Parents are very important in YA novels.
Because who else is going to die on page 4 so the protagonist can go on a wild adventure? HAHAHA AHAHA! JUST KIDDING!
…Except also not really.
But that unfortunate truth aside, literary parents can be some of the most interesting people in a novel. This is because they leave us asking so many questions, like “why the heck didn’t you tell your kid they were a werewolf?? Maybe they wouldn’t freak out over shedding hair so much???”
And bookworms love asking questions and speculating and coming up with wildly improbably theories and then hankering desperately after prequel novels they don’t have and then kidnapping authors in order to force them to write these prequel parental novels for them. HAHAH HA HA HAHAHAH! JUST KIDDING YET AGAIN!!
(Except also not really.)
And since there are so many types of interesting YA parents, I thought we’d have a quick list of them first and then dive into my prequel wishlist. Ready for this? Of course you are. You were born ready, with cupcakes in your pocket and dreams to be a dread pirate.
- The parents who are dead before the story begins because ORPHAN AESTHETIC.
- The parents who die on page 2 because conflict.
- The parents who just aren’t around because how do you even write a parent it is so hard.
- The parents who are super cool and supportive and die on page 3 because conflict.
- HAHA JUST KIDDING YET AGAIN OMG! There are parents who are cool and supportive and live the entire book through. They are a rare species. Scientific surveys say they make up 1 in every 976 books.
- (Note: scientific surveys run by me are…sketchy. Let’s be real here. But take what you will.)
- Also the parents who run off because how do you even write a parent.
- And then the parents who die on page 4 because what the heck man.
- Then we have villain parents.
- And deluded parents.
- And parents who are good at making waffles, which is not a popular type but should be.
- And lastly we have the parents who are self-appointed and generally just teenagers but force their friends to take naps and babysit them and feed them smol sandwiches are known as Richard Gansey III, anxious mother of three boys and a bird. Bless him. My favourite.
Today I’m linking up with Top Ten Tuesday for their prompt “Mother’s Day related freebie” and I’m sure it counts if I list 10 YA parents I want prequel novels for. And if it doesn’t count, well my aesthetic is equal parts being a cake * and also a rebel rule breaker.
* No really, my 4 year old niece asked me if my name was actually Cake yesterday. They’re onto me. My feeble attempts at fitting in with the humans are failing.
1. MAURA FROM THE RAVEN CYCLE
If you thought I wasn’t going to mention Stiefvater books as many times as I can in this blog then — HA! YOU’RE NEW HERE, AND WELCOME TO MY OBSESSION. It’s subtle I’m sure.
I would love to know more about how Maura and Calla started their psychic business. Like when and where did Persephone come in? Did she always have wild hair? How did they end up in a house that is so amazing and mad and sprawling and inhabited with 3989 million people and so many pies? I want to know how Maura fell in love with Butternut. I want psychic origin stories dangit.
Or I just want infinitely more Stiefvater books???? Likely.
2. STARR’S PARENTS FROM THE HATE U GIVE
Don’t even pretend that Starr’s parents aren’t the cutest and most loving YA parents of ever BECAUSE THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE. Starr calls them her OTP and, duuuuuude, same. I’d love a story about her dad and his ex-gang life and how they met and the secret to why they’re so #fabulous.
EXCUSE MY HORRID PHOTOSHOPPING JOB BUT SOME IDIOT PACKED UP THEIR BOOKSHELF BECAUSE THEY’RE MOVING HOUSE. (OH WAIT. THE IDIOT IS ME.)
3. VINCENTE FROM THE INEXPLICABLE LOGIC OF MY LIFE
Sal’s dad is so disgustingly nice it hurts. No really. Why is this dude so GOLDEN HEARTED??? If you spilled his cornflakes on purpose and sneered at him, he’d probably sit you down, look you in the eyes, and ask you what’s wrong while you had an emotional breakdown so he could pat your back, feed you homemade tacos, and make you into a better person.
Disgustingly nice I tell you.
We need books about nice literary YA parents.
HAHA! JOKING WITH YOU! One exists at least.
4. NICO’S DAD, HADES, FROM THE PERCY JACKSON SERIES
And knowing Rick Riordan who writes spin-offs of spin-offs then, MAYBE THIS WILL HAPPEN??!? I can put in a petition, right?? Sacrifice a blue coke to the pine trees or whatever. But excuse me while I just think Hades is really rather fascinating. He actually seems the most chill of the Big 3 Gods and wasn’t he wearing a Hawaiian shirt in one of the Percy Jackson books? I want to know more.
Basically I also just want dark books set in the underworld.
Was #3 actually about me saying I want books about nice parents or was that a typo? PROBABLY A TYPO. DOESN’T SOUND LKE ME AT ALL.
5. THE CAPTAIN FROM THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE
And, obviously, it’d be about his wife too — before she died. Because basically time-travelling ex-pirate ships are what everyone aspires to in life. * And this captain dude is so OBSESSED with getting his wife back, even at the risk of his daughter Nix’s life, that I want to know more about their relationship.
But I really actually just want to know all the things about how he got that time travelling ship.
Pirate ship > romance.
* Unless you aspire to own a castle with ceiling high bookshelves and those fun ladders that slide and spin? In which case I’ll forgive you for not caring about pirate ships. Although, really. Can’t you multitask? Sheesh.
6. NATHAN’S PARENTS IN HALF BAD
Because they were witches at war and it would’ve been such a NICE Romeo x Juliet story that ends in 500% blood and destruction. Lovely. Plus you know there’s that whole thing where Nathan’s dad eats people’s hearts and gets their powers so when did he start doing that and may we have a book of it???
And no I’m perfectly normal and kind I swear anything worrisome in this post is a typo.
