Top Ten Tuesday: 5/17/11 - Top Minor Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.  This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish.  We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new top ten list complete with one of our bloggers' answers.  Everyone is welcome to join.  All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating.  If you don't have a blog, just post your answers in the comments.

TOP TEN MINOR CHARACTERS

1.  Mitsuko Souma from Battle Royale by Koushun Takami.

This girl is BAD ASS.  While the rest of her class is trying to work together or crying over their unfortunate fate, she gets straight to the killing.  She's been through a lot of shit which has made her a fighter.  Her number one priority in the games is to LIVE.  Can't fault her for that.

She'll kill you and not think twice.  Because she's awesome.



2.  Fantine from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

Poor Fantine, she just can't seem to catch a break.  She's left pregnant by her jerk off boyfriend, forced to leave her child in the care of some very unsavory people, resorts to prostitution to help pay for her child, and ultimately dies from some icky disease without ever seeing her child again.  She's barely in a third of the book, but it's her death that springs Valjean into action.  Before he was just on the run trying to avoid being caught, but her death gives Valjean the one thing he hasn't found, a purpose in life.

3.  Reepicheep from The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Reepicheep embodies the phrase "size doesn't matter".  He's a feisty mouse who's vicious with a rapier and stylish with a red plume tucked behind his ear.  He values honor, loyalty, and chivalry, and will protect those he loves with everything he has.  This mouse means business, and you would be unwise to underestimate him.



4.  Lee Jordan in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The "third" Weasley twin, Lee is the faithful accomplice in spreading Fred and George's mayhem around Hogwarts.  He's also the commentator during the Quiddich matches, which he uses to slam on Slytherins and hit on Angelina Johnson.  He's always there fighting for what's right, a true Gryffindor and member of Dumbledore's Army.

5.  Martha from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Martha is the first character to be kind to Mary.  She sees past Mary's contrariness to the little orphan girl who is in a new place and is scared and lonely.  She teaches Mary how to use her imagination and starts getting her to go outside to play.  Martha helps Mary learn about the healing powers of nature and gardening.

6.  The Cheshire Cat from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

This cat pops up at random times throughout Alice's travels to provide amusing, if somewhat annoying, conversation and advice.  His infamous grin is iconic in literary history as the trademark of Alice's mischievous guide.



7.  Aphrodite from The House of Night series by P.C. and Kristin Cast

 While not a main character, Aphrodite goes through the most personal growth of  all the characters in this series.  She starts off as the bitchy queen bee, then slowly learns friendship and acceptance.  As the series goes on we see her break down her tough exterior and become vulnerable, though she never loses her quick wit and sharp tongue.  Plus, the girl has a wicked sense of style.   

8.  Chip "The Colonel" Martin in Looking for Alaska by John Green

The colonel befriend Miles, the new kid at school, and invites him into his circle of friends.  They soon form a tightly knit group of friends who play pranks on their bossy teachers and snobby classmates.  After tragedy strikes they lean on each other for support even with a gaping hole in their circle.  The colonel is loyal to those he loves, perhaps to a fault.  *Honorable mention goes to Takumi Hikohito's fox hat.  No one can catch the mother fucking fox!

9.  Cinna from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Cinna is Katniss's primary stylist, and a huge factor in her success during the hunger games.  He later goes on to be a rebellion supporter, and is later killed for his defiant actions.  Even though he is no longer alive, his clothing designs live on, providing continual encouragement for the rebellion.

10.  Lyanna Stark from A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

Lyanna Stark was the beauty that started a war.  Younger sister to Eddard Stark, she was betrothed to his best friend Robert Baratheon, who loved her very much.  When she disappeared with rival Rhaegar Targaryen (it is unknown if she was kidnapped or went willingly) her father declared war upon king Aerys Targaryen, Rhaegar's father.  While Robert attacked the crown, Eddard rode to save Lyanna, but she was slain in the tower where she was held captive.  Robert became king, but because Lyanna was dead he married Cersei Lannister instead.