I think adolescence is a wonderful period to write about because the characters are at the most pivotal stage of their lives, still impressionable enough to change for better or for worse as they try to find and define themselves with a particular identity. In fact, some of the characters in YA have been the most memorable ones for me. Some of them also made me fall head-over-heels in love with them because of how layered and conflicted and real they are.
In YA fiction, as Laini puts forth here in this powerful post in defence of YA (it's awesome - go read it!), "the subject matter is vast, and transcend all genre borders."
Plus, as this post argues, "the attraction isn't just related to the fact that young adult novels tend to have faster-paced narratives. Many of these crossover "teen" novels are satisfying to adult readers because they tap into ageless themes, namely the sense that each of us longs to know who we really are in a strange, confusing and sometimes otherworldly world. As it turns out, the search for self is a lifelong one."
Okay, serious stuff out of the way, here's a list of boys in YA fiction that I've swooned and gushed over, and been
1. Wes from The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen
Still my favourite Sarah Dessen book, despite subsequent ones such as What Happened to Goodbye and Lock and Key that are just as beautifully written. Forever is something special, maybe because I can relate to the protagonist, Macy, so well, since she's really close to her father and afraid of meeting new people too.
Who? Wes is your regular boy-next-door who prizes honesty - to everyone else and to yourself - above everything else.
Why? He looks for imperfections, appreciates them, even craves them. This is evident from the art he makes. (Yes, a boy who makes art. What's not to love, right?) He uses scrap materials like wood and glass to create beautiful display pieces that are perfect in their imperfection.
Plus, he's infinitely patient with his nerdy, overwrought little brother, Bert. Oh, and he helped the protagonist, Macy, move on from the death of her father. Yes, he's a patient one. Perhaps boys who make art are usually this way?
Also, he is everything Macy needs to break out of her comfort zone (albeit with baby steps). He is responsible, reliable, has a great sense of humour and never gives up on you. It doesn't feel stressful in his company.
In short,
2. Sam from Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater
Oh, Shiver. How I love you! I wish I could kiss you and have you turn into a boy as beautiful at heart and as sweet as Sam. The prose is honey and clove, bittersweet but not too cloying, and the setting just as heartbreakingly beautiful. I don't think I've read another YA fantasy romance that made my heart swell and flutter and do all sorts of gymnastic feats the way Shiver had.
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| Quote from Shiver |
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| Sam and Grace artwork for the book |
Who? Sam is a sweet, soulful boy who turns into a werewolf when the weather dips and is desperately trying to cling on to his human form to be with the girl he loves. Also, he's a little damaged: (*SPOILER ALERT*) when his parents found out he was a wolf when he was younger, they tried to slit his wrist and drown him in the bathtub. (Yes, lovely people, they are.)
Why? He writes poetry. He writes songs. He reads. He works at a bookstore. He reads Rilke (OH, RILKE!). He's damaged, but is capable of love. He loves life, cherishes it, because of how fragile his humanity is. Need I say more?
3. Ian Waters from Wild Roses, by Deb Caletti
My favourite novel from Deb Caletti so far. Also the first one from her that I read. I loved the prose, the narrator's voice, the romance, the drama of the entire story ... but mostly, I loved Ian.
Who? Ian is the protege of world-renowned violin maestro, the brilliant but disturbed Dino Cavalli, who is also the step-father of the protagonist Cassie.
Why? He plays the violin. He has a great sense of humour, totally on the same wavelength as Cassie. He is never attention-seeking or complacent - much less cocky - despite his talent. He's like snow that lands on the ground silently but beautifully. He's the first character named Ian I had ever known, and his image will always go with that name for me.
4. Mik from Night of Cake and Puppets, by Laini Taylor
Night is a novella from the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini.
You would think I'd be all over Akiva, the seraph warrior who is pretty much perfection embodied. But human Mik was who I fell for instead. Particularly in Days of Blood and Starlight, the sequel to Daughter, where Mik and Zuzana traipsed through the desert to find Karou, Mik was always attentive to Zuze, and very concerned about her well-being (is she dehydrated? bone-tired? in need of a good sleep?).