LOOK, AGAIN, I’M JUST USING PHOTOS I HAVE. SO IGNORE BLUE LILY…OR DON’T BECAUSE SHE’S GORGEOUS.
7. CASSEL’S MOTHER IN WHITE CAT
Arguably Cassel’s mother is the worst. She’s a con-artist and has no shame and is magical and probably raised 3 psychopath sons. I have questions about her childhood and teenagerdom. I’m very interested.
And is this just me wanting more books about magical thieves?! HA! YOU SILLY CHILD!
(Yeah…you’re so right though.)
8. CLARY’S PARENTS IN THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS
Because Valentine is a psychopath and what did Clary’s mother see in him?!? I WANT TO KNOW. I also want to know why he’s a psycho.
And considering Cassandra Clare is also notoriously good at writing spin-offs off of spin-offs (try saying THAT five times fast without spitting that cupcake you’re surely eating out over your screen) we might actually get this someday!
9. BOTH LUC AND LACE’S PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS FROM THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS
Because magical (!!) circus (!!) travelling (!!) people (!!) who make their living as birds and mermaids and are at lethal WAR with each other. I’m pretty sure they would happily turn each other into kebabs and then put those kebabs in a box and mail them to Guadeloupe for a turtle to eat. *
But basically I just want this author to write 938439 more books about Luc and Lace because they’re GORGEOUS. Did I mention this book is one of my favourites?!?? Luc has feathers in his hair and Lace sews mermaid tails and they are beautiful and damaged people who damaged my feels and I should be mad at them bUT I’M NOT.
* Sometimes I worry about how I get these tangent metaphorical thoughts too, it’s okay, you’re not alone in your concern about me.
10. SARAI’S PARENTS IN STRANGE THE DREAMER
Okay I’m massively cheating here because I’m actually STILL READING THIS RIGHT NOW. I’m listening to the audiobook so it’s slow going but afjdskald I’m in love and excuse me while my brain is already exploding into thousands of little moths on its own and asking for MORE. Which is silly. Finish it, yet, Cait. FINISH IT. (So don’t give me spoilers! I’m just over halfway.)
But Sarai’s mother is the goddess of despair and absolutely evil and I would fully like a book about these evil gods. I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THEY CAME. But…well, Cait. It’s possible you will actually get answers in this book. When you finish it.
For goodness sakes.
But why is this book so perfectly beautiful and full of gorgeous bookworm appreciation and lovely prose that makes me want to eat my audiobook???!? It’s actually not a good thing. If I eat my audiobook, I’ll have eaten my iPod, and then I’ll truly be the reading machine everyone claims I am. *
* FYI I’ve read 103 books this year!! I’m either on fire and amazing or else have absolutely no life and no sleep.
As soon as I saw the title of this post, I knew Maura was coming (TOTALLY agree, by the way, I am so here for ALL the prequels about Maura, Calla, and Persephone being gloriously psychic). Here for Hades too, but can we have a spin-off about Nico first? Pretty please?
How about a previous generation Harry Potter spin-off?
Rain @ Ivyclad Ideas recently posted…Learning to Let Go (Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro)
OF COURSE YOU KNEW! YOU KNOW ME TOO WELL. 😂 If I’m listing books it’s basically just guaranteed these days that I’ll squeeze the Raven cycle onto there. I am not ashamed.😂
And omg, yes I’ll settle for just a Nico series. I don’t even understand why he hasn’t got one yet?! Like I LOVE Apollo but…Nico = would be so so so so cool.
Oh my goshhhhh, YES!! I have to confess: I haven’t read a lot of these…yet…but I 100% agree with Clary’s parents. And okay, so, it might have been years since I’ve read that series, but I remembered I always loved her mother. SO much book material there. And she was badass, so that would make it doubly fun to read about. 🙂 Also: give me ALL the HP spinoffs.
Kara recently posted…Some MIDNIGHT QUEEN Music & Persevering with Writing
I know right?!? The Shadowhunter world is just so complex that literally all the characters would have interesting backstories that I want to read about.😍 #WRITINGGOALS
And yes! Haha. I knew someone would mention HP. I won’t lie…a Mauraders story would be good…
I would love to know more about Maura and Hades! I mean, it’s Hades so his life is well-known already but I WANT MORE. I think my answer will always be the same for this kind of question, I want more of James and Lily aka Marauders Era. I mean, come on. We’ve been begging and begging, yet still no marauders era. Instead we got an 8th story (????) and 5 movies….
Tasya recently posted…101 Things Young Adult Should Know by John Hawkins // Useful, but Have Too Much Personal Bias
Yes and yesssss. I don’t even get why there aren’t more Hades centred books out there though!?? He’s just…I MEAN, THE KING OF HELL BASICALLY. LET’S HAVE NOVELS ABOUT HIM.
And like why haven’t they gone with the Maurader’s yet?!? But maaaybe there’s hope if they’ve got Fantastic Beasts…
I haven’t read most of these hahaha shame on me I know xD. BUT. I do vote fir a prequel of Starr’s parents. Because they are adorable and it would be awesome.
Bee @ Quite the Novel Idea recently posted…{Liza’s Coming Trip to NYC and BEA}
Oooh so much shame, Bee. 😉 JUST KIDDING!! (Although you should totally read White Cat because THIEVES AND CON ARTISTS AND MAGIC!!!)
I would love to know more about Sabriel’s parents and what being an Abhorrent meant to her father. I would also like to have a prequel starring Lady’s parents region Illuminae, and maybe Ezra’s parents to to discover how they ended up on Kerenza. These idea are great too though. And I REALLY need to start Strange the Dreamer. Parents are vital and we need them in more stories.
