REPOST: FAVORITE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS FROM BOOKS

Hello! Today's Friday, so I wanted to publish a non-book-related post. While thinking of ideas, I looked through my old posts and found this one. I decided to renew it, since most of the images it contained got lost. I am also planning a follow-up to this post, so that's why I'm re-publishing it. Apart from replacing the missing images, I left it just the way it was. Without further ado:

 

***

 

Good morning, everyone! I’m back with the first blog post that’s not a book review. I’ve published a bunch of those in the time since my last status update post. That was back in June, a whopping four months ago. I can’t believe time flew by this fast! Today, I’m publishing a special blog post. I've shared lists of my favorite books, both from last decade and from previous years. This time I’m writing about my favorite characters. I’ve read so many books that quite a few characters have stuck with me. Some of these are popular, and others not well-known. This list is in no particular order. I am also including images for some of the characters, at least those that I could find. For others, I fan-cast an actor I think would portray them well. Here it goes:

 

DISCUSSING BOOKS: MY THOUGHTS ABOUT IZABEL SEYFRIED

Good morning! I am back with another discussion post. Today I will be writing about a main character from In the Company of Killers. This is a dark thriller/crime series that is still ongoing. Sarai's first appearance was in Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski. I first discovered this author after reading one of her earliest novels, The Edge of Never. That one is a contemporary romance, so it’s way different from In the Company of Killers. This series is so compelling and unputdownable. The books also made me impressed with Redmerski’s talent; she handles two completely different genres so well.

Killing Sarai is the origin story of Sarai Cohen/Izabel Seyfried. She’s a young woman of almost twenty and is perhaps the series’ most important protagonist. Back when I first read Killing Sarai, it was part of a duology. I didn’t know it would turn into such a successful series. In the Company of Killers may not be extremely popular, but it still has its ardent fans. A big reason may be how well the characters are written and how rich their stories are. Sarai in particular is so enthralling. Her years as a child are bleak and painful, but she ends up finding her own brand of success. I’m not going to bore you with details here (this isn’t a book review). You must know that Sarai used to be held captive as a sex slave by Javier Ruiz, a ruthless Mexican drug lord. She managed to escape when a mysterious man visited Ruiz’s compound.

BOOK REVIEW: SPIDERS IN THE GROVE BY J.A. REDMERSKI

Title: Spiders in the Grove

Author: J.A. Redmerski

Genre: Thriller, romance

Published on: February 13, 2018, self-published

Izabel and Naeva find themselves right where they wanted to be in Mexico: captured and held in the slave compounds owned by the Ruiz family. But the two are soon separated and forced into very different—but equally dangerous—situations. Izabel spends the next three weeks playing a role she never expected she would get the opportunity to play, but her luck runs out when Naeva’s life hangs in the balance, and only Izabel can save her. But at a terrible cost. If Izabel chooses to help Naeva, it will expose a lie she has been carrying on her shoulders since she met Victor Faust. A lie that will not only potentially make everyone in Victor’s Order distrust her going forward, but one that will also blow her carefully constructed cover In Mexico, and that could get her killed.

Fredrik, still looking for his serial killer, does not have to look long—the killer finds him. And Niklas’s past catches up to him when an old enemy comes back for revenge. But it will be Victor’s actions that shake up those left in his Order, and ultimately, be its downfall.

With six books in the series (now seven) so far, every main character’s had their turn in the spotlight. Victor Faust, the protagonist of Behind the Hands that Kill, was perhaps the most anticipated. Since Sarai/Izabel won his heart, readers have wanted a book told from his POV. Now, the character who started it all gets a starring role again. Yes, it’s Izabel Seyfried. It sure was fantastic that she survived the events of the previous book. And a slit throat, no less! I felt as glad as I felt shocked that Izabel pulled through. That injury is about as lethal as getting stabbed in the heart.

