on Haymitch. Please.
I fully 10000% back you up on this need.
Oh my, the first thing that popped into my head was Dumbledore! Dumbledore and McGonagall! How awesome would that be! And they’re from the same world, so they count as one.
Second, Cinna from the Hunger Games. Did he grow up in the Capitol? What was that like? Why does he work for the Hunger Games?
Third, Tris Prior’s mother from Divergent. I don’t want to say why in case I spoil it for anyone.
Fourth, Rincewind the Wizard and Granny Weatherwax from Discworld. A child version of Granny Weatherwax? That would be hilarious!
Fifth… I think I’ve run out… No wait, Luke from TMI. And Magnus, Sweet coconut biscuits, a BABY MAGNUS!!
Sixth, Althaeus from the Redemption of Althaeus.
Seventh… Nope, I really have run out. No, wait! GANDALF! And Gimli!
Eight would be Sam from Waywalkers by Catherine Webb.
Nine would be Sabriel’s father, who’s name I forget, from Sabriel by Garth Nix.
Ten would be Moonface from the Faraway Tree because reasons.
I agree, Haymitch prequel needed!
whose* My bad!
OMG YES YES TO DUMBLEDORE AND McGONAGALL!! I couldn’t agree more. I have SO many questions, tbh, and I know we got a little of Dumbledore’s backstory in bk 7 but was it enough? NOPE. I guess there’s hope JK Rowling might go back??? *wishes fruitlessly* At least more hope than Suzanne Collins ever writing something else. 😂
CINNA = YES. I have many questions there. Like WHY was he so sympathetic to District 12? Was he always that way? Did Katniss start it? DID CINNA HAVE A FAMILY? *SHRIEKS WITH WANTING TO KNOW*
Also Valentine from TMI. 😂 Yayyyy, again with the villains. (Omg I cannot help myself.)
Great list! I have Warner on my list too, but then as a character I want to revisit later in life. But his backstory would be amazing too, so now I can’t choose! (Though I guess the conclusion is: more Warner!)
But I also totally agree with your other picks. Especially: Kaz, Morpheus, Haymitch and Winchester brothers!
And yes, villains are the most interesting! Maybe because we just get less backstories about them in general, while we always (mostly) hear all about the heroes… No wonder they become so villainous if they never get any backstory 🙂
I definitely want to revisit Warner/Juliette later in their life too. 😂 😂 And I highly agree with your MORE WARNER conclusion. SOLID CONCLUSION. I APPROVE.
and YES! I think villains can be more complex? Because we have to know what motivates them, whereas sometimes with the hero they can be victim of circumstance and therefore not as interesting? Sometimes anyway. 😛
CAAAAAAAIT. THIS IS PERFECT. And it’s so funny because I was just thinking about this the other day and HOW MUCH I LOOOOVE BACKSTORY particularly with sub-characters?? It’s like, THEY ARE SO INTERESTING WE NEED TO KNOW MORE. (I was also totally thinking about this in relation to my own books currently in the plotting stage, which will absolutely include lots of childhood backstory of POSSIBLY EVERYONE??? er, I’ll try to limit myself but we’ll see how much I fail at that. XD
“So what exactly is the thought process behind their motivations? VILLAINS ARE SO INTERESTING, YES?!” < OMG YESSS. YES YES YES. I feel like so many authors create villains just because they NEED a villain and then I'm like, "Well why exactly are they villains??” And the collective response seems to be, “UM. BECAUSE THEY ARE. NOW BE QUIET AND READ BOOK.” xD but omg yes we just need more villains-in-their-childhoods stories (my grammar is ded) so MAKE THAT HAPPEN MKAY?? WE ALL HAVE FAITH IN YOU.
*cake for you making this awesome post*
Abbiee
YES YES I COULDN’T AGREE MORE. More love for the secondary characters! *shrieks* And also I think secondary characters can be so interesting because we never do get enough details? *grabby hands for more info* Ahem. BUT THAT IS COOL THAT YOU ARE WRITING CHILDHOODS FOR YOUR CHARACTERS. Mine are usually blobs. 😂 I should work on this, omg. Because childhood does define you. Look at me and my sister and our murderous Roman lion games? We turned out so well because of that.
HAHAH. But the “just because they are” answer to villains is NEVER ENOUGH. I want to know details! Much details. And also I think villains can be more complex because of that? Because the author has to discover MORE about them, right?!
Yes, Haymitch would be an interesting one. Also, any number of other characters in that series. Effie Trinket? President Snow? How did they end up as the people they are? I’d like to know.