Shanti recently posted…Beauty and the Beast tag
Ohhh more books in the Illuminae universe would ALWAYS be welcome. I really want to know more about Nico’s life. SINCE IT MAKES ME CRY.
*whispers* Strange the Dreamer is THe. BEST. *sobs with love with it*
Most of the parents die. We’ve been amazed, in reading the 1001 Children’s Books, at how many of the parents are gone.
https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2017/05/wonderful-books-to-give-your-mom-for.html
Haha, I’m not amazed anymore! It’s pretty common to kill of all the parents, sadly.
I want ALL of these spinoffs!
I also want to know why Grace’s parents in Shiver don’t notice that hey, their daughter is dating a WOLF, and then that she IS a wolf, and also that she’s running around infecting people with meningitis (like why). And I want to know why Cassel’s mother is so charming yet useless (Fun fact: I listed to the audiobooks of this series and thought his name was Castle the entire time.)
I think they mention in Blue Lily that Maura and Calla were like called to Henrietta and were hitchhiking there when Persephone turned up out of nowhere? I don’t know because I have a terrible memory?
Luc and Lace have such interesting families!! Also I NEED to read Strange the Dreamer…
I have SO many questions about Grace’s parents too. Like Sam was literally living in her room for how long? 😂😂 (fdkaslfd I now have Shiver feels and I need to reread. *shrieks*)
And yes! There was like that snippet of Maura’s background BUT I WANT TO KNOW MORE AND HOW DID SHE MEET BLUE’S DAD. C’MON. SO MANY QUESTIONS.
I’m right in the middle of Strange the Dreamer right now too, and I love it!! The idea of evil Gods fascinate me, so I agree that a prequel would be awesome. And don’t you just love Lazlo, how he is growing into a stronger person every step of the way? Oh why do I have to go to work today??? I just want to keep reading :).
AFDKAJLSD IT’S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING STORY I CAN’T EVEN. Lazlo is like the BEST bookish boy of ever. 😍😍
Agreed!! 😃
Oh yes, parents need prequels. I can immediately think of series that need this. None of the ones you mentioned because we read different books, but it’s still a good point.
Out of the three books I’ve written I’ve actually come across some great material in the back-story of two of them. I am totally writing prequels about these parents someday. When I get to it. They’ll be good. One will have a war which explains the absence of half the parents in the main story. The other will have more romance than most of my stories and explain exactly how falling in love with the wrong person can really mess up peace treaties and personal safety. And give someone a great reason to kidnap your daughters.
The MC of the third book has parents who are alive, probably love her and are totally irrelevant to anything that happens in the story. I could maybe write a short story about Izavee’s mother though. Prequels for everything then.
That’s cool to think about prequels for your own writing too!! I’m writing a spin-off series where it’ll be the kids of the book’s previous parents and IT’S SO FUN. Just knowing the parents backstory is all explored too. 🎉 The writers life can be so fun ahhhh!
I haven’t written any book to the stage where there are kids. So it seems easyier to work backwards. Though I have one characters stepdaughter who might become a character someday. I’ve not really got any solid plot though. Just her walking a really long way to find somewhere or someone. (I pretend to me her while hiking for some reason. Even though she isn’t much like me least of all in looks.)
I am now convinced I need a (Percy Jackson-world) Hades prequel urgently! He’s always been my favorite of the Greek Gods and would love to learn more about his backstory!
Also, yes to more Maura Sargent and more psychic prequels! And so much yes to Nathan’s parents! It would be super sad probably, but I still want it… 🙂
Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads recently posted…The Best & The Worst Fictional Mothers {Top Ten Tuesday}
Yes and yes!!! Maybe Riordan will hear the pleas? Hehe. I need more Nico too tbh.😂
Omg anything by Sally Green is destined to rip our hearts out BUT I WANT.
OMG! I love your take on this topic! I’ve read a lot of these and I would LOVE books about their parents. Especially Cassel’s mom and Sarai’s parents! I would LOVE more books set in the Curse Workers world,. I loved those books so much. And isn’t Strange the Dreamer the most incredible thing ever! I’m already ready for a reread. I LOVED that book beyond belief. I’m happy you’re loving it too.
Lori recently posted…Ten YA Books with Good Moms
YAY FINALLY SOMEONE ELSE WHO’S READ THE CURSEWORKERS!! Aren’t they just the best and totally underrated?!? And omg Strange the Dreamer is killing me with how beautiful it is. <3 I've got about 100pgs to go now and I'm SO IN LOVE I CAN'T EVEN.
Hades has always been my favourite Greek god. A spin off based on him being a parent to Nico would be really amazing! I especially loved his character in The Last Olympian!
Wouldn’t it just be?!?? And plus a total spin-off dedicated to Nico would be afjdkslad the best.
I haven’t read any af the books you are talking about, but omg i can’t believe you didn’t include Lily and James Potter! When it comes down to prequels, they are sort of my OTP prequel haha
They’d totally be great! I just guess I’m not as obsessed with HP as everyone else.😂 MY BAD.
I absolutely LOVE the idea for this list!!! I MUST know the backstories of Maura and Clary’s parents ASAP– I feel like whole series could be written about them!
IT’S TRUE!! And I mean I know Maggie Stiefvater says she hates prequels so has crushed my dreams, but I can’ wiiiish.😂
I WOULD ACTUALLY LOVE LOVE LOVE A HADES STORY! It just sounds so fascinating and I am sure Riordan will have a lot of scope to write that in! I would love to have a prequel for The Sun Is Also A Star because I think it’d be super interesting to see how Natasha’s parents met! Really unique idea Cait and fingers crossed this happens one day!
Yessss it would be SO interesting and hey there’s kind of hope that Riordan may possibly give us a Nico-themed story, right?!?
