Favourite Character Feature- February 2018

Favourite Character Feature

February 2018

Hi, everyone! This is the first of a monthly feature, where I'm going to talk about my favourite fictional characters. I want to focus on characters who are from lesser-known books, or have smaller parts in their novels.

So on Wednesday, I reviewed The Next Together by Lauren James (here!). The character I'm talking about this month is from that book's sequel, The Last Beginning. Her name is Ella, and she is very mysterious and a lot of fun to read about. There are spoilers ahead, so don't read if you don't want the book ruined for you!

Okay. Here, I have to admit that I am a tiny bit biased. I loved Ella before I even read the book, because she shares my name and she's gay. Those are both, unfortunately, pretty rare things in most books. But there were plenty of reasons for me to fall in love with her throughout the book. 

She is a huge fangirl. Throughout the book, we get little glimpses of Ella's past (and her future with Clove) through things like emails and pictures of textbooks. In one homework assignment, Ella has drawn her initials with Clove's in a heart, and in the margins of a textbook she wonders if (hopes that!) she is the Ella she is reading about. It is so endearing and relatable, and I challenge anyone to read this book and not love her just for that.

She is good at adventures. The characters in this book are all brave, but she is often the one coming up with solutions to problems and getting everyone out of tough situations. She can change plans easily in a second, too, like when she comes up with a sob story for the Finchleys in 1745 and plans to rescue Matthew from prison . It's her job, but I know I could never be that calm under pressure. 

She learns from her mistakes. Towards the end of the book, Clove and Ella argue about Ella being too impulsive and making decisions without telling Clove. Once Clove calls her out on it, Ella immediately apologises. Later in the book, she checks with Clove that she's comfortable with a decision. It's such a mature way to handle a relationship, and honestly, if I find a girlfriend like Ella, I'll be lucky.

Finally, she and Clove are adorable together! There's a picture of an instant chat towards the start of the book where Clove tells her all the things she loves about her, and when they first meet she looks at Clove in a way that makes Clove think that no one has ever looked at her like that before. It was so cute it made me breathless, and it made watching their relationship develop so engaging.

I hope I've encouraged some of you to read The Last Beginning, because I need more people to get excited about this book with! Let me know if you do read it, and what you think of it. To finish this feature, I'm adding a picture of Kathryn Newton, who I think would make a perfect Ella. Have a good week, everyone!