Books with... Great Villains

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (1991)

This book features my favourite villain of all time: Captain Jonathan Wolverton Randall. Also known as Black Jack Randall. Randall is the ultimate villain, with a twisted mind, a love for breaking people, a fan of rape, pedophilia, and violation. He is a sadist and a misogynist. What makes it worse is that he bears a striking resemblance to the main character, Clare's, husband. Jonathan Randall is the kind of villain that makes you feel sick and have to close the book for a moment just to allow oneself to swallow what one's just read. All boxes ticked for a great adult villain. If you wish to read my full review of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon you can find it here.

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling (1997 - 2007)

He doesn't actually fully make an appearance until book four: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but Voldemort is a constant villain throughout the books. He is a reminder of Harry's dead parents and the terror that took place in the Wizarding World until he disappeared thanks to Harry's survival. He has no mercy what so ever and his obsession with living forever has no boundaries, so that he willingly kills men, women and children of all ages and has such a strong negative influence that people cannot even say his name but refer to him as 'He Who Must Not Be Named'. A timeless villain for all ages. For my full review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone click here.

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth (2017)

Veronica Roth made a step up on her villain from her debut trilogy Divergent. This time it's much worse. Not only is the villain, Ryzek Noavek, the brother of the female lead, Cyra Noavek, but he feels happy to torture her as he sees fit. Not only that but he also exploits her powers to use against her enemies, against her will. He also has no problem with holding Akos Kereseth, the male lead, and his brother Eijeh Kereseth hostages, but worse brainwashes Eijeh to turn him against his own brother. It's twisted. On top of that he also has the annoying habit of cleaning his finger nails with a blade.  A new villain with a twisted mind. A review of this book is coming soon.

HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE by J.K. ROWLING (1997)

Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneAuthor: J.K. RowlingSeries: Harry Potter #1Pages: 223Published: Jun 26th 1997Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Uhm. Favourite series. Favourite book in series. Don't know what else to say. I love the ghosts and the part with Norbert, the Norwegian Ridgeback and I think it's a shame that it's not included in the films. I absolutely love this book because although half of the book is not even taking place at Hogwarts that much half of the story is about how Harry gets to Hogwarts in the first place and I love that part. I also absolutely adore the friendship that builds up in this book. I don't think I have more to say. You know it all.

I read it first in Swedish when I was nine. We had the first three ones at home and when I picked it up I was like: WOW, what I challenge, this is gonna be solo cool!! I was so proud of myself when I finished the first page I had to call on my mum. Then I finished a whole chapter. I finished the book late at night a few weeks later (I don't know how long it took me). I have finished all of the books late at night. Just a coincident you know.

Plot Summary:

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed for ever. He is whisked away by a beetle-eyed giant of a man and enrolled in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard!

My Rating:

10/10

Favourite Quote:

You're a wizard, Harry! - Hagrid

Other Books in the Series:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter #1)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter #7)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter #8)
The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Harry Potter novella)
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Harry Potter novella)
Quidditch Throughout the Ages (Harry Potter Novella)

Other Books by J.K. Rowling:

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them - The Original Screenplay
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald - The Original Screenplay
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Pottermore Presents #1)
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeist (Pottermore Presents #2)
Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (Pottermore Presents #3)
J.K. Rowlings Wizarding World - The Dark Arts
Harry Potter: Magical Skies: Enchanted Scene with Transfers
Harry Potter: Night Journey
Harry Potter: Magical Tales about the Wizarding World
The Sorting Hat
Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Magical Congress of the United States of America
The Casual Vacancy
Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and Importance of Imagination
Becoming Myself: Reflections on Growing up Female
The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike #1) as Robert Galbraith
The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2) as Robert Galbraith
Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3) as Robert Galbraith
Lethal White (Cormoran Strike #4) as Robert Galbraith

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LAST OLYMPIAN by RICK RIORDAN (2009)

Title: The Last Olympian

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3

Pages: 361

Published: May 5th 2009

Publisher: Hyperion Books

This was an epic ending to the Percy Jackson books. Towards the end I started wondering when the real battle was going to happen and then I realised it had been going on for basically the whole book. All the questions where finally answered and it was a very satisfying ending to such a lovely series. You've got to admire these kids for their bravery, even as some of their parents don't seem to care. Although we mainly followed Percy and his close friends in the other books all of Camp Half Blood got involved in this book as a united force which made it much more fun to read.


