Top 10 Best Book Characters of All Time

The Top Ten

Percy Jackson (Percy Jackson & The Olympians)

Perseus "Percy" Jackson is a fictional character, the title character and narrator of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. He is a demigod, the son of Poseidon and a mortal woman named Sally Jackson. Percy first appears in the novel The Lightning Thief.

"Percy is a Mary Sue." "Percy is too powerful." "Percy is too flawless." "Percy is unrelatable." Really? Are you sure? Percy is sassy, hilarious, brave, determined, and loyal, the traits that made me fall in love with him when I first started the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles.
But despite this, he is not flawless, as many people suggest. Percy is loyal to the point where he'd sacrifice the world for a loved one, and I also thought that when given a choice between things that both mattered, he couldn't discern or let go of the option that mattered less. Plus, he has ADHD and dyslexia, which is probably very hard to deal with, seeing as you have to be able to read if you're going to mingle in society.
But Percy overcomes his flaws, all his quests, and even Tartarus with his best qualities, which is absolutely something that fans and haters alike should applaud him for.
People who say you're a horrible character are just haters who cannot back up their opinion whatsoever, Percy. Keep it up.
Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

Hermione Jean Granger is a fictional character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. She is one of the main characters and best friends of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Hermione is known for her intelligence, strong work ethic, and loyalty.

I don't get how she isn't number one. She is hands down the best character in arguably the most iconic book series of all time.
Harry and Ron wouldn't last through the first book if it weren't for her, proving her simple greatness is way beyond the others. She is THE role model when it comes to strong and intelligent women all around the world.
She isn't just a genius, though. She's extremely loyal and incredibly brave. Everyone can learn from Hermione Granger, and so many are inspired by her.

As well as being possibly the nerdiest person in the school, Hermione is not afraid to do anything. She stole the ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion from Snape's cupboard and also slapped Malfoy in the face (who wouldn't?). She figures out everything by herself. Ron and Harry would not have known anything if she hadn't been there. She got Harry to the Philosopher's Stone through the fire with the logic puzzle, figured out who Slytherin's monster was, realized Lupin was a werewolf, and she was the only one clever enough to think that Sirius Black in the Department of Mysteries might be a trap. Harry never thought of that, which resulted in them all nearly getting killed.
Hermione is a great role model. She made a stand for elf rights when no one else did, and in my opinion, she deserved to marry someone better than Ron.
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)

Katniss Everdeen is a fictional character and the protagonist of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. She is portrayed by actress Jennifer Lawrence in the film adaptation series. Katniss becomes a symbol of resistance and rebellion against the oppressive Capitol in the dystopian storyline.

One of the best characters ever!
Katniss should be #1. Her story is so interesting, and she has so many layers and faults that make her feel so human.

Katniss is brave, selfless, and wise, and she's always there when her friends need her. She has a very strong personality, which I think is a wonderful thing, and she did a wonderful job of being the Mockingjay, though she couldn't protect everyone around her. I love Katniss so much. She is an awesome character!

Selfless, brave, and so much more, Katniss is a strong leader and loving sister. The fact that she is willing to die for her little sister makes her admirable. She lost so much but kept fighting for what is right. She is the one and only Mockingjay.
Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter)

Luna Lovegood is a character from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. She was the only child of Xenophilius and Pandora Lovegood. Her mother died in a magical accident when Luna was nine, and she was raised by her father in a rook-like house near the village of Ottery St Catchpole in Devon.... read more

Luna Lovegood has always been my favorite character in Harry Potter. She experienced the trauma of her mother dying in front of her and faced bullying at Hogwarts. She was derogatorily called "Loony Lovegood" and had her belongings hidden from her. Yet, she was extremely intelligent and thought outside the box.
She could have turned bitter and sought revenge on her bullies. Instead, she remained innocent and never wished harm on anyone. Throughout her challenges, she always believed in things that others would never have considered. Her belief in the improbable wasn't due to a generic reason like "I felt invisible like them." It was something more engaging. She believed in them because life is unpredictable, and you never know what will happen next.
Luna understood this unpredictability well. She never expected her mother to die, but she didn't become angry or sad because of it. While others expected her to conform, Luna remained her own person and always would be. It's refreshing to see a female character who doesn't end up with the main guy or isn't incredibly attractive by the end. I love Hermione, but her storyline is somewhat predictable and cliché. In my opinion, Luna is the best character J.K. Rowling ever wrote.
Leo Valdez (The Heroes of Olympus)

Leo Valdez is a major character from the book series Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan. He is one of the seven demigods mentioned in the Prophecy of Seven. A Greek demigod and the son of Hephaestus, Leo possesses the ability to create and manipulate fire, a power known as pyrokinesis.