As a writer, do you ever come up with childhood stories for your own characters? Even if you don’t write them down?
Add in Johanna Mason and Finnick/Annie’s story…AND EVEN THE CAREERS. Like to be brought up to KILL?!? Omg. I want to read a zillion books in that world basically. And I’m 100% sure we never will. 😂
Ahhh, me personally? Not really. 😂 Like sometimes I vaguely know (like for my latest Camp NaNo novel they DID actually all have childhood stories even though they didn’t make it into the book) but generally I don’t think in prologues OR epilogues.
Haymitch!!! I would LOVE to see what his Hunger Games was like!!! And also just everything about his like prior to Katniss’s games.
YES! And wasn’t he the first District 12 victor of ever!?? I might be mistaken about that though, but STILL. I WANT TO KNOW MORE.
OMG SO MANY AMAZING CHOICES! YAASSSSS KAZ! I would loooove to know more about his childhood.. same goes for Nina or Matthias though XD Some Game of Thrones prequels would be cool, but I’m just hoping that George R, R. Martin finishes the original books first.. he’s sure taking his sweet time ^^ haha. I would so read anything and everything about Khalid <3
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
Basically…eVERYONE IN SIX OF CROWS. 😂 Inej too!! AND NINA FOR SURE. Matthias was the only one I didn’t really care about, hheehe, but Jasper and Wayland = yes yes. Basically, please, Leigh Bardugo, WRITE US MORE BOOKS. Ahem.
And omg I’m nearly giving up hope that GRRM will come out with book 6. -_- And if he does we have to wait 10 more years for the next one. -_- I WISH I DIDN’T CARE ABOUT THE SERIES SO IT WOULDN’T AFFECT ME??? BUT I DO. 😂
Oh yes, Warner *sighs* he’s the best villain / anti-hero I have ever met, I think. And you’re right, Haymitch needs a full back story for sure 🙂 I’m only just reading Blue Lily, Lily Blue right now… and I think I’d also like more about Ronan’s childhood, even if Gansey is very mysterious 😉
Great list, Cait!
Warner was so wonderful. 😂 I feel mildly guilty about that? BUT HE CHANGED. HE WAS ONLY AWFUL IN THE FIRST BOOK. Ahem.
Ronan’s childhood = YES ALSO. And I also want to know more about Noah. <3 Adam's childhood would make me cry.
Wow, your blog is BEAUTIFUL! How have I not come across it before?!
But enough of that, lol. You’re actually the first person I’ve seen who chose to list adults with prequel novels. I agree that Haymitch would’ve been a fun person to read about, especially considering how the Hunger Games affected him later in life.
Can’t say I agree with Warner, though. Ew. I’m in the minority, though, as I didn’t care much about how the Shatter Me series ended in general. =/
Followed via Bloglovin!
Brittany @ http://www.spacebetweenthespines.com/
OMG HELLO AND WELCOME, BRITTANY *waves* And thankyou 😂 I’m glad you like how it all looks! *SHRIEKS HAPPILY* Ahem.
And yes, Haymitch just as SO much story to tell. :O Like wasn’t he the first EVER District 12 winner??? Plus Snow killed his WHOLE family and I basically want to know all the whys. I HAVE SO MANY WHYS. Ahem.
I love a good villain too. Especially ambiguous ones.
And I’m so with you about Haymitch’s story.
PS. Your photos are gorgeous as always, Cait.
Aww, thank you, Ksenia! I APPRECIATE THAT. :’)
And YES! Villains seem to have more depth and be more complex? I’m sure that’s why they’re so interesting.
I love that you did the prompt backwards from everyone else! I like the idea of prequels more than sequels for books where I don’t want anything else to go wrong. Like Harry Potter or The Raven Boys.
I LOVE the idea of a Raven Cycle prequel, but I wouldn’t want it to just focus on Gansey. It would be great to see all of them (especially Ronan!), and it would also be cool if they all met each other at some point as kids without realizing it!
A Haymitch backstory would be so cool!
I agree that it’s interesting to learn the backstory of villains. I wasn’t thrilled with Fairest, though.
ALSO, I’m dying at the game you used to play with your sister. 😂
Omg I feel like the story of my life is doing things backwards on accident. 😂 Bahah! BUT YES. Sequels are always risky because authors LOVE to destroy already nicely put together ships.
But but we need FOUR more Raven Cycle books. No wait. 5. One for each of the boys and one for Blue. There is no downside to this. Someone petition Maggie Stiefvater.
