Guest post written by author Natalie Mae
Natalie Mae is the critically acclaimed author of The Kinder Poison trilogy and other young adult novels. She has also been a freelance editor and Pitch Wars mentor, and she feels it notable to mention she once held a job where she had to feed spiders. The Sweetest Betrayal is the final installment in her The Kinder Poison trilogy and you can find her online at nataliemaebooks.com.
Villains are not born. They are made. But when it’s the hero of a story who starts down that path, it hits different. And the result is a tantalizing look at what pushes people and the fine line between ambition and ruthlessness.
With the final book in my Kinder Poison trilogy, The Sweetest Betrayal, releasing on Feb 14, I have this at front of mind. I’ve always been fascinated by what drives people, and especially with what weight power and responsibility have on the choices we make. Zahru begins the trilogy as a firm hero—and a human sacrifice. But as desperation to protect herself and her loved ones grows and new power tempts, she becomes something else.
Here are five books with heroes who, like Zahru, either find themselves trading places with the villain or straying a bit farther than morally gray. As to where these characters land in the very end – well, you’ll have to read to find out!
The Young Elites by Marie Lu
This trilogy follows Adelina, a girl who survives a deadly illness and comes out on the other side of it with terrible scarring – and a vicious new magical power. Considered an abomination by her father and society alike, she joins the Young Elites with others like her who survived the plague and now possess magic. While the Young Elites aim to do good, Adelina can’t help but notice how poorly her world continues to treat her. And she intends to get the respect she deserves, one way or the other …
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
Vanja begins her life as a maid in the service of a princess—until she steals the princess’s magical pearls along with her identity. Now the princess works as Vanja’s maid, and Vanja enjoys frequenting the many parties the princess has been invited to and stealing riches from her hosts. So, okay, technically Vanja is already a bit villainous when we start this story – but it’s a delightful and funny read, and I think she and my Zahru would get along very well.
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao
The beautiful Xifeng in this lush East Asia retelling of The Evil Queen begins her life in the cruel care of her aunt, a witch who foresees Xifeng as the next Empress despite their current living in poverty. But, that can only happen if Xifeng spurns the boy who loves her and embraces the command of the dark magic living in her veins. Needless to say, watching Xifeng struggle between her heart and her desire to rule where no one else can hurt her makes this a compelling read.
All Of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and C.L. Herman
This villainous Hunger Games-like duology follows seven champions from seven families who must compete in a tournament to the death for the right to wield High Magick, the most expensive and powerful resource in their world. Naturally what follows is much backstabbing, many desperate decisions and rampant betrayal among family members and lovers alike as outside pressures push each champion to win.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
A classic in its own right, The Cruel Prince follows Jude, a human girl thrust into a cutthroat world of faeries who hate humans as a whole. When Jude is unable to find acceptance among their ranks, she begins down a path of ruthlessness and trickery all her own to fit in. This is a story where I’m not even sure there are definite heroes and villains, just people and bad choices and a romance that comes with claws.
I hope you find new villains to love in this list. And don’t forget to check out The Kinder Poison trilogy as well for all your corruption arc needs!