When the series gets so dark you want to set down the books and walk away, Leo will come in and keep you reading. He makes the reader laugh in an unpleasant place in the book.
The secret of his fire power, which he keeps hidden at the beginning of the Heroes of Olympus series, pulls you into his character, giving you a glimpse into a mystery. Even after it's revealed, he continues to be hilarious.
His death made me cry, then I felt stupid when I realized he didn't die. His relationship with Calypso adds even more depth to his character. He actually has flaws, something that every good character needs.
He is, in my opinion, the best character out of all Rick Riordan's books and deserves a higher spot on the list.
Nico di Angelo (Percy Jackson & The Olympians)

Nico di Angelo is a fictional character created by Rick Riordan. He appears in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Heroes of Olympus, and parts of The Trials of Apollo. As a son of Hades, Nico is a demigod with unique powers and responsibilities.... read more

Nico di Angelo is an amazing person. In my opinion, he has been through the most but has stayed strong through it all. He's faced prejudice for being gay and a son of Hades but found happiness in the end. I don't think he's cool because he is gay or a "Ghost King," but because he's genuinely cool and sweet.
Remember the ten-year-old Nico? The nerdy one who wouldn't shut up and loved Mythomagic? He may be the son of darkness, but he has a light side to him. Not to mention, he is very brave. He is most definitely my favorite book character.

In my opinion, Nico di Angelo had the most heartbreaking story. I'm still angered at Hades for saying in his face that he liked his sister Bianca better while Nico was still mourning her death. He was vital to the story in both prophecies and had the most character development of any character in the entire book.
When this is posted, he's currently at number 104, and I'm just like, "How?" Some darker part of the fandom thinks he's overrated, yet he's ranked behind Percy and Leo. Also original.
Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson & The Olympians)

Annabeth Chase is a daughter of Athena and one of the main characters in both the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. She is also Percy Jackson's girlfriend and is recognized for her intelligence, leadership, and courage in battle, which all come from... read more

Not exactly Percy's sidekick, as suggested by the Golden Boy (I totally forgot how to spell his name) in The Mark of Athena. In the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, she's a bit moody but kind of makes up for it by The Battle of the Labyrinth and later.
She's sarcastic and funny at times, but usually, that's left to Percy (and later, Leo).

How is she not in the top 10?! She is the best female character in PJO and HOO, and most of the people above her are NOTHING compared to her. She is funny, smart, and brave. She literally fell into HELL and survived, part of the time weaponless, basically Hermione Granger except with a knife, not a wand.
Tris Prior (Divergent)

She's amazing. Going from a faction that's selfless and quiet to a faction that's loud, violent, and has weapons is a big transition. She's divergent, so she can't be controlled, and that makes her different and special.

Tris Prior is a beast! Changing from 'stiff' rules to almost no rules is a huge choice. And she was good at the change and graduated from her initiate class.
Also, Four is really cool.

She saved her brother even though he betrayed her. She was brave, smart, and selfless. Divergent.
Tsunami (Wings of Fire)

Tsunami is so brave and protective. She would do ANYTHING to save her friends! She is also the best at fighting out of all the dragonets of destiny. Her glow-in-the-dark scales are AWESOME! I also love how she can breathe underwater. You should vote for Tsunami of Wings of Fire!
Go, Tsunami! (Chants)

She is amazing, brave, and loyal, but not exactly my favorite character. I think that she loses some of her personality around Riptide, so I do not ship them. Apart from that, she is unforgettably hilarious, and I nearly died of laughter reading her book.
Peeta Mellark (The Hunger Games)

Peeta is stronger than we think. He is grounded and confident in his character, even after the horrors of the games. He survives his abusive childhood, the games, and the Capitol's torture, but he never loses his kindness and loving attitude.

