The Character Fight to the Death Tag

The lovely Amy @ A Magical World of Words tagged me to take part in this one so let's see how it goes.

Here are the rules:
- Write down the names of 30 characters
- For every question randomly draw two names
- Answer the question using the two names drawn

Here are my characters:
Alexander Belov, Alina Starkov, America Singer, Amren, Bellatrix Lestrange, Cath, Connor Cobalt, Daemon Black, Dimple Shah, Feyre, Four, Hermione Granger, Jace Herondale, Jamie Fraser, Juliette Ferrars, Katniss Everdeen, Kenji Kishimoto, Lisbeth Salander, Magnus Bane, Meg Corbyn, Molly Peskin, Myrnin, Peeta Mellark, Prince Maxon, Rhysand, Rose Calloway, Simon Spier, Tessa Gray, The Darkling, Vladimir Sanguinati

And here we go...

You only have one more spot on your spelling bee team. 
Who gets it?

  

Rose Calloway (The Addicted Series) 

VS 

Jace Herondale (The Mortal Instruments)

Sorry Jace, but Rose wins this one hands down. Rose is brilliant, focused and competitive. 

She'd slay in a spelling bee.

Both characters want to kill you. 
Who would you kill first to have a better chance of survival?

    

Vladimir Sanguinati (The Others Series)

VS

Myrnin (The Morganville Vampires)

Seriously? I managed to pull two vampires? I am so screwed.

Well, assuming I could kill a vampire, I'd try to off Vlad first. 

Myrnin was often less scary and just... eccentric. On a good day.

You're on The Bachelor/Bachelorette and down to two characters. 
Who gets your rose?

   

Amren (A Court of Mist and Fury)

VS

Jamie Fraser (Outlander)

Having never seen a single episode of The Bachelor, I'm assuming giving a rose means you pick that person?

I like Amren, but frankly she scares me. LOL And Jamie is, well... it's Jamie Fraser people. Need I say more?

You've been chosen for the Hunger Games. 
Who's most likely to volunteer in your place?

    

Tessa Gray (The Infernal Devices)
VS

Alina Starkov (The Grisha Trilogy)

Oh wow, I could see either of these characters volunteering to take someone's place.

They are both strong, brave, headstrong and fearless. And they both have compassion.

It's really a toss-up but I'll go with Alina.

You're stranded on an island and must engage in cannibalism to survive. 
Who do you eat?

    

Lisbeth Salander (The Millennium Trilogy)

VS
Four (Divergent)

Bahahaha!! Do I even need to think about this one? Sorry, Lisbeth.

I know you've had a hard life, but you're about to be served up while I kick back island-style with Four. 

You're the next Marvel superhero (with your own TV show, of course). 
Who's your sidekick?

    

Bellatrix Lestrange (Harry Potter)

VS
Magnus Bane (The Mortal Instruments)

Another no-brainer. I'll take the wickedly cool Magnus Bane over Miss Crazy Pants any day.

You're a manager of an avocado company. 
Who would you fire for poor communication skills?

    

The Darkling (The Grisha Trilogy)

VS

Meg Corbyn (The Others Series)

An avocado company? WTH? But okay... 

I've only read the first book in the Grisha trilogy so far but already it seems that the Darkling is secretive and manipulative and not exactly forthcoming with the truth. Whereas Meg is open and honest and has managed to ingratiate herself with all different types of people (and species).

Darkling... you're fired.

You've just finished a book in which your favorite character dies. 
Which of these two characters is more likely to comfort you?

    

Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

VS
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)

Katniss has a good heart but isn't exactly warm and fuzzy. Hermione would be a lot more likely to hold my hand and give me a hug.

Ugh, it's high school. 
Who would most likely be part of the popular clique?

    

Rhysnad (A Court of Mist and Fury)

VS
Juliette Ferrars (The Shatter Me Trilogy)

I think it goes without saying that Rhys would rule the school. LOL

The day has arrived - you're finally a year older. 
Who would have the nerve to forget your birthday?

    

Prince Maxon (The Selection Series)
VS

Cath (Fangirl)

Maxon is a total sweetheart and would probably plan some super elaborate surprise for my birthday.