(My sister and I were nice children, I PROMISE.) (We totally weren’t. We were vicious things, omg, I wonder if our mother was ever concerned…)
Well, it was an official option, but no one was bold enough to try it. 😉
I don’t know. If there are more books, that means there’s room for Pynch to go wrong. :O
Hahaha, your poor mother.
Okay THAT is true. I would not survive Pynch going wrong, tbh. Currently I envision Adam working as some Big Important Person in the city and then driving to Henrietta on the weekends to be with Ronan. <3 I kind of think Ronan needs the introvert time with the farm and stuff? And then when Adam is finished being fancy THEY CAN RETIRE THERE AND RAISE THE ORPHAN GIRL AND DREAMS AND COLOURFUL COWS AND... yeah, okay. I'll stop. Ahem.
No no I'm not still obsessing over TRK why would anyone think that...
*swoons* 😍
YES TO ALL OF THESE CAIT. I feel like antiheroes would have the best prequel novels because you can really see what drives them to become evil. I’d especially love a prequel about Warner (there’s a novella about him, but I WANT MORE).
And I think Haymitch’s prequel would make me super emotional. I never really thought much about his backstory, but it sounds so horrible and it really explains a lot about his personality. It would also be interesting to read Rue / Cato / Clove / Foxface’s prequels, or at least read about everything that happened in the arena from their perspective.
Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! ♥
YESSSS. And this (embarrassingly) reminded me I haven’t even read the novellas of Warner. ERMAGERD. WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING WITH MY LIFE. Ahem. So I’ll fix that very soon. 😂
And YES. Like Haymitch went through SO MUCH to drive him to be an alcoholic, right? Snow killed his family because of how he won the games (with the forcefield) *cries for poor young Haymitch* I HAVE SO MANY HAYMITCH FEELS NOW OMG. And I just realised how much I want to know Johanna’s backstory too. LIKE SHE DOESN’T EVEN LOVE ANYONE AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY.
Gansey, Haymitch, Kaz, Morpheus, Yes please!
Count Olaf would be interesting. the Count comment I can`t!
*starts up petition for all these characters to get the books they deserve*
I CRACKED UP at “NOPE. BECAUSE GRRM WRITES LIKE THE SLOWEST FISH IN A JAR OF PEANUT BUTTER.” Most apt description (even though I don’t plan on reading the books).
The books are sooooo good, but OMG SO SLOW. 😂 I nearly don’t recommend them because the cliffhanger in bk 5 was AWFUL. 😂
I definitely need a Haymitch story PRONTO. I was about to say I also need a Harry Potter one but then I realised that…um, he was literally a year old when the story starts. So we’ve already got that.
AND YES. COUNT OLAF. Definitely need to reread those books.
But is there ever REALLY enough Harry Potter?? PROBABLY NOT. WE COULD DO WITH MORE. 😂
(I want to reread Lemony Snicket’s books too! It’s been…omg, maybe 8 years?!)
YASSSS I WANT A COUNT OLAF BOOK AND I REALLY, REALLY WANT A HAYMITCH BOOK. I’d also love to have a book about Miss Peregrine, and one about Lady Linette(from the Finishing School series) and Madame Geraldine(also from the Finishing School series)
Omggg a book about Miss Peregrine = YES YES. That would be insanely interesting. Eeeep.
So I haven’t read every book on this list, but the ones I am familiar with, I immediately recognized as villains. BUT IT’S SO TRUE THOUGH! We get a whole book to figure out the protag’s motives and tragic backstory and their dead parents and stuff. But the villain? not as much! (I’m actually working on a series of books that are all told from the villain’s POV in the Grimm fairy tales. And now someone knows a small reason why)
And as for books, Jaron from the False prince (you saw that one coming) but also Tyler from This is Where It Ends. I mean, if a kid’s going to lock kids in an auditorium and start shooting, I really want to know why!
I do have a slight attraction to villains probably. 😂 #noregrets BUT YES! And plus the villain always goes through MORE character development, because they have to have the whatever-turned-them-bad thing. BUT DUDE YOU ARE WRITING A VILLAIN SERIES?!?!? *shrieks* That is basically the best thing I’ve heard in ever. :’)
HAHAHH. Yes. I would be worried if you didn’t mention The False Prince. 😉
Oh my gosh so much yes to #6. “I bet he’s not even a count” — LOL!