Peeta is amazing, and he doesn't need anybody to save him because he can save himself! He is my favorite character out of all the books I have ever read (which is a lot of books), so I don't understand why he is not number one!

How are Hermione and Luna Lovegood above Peeta? He is the best character (besides Finnick Odair, but nobody is better than Finnick) and is way better than any Harry Potter characters.

The Newcomers

?
Sethe (Beloved)
?
Tatsuhiro Sato (Welcome to the N.H.K.)

The Contenders

Harry Potter (Harry Potter)

Harry James Potter is the title character of the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. The series chronicles his life from age eleven as he discovers his identity as a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Over seven years, Harry confronts numerous challenges and... read more

He's not the exact reason why we love the series, but come on! Give him credit - he's a preteen-teenager in the books. Literally, teenagers are practically like that, whether they think so or not. (Which I understand.)

He is brave, loyal, and smart, but not as funny as Percy. Nevertheless, he is still a great character and he does have flaws.

He should be way higher on the list, preferably first! He is just stunning. I can't put my love for him into words.
Severus Snape (Harry Potter)

Severus Snape is a fictional character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. He is portrayed as a complex figure whose cold and sarcastic demeanor hides deep emotions and a troubled past. Snape plays a pivotal role in the series, ultimately being revealed as a tragic hero.

Dark, mysterious, unique, and always keeping the reader guessing until the very end. Snape is a character you will hate the more you read about him until, suddenly, there's nothing left to read, and you feel very different indeed.

I hated him so much at the beginning, but after he died, I cried for so long. He is maybe one of the most complex characters in the series, and he was so well-written!

Snape gave his life, name, honor, and pride to protect Harry, but people still thought he was evil. He's a great wizard.
Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)

Elizabeth Bennet is a force to be reckoned with. She stays true to her heart, and despite family pressures to marry and gaining the interest of wealthy suitors, she refuses. She wants marriage and her future husband to be her choice instead.

Totally love her character. She is honest and sincere, strong and unashamed of being herself, and it's cute how she cares for her sister Jane.

Ayy, I was waiting to see or add a Pride and Prejudice character! Elizabeth is so charming, although I can't decide between her or Darcy (in the novel. Adaptations are another thing).
Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes)

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his expertise in observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning that often seems almost superhuman. He solves complex... read more

Although I am a huge fan of both Harry Potter and the Riordanverse, I am disappointed that the top parts of this list consist almost entirely of characters from 21st-century young adult fiction, while significant classic characters are criminally underrepresented.

Sherlock is just amazing. He has quirks and flaws and a brilliant mind. He thinks he is better than everyone, and that's because he is! Sherlock for number one! By the way, does anyone think that Sherlock is slightly like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory?
Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Atticus Finch is a fictional character in author Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird. He is a principled lawyer and the father of Scout and Jem Finch. Atticus is widely regarded as a moral hero for his defense of a Black man falsely accused of rape in the segregated... read more

I was literally convinced that there was no such thing as a perfect character until I was introduced to this one. He's courageous, honest, humble, loving, kind, tolerant, and extremely influential. You would assume that a character with practically no flaws would be dull and uninteresting, but that is not the case.
Atticus Finch, trying to meet his goals, face his challenges, and encourage and educate his kids on powerful messages that we can apply in our world, are the things that make him such an amazing and fascinating character. While he does not always succeed, it's his desire and boldness to do what others are not willing to do that makes him so powerful. Read To Kill a Mockingbird and try to tell me a single thing wrong with Atticus. Just try.
Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter)

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is a fictional character in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. He serves as the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for most of the series. Dumbledore is also the founder and leader of the Order of the Phoenix.

While Dumbledore isn't a perfect person, he's a brilliantly accomplished wizard. He's so perceptive and attempts to do the right thing. He also has a sense of humor. Despite all his shortcomings and mistakes, he's a genius. Any number of adjectives will be less than enough for this magnificent "barmy old codger."

