
I frequently fall in love with non-POV characters, which is always a real downer because it’s impossible to be satisfied. Honestly, if J.K. Rowling wrote every single character in her universe their own book (or book series), I would be totally on board. In fact, if I was being honest, I’d just list my ten favorite Harry Potter characters as the top ten characters I want to get their own book and be done with it. But I wouldn’t do that to you.
So, instead, here is my list of of the top ten side characters that I want to get their own book. Warning: minor spoilers for the following books may appear.
So, instead, here is my list of of the top ten side characters that I want to get their own book. Warning: minor spoilers for the following books may appear.
Sirius Black, The Harry Potter Series, by J. K. Rowling
I couldn’t leave all the Harry Potter characters off this list.
Sirius is a fan favorite for a good reason—he’s freaking awesome. I think every Harry Potter fan wants a prequel book. I want to see Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs gallivanting across Hogwarts back in the day. I want to see young Snape. I want to meet the badass potion brewing Lily. Let’s meet Regulus and Sirius’s horrible mother. I just want more, really.
Edward Cullen, The Twilight Series, by Stephanie Meyers
This one has really burned my britches ever since Meyers promised to write Midnight Sun and then decided not to. Look, I totally respect the fact that she felt burned and didn’t want to write it after someone leaked the first couple of chapters. I get it. But at the same time, should the loyal fans really get burned too just because of something someone stupid did? GIVE ME MIDNIGHT SUN!
Maxon Schreave, The Selection Series, by Kiera Cass
I know that technically, I already have a short storty/novella from Maxon’s POV. It just wasn’t enough. America is cool and all, but she can be whiny. And yo, some dude is dating like thirty-five girls? I seriously have to know what he’s thinking. Plus, I pretty consistently want the romantic interest's view point. It feeds my desire to know everything.
Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games Series, by Suzanne Collins
Peeta just seems so useless throughout the games, I really have to wonder what’s going through his head. Does he really think he can save Katniss? I mean, like I said, he’s pretty useless. And why does he like her so much? Was it just the singing? Is she just that hot? I mean, really Peeta. What’s going on here? Maybe you should try for a nice girl… like Johanna Mason. Speaking of…
Johanna Mason, The Hunger Games Series, by Suzanne Collins
We’ve described Johanna’s badassery on numerous occasions here at Common Novel, so it’s no surprise I want to see her book. I don’t care when in time I get Johanna’s perspective, I just want it. But, it would be cool to see her helping to plan the 75th game's break out. I’d even settle for watching her games.
Eddie Castile, Bloodlines and Vampire Academy Series, by Richelle Mead
If you asked me this question a couple of years ago, I would have demanded a book featuring Adrian Ivashkov because I seriously love him so much. But, his viewpoint has been included in the last couple of Bloodlines novels, and it’s no longer necessary.
Recently, I’ve developed an interest in Eddie Castile. He seems to have the worst luck imaginable (the whole being fed on slowly by a Strogoi thing; getting punished for saving the freaking queen’s life thing; the consistent failure to protect Jill thing). I mean, people keep saying he’s a badass guardian, so if that’s true, what the hell is going on here? I’d also like to know why he has a crush on Jill. Isn’t she like fourteen? These are things I need to know. A book could solve these problems.
Marcus “Radar”, Paper Towns, by John Green
Paper Towns is actually my least favorite John Green book for the simple fact that I think Quentin and Margo are both horrible people and I just couldn’t possibly care less what happens to them. Radar, on the other hand, is amazing throughout. Funny, smart, a good friend—he’s the total package. Also, his parents have the largest collection of black Santas, which makes me think that his home life is the shit.
Levi, Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell
As I've already said, I literally always want the romantic interest's POV. But just in general, Levi is pretty awesome. I mean, a balding 21 year old romantic hero in a young adult novel? That’s bold. Levi is supposed to be always smiling and happy. The eternal optimist. He’s so freaking nice, I don’t trust him. I’d like to get in his head and see some darkness.
Benedick Hartwell, Earl of Allendale, Love by Numbers Series, Sarah MacLean
I’m used to getting both the heroine and hero’s points of view in a romance. So not many romances make it to this list. But one side character stands out for me. Callie’s brother Benedick. Poor Benedick. It seems he is destined to watch all of the woman around him fall in love with other men. It seemed weird that he wouldn’t get a happy ending in the first of the series. But when he proposed in the third and was turned down? That was just cold. Can’t we at least get a novella or something? He seemed like a good enough guy. I don’t see why he can’t find a nice lady.