I would also love a prequel of Molly Weasley and Arthur, like when they met and how they dated and stuff. I know a lot of people want the prequel w/ Harry’s dad but to me I’d rather have some more Weasley goodness 😊😍
Hope you have a good day (and good luck moving!!)
YES AND YES! I would love that too. They must’ve been adorkable.😂
‘Cake “Cait” the Furious Paper Fury of the Seven Seas’ is your full title, yes? *winks* I won’t tell the humans.
Have I ever mentioned how hilarious your posts are?! (What do you mean I have?! Surely I would have remembered.) And I like your strange little tangents, as scary as they are.
YES THAT’S MY COMPLETE TITLE HOW DID YOU KNOW.
And awww thanks. My job here is done then.😂😂 I’m sure my tangents are….completely normal…
Oooh I’d read a book about Maura from The Raven Cycle. I’m going to add the Harry Potter parents too, especially Harry’s. I think that’s a given for most HP fans, but STILL!
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Final Girls by Mira Grant
I knew everyone was going to chime in with HP parental backstories! And YES. Especially Harry’s…although I’d love Molly/Arthur’s time in Hogwarts too, tbh.😂
I wrote an opus of a novel last year (Title: The Queen’s Assassin) and had such a hoot with the backstory of the protagonist’s parents that I /had/ to write it. And get this: it is romance on a pirate ship. Well, there are pirates, ships, and romance, but they only all get smashed together at the end.
If I could only tidy up all the cakes I’m frosting and start The King’s Philosopher this summer…
P.S. Good luck with moving to a new place from the old place. Change is hard, and I would bake you cupcakes fo you if I were there.
DUDE THAT SOUNDS THOROUGHLY AMAZING I CAN’T EVEN. PIRATES ARE THE BESSSSST.
(And thank you. *accepts virtual cupcakes instead* 😭😂)
TOTALLY agree about the Mortal Instruments prequel – there is just so much in the flashbacks to when Valentine and Jocelyn and Luke were young that doesn’t add up – primary example, if Valentine was such a fruit loop, why in the world did Jocelyn marry him and would Luke die for him?! We assume he once had something to offer, like bravery and loyalty, not just “I’m taking over the world and going to kill you horribly if you don’t side with me.”
Also, I know I’d love a Harry Potter prequel – there are a million questions about all those adult characters that we know were once young and foolish – and I know the whole HP fanbase probably bugged the bananas out of JK Rowling for that. Maybe we’ll get glimpses in the next Fantastic Beasts movie…
And I definitely agree about needing more loving, supportive, normal parents, especially in fantasy, where it would just be downright helpful to our heroes to have that bonding and training in their innate magic/shapeshifting ability/evil divinity.
YES I WANT TO KNOW THAT TOO. There’s always so much backstory to Cassandra Clare’s characters which I totally love buuuuut I hope she maybe writes some things about it sometime. *begs the bookish heavens* 😂 Valentine must’ve been really charismatic? Psychopaths often are.
And hey there’s hope for HP sequels with them doing the Fantastic Beasts, right?! (Which I loved omg let me live in Newt’s suitcase.)
So many of these books are on my TBR list. I used to think I wanted a Harry Potter prequel about Harry’s parents, but then I read Cursed Child, and I was like . . . yuck. Maybe we should leave the HP series alone.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…Review: James And The Giant Peach – Roald Dahl
Haha, yeeeah, I’ve only heard bad things about the Cursed Child. But like if JK Rowling herself actually wrote some prequels, it’d be better right?!
I would totally read a prequel about Jocelyn and Valentine!
Kei @ The Lovely Pages Reviews recently posted…Mother’s Day | Gone But Not Forgotten
It would be terrifying and totally interesting.😂
Yes!! Hades all the way!! Though I have to say that a Harry Potter prequel is necessary! Whether it’s about the maurauders, Arthur & Molly, or even the Longbottoms!
This post is awesome! As I get older, I relate to the parents way more. *nervous laugh*, but of course I want to stay in the worlds!
One more thing! I’m dying here seeing your princess bride gifs! <3
PRINCESS BRIDE GIFS FTW I SAY. 😂
And yES some Harry Potter parents prequels would be amazing. ALL of those omg. And I’d even handle a full book on Voldemort’s backstory.
Although I have not read any if these….I agree with prequels about the parents!!! There are a few books that I have read that I would LOVE to know more about the parents.
It’s so interesting to think about, right?!? *flails* 😜
OH MY GOSH. SO MUCH YES WITH THE MAURA BACKSTORY!!! There’s so much to work with there! I mean…COME ON Maggie! We’re dying here!
Also AA+ on the Princess Brde GIF’s. Always a bonus. 😉
Elisabeth Wheatley recently posted…Somebody’s Villain
THE PRINCESS BRIDE MAKES EVERYTHING 1000 X BETTER.🎉
I loved this list so much!!! And yes to all haha.
Angel @Angel Reads recently posted…Ten Books I’ve Made My Mum Read
I’m glad you enjoyed it!! 🎉
Why have I only read two of the book series(es…? What’s the plural?) on this list?! I need to get with it! Regardless, this was hilarious as usual, Cait 🙂
AHhh, I’m glad you liked the post even if you hadn’t read them. 😂 I did have a few randomish not-well-known ones on here haha.😂
I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT MAURA AND HER PAST. EVERYTHING. I want all the Stiefvater magic in my life!! Also, I would love to know more about Hades. I really want a series about Hades and Persephone that features the rulers of the underworld having so much fun together and slaying their enemies. Yes please.
