Leading Characters I'd Follow into Battle

I know that I said I wouldn't be posting as many Top 10 Tuesday posts anymore and focus on posting more of what I want to write, but I think I have to retract that statement, because I got 0 interactions in the whole of October. It turns out that this meme is the only reason I get views, and stopping it means the posts I work hard on all suffer even more than they had before. I do like TTT, and even though I'm not always inspired by the prompts, the posts are fun and easy to write. I will keep writing them as well as the posts made from my own ideas and hope that you like and get to see both. But as for whether I keep this meme on the blog or not, I think the readers have spoken! (Or more like not spoken. This blog was like a wasteland last month!)

This week is all about leaders. It's rare for me to find a leading character that I really love, both when it comes to protagonists and when it comes to characters in positions of leadership. It's one thing for an author to get me to love their leading characters, but it's another to get me to want to fight alongside them. I am not a fighting person in the least, but there are some characters that I'd definitely follow into battle if necessary. Here's 10 of them!

1. Lila Bard (A Darker Shade of Magic)

Of course I'd fight with Lila. I might not always trust her motives, but I trust that her heart is in the right place. I'd also trust that if I were fighting on her side, we'd win, no questions asked. She is just that badass.

2. Rhy Maresh (A Darker Shade of Magic)

Only respect for my crown prince. As a reader I see Rhy as a precious child, but if I were a character I would probably be overwhelmed with respect for him. Never has anyone been more deserving to lead a kingdom, and I would 100% follow him.

3. Kell Maresh (A Darker Shade of Magic)

I'm aware that this list is mostly characters from the Shades of Magic series, but it is because they are such strong characters. I relate to Kell in the sense that I don't see him as a fighter like Lila is. But you bet he'd fight as hard as hell to protect those he cares about.

4. Alucard Emery (A Darker Shade of Magic)

Final Shades of Magic character, I promise! I feel like Alucard is a little like Lila in that he'd get into fights he'd have no business being in. He's mainly on this list because I would love to be a part of his pirate crew, that is, if I didn't get terrible seasickness.

5. Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel)

This is still the only superhero comic series I read and I have no regrets. I think being a similar age to Kamala makes me relate to her more, and I think a lot of the decisions she makes I would make too. She's one of the few heroes I'd trust to fight for justice.

6. Kaz Brekker (Six of Crows)

For a kid of only 17, just his name can put fear into the hearts of his enemies. Kaz isn't someone you'd want to be on the wrong side of, and if I had any useful heist skills I'd love to be on his team of criminals and misfits.

7. Lada Dragwlya (And I Darken)

Lada is the definition of brutality. I love her as a character, but I'm not sure I like her as much as I fear her. I've only read one book of her so I'm not sure I could morally align myself with her (I guess I have to wait and see), but she is terrifying and not someone I'd want to cross.

8. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

Hermione is that one friend who always knows what they're doing. She's wise beyond her years and incredibly powerful, and with her mind and skill I think anyone would be privileged to be on her side of the fight. Also she just seems like an amazing friend.

9. Christopher Wolfe (Ink and Bone)

The more you see of Scholar Wolfe in The Great Library series the more you realise that he's a man that has been broken. I think that, with all that he's been through, if he chooses to get back up and fight for something, it must matter enough to be fighting for.

10. Niccolo Santi (Ink and Bone)

Santi is a skilled fighter and although loyal and firm in his ways, his ultimate loyalty lies with Wolfe. Putting Santi on this list might just be another vote for Wolfe, because if they're fighting for something important, they're fighting for it together.

Who are some of your favourite leading characters? What characters would you follow into battle or fight alongside with?

This post was inspired by the prompt 'Ten Characters Who Would Make Great Leaders' on Top 10 Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.