The Hamilton Book Tag

Look, I was going to do this tag around the time it first got created by Maureen Keavy on Youtube, but obviously never did, and here we are more than a year later. You know how it is. Anyway, I’ve been in a musical-y mood lately (more than usual), and thought I’d give this a try. :)

Before  we get to it, though, I’d like to warn you that there are a few questions that are of a somewhat spoilery nature. You’re supposed to pick a character you wish were still alive, a relationship with a heartbreaking ending, and a book with a twist you didn’t expect. I don’t mention any character names or specifics, but if you don’t want to know anything at all, you can skip those. I’m going to put them at the very end so that they’re easier to avoid.

Enjoy! :)

Okay, so I’m going to pretend that Harry Potter doesn’t exist for a second, and instead pick My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. Shape shifting in 16th century England? Sign me the F up, but don’t make me queen, because Damn, that is just not good for the health. Please and thank you.

“It was 1538 and John Lambert had been outed as an Edian when, after hearing Frederic Clarence had written a pamphlet denouncing Edian magic, he turned into a dog and ate the papers, prompting Clarence to cry out, “That dog ate my scriptwork!”

— My Lady Jane

Samirah al-Abbas from Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, aka Sam, aka the most badass valkyrie in all the land.

“I don’t think Mr Fadlan would be okay with his eldest son marrying a girl who moonlights as a soul collector for pagan gods.”

— The Sword of Summer

Ambition and drive are usually great traits to have, but when it comes to this character, it would be good to bring it down a notch…or ten.

Lisa from John Corey Whaley’s Highly Illogical Behavior knows what she wants, and is most definitely not going to let silly things like right and wrong get in her way.

“At the very least, Lisa would get a nice teeth cleaning and a free toothbrush. At the very best, she’d make all her dreams come true.”

— Highly Illogical Behavior

Okay, so this is technically not a book villain, but I’m picking Hades from Disney’s Hercules anyway because why the hell (hehe) not. Mythology-wise, there’s a lot to discuss about that movie, but I do freaking love Hades. He’s probably my favourite Disney villain of all time, and oh dear the sass.

I’m pretty sure I read the complete Leviathan trilogy back to back sometime in the distant year of 2013. All 1 464 glorious pages in one big swoop. I was out sailing with my dad, and only stopped reading to eat and sleep. Just kidding…I didn’t sleep.

Good times!

“Barking spiders!”

— Leviathan

I actually really love it when books have multiple POVs, as long as it’s done well, and Neal Shusterman sure does it beautifully. His Unwind Dystology has tons of different POVs, and I loved every single one of them. If I remember correctly, some chapters are even told from the perspective of buildings, which shouldn’t have worked, but most certainly did.

“Getting to know someone in blind darkness changes your impression of them.”

— Unwind

Okay, time to stop ignoring the existence of Harry Potter. I could come up with different answers for all the other questions, but not this one. The Harry Potter world will live forever, and you can’t convince me otherwise.

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

— Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Blue & Gansey from The Raven Cycle is and always will be one of my favourite couples ever, and I knew they would be from the moment they met. I do love me a good slow burn romance, but honestly, who doesn’t?

“Aglionby Academy was the number one reason Blue had developed her two rules: One, stay away from boys because they were trouble. And two, stay away from Aglionby boys, because they were bastards.”

— The Raven Cycle

So, the fight scene I decided to pick isn’t exactly the usual kind I think most people would go for. It’s not badass or grand or epic. It’s real and heartbreaking, and I’m not exactly sure why I like it, but I guess it’s mostly because it’s such a well done and pivotal moment in the book. The scene I’m talking about takes place in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, and I kind of want to cry every time I read it.

“The worst part about going crazy is that when you’re not crazy anymore, you just don’t know what to think of yourself.”

— Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

I personally think you shouldn’t be embarrassed about what you like, but I’m going to be honest and say that I probably wouldn’t tell a person not in the YA book community about Vampire Academy and Bloodlines. God, those covers are just awful…

“I didn’t like having reasonable arguments thrown at me.”

— Vampire Academy

No matter how badly I want to know what happens next, I generally don’t crave more books in a series that’s finished. The author ended it that way for a reason, you know, and characters just living happy lives for 300+ pages seldom make good stories. No, some things are just best left to the imagination.

An exception to this, though, is Because You’ll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas. The series contains two books so far, and though the story is wrapped up enough to possibly be over, I’d really love a third book. The series isn’t officially finished, I guess, but there have been no news of another sequel, and I’m not super optimistic.

“Even if you are powerless, your words are not”

— Because You’ll Never Meet Me

Blue & Ronan from The Raven Cycle. Mr and Miss Angry Person. These two characters admittedly don’t have that many actual scenes together, but every time they interact, I absolutely love it.

“No homework. I got suspended,” Blue replied.
“Get the fuck out,” Ronan said, but with admiration. “Sargent, you asshole.”

— The Raven King

How late must one be to be considered late? Is 1.5 years enough, because that’s how long it took before I finally picked up Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, and I’m still asking myself why on earth I didn’t read it earlier. It’s a mystery.

“Any other impossible feats you’d like us to accomplish?”
The barest smile flickered over Kaz’s lips, “I’ll make you a list.”

— Six of Crows

*SOMEWHAT SPOILERY QUESTIONS COMING UP*

There are so many to choose from that it’s not even funny, but I’m going to go with you-know-who from Winger. Honestly Andrew Smith, why would you do that?!?

The first one that comes to mind is that relationship that got completely obliterated in The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson because oh my god why?!?

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is full of little twists and turns that I for sure didn’t see coming. I never knew quite what to expect while reading that book, and I absolutely loved it.

Aaand that was the Hamilton Book Tag! :) As always I encourage you to try this for yourself, and also, if you haven’t listened to Hamilton, you definitely should. :)