Matthew, Allegiant, by Veronica Roth
I think the far more interesting world in the Divergent series is the world outside. These scientists at the Bureaua of Genetic Welfare have just been watching these people like some sort of creepy reality TV. There is this whole world of discrimination and the ethics of science that would could explore with Matthew.
What side characters do you want to see get their own book? Let us know in the comments!
I couldn’t leave all the Harry Potter characters off this list.
Sirius is a fan favorite for a good reason—he’s freaking awesome. I think every Harry Potter fan wants a prequel book. I want to see Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs gallivanting across Hogwarts back in the day. I want to see young Snape. I want to meet the badass potion brewing Lily. Let’s meet Regulus and Sirius’s horrible mother. I just want more, really.
Edward Cullen, The Twilight Series, by Stephanie Meyers
This one has really burned my britches ever since Meyers promised to write Midnight Sun and then decided not to. Look, I totally respect the fact that she felt burned and didn’t want to write it after someone leaked the first couple of chapters. I get it. But at the same time, should the loyal fans really get burned too just because of something someone stupid did? GIVE ME MIDNIGHT SUN!
Maxon Schreave, The Selection Series, by Kiera Cass
I know that technically, I already have a short storty/novella from Maxon’s POV. It just wasn’t enough. America is cool and all, but she can be whiny. And yo, some dude is dating like thirty-five girls? I seriously have to know what he’s thinking. Plus, I pretty consistently want the romantic interest's view point. It feeds my desire to know everything.
Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games Series, by Suzanne Collins
Peeta just seems so useless throughout the games, I really have to wonder what’s going through his head. Does he really think he can save Katniss? I mean, like I said, he’s pretty useless. And why does he like her so much? Was it just the singing? Is she just that hot? I mean, really Peeta. What’s going on here? Maybe you should try for a nice girl… like Johanna Mason. Speaking of…
Johanna Mason, The Hunger Games Series, by Suzanne Collins
We’ve described Johanna’s badassery on numerous occasions here at Common Novel, so it’s no surprise I want to see her book. I don’t care when in time I get Johanna’s perspective, I just want it. But, it would be cool to see her helping to plan the 75th game's break out. I’d even settle for watching her games.
Eddie Castile, Bloodlines and Vampire Academy Series, by Richelle Mead
If you asked me this question a couple of years ago, I would have demanded a book featuring Adrian Ivashkov because I seriously love him so much. But, his viewpoint has been included in the last couple of Bloodlines novels, and it’s no longer necessary.
Recently, I’ve developed an interest in Eddie Castile. He seems to have the worst luck imaginable (the whole being fed on slowly by a Strogoi thing; getting punished for saving the freaking queen’s life thing; the consistent failure to protect Jill thing). I mean, people keep saying he’s a badass guardian, so if that’s true, what the hell is going on here? I’d also like to know why he has a crush on Jill. Isn’t she like fourteen? These are things I need to know. A book could solve these problems.
Marcus “Radar”, Paper Towns, by John Green
Paper Towns is actually my least favorite John Green book for the simple fact that I think Quentin and Margo are both horrible people and I just couldn’t possibly care less what happens to them. Radar, on the other hand, is amazing throughout. Funny, smart, a good friend—he’s the total package. Also, his parents have the largest collection of black Santas, which makes me think that his home life is the shit.
Levi, Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell
As I've already said, I literally always want the romantic interest's POV. But just in general, Levi is pretty awesome. I mean, a balding 21 year old romantic hero in a young adult novel? That’s bold. Levi is supposed to be always smiling and happy. The eternal optimist. He’s so freaking nice, I don’t trust him. I’d like to get in his head and see some darkness.
Benedick Hartwell, Earl of Allendale, Love by Numbers Series, Sarah MacLean
I’m used to getting both the heroine and hero’s points of view in a romance. So not many romances make it to this list. But one side character stands out for me. Callie’s brother Benedick. Poor Benedick. It seems he is destined to watch all of the woman around him fall in love with other men. It seemed weird that he wouldn’t get a happy ending in the first of the series. But when he proposed in the third and was turned down? That was just cold. Can’t we at least get a novella or something? He seemed like a good enough guy. I don’t see why he can’t find a nice lady.
Matthew, Allegiant, by Veronica Roth
I think the far more interesting world in the Divergent series is the world outside. These scientists at the Bureaua of Genetic Welfare have just been watching these people like some sort of creepy reality TV. There is this whole world of discrimination and the ethics of science that would could explore with Matthew.
What side characters do you want to see get their own book? Let us know in the comments!
This list was created by Rachel Lyn Paxton. When she's not writing her third novel, she can be found writing about books, video games, and entertainment around the internet. Sometimes she's on Twitter.