Plot Summary:

Most People gets presents on their sixteenth birthday. I get a prophecy that could save or destroy the world.
It happens when you're the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. According to an ancient prophecy, I turn sixteen and the fate of the entire world is on me. But no pressure.
Now Kronos, Lord of the Titans, is beginning his attack on New York City. And the dreaded monster Typhon is also heading our way. So it's me and forty of my demigod friends versus untold evil . . .Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)

The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

My Rating:

7/10

PERCY JACKSON AND THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH by RICK RIORDAN (2008)

Title: Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4

Pages: 361

Published: May 6th 2008

Publisher: Hyperion Books


As the fourth book of the series this was a seriously good story. Rick Riordan does not fail in making Greek gods and demigods into fun and charismatic characters. The relationship between Percy and Annabeth is only getting better and both of their characters are really developing, like Annabeth and her architect dreams.

The labyrinth allowed for such grey ideas and storytelling. With the different chambers and corridors and time difference. There was no limit to imagination. I can't wait for the final book.

Plot Summary:

Honestly, blowing up another school was the last thing I wanted to do. As the son of a Greek god, I've had my share of near-death disaster - and now my arch enemy Luke wants to invade our camp via an ancient Labyrinth.If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it's goodbye sunshine, hello darkness as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond...

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:


The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF by RICK RIORDAN (2005)

Title: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1

Pages: 377

Published: May 4th 2005

Publisher: Hyperion Books


As I have promised in my TBR Announcement for Percy Jackson and the Olympians my goal was to read the series this summer and as I didn't know how to start of my June reading I thought it best to start with Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief to get going.

It was a good choice. This book was highly enjoyable and I see why people truly enjoy this series. I wish I had read them when I was younger because although it is suitable for the nineteen-year-old I am, it is initially written for 9-14 year olds and maybe I would have enjoyed it even more back then. But no point mourning the lack of Percy Jackson in my childhood. This book was so great. It's funny, exciting and entertaining.I love how every day objects are turned magical
and that everything is not over the top supernatural. It's as simple as a magic cap or winged shoes. Makes everything funnier and a little more realistic. Although there is plenty of fighting in Percy Jackson its all written for a younger audience and everything is described with excitement and action. It's not graphic in the way that it's not PG, but it is described well and everything is played out in my head perfectly.

I have heard that people find that a lot of the story is lost if you do not know Greek Mythology. Let me tell you something about my knowledge about Greek Mythology. I know the names Zeus, Poseidon, Hades and Aphrodite. And, that's about it. I never got the opportunity to study the Greek gods in school and haven't read any books about them. I am clueless. But Riordan so cleverly interweaves little facts here and there for the reader to understand the story. Very simplified and interesting. You don't have to know anything of Greek Mythology because Percy will tell you about everything that is relevant. It's brilliant.

So this book was great. I think I may have enjoyed it even more if I'd been younger and I'm so happy I'm reading them now rather than letting them collect dust on my bookshelf. Highly recommend.Plot Summary:

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a greek god.

I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. Now I spend my time battling monsters and generally trying to stay alive.
This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea.


My Rating:
8/10

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS by KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE (2016)

Title: The Girl of Ink and Stars

Author: Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Pages: 228

Published: May 5th 2016

Publisher: Chicken House

This lovely book was given to me by my mum when I wasn't feeling too well. I was lacking enthusiasm in reading any of my books at home and this book really got me back on track.

Although this is a middle grade book I personally think it is a book for all ages. It is full of magic, friendship and love and full of imagination. It is a cozy read and reminds you of how magical it is to read books for younger readers. There is a serious under tone but it does not limit the magical setting or plot.

If you haven't read the book and are planning to read it I suggest that you do not read this paragraph as I suggest that everyone reads this book without any expectations or foreknowledge. I didn't and it helped me picture this world completely with my own imagination. When I read it I had at first a hard time to picture the time period and setting. I later decided that the Island is Spanish inspired, due to the names of people and the how the setting was built up. In the beginning I believed that it was set in the middle 1800's but I later go the impression that it was mid 1900's.

I would strongly recommend this book. Especially, if you're low, want an easy read, want something magical or just want to be reminded of what it's like to be young again. Beautifully written.

If you need more convincing this book includes: maps, waterfalls, inks, stars, huge beasts, underground tunnels, myths and legends, and of course an adventure. 

Plot Summary:

Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella Riosse dreams of the faraway lands her father once mapped. 

When her closest friends disappears into the island's Forgotten Territories, she volunteers to guide the search. As a cartographer's daughter, she's equipped with elaborate ink maps and knowledge of the stars, and is eager to navigate the island's forgotten heart.

But the world beyond the walls is a monster-filled waste land - and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a legendary fire demon is stirring from its sleep. Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself.

-Goodreads

Favourite Quote:

"India is a place where colour is doubly bright. Pinks that scald your eyes, blues that you could drown in."

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books by this Kiran Millwood Hargrave:

The Island at the End of Everything