Did I read somewhere that his parents died in a fire when he was a kid too? I also seem to remember that the Baudelaire parents were somehow involved, but that doesn’t seem right timeline-wise (wheren’t they younger than him?). I’m rereading the whole series, so this post is gonna have me hunting for more clues! 🙂
I’m glad we’re BOTH here being distrustful of “Count” Olaf. *glares at him suspiciously*
I honestly can’t REMEMBER enough. *cries* I fully intend to reread the series this year though! How are the Baudelaire’s even RELATED to him???? So many questions.
I NEED MORE KAZ, hands down. Kaz is my favorite, he’s everything XD I would also love to see more of the Darkling, because he is basically trial run Kaz but not as great but also just as great. That probably made no sense, but I love me some anti-heros/ “make me your villain” types. Villains are always the most fun, honestly. They’re motives are usually the most interesting parts of the story, as long as they’re not overdone revenge tropes I usually end up loving to hate them or liking them more than the protagonist (oopsie).
And Supernatural! HOLY HELL YES! I need it, I need it, I NEEEEEEDDDD IT! There are books out? How in the world did I not know this? DX I must go and find them. Sam and Dean Winchester are always welcome, no matter the circumstances. (Hilarious story: I took my hair down and face swapped with Sam Winchester and it was terrifyingly glorious. My roommate cried she was laughing so hard)
One character I would love to see is Dimitri Belikov from VA. He is an all time favorite of mine, no questions asked. In the first book, he tells Rose this story – and after some events in later books – all I’ve ever wanted is to see it from his point of view. Just… ugh! I need to know how the amazing man became said amazing man. I might be a bit obsessed, but whatever. <3 OH, AND ASH AND PUCK FROM THE IRON FEY SERIES. Holy crap there are so many I want to read more about.
I lovee this post, and these characters XD You picked the best ones honestly.
ABSOLUTELY YES. And I don’t think we got enough Kaz in Six of Crows! I was always annoyed when it went onto the other characters’ backstories because DANGIT I JUST WANTED MORE KAZ. 😂 And villains ARE really fun. I think they have a lot more character development too, right?
Well, I’m not sure the books are any good. 😂 I tend to stay away from books-that-are-written-because-of-a-TV-show-or-movie. hehe. BUT! There is a “Bobby’s Guide to Hunting” book that I desperately want. EEEEP. Omg faceswapping with Sam sounds hilarious. 😂
I haven’t read VA yet, but I kind of want to! AND OMG I LITERALLY AM DYING TO START THE IRON FEY SERIES. I found a bunch of them cheap at a library sale but not the first one. *stamps foot* SOON I will start them though!!
Kaz was everything and I can’t wait for Crooked Kingdom. I hope we get more of him XD I need more of him. And, you are totally right. Villains have the most interesting back stories, and the best character development. I love seeing them figure out how to be even more of an evil bastard as the series moves forward, haha.
I had no idea that was a thing XD The more you know, right? I guess I’ll have to see if I can find it. It sounds entertaining, at least.
AND YAAAAASSSSS! Iron Fey all the way! Just… arg. I love those books. I love them so darn much it’s borderline ridiculous. I think they’re really cheap on Amazon now : ) They’re definitely worth it.
Oh my gosh yes, Haymitch needs his own book. Or book series. Heck I’d read anything with him in it. 😀
Definitely series. And also Snow needs a series. ASLO JOHANNA MASON. Basically…someone find Suzanne Collins so we can beg her.
YEAH JOHANNA! 😀 Should we start a petition? 😉
YES! I SHALL SIGN IT 7889 TIMES.
I COMPLETELY agree with Khalid and Haymitch! I’ve been dying for more Haymitch backstory since I first read Catching Fire, and I’m glad I’m not alone in that. And I’d never considered a Count Olaf backstory (probably because I don’t really remember anything after book 9 of that series), but that would be REALLY interesting. I’m gonna have to go with the typical answer for characters I need more backstory for – the Marauders! I kind of like that it’s open, because I get the freedom to imagine whatever I want, but I would also definitely read at LEAST 17 books about their lives.
(I honestly need to re-read ASOUE because I don’t remember enough of them either. 😂 BUT YES COUNT OLAF!) And so many people have said the Marauders, omg, but I totally agree! I only read the series last year, and I was actually surprised there wasn’t MORE on them??? I would also like to know more about Voldemort! I mean, I KNOW, we get stuff about his childhood in book 7…but I still want to know whyyyyy he turned out so bad.
KAAAAZ KAZ KAZ KAZ KAZ KAZ YES PLEASE AND THANK YOU MORE OF THE KAZ.
Also Haymitch… oh my goodness I had no idea because I’ve only seen the movies. o.o BUT I LOVE MOVIE HAYMITCH SO YES.