Plus, he and Zuze ended up being pals with the chimaera soldiers, who are basically animal hybrids. Monsters. They play well with monsters. Well, which monster can resist Mik's sweet looks and manners?
Who? Mik is the violinist with the dark, soulful eyes and flushed cheeks whom Zuzana is crazy about, and who turns out to be crazy about her too.
Why? He plays the violin. (I'm sensing a trend here.) He surprises her with cake and tea on an impromptu date on a rowboat. He gets her quirks, loves her for them, and comes with a few himself too (peacock footprints, anyone?).
5. Cole from The Road of the Dead, by Kevin Brooks
I read this book waaaay back in 2005, but I remember how smitten I was with him, because he was a bad boy who was very protective of his younger brother.
Who? Your quintessential bad boy, Cole is the older brother of the narrator, Ruben. He gets into fights often, but fights for the people he loves.
Why? Because we all love a bad boy with a heart of gold. At least in fiction.
6. Michael Moscovitz from the Princess Diaries series, by Meg Cabot
I know there are people who scoff at the series for being about a self-indulgent teenage girl who uses way too many exclamation marks, but this series was what made me start keeping a journal when I was 11 years old and for that I'll always be grateful to Meg Cabot. There is nothing quite as cathartic as putting your thoughts onto paper.
Who? Brother of Mia's best friend, Michael has had a crush on Mia forever, back when she hadn't ascended to royalty status.
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| Robert Schwartzman, who played the character in the screen adaptation |
Why? He wrote a song for her, Tall Glass of Water. He supports her in her writing endeavours, is always eager to read what she writes, and gives sound, thoughtful feedback. He's really smart, but works his ass off to amount to something he deems worthy of Her Royal Highness, even if she doesn't care about their status difference.
Plus, his name just rolls off your tongue.
7. Luke Brandon from the Shopaholic series, by Sophie Kinsella
Okay, this one's not YA, but come on, isn't Luke swoon-worthy?
Hugh Dancy's pretty eyes aside, Luke has many qualities to love. I mean, he married Rebecca Bloomwood, for heaven's sake! Only a saint has that kind of patience. (No offence to Becky - I love her, but she can be tiresome at times.)
Who? Luke is the boyfriend - and later, husband - of Becky Bloomwood, a shopping addict and a pathological liar, but also a very loyal friend.
Why? He doesn't do grand gestures of love, but you can always tell he loves Becky. Besides, he puts up with Becky, LOVES her despite her crazy antics. Enough said, don't you think?
8. Jace Wayland/Lightwood/Morgenstern/Herondale from The Mortal Instruments series, by Cassandra Clare
Okay, I watched the movie before I finished reading the book, so the first face that comes to mind is Jamie Campbell Bower's. Which does not hurt at all.
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| Jamie + Lily = Jamily. They are SO cute together! |
Who? Snarky, handsome, lofty and insouciant, Jace is a demon-hunting Shadowhunter. Also, a boy in need of love who failed to get any from his father.
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| Jace artwork |
Why? He's the unattainable golden boy at school, the one whom everyone loves or loves to hate. He's gorgeous, strong, attractive and he knows it. But his confidence - though some would say arrogance - is to mask the broken, wanting boy within.
And as a
9. Drew from Lambs for Dinner, by, um, me.
Why? Because despite his (initial) belief that he is too damaged, too different, to love, that he is more Wolf than Man, deep down he desperately wants to believe that he is not only capable of it, he is also deserving of it. Which is why he gives his all to Skye, when he falls hard for her.
Also, because I wrote him. Ha!
So that's my list of swoon-worthy boys from YA fiction. Let me know if there's anything I missed out, in terms of characters or the things they did to make us fall in love with them!
Who are some of YOUR favourite boys from YA fiction? :0)
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