Now that she’s healed, Izabel wastes no time going on the mission she’s longed to do. She already informed the rest of the top members of the Order she works with about her intentions. Nearly all of them (especially Victor) are overprotective of Izabel. She’s had enough of that. Izabel’s long since proved that she can protect herself. With Victor’s reluctant blessing, Izabel departs for the mission. It’s easily the most dangerous she’s handled yet. Izabel’s goal is to unmask an elusive and powerful enemy. He’s known only as Vonnegut, Victor’s former boss.

BOOK REVIEW: BEHIND THE HANDS THAT KILL BY J.A. REDMERSKI

Title: Behind the Hands that Kill

Author: J.A. Redmerski

Genre: Thriller, romance

Published on: May 6, 2016, self-published

Even professional killers need vacations, but for Victor Faust, his vacation in Venezuela is about more than relaxation and time alone with Izabel Seyfried. It is a chance for him to come clean to Izabel: to tell her the truth about why he sent her to Italy with his brother, the truth behind his interest in Nora Kessler, and about his knowledge of Izabel’s child with her former captor. But before Victor can spill his soul, reality proves that for some killers, vacations are just pipe-dreams.

Attacked and kidnapped, Izabel finds herself stuffed in a suitcase, while Victor later wakes up imprisoned in a cage. In any other situation, Victor would find a way out and save himself and the woman he loves—but not this time. When the identities of their kidnappers are revealed, Victor loses all hope, and begins the mental process of accepting his and Izabel’s last moments together. And Izabel’s final moments of life.

As if his circumstances are not complicated enough, members of Vonnegut’s Order are finally closing in on Victor. And when they do, he comes face-to-face with someone else he once knew and loved, who could either help him, or make a grave situation much worse. Victor’s past has finally caught up with him: the women he has cared for, loved, and killed; the families he has destroyed; the unforgivable crimes he has committed. And now he must face the consequences, and pay the ultimate price for absolution.

But when it is all over, Victor may not have the strength to pick up what is left and move on. Because the event changes him. Because love changed him. And because, unlike before when he thought it is was for the best, he cannot imagine a life without Izabel in it. 

Back in book one, Killing Sarai, I never thought this series would go beyond five books or so. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing; In the Company of Killers has become one of my favorite book series of all time. The way the author writes these stories and develops her characters is marvelous. There are a lot of stories left to tell in this saga, and this time it’s Victor Faust’s turn. Izabel, Fredrik, and Niklas have already had their own books. And Nora too, in a way.

Behind the Hands that Kill opens with Victor’s reminiscences. It turns out he had a love interest when he was young. Considering the life Victor’s led and the way he is, this was surprising. The series hasn’t yet delved into Victor’s life before Izabel, which I found interesting. This book isn't his origin story, but it does reveal a lot about his past. Anyway, Victor’s first love and her family have really odd names, and not because they’re Venezuelan. Her name was Artemis, which is unusual but not totally strange. One of her brothers has an even weirder name: Osiris.

BOOK REVIEW: THE BLACK WOLF BY J.A. REDMERSKI

Title: The Black Wolf

Author: J.A. Redmerski

Genre: Thriller, romance

Published on: July 1, 2015, self-published

Since devastating secrets were uncovered by Nora Kessler, Niklas Fleischer and Victor Faust have been divided as business partners and brothers. But ultimately Niklas is persuaded to lead a mission to Italy, and he sees it as an opportunity to set in motion forgiveness—or retribution—for his brother’s betrayal.

The mission: play the role of a wealthy German investor and kidnap a beautiful, notorious madam named Francesca Moretti. No stranger to these types of roles, Niklas is the best man for the job, but this time the risks will be much greater as he will not be doing it alone. Izabel Seyfried, still fresh out of a life of imprisonment and sex slavery, could be negatively affected by the things she will see in Moretti’s mansion, and Niklas must keep her in line so she does not blow their cover and get them killed.

But Niklas isn’t the only one who must play a role—Nora takes on the humiliating task of playing Niklas’s slave, and Izabel must play the role of his lover.