And I’m totally dying over the Sam/Dean/hair gif. XDDDDDD I’ve only seen a liiiitle bit of Supernatural (mostly in season 11 coincidentally) but I want more about them too. 🙂
(By the way, did you know that the Wrath and the Dawn series has three short stories on Amazon, two of which are freeee? :))
Also The Raven King looks like one of the most gorgeous books ever sooo… even if I wasn’t planning on reading the first one due to you, I probably would now. 😉 YOUR PHOTOS THOUGH!!!! <3 (Also, also, The Raven King makes me think of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell which you must read because magical regency magician people and footnotes. *nodnod*)
THERE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH KAZ. I’m really really hoping we get more in Crooked Kingdom. *shrieks*
MOVIE HAYMITCH IS AMAZING, but book!Haymitch has even more great lines. <3 I lurve him. And omg you've only seen S11 of Supernatural?! DEBORAH. Season 6 to 9 are the BEST ones. I literally lost years of my life stressing over them. <3 Um, yeah, that's a good thing???? I don't even know. The fangirl life doesn't makes sense.
WAIT. WUT. NOVELLAS aND THEY'RE FREE?!?! *screams and runs for Amazon*
I DO want to read Jonathan Strange...eventually. My TBR is enormous right now though. 😂
Hell to the yeah! I want prequels to these characters! I could do so with so much MOREEE WARNER! His little POV novella with the cute dog wasn’t enough. Huhu. More Targaryen insanity? Count me in! I’ve always wanted to know more about them but what I’m really interested to know is how Rhaegar was as a person and as a crown prince. I mean he’s only been mentioned in the books and the TV and it would be pretty interesting to see in his POV. And yes Khalid my BAEEE! My poor, tortured, anguished king. How I love you to pieces! And how I would love to read a prequel about you! Btw Cait did you know there are novellas in The Wrath and the Dawn? Only they’re in ebook format. 2 of them are in Khalid’s POV! You should totally check ’em out if you still haven’t!
ALL IN ALL, I LOVE THIS LIST! 😀 <3
OMG that reminds me I never read the novella. *cries* I need to do that. Actually I want to reread the WHOLE SERIES. So YUS. Ahem. And basically GRRM has made a world so dang huge that any character could easily have an interesting and detailed backstory. *aggressively wants all the books* Fanfiction time maybe?! *cries because GRRM writes so slow*
I actually did know there were novellas about TW&TD but I haven’t read them. GARHG. I need to! Especially if they’re in Khalid’s POV omg.
Hahaha. I LOVE YOUR ENTHUSIASM! 😀 Actually, there are 2 Shatter Me novellas. One is from Warner’s POV (Destroy Me) and the other is Adam’s (Fracture Me). But you can just make do with Warner’s. Adam’s was pretty meh. (I know I’m kinda biased about this but I REALLY DON’T LIKE ADAM!) Anyway, if you thought you couldn’t love Warner even more wait until you read this novella! Now that you mention it, coincidentally I HAVE been reading ASOIAF fanfics as well! I’m reading The Reluctant Bride rn on Archive Of Our Own. It’s pretty good and you can check it out if you want!
Cait, pls do read the novellas before you read The Rose and the Dagger. They are The Crown and the Arrow (Khalid’s POV), The Moth and the Flame (Story about Jalal and Despina. Squee!) and The Mirror and the Maze (Khalid’s POV again!) I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! My only complaint though was that they were too short. Sigh. XD
I DON’T LIKE ADAM EITHER. Which is weird, because was cool in bk 1??? And then his personality just drizzled into whiny meh-ness. (“Meh-ness” is totally a word. I just know it.) BUT OMG THIS MAKES ME NEED THE NOVELLA SO BAD, THANKS A LOT, IANA. LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE. *screeches*
I got the 2 The Wrath and the Dawn novellas that were free on Amazon!! I didn’t get the Moth and the Flame yet because I’ll have to pay, but I’m considering it. 😂
“Meh-ness” huh? I like that! Hahaha. Trust me the novellas are soo worth it! I’m just happy to be of service. *bows dramatically*
I read the first 2 novellas already and they were such a bummer cause they were so short! But they were really good! Buy the Moth and the Flame. *chants Buy it, Buy it.* 😉
Would definitely love to have Count Olaf, Haymitch and Gansey’s backstories!
It’d be wildly awesome right?! *signs petition*
I HAVEN’T READ ANY OF THESE BOOK AND I FEEL HORRIBLE
DON’T FEEL HORRIBLE. EXCEPT ABOUT THE RAVEN BOYS. *piles Raven Boy books on top of you* YOU MUST READ THESE AT LEAST.