MAGGIE STIEFVATER COULD WRITE 93 BOOKS A YEAR AND IT WOULDN’T BE ENOUGH. *tries to smother my slightly unrealistic expectations*
I JUST WANNA SAY THAT I’M IN LOVE WITH ALL THESE PRINCESS BRIDE GIFS. THAT MOVIE IS LIKE THE BEST EVER.
hmmmm…..oooh, ok, so in the Hobbit it says that he got his adventurousness from his mom, so I want a book about her. what kind of adventures did she have? oooh! and a book full of smaller stories, like a few chapters long, about the mortal parents of all these demi gods, like Sally Jackson, and Annabeth’s dad, and Luke’s mom! that would be so cool! 😀 oh, and maybe-IS THAT A BROWNIE IN THE LAST PICTURE??? ME HUNGRY…………
Most crazily, ~Olive
Olive recently posted…Happy star wars day!
I remember reading the mortal instruments and loving Jocelyn and Luke so much <3 Yes Luke isn't Clary's father but in my eyes he was. I would like to know what happened to Luke and Jocelyn later, after TMI. I love their friendship and love so much. Specially how much they both love Clary.
And a prequal would be even better ♡ I would love to read more about the characters, when they where younger and see how their friendship was back then.
Elin recently posted…What I read so far in 2017.
Oh oh I love Luke SO much too! he is an excellent step-in father. <3 And I'd definitely like to know more about his youth too...basically all the TMI characters are so interesting, right!??
OMG your use of The Princess Bride gifts is making me fangirl so much!! EEEEKKK!!!!
Okay, I’ll stop now. Anyway!! I loved this! Strangely, I haven’t read any of the books on your list, hmmm. I should buck up a bit!
I’d love to read more about how Princess Mia’s (The Princess Diaries) parents met, the whole story about that. How her mum found out that her dad was royal and everything like that! ^.^
“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya, You killed my father, Prepare to die!”
Princess Bride gifs are LIFE. THEY TRULY ARE.
And this is the part where I guiltily admit that I’ve only seen the Princess Diaries movie and not read the books. Bookworm fail for me. 😂 I did love the movies though!
I’m dying to know what Jocelyn saw in Valentine but at the same time I’m afraid the whole prequel would teeter into “abuse is sexy” territory and then I’d have to burn the book at dawn.
Well…that is true. I hadn’t thought of that, uuugh. 😭 Maybe he only turned evil AFTERWARDS?!??? We can hope??? I still would definitely like to know why he became (or always was?) a psychopath.
I mean he was supposedly the epitome of Shadowhunterly goodness when he was younger, but when you think about it, Shadowhunters have a lot of problems with…everything…and in a way Valentine’s just taking their dogma to the next level. See, this is why we need a prequel. So these very important questions can be answered.
I almost couldn’t even focus on the content, the photos were all so pretty! I love your take on this week’s topic! There are lots of parents that it would be awesome to have prequel stories for! I am still wishing for Some James and Lily prequel stories from HP 🙂
My TTT.
Aww, *blushes* I’m SO glad you liked my photos!! *flails happily* And absolutely YES to a James and Lily prequel. I’d love to see the Maurders in action.😂
I love your list of types of book parents. Totally spot on. Why is it hard to write parents, why must so many poor YA characters loose theirs or have evil devious parents? I am just scratching my head. And hey I did a list of famous characters without moms. Because I am inquisitive too and want to know where all the moms have gone?
My TTT: http://books.thetechchef.net/top-ten-tuesday-25/
I guess it’s an easy way to put in conflict?!😂 I mean, I write evil/dead parents in my books a lot so I shoooouldn’t complain but omg I would like to see some more nice parents!!
Oh Maura. Must have that one!
Annemieke recently posted…Bookish Moms
It’d be SO interesting!!
Great list, I love the take you took on this week’s topic! It would be so much fun to read prequel novels based on YA characters parents. I would love to read a Maura prequel, I reckon she had a pretty interesting youth. A Hades prequel would also be really cool. I think the one I want most though is a Marauders prequel from JK Rowling, I need to read about James, Lupin, Sirius and Pettigrew’s school years like now!
Jo recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #107
The best thing about Maggie Stiefvater’s books is all the backstory that’s never fully said. I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONSA HHH!! And yes I think we ALL want a Mauraders prequel, right?!😂
Yes! I want to know more about Maura! Also, Percy Jackson’s mom. I’d love to read a prequel about her.
Omg YES to Percy Jackson’s mum too! Like how do you even meet a god and fall in love?! I have questions. 😂
I SO need a prequel about Sal’s dad! Him and Sal’s mother sound like such perfect friends for each other and it pains me that we don’t ever get to see that in action
EXACTLY. It would be such an awesomely interesting tale.
I haven’t read a lot of these books but YES YES YES I need a prequel about Clary’s parents. Wouldn’t it just be so interesting? This was such a fun topic!
Megan @ http://wanderingsofabookbird.blogspot.co.uk/
Megan recently posted…My Favourite Contemporary Reads
It would be SO interesting. Like we never did really find out why Valentin was a psychopath…
I have to admit, I’ve never actually paid that much attention to parents in YA books, especially to the point where I’ve thought “Gosh, I really wish I could read more about these guys.” I mean, I’ve been annoyed at times by their lack of presence because they all do mostly seem to be dead or crazy or away, but to actually be like “I NEED A WHOLE BOOK ABOUT THIS, GIVE ME MORE!!!”?, not quite.
That being said, I’m with you on the Half Bad one. I actually only read the first book in the series but hearing that his dad eats people heart’s to inherit their powers has me totally intrigued. That’s a pretty crazy power to have. And it’d be one that’d I think could really mess with a person’s mind. “Do I want to kill this person so I can teleport to the other side of the world quickly and freely? Or is my neighbor a nice enough person I should let them live?” So many decisions!