Cath, on the other hand, would be in the midst of writing Simon Snow fanfic and completely forget I existed.

You've just found an up and coming YouTube star. 
Who is it more likely to be?

    

Kenji Kishimoto (The Shatter Me Trilogy)

VS

Feyre (A Court of Thorns and Roses)

Kenji! I could totally see Kenji becoming a YouTube sensation. He make a name for himself doing stand-up comedy or hosting some cheesy dating show. LOL Feyre? Not so much.

Sleepover time! Unfortunately you can invite only one person. 
Who will it be?

    

Simon Spier (Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda)

VS
America Singer (The Selection Trilogy)

America Singer is NOT invited to my sleepover. She would work my last nerve and I'd end up booting her out before midnight. But Simon... we could totally hang. We'd stay up all night talking about boys and eating Oreos.

Bam, you're pregnant. Who's the father/mother?

    

Molly Peskin (The Upside of Unrequited)

VS
Connor Cobalt (The Addicted Series)

Bam, I'm pregnant? Did I at least get dinner first? Geez.

Sorry Molly. I like you, I relate to you, but we're talking Connor Cobalt.

Narcissist. Genius. Smartass. And apparently the father of my non-existent child.

You've just sent a super important text. 
Who would see it and not reply?

    

Daemon Black (The Lux Series )
VS

Alexander Belov (The Bronze Horseman)

Oh, this is a good one. It could go either way. Daemon would totally blow off a text if he wasn't in the mood to deal with it. And if asked about it he'd even say, "Yeah, I saw it." Alexander would ignore the text because the technology would confound him, seeing as how he's in Russia in the 1940's. But I'm going with Daemon because it's likely he would not reply just to be a jerk. LOL

You've just woken up and it's time for breakfast. 
Your mom has been replaced by... ?

    

Peeta Mellark (The Hunger Games)
VS
Dimple Shah (When Dimple Met Rishi

Wow, my mom probably hasn't made me breakfast in 25 years but okay, that's cool. :)

Dimple may seem like the obvious choice, just based on gender, but I'm going with Peeta.

He's an absolute sweetheart and could bake me all sorts of yummy breakfast breads.

So there you have it. Did any answers surprise you? :)

I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you feel like playing along

then consider yourself tagged!

Top 5 Wednesday: Paranormal Creatures

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at GingerReadsLainey.

Click HERE for a complete list of participants and future topics.

This week's Top 5 Wednesday topic:  Books Featuring {Paranormal Creature of Your Choice}

I don't read a whole lot of fantasy or paranormal; therefore I don't read a lot about any one creature. So instead of focusing on one type, I'm just going with my favorite books that feature some kind of paranormal being.

Fae: Rhysand | A Court of Thorns and Roses Series

I’ve read books where Fae are the “good guys” and books where Fae are the “bad guys.” Either way, I enjoy reading about the different types, their different abilities, and the various lore about them. Rhysand will always be at the top of the list, though.

Brownie: Tink | The Wicked Saga

 

I’m not sure I’ve ever encountered another Brownie before Tink. Maybe that’s because he is one of a kind. Equal parts snarky and sympathetic, Tink steals every scene he’s in.

Demon: Roth | The Dark Elements Trilogy

Who would’ve thought that when it came to who main character Layla would end up with I was firmly on the side of the Crown Prince of Hell? Yeah, maybe his title is a little off-putting, but Roth was seriously the total package. Demon FTW!

Vampire: Vladimir Sanguinati | The Others Series

I absolutely love the vampire contingent in The Others series. Vlad is always so calm and collected and the brief glimpses of his sense of humor are priceless. And Grandfather Erebus likes to watch old movies and has a soft spot for main character Meg, while still being the most powerful vampire in their world.

Alien: Daemon Black | The Lux Series

Did anyone really doubt that Daemon would be making an appearance on this list? You know me, I’ll find a way to work Daemon and/or the Lux series into any list. My favorite paranormal series and my favorite book boyfriend. ‘Nuff said.

Do you have a reading preference when it comes to paranormal creatures? Are vampires your thing? Werewolves? Let's chat about it!

