In the world of Young Adult (YA) novels and series, we as readers are put into situations that are often unworldly or life and death. While we are often glad to not face these problems ourselves, we are given male leads that make us reconsider our position on facing death in dystopian societies. Whether we are facing worlds we have grown up with and are completely unaware of or struggling against a world of bad vampires and strict societal roles, the men in these books define the standard in men that we may never be able to lower.
1. Peeta Mellark
By the end of Mockingjay, this hunk had fans asking "real or not real?" themselves. Whether it was his unrelenting desire to protect Katniss from The Careers in the 74th Hunger Games or his determination to love her after his hijacking in The Capitol, Peeta played a major role in raising the bar for men in readers around the world. His genuinely gentle nature won hearts around the world and it also helps that he wasn't part of the death of a certain character *cough* Little Duck...
2. Jace Herondale
While mostly infuriating, the drama we went through with Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series was worth the wait when we found out the identity of Jace's lineage. His protective nature and fierce loyalty to the greater good made him easy to love... it also was a dead giveaway as to his true ancestry. Whether he was trying not to fall in love with Clary or finally giving in to his true feelings, it was worth the roller-coaster of emotion and near-Star Wars worthy incest vibes (thanks, Cassie!) to see his character develop over the series.
3. Augustus Waters
If there was anyone worth drowning in tears for, it is definitely the metaphor-filled Augustus Waters. His optimism and ultimate demise makes him the most perfect tragic character in modern times. Whether he was convincing Hazel that she had more life to her or struggling to reclaim his independence, he made readers' hearts light up like a Christmas tree. He was too pure for this world and knew how to love in the right way, so despite the aggressive reaction to the end of The Fault in Our Stars (sorry for the letters, John), it was necessary and we arehappy with our choice to love him, as was Hazel.
4. Tobias "Four" Eaton
As if Theo James himself was not enough to include Four on this list, there are plenty of reasons from the books that he is worthy. From the moment Tris rolled off the net into his arms, readers knew he was something special. Not only was he a powerful Dauntless, he was a smart one too. As we learned more about his past and watched his love with Tris grow, we fell more and more in love with him too. From the realization that they were both immune to the serum that controlled the Dauntless troops in Abnegation to the finality in the love he felt for Tris at the end of Allegiant, Tobias's loyalty to Tris and their cause left readers longing for the passion Four possessed.
5. Neville Longbottom
Loyalty. Well, that and the affirmation that nerdy men are always underrated and worthy of more than most. His fierce, mostly clumsy, loyalty to his friends' cause and charisma made Neville an obvious choice for this. He raised our nerd radar through the books and made clumsy sexy.
6. Dimitri Belikov
Ahhhh...forbidden love. I could really write a novel about Dimitri Belikov, the strigoi-killing, god-like Siberian mentor to Vampire Academy's Rose Hathaway. Whether he was ignoring his feelings for her or protecting her even as a strigoi, his loyalty and love for Rose left VA readers believing in soulmates. His desire to balance honor and love left readers with a longing for a dhampir-turned strigoi-turned back to dhampir boyfriend more than ever. I had never considered a romance riddled in complications caused by magic, vampires, and age difference being ideal, but there is not much I wouldn't do to have my very own Dimitri Belikov in all his leather duster glory.
7. Will Herondale
In terms of Shadowhunters, Will is the original heartthrob. As a main character in The Infernal Devices, he and his parabatai, Jem Carstairs, made an excellent duo for Tessa. Again, we readers have Cassie Clare to thank for writing the perfect male character. Will's love for Jem and Tessa both left readers speechless through all of the Clockwork novels. While I have never been one to favor a love triangle (lie), I would not mind being stuck in Tessa's situation (truth). His gentle nature and fierce warrior status made him a model boyfriend/Shadowhunter and made the epilogue of Clockwork Princess heart-wrenching.
8. Chuck Bass
As problematic as he may be, Chuck Bass left Gossip Girl fans longing for a beau who we could rule an empire with. A beau who would drop everything for us despite some issues. A beau who could manipulate powerful people alongside us to create an empire...okay, we wish we were Blair Waldorf as much as we wish we had a Chuck Bass. While that may not be possible, we can only hope to find someone who compliments us the way he complimented Blair.
9. Chip "The Colonel" Martin
While this John Green book hasn't gotten the full movie treatment yet, the book is an epic tale of tragedy and self-discovery. After several summers, Colonel's love for Alaska grew, though he never quite gained the confidence to tell her. After a tragedy rocks his entire world, Chip is set to find out the truth behind the girl he fell in love with. His passion to seek answers in the face of tragedy made readers not only fall in love with him but with Alaska as well.
10. Salvatore Brothers
I really could not choose just one. Between Stefan's bleeding heart approach to love and Damon's constant struggle with it, the emotional turmoil these two put fans through makes us want to turn off our humanity. The devotion they each have for Elena and her numerous doppelgangers throughout history makes having a destined lover appealing, no matter what emotional trauma we may experience in their presence.
11. Edward Cullen
As cringe-worthy as it may sound, I cannot deny the fact that the sparkly vampire caught my heart at a young age. At one point in time, the stalker-esque habits of Edward seemed absolutely necessary and even chivalrous back in the day. The love he had for Bella was eternal and made readers swoon. The idea that someone would want to be with us for an eternity seemed pretty appealing, no matter how unrealistic.