I’m trying to look at my bookshelf to see if there’s any books that jump out at me whose parents I might be interested in knowing more about in a prequel. You know what, maybe Todd’s parents from Chaos Walking series (of course I turn to Patrick Ness, that’s just as obvious as you turning to Maggie Stiefvater). They’re both dead when you start the series and I think it would be interesting to learn more about what happened to them and the start of Prentisstown – how things went to shit. Could be interesting!
Anyways, lovely post. I like how your posts always tend to make me think of something I hadn’t thought before. It’s almost like this is an edumacational blog – except really I mostly just learn about cake and evilness. >;)
Asti recently posted…Uprooted: the book that makes me say “FIVE FUCKING STARS!!!”
haha, I get that! 😂 And also “dead or crazy” seems to very aptly describe the bulk of YA parents.😂 But omg I LOVE the Half Bad trilogy so so much and totally recommend you finishing it someday *nudges it in your direction* Marcus is SO interesting omg. And like the black witch falling for a white witch sort of storyline is never not going to intrigue me. 😍
I love Patrick Ness!! And this reminds me I haven’t finished the Chaos Walking series myself haha. 🙈🙊
(Awww, I’m so glad you like my posts!!)
This post made me really happy because SO MANY PRINCESS BRIDE GIFS. BLESS YOU
ALL THE PRINCESS BRIDE APPRECIATION. *cheers*
*SQUEALS*
THE RAVEN BOYS!
THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS
THE HATE U GIVE!!!
They all have wonderful examples of wonderful people! They are also one of my favorite books evahhhhh
I’M SO GLAD WE HAVE SOME OF THE SAME FAVOURITE BOOKS. OUR TASTE IS EXCELLENT, CLEARLY. *hi fives*
Great spin on this week’s topic, Cait!
One of the things I love most about YA when it’s done well is that the characters are at that age when they really start to realise that their parents are, in fact, people and not just ‘mum and dad’, and they’ve done things before their kids were around and made mistakes and will still make mistakes. It’s fascinating.
Also I totally agree that I’d love to see a book about Nix’s parents; her father was so in love with her mother she must have been a pretty cool lady, I’d love to know more about her.
Jess @ Curiouser and Curiouser recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday | Things I Want My (Hypothetical) Daughter to Read
It is totally fascinating! And like some of the parents in books are completely badass and I just want to know how they got to where they are. 😱
I am completely on board with seeing more parents who excel at making waffles.
I would LOVE to see a Molly & Arthur Weasley prequel! They’re so awesome and I want to see how they fell in love!
Amy Shaw recently posted…Thoughts on Netflix’s Anne with an E
Waffles are DELICIOUS and entirely under-appreciated in books. *makes not to self to put waffles in WIP* 😂 And yes to the Weasley parents! I’d love to see them going through Hogwarts!
OMG I’D TOTALLY BE DOWN FOR A PREQUEL ABOUT HADES. I can just imagine him trying to protect Little Bianca and Little Nico from Zeus, and his pain when he has to send them to the Lotus Casino. 💔😭 I’d also be totally down for a prequel about Sally Jackson and Poesiden. Just saying. 😉
Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous post! <3
Zoe @ Stories on Stage recently posted…YA Character Doppelgängers
YES YES ALL THE RIORDAN BOOKS. I figured you would be onboard from that.😂 And Little Nico?!? Like yes please we need a Nico-centric series too.
OMG I WANT THAT PREQUEL WITH SARAI’S PARENTS YES PLS THANK YOU. Also, the MOTHS. I love the moths. I want all of them for the ones I’ve read, because as you mentioned you are a reading machine and I will never be able to keep up with you. 103 books i’m soooo jealous 😅
I’m so glad you’re loving Strange The Dreamer but I NEED YOU TO FINISH IT BECAUSE OMG. I need your thoughts and feelings and FLAILING.
kris @ lemon-notes recently posted…7 Book Series I’ve Coerced My Mom Into Reading
MOTHS ARE GREAT NOW THAT I’VE BEEN READING STRANGE THE DREAMER. I’M CONVERTED (Also Morpheus the Moth from Splintered 😍). Aww, hahaha yes I’m a bit of a reading machine this year.😂
Ooh, this post really made me think. I definitely agree about The Half Bad Trilogy – Nathan’vparents must have a super interest story. Otherwise I can’t think of any others I would want to read. I think so many of my books suffer from the “orphan” storyline so parents haven’t really been an issue…
Wouldn’t they just?!?? SO INTERESTING. I really need more details….and basically I just need more Sally Green books to read. 😂
Well, yes to everything on here! (atleast the books I have read lol) yES to that Half Bad one even though I have only read the first book XD And obviously yes to everything Raven Cycle. I need the Ronan trilogy like yesterday :/ Have you heard that Maggie is writing a short story about them? Me = want.
I was loving Strange The Dreamer but not so much now, because the insta-love is not my thing. ^-^
I need a prequel about the Circle in TMI too! But maybe about Stephen and Amatis? I want to know more about them haha!
Prabhleen recently posted…BOOKS I WANT TO READ ASAP!
Ooooh the Half Bad series is SO GOOD I totally recommend finishing it. *flings confetti at you* And omg why can’t we have the Ronan story now?!??? LIKE THAT’D BE NICE. Where is my time machine. I know I left it around here somewhere…
Aww, that’s sad! I am SO in love with Strange the Dreamer. 😍
You are awesome because you just reminded me I got discount cupcakes yesterday. One thing led to another, and I made a Bookstagram pic and then ate a yummy cupcake. Best sequence of events ever.
And I hear scientific dissertations have been written about how wonderful the folks frm The Hate U Give are. Heheh.