I totally want a series with little Morpheus and little Alyssa and their adventures in Wonderland. Because Alyssa with with him every night for years, wasn’t she? There must be way more stories than just the three or four we got in the book.
AND THE WRATH AND THE DAWN IS ONLY A DUOLOGY? I was hoping it would be a quartet, AT LEAST. Now I’m sad. Also, I peeked at the copy at a book festival, and it doesn’t do the cool thing with the cover like the other one did. Sure, it does it a little bit, but it just doesn’t have the same feeling as the first.
YES!! Exactly! did you read Untamed?! It has a little bit in it, but honestly not not noooot enough. (Tbh, it’ll probably never be enough at this point. I adore that series. *hugs it*)
AND DUDE, I KNOW RIGHT?!?! I honestly thought it was a trilogy and part of me died when I realised we’d only get 2 books. I mean, duologies are awesome, don’t get me wrong, buuuuuut I LOVE IT SO MUCH I WANTED MORE. I’m procrastinating The Rose and the Dagger now. 😂
I’m actually not big on prequel series (I guess after a while I just see them as a chance to milk the audience rather than as a legitimate book for me to enjoy?? Ish?) but I would totally go for a Count Olaf story. I BET HE’S NOT A COUNT EITHER. I’m so curious now about who he is.
*broods deeply*
Well, I’m never a fan of the term “milking the audience” so I’ll agree to disagree on that one. 😂 If the audience wants more and the writer wants to write and they’re lucky enough to have a publisher — *throws confetti in the air*
I’m like 99% sure Count Olaf must’ve had a HORRIBLE childhood to turn out like he did. ANSWERS. WANT. DEMAND IT NOW.
Yes to all of them, of course. 😛 But, you know what we need?
Horatio Hornblower.
He’d be such a serious little child. XD
Omg, he WOULD’VE been a very serious child. 😂 Probably too busy being noble and honourable. I WANT AN ARCHIE BACKSTORY CHILDHOOD ONE NOW TOO.
DEFINITELY COUNT OLAF. What happened to his parents?? What childhood trauma meant that he grew up so evil? What made him decide to never wear socks?
YES WE WANT MORE OLAFFFFF. (I honestly hoped the secondary series by Lemony Snicket would have more Olaf in it?? BUT NO. Dangit.) I also want to know more about Beatrice. And ALL THE SNICKETS, not just Lemony.
Also, actually, I would like to know more about all of Olaf’s henchmen, and also more about the guardians and what they did for VFD and also the Baudelaire parents and there are way too many questions about this series.
I so agree with all of these! When you love a character you just need to know more about them!!!! Love the post 🙂
Nabila // Hot Town Cool Girl
Absolutely! There’s NEVER enough when the character feels like an awesome friend you want to know really well, right?!
Yes Haymitch! I want to read his story too 🙂 Great spin on the theme this week.
Yay, thankyou, Sue! There are SO many options here for books I need. 😂 *quietly petitions all the authors*
I absolutely love your take on this list! OMG, I want a Khalid story SO BAD! I just read The Rose and The Dagger and I didn’t realize it was the finale either. I was glad I wouldn’t have to deal with a cliffhanger, but I was devastated because I WANTED MORE! And a Haymitch prequel for Hunger Games would also be wonderful. I swear, he was one of my favorite characters.
GAH. I’M STILL SAD TR&TD IS THE ENDING. *cries* I’m not putting off reading it because I don’t want it all to be over. 😂 (Yes, yes, my logic is awesome.) Ahem.
HAYMITCH WAS THE BEST. But, like, the more I think on it…I want novels about ALL the tributes. Like Finnick?! Johanna?!? DANGIT I EVEN WANT TO KNOW SNOW’S BACKSTORY.
I agree with Morpheus and Khalid! I’d love to see him from the caterpillar days, and I also want to see Khalid tragic childhood (I know I’m horrible but I do want to hug him). Annndd the winchesters which we already have lots of flashbacks, even wayy back to the time of Cain and Abel! But I’d love to see Little! Dean and Little! Sam being protective with each other and just bonding together because daddy John is always out (and maybe Sam comforting Dean after John being horrible).
I’d love to have the Marauders prequel of course! They’re just so much fun and I’d love to read about their pranks! (and friendship) Honestly I’m so desperate at this point for them. Fanfictions are not enough!
