Harry Potter – Honoring the Dead Book Tag

Happy Friday book nerds, I hope your week wasn’t too stressful.

Did your week drag as much as mine did? Urgh – I thought the weekend would never come! We had our store’s stock-take late Monday night and then during the rest of the week, because everyone all went on leave at once we had skeleton staff and I worked more than double my usual hours. Yes, I’m wrecked now and yes, I have another hard week ahead but come pay-day I’ll have plenty of money for books and bookish goodies alike to treat my shelf. 🙂

So, because I am so tired and because I’m behind on all of my book tags I thought I’d better roll up my sleeves and finish the Harry Potter Honoring the Dead Book Tag which was created by Books in the Skye. I’ve actually been so excited to do this tag – and thank you so much to the girls Jess and Teagan over at fictionnochaser for the nomination. Jess and Teagan run such an awesome blog so if you aren’t already a follower be sure to check out their tag as well as their hilariously honest reviews. So, let’s get into it because you just know”we’re going to suffer, but we’re going to be happy about it”. Heeheehee – see what I did there? *Wags eyebrows*

Thank the person who tagged you (and paste these rules)
Show your house pride!
Tag 7 other bloggers.

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My House

Why it’s the scarlet and gold clad house of Gryffindor of course! Where dwell the brave at heart, their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart. I am a proud Gryffindor, often seen wandering Melbourne’s urban streets in my woolen scarf and matching beanie. [I still maintain that my Hogwarts letter was somehow lost].

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Which Character would you bring back? Here’s the thing though – you can only choose one. One?!? This is probably the cruelest and hardest question I’ve ever had to answer on this blog… Okay there will probably be those who’ll come after me with pitch forks and what-not but despite being 100% pissed off that J.K. Rowling murdered our beloved Hedwig I’m bring back Severus Snape because he is my favorite character and “always” – 😉 – has been.

Now, I know Snape was cruel and pretty much a bully to most of the students but I am a sucker for anti-heroes and characters that you just can’t ping down. When I was a kid I was terrified of him, as a teen intrigued then pissed (I seriously thought he’d revealed his true allegiance in The Half Blood Prince) and then that final twist of the knife… I couldn’t deal with that final revelation! And Alan Rickman’s portrayal? Genius! I just love all the little nuances to the character and all the foreshadowing that was there since year one. Besides – THAT scene in Godrics Hollow? You know the one I mean when Harry is looking in the pensive??? I cry ugly tears every dang time.

Sirius Black – A book with the best father/mother figure

This one is actually kind of hard because how many YA books are there where it seems as though the parents are like non-existent??? Gun to my head… Grandma Redbird from the House of Night series. Zoey has to deal with some pretty crappy parental issues but her grandma (who is a Cherokee wise woman) takes care of her like her own daughter. I love that she never judges and has such an open mind.

Severus Snape – A book with a redeemable character

Brace yourself; I’m about to whip out my favorite anti-hero of all time. Erik also known as the Opera Ghost from Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera. Erik is neither hero nor villain but a vulnerable victim of circumstance and cruelty. Despite all the murdering and what-not, ultimately he is desperately lonely, craving love and affection. It’s this yearning which allows the reader to pity him and forgive some of his faults. I still love him anyway!

Albus Dumbledore – A book with a great mentor/teacher

Nothing screams favorite mentor/teacher than our resident western reading, duster wearing “comrade” Dimitri Belikov from Vampire Academy. He’s a top notch guardian who teaches Rose a lot about fighting the Strigoi. And, to top it off, who isn’t just that little bit intrigued by their student/teacher forbidden relationship??? #steamytimes.

Hedwig – A book with a great animal sidekick

Okay, Okay – I know that Fleetfoot from Throne of Glass is the go to answer for this question but please, just answer me this… Is there another animal sidekick who can rival that of Hedwig other than Celaena Sardothien’s adorably sassy puppy Fleetfoot? No. All I’m saying is that Fleetfoot is actually the best sidekick ever in a high fantasy series and Sarah J. Maas better not do anything to hurt our little Fleetfoot or she’ll have to deal with me (and the masses).

Dobby – A book with a character who created bad scenes on accident.

Firstly, I want to start off by saying that Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy is actually hands down my favorite contemporary series ever. That being said though, our girl Isabel or “Belly” doesn’t exactly make it easy for herself. Although she means well she’s a romantic and a little naive which often she gets her into trouble. Her romantic escapades during the series cause family tensions and drama and a whole lot of heartbreak.

Fred Weasley – A book with your favorite brother/sister duo.

There is literally no thought required for this one. Yes, there have been some truly amazing novels about the bond between sisters but the book that really takes the cake for me is Stephenie Meyre’s sci-fi The Host. Melanie and Wanda’s relationship in the Host can only be described as complicated at best. These two characters are both fully fleshed and yet they share one body. Melanie, the human host is strong willed and resistant to Wanda, the soul that has invaded and claimed her body. The internal dialogue is compelling and both women are incredibly resilient. There are no damsels here – both Wanda and Melanie kick as and save the day.

Nymphadora Tonks – A book with the best family feud.

I mean, The Cruel Prince – enough said am I right? The sheer amount of family drama in this debut is off the dang charts. This a a book about anti-heroes, schemes within schemes within plots with a dash of twists and turns. Literally every character is backstabbing another and no one can be trusted. The royal family in the faerie realm is more than a little corrupt in their politics and the way the heir is chosen… Total family drama in an abundance. (If you have read this book you know what I’m talking about and if you haven’t then where the actual hell have you been???)

Cedric Diggory – A book where a character died too young/too soon

Primrose Everdeen from the Hunger Games. Enough said. Clearly I’m still very salty.

Remus Lupin – A book with your favorite shape Shifter

Man there are just far too many – what with that paranormal/supernatural phase a few years back. There have been a lot of beloved characters who can shape shift. Be they werewolves or some other hybrid (and that fact that I can’t choose everyone’s favorite werewolf, Lupin) I’ll have to choose… Urgh, you know I just don’t know! I’m not really a fan of werewolves and shifters so I’ll say Jacob Black from Twilight because even though once his heritage was awakened he became an asshat, I feel like his character made the supernatural sub-genre of shifters mainstream.

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