Evelina recently posted…How To NOT Find A Spark In A Brilliantly Set Up Story
OOOOH, CUPCAKES. Obviously taking photos of them is an excellent idea, but also sharing them with me would be an equally excellent idea. #justsaying
The photos or the cupcakes xD I can share the photo just fine, but you know, they were on discount when I got them yesterday, I’m pretty sure they would just go off before they reached the land of Oz 😀 also, you know how the post is. Unless you have a teleport?? (which would be absolutely brilliant and awesome and I always keep hoping)
But here’s at least the pic xD
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUMHw0kANnq/?taken-by=avalinahsbooks
Evelina recently posted…How To NOT Find A Spark In A Brilliantly Set Up Story
YAASSS Maura and The Captain totally need prequels!! I think those would be awesome 😀
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
They would make SUCH interesting books. 😍
I would love a book about the original Order of the Phoenix- especially REMUS LUPIN. I also want a book, or even a book series about the Baudelaire parents, the Quagmire parents, the Snickets, the Denouements and all the other agents of VFD. There are glimpses of that in the Unauthorized Autobiography and The Beatrice Letters, but GIVE ME MORE.
yES that would be amazing!! I guess it’s too much to hope JK Rowling will do some prequels?!😂 And YES to the Snickets too!! I wanted to put them on this list but I ran out of room. (Also intense FLAILS that you’ve read the Unauthorized Autobiography and the Beatrice Letters too!! I barely ever meet anyone who’s read them. 😱🎉🎉)
“And parents who are good at making waffles, which is not a popular type but should be.” <<<<< BASICALLY MY PARENTS IN REAL LIFE AND ALSO IN ALL MY FICTION SO THERE WE GO HERE'S ANOTHER SPRINKLING TO ADD TO THE VERY SPARSE SUPPLY OF NICE PARENTS IN BOOKS. :''''') It's so true though, like HOW ARE THEY SO HARD TO WRITE??? Parents are just as complex and cool as the angsty teenager main characters ??? SOMETIMES EVEN MORE COMPLEX AND COOL JUST SAYIN.
Thank you for this post *hugs it*
btw you should read All The Light We Cannot See because the dad in that book = CINNAMON ROLL GOALS
Abbiee recently posted…How To Deal With Your Plot Bunnies (In 3 Easy Steps!)
OH HELLO WAFFLE QUEEN! I should’ve known that mentioning waffles would summon you.😂 Obviously your parents need to write themselves into YA books because we have need for waffle-making parents.
And arghguhququqy parents ARE hard to write.😂 I admit I write some pretty terrible parents haha. BUT I am currently working on a book with a nice dad, so I’m like awarding myself. (With waffles.)
And I want to read that one!!
TBH I haven’t read over half of the books in this post 😂😂 but it’s still relatable.
YES I need a prequel to Nico’s dad!! And Percy’s mom!!
Also, I’m pretty sure it was Poseidon who was wearing the hawaiin shirt, not Hades. I COULD be wrong..
And I so want to read Strange the Dreamer!! All of your status updates have left me wanting to read it so. bad. I have the ebook but I’m waiting for a physical copy because precious books must be savored.
Agh you’re right! I don’t think it was Hades in the Hawaiian shirt? I seriously can’t remember, but they DID meet Hades, didn’t they?!? Honestly I need to reread.😂
I’M NEARLY FINISHED STRANGE THE DREAMER NOW AND I’M SOBBING BECAUSE I LOVE IT SO MUCH.
Hi! I have so much reading to do…I haven’t read any of these 🙂 I especially want to read The Inexplicable Logic of My Life.
My TTT
Leslie
It’s SUCH a good book!! So sweet and beautiful!!
You win for your use of The Princess Bride gifs. Just sayin’. But also, your list at the beginning is the best (and so accurate, too).
Here is my TTT. Thanks!
I’m so glad you liked my list! And like the Princess Bride is only the best movie of ever, amirite?!😂
YES!! As someone who always wants novellas for her favorite series’ be it for the parents or side characters or a character who only appears in one book (because why not?) I am so for this! This needs to happen! I have to admit I haven’t read most of these but I completely agree about Sal’s dad from The Inexplicable Logic of My Life and Clary’s parents from TMI. Especially Clary’s parents because I’ve always wondered about how they ended up together too and just wanted to learn more about Valentine in general. ALSO! I so want a novella about Kell’s parents from the Shades of Magic books and Lila’s parents too. Both of their parents are this giant mystery and honestly I’m way too curious about them. 🙈
Great post as always, Cait!! 😊
YAS I’m glad we’re in agreement for some of these! *hi fives* And OMG I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT KELL’S PARENTS. I’m still lowkey sad we never learned more about his past.
SAME! Honestly, I’m hoping one day we’ll get a prequel or something about Kell’s past. It would be awesome.
These are such perfect choices! I was thinking about which ones I would want as I opened the post, and then BOOM, there they are, all looking at me. Which means, I think, that you are magical. But it would be more magical if you could convince these authors to actually make them? So of the ones I read, I am nodding in agreement with every single one. Starr’s parents’ story would be AH-MAZING. And I need to know more about The Captain. And I feel like Sarai’s parents’ story would give me nightmares but in the good way? And I feel like you are right and that the Cassandra Clare one will definitely come to fruition sooner than later 😉
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…Review & Giveaway: Seeker by Veronica Rossi
BECAUSE I AM THE PICTURE OF PERFECTION, OBVIOUSLY, SHANNON. *flips hair majestically* 😂 And I am definitely magical and can read minds. *nods* So yes I’ll put teh authors on my “to-kidnap-list” and then get them onto fulfilling this.
Saraia’s parents’ book would be like a horror story. But I want it.