THE CATERPILLAR DAYS *SHRIEKS* I mean, honestly where is a petition that I MIGHT SIGN IT. Ahem. But YUS. I want all the Winchester backstories. And I want to know more about Bobby. <3 And also the Winchester's mum's family? Since she was all a hunter crew too. ERMAGERD. MORE MORE. Ahem.
And the Marauders for sure. 😂
Pretty much want all of the Gangsey’s backstories. More about Noah when he was alive and rare moments of happiness in Adam’s childhood and yes, Gansey’s world adventures and more about Blue growing up at Fox Way and Ronan and his brothers. Y e s.
YES. (And also I’m dying at “Gangsey” omg how had I not heard that before? THAT IS BRILLIANT.) Noah YES. And also Ronan…I mean, omg his backstory would be intense and wonderful with a family like his.
Great choice with Haymitch. I would love to know more! Some of the others you’ve mentioned are characters I haven’t read books about yet. Some sound like more backstory or childhood stories would be great to know.
Yesss, wouldn’t it just?!? *starts petitioning the authors*
You know, I really want to know more about Haymitch too. He was my favorite character from The Hunger Games, but there’s really not a whole lot about him. He’s smart, practical, and depressed out of his mind. /WHY EXACTLY?!/
Also, I want to know more about Sam and Dean too…
All the books need written!
I KNOW!!! I WANT TO KNOW ALL THE THINGS ABOUT HIM TOO!! I’m assuming the Capitol killed his family and everything, right???? I want to know aaaal the details. *cries*
And there will never be enough information about the precious Winchesters. <33
Of the three of those series I have read; yes to Haymitch and Gansey! I would love to know more about Luna Lovegood’s mother. Not just the mother parts either, but her childhood, too. 🙂
Ohhhh YES to Luna. Actually her whole family was fascinating and I’d love to know what she did after the last Harry Potter book too. LUNA FTW.
Oooh, yes please! I would love a prequel for Kaz and Haymitch!
The Winchesterssssss! I started Supernaturnal a couple months back and have been powering through the seasons.
Great list, Cait!
OMG YAY FOR A FELLOW SUPERNATURAL FAN *hi fives* Season 9 is my favourite. :’) I think I lost, like, 94% of my feels during that. They just all shattered and IT WAS GLORIOUS. :’)
I could not agree with you more re: Gansey and Haymitch! I would kill for a book (or even series) detailing Gansey’s year after he was saved — all his travels, meeting Malory for the first time, his quiet determination and growth toward obsession with Glendower. That would be amazing!!
Yessss for Gansey. <3 Tbh, I would be okay with prequels for ALL the Raven boys (particularly Noah too??? Since he changed a lot after being, um, dead) but GANSEY. AHHH MYSTERIOUS GANSEY.
I’d really like to read A.G. Howard’s books because they sound and look SO fun. Alas, I’ve not started them yet. *sigh* Someday. Hopefully. 🙂 Fun list, Cait – and thanks so much for dropping by Finding Wonderland. 🙂
Oh! Oh! I HIGHLY recommend the Splintered books!! *shrieks* They are some of my total favourites. :’)
OMG I definitely agree that we need backstories of mainly, VILLAINS. I mean, what makes them evil? Were they born that way? Or were they made into that way? WHAT WHAT WHAT? I am definitely interested in Warner’s backstory though. I think I need mooooore of him, his childhood, his heartbreak. EVERYTHING. OMG now you made me want to demand for prequels xD
Yessssss. VILLAINS FTW. I think they come across more complex than heroes sometimes, because of all the changes/history they have to have to have MADE them evil. You know?? 😂
And omg I wish prequels were more of a thing! I LONG FOR THEM.
YES! We need a Haymitch. I want to know all about him and give him like his own Hunger Games book. Because he is one of the best characters. Also President Snow. Like was he born obsessive and oppressive? What happened to this dude to make him so utterly evil that he enjoys psyching out teenage girls? But a Haymitch book, yes please.
A book of short stories from TRC would be cool too. I just finished The Dream Thieves and Gansey is always referencing about the old Ronan, the Ronan before his dad died. I think it’d be cool to actually see that. They’re friendship develop and then how it went when Adam first got thrown into the mix. And what about Noah? When did he turn up? Or is he one of those ghost where they can’t remember when he started coming around he just kind of always was? And I want to know way more about Maura and, and. . . this Butternut.