On one hand, Niklas couldn’t be enjoying himself more. On the other hand, the emotions that continue to rage inside of him may be too much for him to control, and it may be Niklas—not Izabel—who needs to be kept in line. He cannot forget what Victor has done, and this mission may just be the beginning of his downward spiral.

Can the blood bond that Niklas and Victor share as brothers be stronger than resentment? Or will vengeance dig the blade so deep that their bond be eternally severed?

With five books so far, the In the Company of Killers series shows no sign of slowing down. That’s a good thing, as this is one of the most addictive series I’ve read. This time, it’s Niklas Fleischer’s turn as the protagonist. Joining him as major supporting characters are Nora Kessler and Izabel Seyfried. The previous book ended with major changes. Nora revealed a secret that drove a huge wedge between Niklas and his brother, Victor Faust. The latter’s a highly trained contract killer who left his old Order to start his own.

In The Black Wolf, Izabel is still in training, with Nora as her new mentor. After the two return from a risky mission, Victor assigns them a new one. There’s a catch: they will need Niklas’s assistance. The latter has gone AWOL after learning of his brother’s betrayal. Victor knows where Niklas is, so he sends Izabel to talk to him. She's not afraid to press Niklas to get his help. Victor warned if Niklas doesn’t go, neither will Izabel. When Niklas hears about the target, he understands why Victor trusts only him to protect Izabel.

FAVORITE FICTIONAL CHARACTERS FROM BOOKS

Good morning, everyone! I’m back with the first blog post that’s not a book review. I’ve published a bunch of those in the time since my last status update post. That was back in June, a whopping four months ago. I can’t believe time flew by this fast! Today, I’m publishing a special blog post. I've shared lists of my favorite books, both from last decade and from previous years. This time I’m writing about my favorite characters. I’ve read so many books that quite a few characters have stuck with me. Some of these are popular, and others not well-known. This list is in no particular order. I am also including images for some of the characters, at least those that I could find. For others, I fan-cast an actor I think would portray them well. Here it goes:

***

BOOK REVIEW: SEEDS OF INIQUITY BY J.A. REDMERSKI

Title: Seeds of Iniquity

Author: J.A. Redmerski

Genre: Thriller, romance

Published on: September 29, 2014, self-published

Victor Faust’s new Order is growing. Business is good as there is no rest for the wicked in an underground world of hardcore criminals and contract killing. Relationships among the operatives have changed little over the past year—but things are about to change now, and all six high-ranking members of the new Order will be blindsided by an unlikely enemy.

Loved ones whose only ties to Victor’s organization are their relationships with its members, are abducted. The price to get them back safely—the six must confess their deepest, darkest secret to this mysterious young woman named Nora, who is as deadly as she is beautiful, and who seems to know more about each of them than they know about each other. And although no one has any clue about who Nora really is, it becomes clear that she also isn’t who she appears to be.

So much more is at stake than secrets and the lives of innocent loved ones; with each member that Nora forces to confess, the truth about their dark pasts and their present objectives will cast suspicion, pit some against each other, and may tear others apart.

Before the game is over everyone will know who this woman is and why she is here, but the damage she will leave in her wake could be the beginning of the new Order’s destruction.

Whose dark secret will be the darkest of all? And can Victor’s Order survive any of them?

The Order is back in another thrilling installment of In the Company of Killers. Unlike the previous book, Seeds of Iniquity does not focus on any single character. Victor Faust's Order (his contract killer organization) has grown in the time since The Swan and the Jackal ended. Izabel Seyfried is also getting better. She’s earning a don’t-mess-with-her kind of reputation. The only one who’s brave enough to tease Izabel now is Niklas, Victor’s brother. Dorian Flynn is also part of the group, as well as another newcomer: James Woodard. He’s a tech expert who claims to be able to find information on anyone.

