Secondary Character Saturday: Tink from Tiger Lily

Hannah over at In the Best Words started up a new meme which I love and will try to participate in as much as possible. Saturdays are now dedicated to honor the characters that don't always get their voices heard, who support (or work to destroy) our beloved protagonists. This is for the third wheel in the love triangle (can you have wheels on a triangle?), for the BFFs, the family members, or even just the kind and loving (or deceitful and creepy) stranger who shows up and changes the game. We all know these stories wouldn't hold up without support so I'd like to take the time to highlight the best secondary characters I come across. This is an opportunity to talk about what makes these characters special, maybe to speculate what their world would be like without them, or maybe cast them in their own primary roles.

Tink from Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

I'm not sure if Tink really counts she was technically the narrator of this story. But the thing is, this isn't Tink's story. It's all about Tiger Lily. Tink is just the small bug-like creature that follows Tiger Lily around on her adventures and comments on them. 

At first, I was really bummed that the story wasn't told by Tiger Lily. I mean, her name is the title. But as Tink laid out the story, brick by brick, I begin to see why she was the narrator. Tink can't talk to people so she can in no way affect how the story plays out besides the occasion bite or hair pull which just gets her swatted away. But she can sense emotions because she is so good at listening and she can break apart from Tiger Lily to find out what's going on on other parts of the island. 

So what you end up getting is a sense of every person's emotions along with a map of what is going on everywhere. You are the first to know what the pirates are up to, what Pan and his lost boys are doing and how it will affect Tiger Lily. And like Tink, you can't warn anyone even though you know everything is about to go to hell. Tink is basically a representation of every reader out there who is burden with the knowledge and no way to tell anyone.

On top of this, you get Tink's thoughts on things and at rare times, you get to see how her presence affects the story. For instance, Tink is always saying no one notices her but certain times both Tiger Lily and Pan take note of her and help her in some small way before going back to ignoring her presence. These moments make Tink glow.

I just really appreciated knowing the reasons Tink did things. She was still that fun loving pixie we all remember but now we get to understand what spurred her actions. Her addition to the story was vital and I loved her as Tiger Lily's little shadow!

Second Character Saturday (2): Andrew from Breaking Beautiful

Hannah over at In the Best Words started up a new meme which I love and will try to participate in as much as possible. Saturdays are now dedicated to honor the characters that don't always get their voices heard, who support (or work to destroy) our beloved protagonists. This is for the third wheel in the love triangle (can you have wheels on a triangle?), for the BFFs, the family members, or even just the kind and loving (or deceitful and creepy) stranger who shows up and changes the game. We all know these stories wouldn't hold up without support so I'd like to take the time to highlight the best secondary characters I come across. This is an opportunity to talk about what makes these characters special, maybe to speculate what their world would be like without them, or maybe cast them in their own primary roles.

Andrew from Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

I just finished this book recently and had Insurgent not just come out, I think I'd still have a bit of a hangover from how wonderful this novel really was. One of my favorite characters in it was the main character's twin brother, Andrew.

Andrew is in a wheelchair because he has cerebral palsy and din't have enough oxygen. He has trouble speaking and with movement but he is whip smart and can absorb information like no one's business. What I loved about Andrew was that even though he was handicapped, the author was able to make him into a really strong character. She didn't just discount him as an object in the room (like in the book how so many people are prone to do). Andrew was just like every other brother--protective of his sister, in to cars but he also noticed more than most people. 

I liked that he was hard to understand but as the novel moved on, we the readers, ended up knowing what he was trying  to say as much as Allie did. The sound of his wheelchair bumping down the hall became natural to us too. He is one of those characters that overcomes every obstacle thrown at him and he glows because of it. Without a doubt, he makes this book with his own set of struggles and secrets. Andrew is definitely a second character to honor!

So have you read this book? What did you think of Andrew?

Second Character Saturday 1

Hannah over at In the Best Words started up a new meme which I love and will try to participate in as much as possible. Saturdays are now dedicated to honor the characters that don't always get their voices heard, who support (or work to destroy) our beloved protagonists. This is for the third wheel in the love triangle (can you have wheels on a triangle?), for the BFFs, the family members, or even just the kind and loving (or deceitful and creepy) stranger who shows up and changes the game. We all know these stories wouldn't hold up without support so I'd like to take the time to highlight the best secondary characters I come across. This is an opportunity to talk about what makes these characters special, maybe to speculate what their world would be like without them, or maybe cast them in their own primary roles.

Roar from Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Ah Roar, you sunk into Under the Never Sky and thought I wouldn't notice you. But how could I not? Your skill with the blade had me interested right away. Let's not forget to mention your easy-going attitude and instant connection with Aria and Perry (though you've known Perry for quite a while).

But you know what really sold me? It was that you already had a love. You loved Perry's sister and were actively searching her out. I loved that you were torn between your love for her and your sense of duty to your village.

Basically in a very grave situation, you broke the tension. You seemed to understand both Aria and Perry and were able to help them understand each other. You helped make us laugh too. 

Which has got to be why you are the first secondary character I choose!

Side note: I'm not really sure why I addressed this to the fictional character but I did and I'm going with it. What did you all think of Roar?