Although Dumbledore had his flaws, he was an overall selfless, wise, and brave leader. He is also, in my opinion, like the king of dad jokes. A lot of people hate Dumbledore, but he meant well. Kudos to Albus Dumbledore!
Sirius Black (Harry Potter)

Sirius Black is a fictional character from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. He is introduced in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as Harry Potter's godfather and a former friend of James and Lily Potter. Known for escaping from Azkaban, Sirius plays a significant role in the fight against Voldemort... read more

He's kind, and I was very sad when he died. I hoped he and Harry would live forever, but unfortunately, the author didn't plan that.
However, I do think that if that hadn't gone the way it did, the book wouldn't have been the same. I love Harry Potter and the movies.

Are you serious? This man is one of the most misunderstood characters in the whole series. For literally half of the series, he's claimed as a traitor, and we only get a sliver of him. Then, he gets killed.

Sirius is brave, willing to do anything for his godson, and is a great character all around. He is also very clever - he invented the Marauder's Map and learned to become an Animagus while he was still at Hogwarts!
Alice (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

Alice is the young protagonist of Lewis Carroll's 1865 novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its 1871 sequel Through the Looking-Glass. The character has inspired countless adaptations, including Disney's 1951 animated film Alice in Wonderland, in which she is voiced by Kathryn Beaumont. Alice's... read more

Alice was able to open her mind to understand Wonderland. It's something she deserves credit for.
Sunny (Wings of Fire)

Sunny is optimistic, sweet, and kind, but also underestimated. Everyone thinks she's sweet and that's all anyone needs to know about her.
But she's actually really smart and intelligent.

Sunny is the best dragon because, even though she's smaller and a different color, she's kind and never lets the haters get their way. Without her, the war would still be going on.

Sunny is smart, kind, and probably the protagonist of the best Wings of Fire book, for me tied with Darkstalker Legends. It's the ending to a great first arc for Wings of Fire and the best Wings of Fire book that's part of the main series (again, tied with Darkstalker Legends).
Glory (Wings of Fire)

Glory is the third WOF character to appear, though she is the best. She took control when no one else would. She proved to others that she was worth something and persuaded others to do so. She took charge to save dragons that didn't care for her or anyone else really.
She is also one sassy queen, becoming the Queen after she saved 2/7 of Pyrrhia.

Sure, I like her. She's a queen, she's brave, and I like how she risks her life to save them. I wouldn't say she's my favorite character because Peril is my favorite. But I must admire her bravery and her friendship. Love Wings of Fire.
Hazel Lancaster (The Fault in Our Stars)

Her perspective on life broke me but made me realize how great my life really is.

It's alright. She'll be joining Augustus, Fred, Tris, and Prim in heaven soon enough.

I was going to vote for Hermione Granger, but I knew Hazel would be somewhere here, so I kept it.
James Bond (James Bond)

Royal Navy Commander James Bond is a fictional character created by British author Ian Fleming in 1953. He is the protagonist of the James Bond series of novels, films, comics, and video games. The character is known for his espionage skills, gadgets, and signature phrase, Bond, James Bond.
Aragorn (The Lord of the Rings)

Aragorn II, the son of Arathorn II and Gilraen, is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium and one of the main protagonists of The Lord of the Rings. He is a skilled ranger and warrior, and as Isildur's heir, he carried the reforged sword Andúril, which was once the shards of Narsil... read more

Aragorn is the G.O.A.T. because his character development is crazy good! He went from a ranger to the King of Gondor!
He is so cool whenever he is on screen, and he is such a great leader!

This guy should be higher - and Legolas. Seriously, Legolas and Gimli aren't even on this list. That's why I voted for Aragorn because he's their friend and there was no one else. There needs to be more Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit characters on here.

A day may come when Aragorn arrives at 26th in a Top Tens List! But it is not this day! This day we vote! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, men of the West!
Huckleberry Finn (Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)
Count Dracula (Dracula)

Dracula is a legendary character featured in various forms of media, most notably in Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. He is the archetypal vampire, often depicted as a charismatic and immortal being with a thirst for human blood.... read more