Top 5 Tuesday is created and run by the amazing Bionic Book Worm. You can join the fun by checking out the topics for the month here.

This week’s topic is “main males” and obviously there are no literary characters who can compete with my ‘lil kitten, Draco. He is my main male, my Best Boy and Top Cat. I mean look at this little fella!

But to books now – and it appears I have a “type” when it comes to my favourite male characters: gentle but fierce (much like my cat).

Laurent – The Captive Prince series, C.S Pascat

“Laurent had delivered all Damen had asked for, tied up neatly in a bow. All within the space of a day. If you put everything else aside, you had to admire it for sheer organisational efficiency. “

I love Laurent (so much more than Damen). Laurent is just so sassy and powerful and sure of himself and so bloody smart, but yet he’s been so hurt and is at times so confused and lost, and I love seeing the two sides of his character. Men can be self assured AND vulnerable and Laurent is just the perfect merge of these two traits. Also I strongly admire his organisational skills. I love me some organisation.

Alucard – Shades of Magic trilogy, V.E Schwab

I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry. But I’m here now, so you can’t die. Don’t you see how rude that would be, when I’ve come so far?

Okay so Alucard isn’t exactly the ‘main’ male of this series (he probably comes in third or fourth….) but that is main enough for me! I have such a thing for pirates. I love all pirates. Just any pirate character. Especially ones with eyeliner, I ROOT FOR YOU. Alucard is just so cool and fierce and he loves Rhys so much, and he loves his family, and he is a pirate. Just give me all the books with pirates.

Alex – Red, White and Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston

“The next slide is titled: ‘Exploring your sexuality: Healthy, but does it have to be with the Prince of England?'” She apologizes for not having time to come up with better titles. Alex actively wishes for the sweet release of death.

Alex is the bisexual icon we needed, and yet didn’t deserve. He is so sarcastic and strong and seeing him figure out his sexuality, go for what he wants, and win is just epic. Also Alex gets a second quote because it’s awesome. History will remember the bi.

I am the First Son of the United States, and I’m bisexual. History will remember us.

Dara – The Fever King, Victoria Lee

Oh Jesus. Don’t go all pathetic. I know Dara can’t help it – he just transforms gay boys into these drooling stalkers by existing in proximity, but I don’t want to start puking this early.

No ‘main male’ list could ever not include Dara, soft gentle Dara who is so hurt and broken and just wants a farm with some goats. I know everyone is probably sick of me mentioning this book, but until I get the entire world to read it, I will not stop. When I think of Dara, all I know is PAIN because he fought so hard for Noam and couldn’t tell him things and ohmygoshjustreaditplease.

Patroclus – The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller

When he died, all things soft and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.

This book nearly broke me, what an amazing retelling of the Achilles + Patroclus story. Despite knowing how the story ended before I began, I still fought against it the whole way and was absolutely heartbroken. Patroclus is just such a good soul and cares so much and is so sure of their love, and so he has to be on this list.

So in conclusion it appears I like soft gentle boys with fierce, sassy sides. And pirates.

Paws out,
Rach + Draco