Beginning with one of my favorite book characters of all time, Kiva from The Prison Healer series, is a top-tier example of excellent character development. The characters in this book aren’t all what they seem, and Kiva certainly has dozens of layers to her story. As the reader learns her heart and her mind throughout the series, you can’t help but empathize with her as her history is revealed. Although some may think she is not completely classifiable as a villain, I think she is a villain to some characters and a hero to others. After all, the initial story does take place in a prison housing the most ruthless criminals, so how good can you be when living in a place full of hatred?
While Melinoë isn’t a villain for most of the story, she was originally created to be one. This novel is a sapphic, dystopian romance where the predator falls in love with their prey and finds herself changing for love. Melinoë, a government-created “angel” capable of killing without remorse, was meant to hunt and eliminate Inesa for her debts to the Caerus corporation. Complete the bounty, and Mel will save her reputation; fail, and she will be decommissioned and sold to the highest bidder as a wife. Throughout the chase, Mel is constantly battling both the devil and the angel on her shoulders, but eventually she has to choose between the two. Reid never disappoints when it comes to complex characters!
I may be biased towards Cato because, as a child, I had a big crush on the actor who portrayed him in the movie, but I do think there is some emotional depth to him as a villain. Although his upbringing was nowhere near as traumatizing as, say, Katniss or Joanna’s, he still was not treated as a child should have been. I think there is some sympathy to be had for most of the tributes since the Capitol is using them for entertainment, and Cato was just a product of the monsters who controlled District 2. His death scene is full of such deep emotions as he overflows with rage and anger for the people who raised him as a weapon, and I believe that he finally understood Katniss as he came face-to-face with his own death.
Sometimes it’s hard to empathize with villainous characters, but sometimes the author makes it easy to understand how they became the antagonist. Even if you disagree with what I’ve had to say, it’s still important to give credit to the creators of layered and interesting characters. Sure, I’d never like a character like President Snow, but I can recognize the thought that Suzanne Collins put into his personality and actions. Admitting that a villain has scars is not the same as condoning their actions, so take a moment to acknowledge the complexity of the antagonist in whatever book you read next.
Callie Andrews, Pine Reads Review Writer, Social Media, and Web