BUT what I really, really want is to know about The Gladers from The Maze Runner. Like what were they before the Maze? What happened to them that got them into the Maze. I want to KNOW IT ALL. Especially about Thomas. Newt and Minho too. But what did Thomas and Teresa have to do with it all? What of the telepathy? I’ve not read The Death Cure yet, so I’m hoping for answers. Really though? Answers seem to be a foreign concept in the Maze Runner trilogy. 😛
ABSOLUTELY YES. And can we add in Cinna/???? Because he intrigues me SO MUCH. Why was he so compassionate to District 12? ALSO JOHANNAH MASON. I want to know everything about her tragic life *cries* Basically please someone find Suzanne Collins and petition her to write more for us.
AND YES ANOTHER RONAN BOOK. *shrieks wildly* Actually I’d be entirely okay for books on ALL of the Raven Boys. And Blue. So prequel novels for all. Even a prequel novel for Mallory’s dog. YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO THAT YET, BUT WAIT FOR MALLORY’S DOG. It is the best.
I haven’t read The Death Cure yet either!! Mostly because the blurb didn’t seem to say it was about Thomas so…I wasn’t so keen. 😂 BUT THERE IS ANOTHER BOOK COMING OUT!! FEVER CODE. I think it’s going to give Thomas’ backstory! *shrieks* (Although I won’t hold my breath, because YOU’RE SO RIGHT. That series only gives more questions instead of answering them. *has mental breakdown*) 😂
OMG COUNT OLAF! Yes! I bet he isn’t a count! I have literally said this. I can NOT wait for the new Netflix series. It will hopefully be AMAZING! And yes to Haymitch! OMG Yes! YAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
YES YES I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NETFLIX SERIES EITHER! *screams* Although I admit I FULLY adore the movie as is. 😂 But I’m sure this’ll be more awesome because MORE SCREEN TIME YESSSSSS.
OH MY WORD, YES. I WANT A HAYMITCH NOVEL. HERE’S MY MONEY. TAKE IT ALL. Seriously, I’ve always thought that would be such an amazing and interesting novel to read.
I want a novel for Snape, Lily, and the Marauders. That would be so, so goooooood. No, I want a series for them. It doesn’t have to be seven books (but I wouldn’t complain…) but at least a trilogy. That would be so awesome and if it could stretch just a tinsy bit past their school years that would be okay too. Am I the only who thinks that it would be cool to see a Voldemort novel from when he was still becoming the darkest wizard of all time? Of course, I will read any novel in the Harry Potter universe written by Rowling. TAKE ALL MY MONEY, PLEASE.
I know people complain when authors do this type of stuff but I say if you’ve got a good thing going, why in the world waste it? There is just SO much to dive into with some of these worlds and characters that authors have created. I mean, what about an Arobynn novel? I would so read that.
This is why I love Marissa Meyer and how she gave us Levana’s story in Fairest! I think a Kaz story would be absolutely perfect, and I would totally read a Haymitch story as well! So much great potential here Cait!
Okay.
Warner – Y E S. I want to see little Warner, or even teenage Warner. They would be GLORIOUS and PAINFUL to read about. I totally want to re-read this series, too. I just got the first book in paperback – FINALLY – so hopefully it will happen soon. And reading the first one KNOWING about Destroy Me will be so much better.
To be honest, I want the first Alice story from Howard’s version. When Morpheus was all tortured and whatnot. I would like to see him interacting with her. I would like that very much.
I kind of feel like we have enough of baby Sam and Dean, but I would never say no to more of the Winchester brothers. Because they’re adorable. And yes.
A Haymitch backstory would be AMAZING. In so many ways. I feel like his character would be even more fleshed out and I didnt’ know I wanted this until now.
We need more prequel stories of all The Raven Cycle characters, in my opinion. PREQUEL SERIES, PLEASE, MAGGIE. THANKS.
LOLOLOLOL COUNT OLAF. God, I’d forgotten about him. I feel like I have to tell you, Kaz Brekker hates touching skin because he was left to die on that barge full of sick, dying bodies that were rotting from the fever. Literally, there was just a mass of disgusting human flesh around him, and he was sort of buried underneath, so you can see why he wouldn’t want to feel that again. Just to clarify.
SIX OF CROWS THOUGH. IT WAS AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS.
OMG THAT WAS WHAT IT WAS WITH KAZ. THANK YOU.😂 I can’t actually believe I forgot…poor small tortured baby. <3 (I'm definitely going to re-read before Crooked Kingdom. 0_0)
Love the site! I know this post is a little old but I agree on Haymitch! If fanfiction is your thing though this author, Fernwithy, has a great backstory series for Haymitch that’s amazing. It’s here : http://archiveofourown.org/series/61184 if interested!