During a covert mission, the team runs into a beautiful and enigmatic woman. She’s Nora Kessler, and she's abducted loved ones who have ties to the six heads of Victor’s Order. The group attempts to subdue Nora, but she manages to take them all on without help. That’s no mean feat, beating up four professional killers! Nora ends up allowing the Order to capture her. She has a deal to make with them. Nora will free their loved ones if each member confesses their darkest secret. The group debates whether they should play along with her game. Victor agrees, mostly because one of the abducted is Izabel’s grandmother, Dina. She’s the only connection to the normal world that Izabel has left.

BOOK REVIEW: THE SWAN AND THE JACKAL BY J.A. REDMERSKI

Title: The Swan and the Jackal

Author: J.A. Redmerski

Genre: Thriller, romance

Published on: March 3, 2014, self-published

Fredrik Gustavsson never considered the possibility of love, or that anyone could ever understand or accept his dark and bloody lifestyle—until he met Seraphina, a woman as vicious and blood-thirsty as Fredrik himself. They spent two short but unforgettable years together, full of lust and killing and the darkest kind of love that two people can share.

And then Seraphina was gone.

It’s been six years since Fredrik’s lover and sadistic partner in crime turned his world upside-down. Seraphina went into hiding and has eluded him ever since. Now, he’s getting closer to finding her, and an innocent woman named Cassia is the key to drawing Seraphina from the shadows. But Cassia—after sustaining injuries from a fire that Seraphina ignited—suffers from amnesia and can’t give Fredrik the information he desperately seeks. Having no other choice, Fredrik has been keeping Cassia locked in his basement as he not only tries to get her to recall her past—because she and Seraphina share it—but also to protect her from Seraphina, who clearly wants her dead.

But Cassia is a light in the darkness that Fredrik never believed existed. After a year subjected to her kindness and compassion, he finds himself struggling with his love for Seraphina, and his growing feelings for Cassia—because he knows that to love one, the other must die.

Will light win out over darkness, or will something more powerful than either further destroy an already tortured soul?

With two books so far, In The Company of Killers has had Sarai Cohen/Izabel Seyfried as the protagonist. She's a damaged young girl who became a contract killer after escaping captivity. The series returns with a third installment, The Swan and the Jackal. This time the main character is Fredrik Gustavsson. He’s without doubt the darkest and most damaged character in this series. People call him the Jackal, but you don’t learn why until near the middle of the book. They also call him The Specialist. Fredrik is the go-to torturer in Victor’s new Order (a contract killer organization). He can do stuff to people that are just…horrible, yet he’s not exactly evil. You likely wouldn’t root for Fredrik if he were real, but as a book character it’s a different story. No pun intended.

Before The Swan and the Jackal starts, Victor assumed that Fredrik had killed his ex-wife. She appears right at the start of the book, though. Her name is Seraphina Bragado, and she has a darkness that rivals Fredrik’s. The two loved each other, until something changed things. Now, Fredrik is looking for Seraphina after she spared his life. She's been on the run for years. Fredrik’s search leads him to Cassia Carrington, a young woman who turns out to be the best tool for finding Seraphina. Cassia is amnesiac, though. She narrowly survived a fire that Seraphina started. Fredrik has been keeping Cassia in his basement, waiting for her memories to return. He can’t risk Seraphina killing her. Besides Fredrik, no one knows Seraphina better than Cassia.

BOOK REVIEW: REVIVING IZABEL BY J.A. REDMERSKI

Title: Reviving Izabel

Author: J.A. Redmerski

Genre: Thriller, romance

Published on: December 4, 2013 (first edition), self-published

Determined to live a dark life in the company of the assassin who freed her from bondage, Sarai sets out on her own to settle a score with an evil sadist. Unskilled and untrained in the art of killing, the events that unfold leave her hanging precariously on the edge of death when nothing goes as planned.

Sarai’s reckless choices send her on a path she knows she can never turn back from and so she presents Victor with an ultimatum: help her become more like him and give her a fighting chance, or she’ll do it alone no matter the consequences. Knowing that Sarai cannot become what she wants to be overnight, Victor begins to train her and inevitably their complicated relationship heats up.

