Dreaming In Books

Okay, so I don't have a review post for today.  Or tomorrow.  But tomorrow was already known.  Today, I just didn't have time to read two books.  :(  So, instead, I will amaze you with the inner workings of my mind about heroines; all inspired by my latest read (which will be posted on here...as soon as Dear Author posts it) Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti.

As many of my reviews have indicated, I'm in it big for those classic spunky heroines with style and fun taste.  Basically, every cliched paranormal romance heroine on the market.  *Cue laughter*  I know it seems harsh, but it's a reality.  Teens like spunky and quirky and strong, and most teen readers are female.  Or gay.  (:p)  So, the heroine is usually the number one facet into the reader's mind.  Usually being the main character's gender brings a another important part to the whole female thing.  But what I've begun to wonder...Is what type of heroine is better?

While I know my followers are in the smallish amounts as of now (I really love you guys though.  Seriously.  I want to buy you all Belgian chocolate and books.  Except I don't have the money for that.  And I'd eat all the chocolate.  But anyway...), I would like people to participate with me on this, along with presenting my side of things in case you just like to hear how my brain works.  (And no, there are no mice on tiny wheels.  I prefer miniature bunnies.  Much cuter.)

I am currently neutral, preferring a hardly pulled of combination of the average but fun heroine and the quirky, dark heroine.  So I'll give good examples of each one I've found and explain my reasoning.  :)

On the dark and intelligent brooder, we have:

Nora Grey from Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush was probably one of my best reads of 2009.  The romance sent rivers of drool running from my mouth, Patch practically oozed from my fanboy-obsessed brainwaves (Just look at the cover.  I randomly take it off of my shelf and stare at it.  Better than TV I tell you...), and I could not wait to have all of the books in hardcover staring at me from my bookshelf.  But what would this amazing debut be without it's heroine, Nora Grey?

Some obvious things about Nora.  She's intelligent.  I mean, we aren't talking the 'reads classics' intelligent we got with Bella Swan.  Nora actually thinks.  The pink squishy thing inside her skull actually works and thinks of something besides sparkly vampires.  Patch's dangerous qualities are actually taken into account.  Nora actually gets suspicious.  And the narrative conveys a much deeper thought train going on, unlike some paranormals that either over-simplify or flower it up so much it's like reading a love letter on pot.

Nora also had her flaws, being of the 'does stupid things for smexy boy' quality, but that was understandable.  I can't fault her knowing that, if in her position, I would have licked Patch up in five seconds and run off into the sunset.  And she does consider leaving him, which was welcome. Overall, Nora is just a great example of the dark heroine in a dark story that attracts me to so many YA books.  Not exactly the most well developed example, but overall a good, general character that meets a lot of needs in the book world.

On the airy and bubbly side, we have:

Lani from Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

This book was actually the reason I did this post.  I came back from the classic paranormal heroine from Firespell, so starting this book was like being dropped in the middle of Hong Kong after living in some podunk town in the center of Kansas.  The entire book is a fun, though serious, take on romance.  It's also my first Colasanti, so naturally it'll be a memorable piece.  Lani really stuck out to me though, more than most heroines of any type.


Lani is a girl with quirks.  She likes to talk as seen in her first person narrative that can be as random as a normal teenager's thought process, and she is a supporter for the environment.  Basically, a very common YA Chick-Lit character.  But what's so deep about her is that she is also genuinely moral.  She manages to be a teenager, but very mature at times, and bubbly without verging on annoying.  She also has an interesting quirk involving shapes, colors, and the flavors of water.


Naturally, she has some of the more cliche traits.  She checks her horoscope all the time, her best friend is gay, and she had a tragedy happen that prevents her from doing something 'normal'.  So, she isn't made up of entirely unknown fabric, either, but she manages to make it seem new.  Even the worst fabric can look great with the right cut and design (thank you Project Runway), and luckily Lani is a welcome combination of decent fabric and an amazing design sense.



I've made my claim, now make yours.  Tell me whether you prefer one or the other, and give me some examples!  Lead me to a book, any book, with a heroine that stands out from the rest!

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