Top 5 Wednesday: Second Book is Best

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at GingerReadsLainey.

Click HERE for a complete list of participants and future topics.

This week's Top 5 Wednesday topic: Second Book is Best

We talk about series that start with a strong first book and then fizzle out.

We talk about series that finish with a bang.

But what about those series where the second (or middle) books are best? 

Here are my favorites.

A Court of Mist and Fury | ACOTAR series
ACOTAR was wonderful and ACOWAR was great... but ACOMAF was simply epic. 

Crash Into You | Pushing the Limits series

I love the entire Pushing the Limits series, but Crash Ito You was a real stand-out for me. 

All Broke Down | Rusk University series

Silas and Dylan's story is the one that really did it for me.

Catching Fire | Hunger Games trilogy

The middle book in the Hunger Games trilogy was the strongest in my opinion and is still my favorite.

Opal | Lux series

I *love* the entire Lux series and wouldn't be able to pick a favorite, but Opal (#3 in the five book series) is where the stakes were truly upped. There was more suspense, more action, more relationship development, and that final scene... unforgettable.

What's your favorite second (or middle) book from a series? 
Let's discuss!

Top Ten Tuesday: Pretty Please, Santa Edition

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is all about the books (or even non-bookish items) that we wouldn't mind Santa leaving under our tree. And since Santa is magic and can pull off anything I'm asking for some advance copies. He can manage that, right? :)

#1 A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN by Sarah J. Maas

Yeah, I really need this one now. ACOMAF basically destroyed me so I'm owed some recompense. Make it happen, will ya, Nick?

#2 DAMAGED LIKE US by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Waiting for this one is already trying my patience and there isn't even a publication date yet. Just sometime in 2017. Which could mean next Christmas. Sorry, unacceptable. Santa needs to have this one front and center under the tree.

#3 APOLLYCON: TAKE TWO

So I won't be making it to ApollyCon in 2017 which basically kills my soul. And it's practically in my backyard this time (Orlando - a short jaunt away)! But alas, a family obligation is going to be taking me in the opposite direction that weekend. {insert much wailing and dramatic collapsing onto the floor in a heap} So I'm thinking Santa should finagle a last-minute change in the date. Like, oh guess what, ApollyCon is now a week later than planned. OR! Why not just have TWO ApollyCons next year? Genius, right? So if Santa could plant that little seed in someone's ear that would be sweet.

#4 WITHOUT MERIT by Colleen Hoover

CoHo's next release isn't due until August of 2017. Am I seriously supposed to wait that long? Madness, I say! So, Santa, do me a solid and slide me a copy under my tree. Please and thank you.

#5 EVIE'S SOCIETY6 STORE

Yeah, so that sounds kind of greedy. The whole store. But if you're familiar with Evie's work you understand, right? It's all So. Pretty. How am I supposed to pick and choose? The pillows, the art prints, the mugs, the pouches and phone cases... *sigh*

#6 MORE BOOKS IN THE PUSHING THE LIMITS SERIES by Katie McGarry

As far as I know, Katie has no plans to continue the Pushing the Limits series. Sorry, but six books are not enough. I love those characters. I need more Echo and Noah in my life. More Isaiah and Rachel. More West and Haley and Abby and Logan. Can you make that happen, Santa?

#7 DAEMON BLACK aka Pepe Toth

Pretty please, can I have him? 

#8  THE CROWN'S FATE by Evelyn Skye

With the way The Crown's Game ended... I need answers. I need to know what's going on. And waiting until May is no good. 

#9 MORE WES AND JAMIE from Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

I fell in love with these guys in Him. The love affair continued in Us. And yes I know there is a spin-off series coming and Jamie and Wes are sure to make an appearance but it's not enough. I want more because those two are perfection. Can you make that happen, big guy?

#10 AN UNLIMITED STARBUCKS CARD

A girl cannnot live on books alone. She needs a tasty drink at her side. An iced chai tea latte when it's warm, a snickerdoodle hot chocolate when it's cold... and get a little something for yourself while you're there, Santa. 

What do you hope Santa will leave under your tree?