As Arthur Hamburg’s right-hand man, Willem Stephens, closes in on his crusade to destroy Sarai, she is left with the crushing realization that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. But Sarai, taking on the new and improved role of Izabel Seyfried, still has a set of deadly skills of her own that will prove to be all she needs to secure her place beside Victor.

But there is one test that Izabel must face that has the potential to destroy everything she is working so hard to achieve. One final test that will not only make her question her decision to want this dangerous life, but will make her question everything she has come to trust about Victor Faust.

New Adult romance and dark thrillers are considerably different genres. J.A. Redmerski manages to handle them both with brilliance. Killing Sarai was mind-blowing, and now the author brings the titular character back in Reviving Izabel. This book’s story continues months after the first one ended. Sarai is living with her surrogate mother, Dina, trying to lead a normal life. The endeavor is proving rather difficult. Until some time ago, Sarai was kept captive by Javier, a Mexican cartel lord who dealt in sex trafficking. All those years of suffering left their mark on Sarai. She can barely function in normal society now.

Sarai's still far from well-adjusted despite finding a friend (Dahlia) and a boyfriend (Eric). Unbeknownst to anyone, Sarai hasn't forgot about Victor Faust, the man who freed her from Javier. Victor is a contract killer who grew to care for Sarai in the time they spent together. Because of his dangerous life, he knew he couldn’t keep her close. Victor thought Sarai deserved a chance at a normal life, so he left her with Dina. She has other things in mind, though. Sarai goes after a vile man named Arthur Hamburg, whom she met in the previous book. It doesn't take long for Sarai to realize she's in over her head. She barely escapes with her life thanks to Victor, who returns just in time.

BOOK REVIEW: KILLING SARAI BY J.A. REDMERSKI

Title: Killing Sarai

Author: J.A. Redmerski

Genre: Thriller, romance

Published on: June 18, 2013 (first edition), self-published

Sarai was only fourteen when her mother uprooted her to live in Mexico with a notorious drug lord. Over time she forgot what it was like to live a normal life, but she never let go of her hope to escape the compound where she has been held for the past nine years.

Victor is a cold-blooded assassin who, like Sarai, has known only death and violence since he was a young boy. When Victor arrives at the compound to collect details and payment for a hit, Sarai sees him as her only opportunity for escape. But things don’t go as planned and instead of finding transport back to Tucson, she finds herself free from one dangerous man and caught in the clutches of another.

While on the run, Victor strays from his primal nature as he succumbs to his conscience and resolves to help Sarai. As they grow closer, he finds himself willing to risk everything to keep her alive; even his relationship with his devoted brother and liaison, Niklas, who now like everyone else wants Sarai dead.

As Victor and Sarai slowly build a trust, the differences between them seem to lessen, and an unlikely attraction intensifies. But Victor’s brutal skills and experience may not be enough in the end to save her, as the power she unknowingly holds over him may ultimately be what gets her killed.

J.A. Redmerski once again pens a great novel with Killing Sarai. I admire how she writes compelling characters that stay with you long after you finish the book. If you've read The Edge of Never (my favorite Redmerski novel), know that this new book is very, very different. Whereas Edge was a New Adult romance, this is a dark, suspenseful thriller.

Sarai Cohen is a young woman who’s lived her entire teen years in captivity. A drug cartel boss named Javier has been keeping her against her will. He has other young female captives, but Sarai gets special treatment—the ruffian thinks he's in love. One day, fortune smiles for Sarai when an American (allegedly the first one she's seen in years—she is from the U.S. as well) comes to talk to Javier. She manages to slip inside the American's car. Unfortunately, Sarai has no idea she's jumped from the frying pan into the fire. The American, Victor, turns out to be an assassin for hire. He has half a heart to just bring Sarai back to Javier's compound. However, he makes a decision that'll change his and Sarai's lives.