I love your interpretation on this prompt!! Though I haven’t read most of these books, I might have exclaimed out loud when you mentioned Starr’s parents! I would devour that book!
My dream list always starts with James and Lily Potter only because I want the Marauders and their backstory. All of it <3
And the Murrys from the Wrinkle in Time series.
And Artemis Fowl's parents.
And Mo from Inkheart!
And Faith better stop now before she loses her mind 😉
Aww, thanks, Faith! 😀 But yes and YES you definitely should try The Hate U Give if you get a chance!
I knew everyone would mention the Harry Potter parents. heeh.😂 And definitely yes to Mo from Inkheart…omg I have SO many questions and queries there…
I totally agree about needing a book for Starr’s parents! They were some of my favorite characters in The Hate U Give. I’m also gonna go along with about a million other people and say that I NEED a book (or an entire series) about James and Lily and all of the Marauders from Harry Potter.
Clara @ Lost in My Library recently posted…Review: The Names They Gave Us
They were suuuuch good parents omgggg. I really love it when books have excellently lovely parents.❤️
haha you know I might be the only person to say this, but we could do with more waffle making villain parents 😉 I have to admit I went into this thinking “Maura has to be on this list- I need that book”- and it was!!! 😀 I didn’t think of Valentine from TMI- but you are so right too!!
Okay that is ALSO true and I will concede! Just more waffle-making parents in general. Good and bad. :’) And OF COURSE I had to mention the Raven Cycle.😂
This is a great list!! Especially Sarai’s parents! I’d also love to see a prequel story about Katniss’s parents. I don’t know why. I think it would be interesting to see how they dealt with the prospect of the reaping.
Lenna @ Sugar Dusted Pages recently posted…Best Treats to Eat While Reading Different Genres
That’s so so true about Katniss’ parents… And didn’t Katniss’ mum and Peeta’s dad have a thing or something?! I’m curious.😂
Let us take a moment to appreciate all the Princess Bride gifs. 😊👍🏼
Also I want a backstory novel on August’s parents from This Savage Song, and please please please can we get a prequel about Inej’s parents from when she was just a smol bean and all their circus frolicking epicness!?!?!?
yES to Inej!! And do you mean August’s adopted parents? Because yes and yes *nods* ALSO THE PRINCESS BRIDE IS ONLY THE BEST MOVIE EVER SO THERE’S THAT.😂
Oh yeah, I mean his adopted parents. I mean, they’re so cute and lovely and awesome but you only get to see like two seconds of them… MORE PLEASE. 😂
Um hello you forgot ALL OF THE PARENTS IN HARRY POTTER. I need a Marauder-era book pronto. Also that pic of The Weight of Feathers is soooo beautiful because pastels, I am #proud. And omg I want Vincente from Inexplicable Logic to be my dad, he’s amazing.
OOPS MY BAD.😂 I did figure everyone would mention them in the comments though hahah. And Vincente needs to win like an award for best YA dad, let’s be real here. He’s so precious.
One parent pair that I NEED to know about is Jeanine and Rose’s father from the Vampire Academy series. I mean how did they even end up together? They’re so different but I can still see it happening. Plus they’re both still alive! Which means that they can get back together! heheheheheheheheh
Marija recently posted…The Struggle by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I still need to read that one ahhh!!! But it’s so interesting to wonder about the parents of characters right?!
Yes, definitely especially when the characters/parents are so badass. Or seeing our main characters as parents. One of my favorite things in the world and the reason why I demand epilogues from every author. Sorry not sorry. I cannot wait for seeing the TID characters as parents in The Last Hours by Cassandra Clare. UGh, give me right now.
I honestly don’t know why I’m commenting so late??? Gosh. XD YAS to Maura and Calla and Persephone! I need more of the Raven Cycle world honestly. XD I’d also love to know more about Lila Bard’s Grey life and what her parents were like. Or maybe that’s just me wanting more from this world after finishing THE PERFECTION THAT IS ACOL. 😂
May @ Forever and Everly recently posted…A Conjuring of Light by VE Schwab // aka a Conjuring of Absolute Destruction and Heartbreak #help
WE NEED EVERYTHING MAGGIE STIEFVATER WRITES OF EVER. 😍 I’m so wildly pleased there’ll be more books about Ronan. I CANNOT EVEN SUMMARISE HOW PLEASED I AM AHHHHHHHH.
Great post, I’d love to read a prequel on Maura, Calla and Persephone.
YOU AND ME BOTH MY FRIEND. Someone petition Maggie Stiefvater for us.😂
Starr’s parents are the most “cutest and most loving YA parents of ever” so glad you pointed this out.
THEY ARE. They need all the love an appreciation for best YA parents of ever. <3
Maura, Nathan’s parents, Cassel’s mother, Clary’s parents, and The Captain would be awesome to see in a prequel! 🙂
I have SO many questions and just want to know all the things, eeep!
Lol, after I found the second Princess Bride .gif, I started to zoom through finding all the others with them. XD
(Yes, then I went back read the whole thing.)
YAS HELLO FELLOW PRINCESS BRIDE FAN! *hi fives*
Seriously, that movie is my FAAAAAAAVVVORITE of all time. And it’s the one movie which was better than the book, so of course if has to be a favorite!
I started following you because of the .gifs. XD
I’ve only read The Raven Boys so far, but I agree about hearing more about Maura’s past. She and her family are very intriguing.
I’m kind of curious about what Cath and Wren’s parents were like when they were together (Fangirl). Obviously things didn’t work out, but what did work enough that they got together? What was their initial life like before?
Ooh, I would definitely go for more books in Cath’s world!! BECAUSE CATH. <3 And basically Maggie Stiefvater could write about a pinecone and I'd be there.