And the winner is... PEETA!
Welcome to The YA Sisterhood's YA Crush Tourney 2.0! We hope that through this all you will meet a lot of book loving people, discover new books, and of course be introduced to many more dreamy crushes!
Be aware that we have tried to keep all the posts pretty general, but there might still be some spoilers. If the spoiler is big, it will be marked. However, still proceed with caution!
Matches will run for 24 hours, 12am to 12am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For more information please check out our Tournament Page.
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Hey guys!
My name is Brenna and I'm the blogger behind
Esther's Ever After. I am absolutely THRILLED to be the #TeamPeeta advocate for this year's YA Crush Tournament!
Peeta is one of my absolute favourite YA boys out there, and I love spreading the love for the boy with the bread.
Tell us about your crush's...
Personality:
One of the things I love about Peeta is that he's one of the first "nice guys" in YA who proves that they don't ALWAYS finish last (and can be just as popular as their bad boy counterparts)!
Peeta's thoughtful and caring- he can recognize when someone in need needs his help and he isn't afraid to stand up and do something about it. Even if it means some personal sacrifice on his part. Not only that but he's extremely brave, and often does put himself in harms way to help others, especially Katniss.
But one of my favourite aspects of Peeta's personality is that he's clever, as well. Rather than trying to use sheer force and strength to win the Games, he strategizes in order to come up with a plan (*minor spoiler for the first book: which will hopefully guarantee that Katniss wins, even if he doesn't). *SPOILER* And he's able to use his cake frosting skills to help camoflauge himself and keep himself alive, proving that not only is he physically strong (as Katniss explains, he does work at a bakery and pull around bags of flour) but intelligent and capable too.
Looks:
When Peeta's name is called as a tribute during the Reaping in District 12, Katniss describes him as
"medium height, stocky build, ashy blonde hair that falls in waves over his forehead." She also mentions he has blue eyes.
And we all know that because he's hauling around these flour bags all day, that he's got to have nice arms. I mean, REALLY nice arms. *sa-woon*
Talents:
His cake frosting skills and their relation to his ability to use camoflauge (*minor spoiler* during the games) have already been mentioned but that's HUGE - it proves that the games are about much more than skill with a bow and arrow or outright killing.
And Katniss also mentions to him during training for the Games that he's strong because she's seen him throw around bags of flour while working at the bakery.
Peeta is also charming - and I decided to mention that as a talent rather than a personality, because it seems to be something he's able to turn off and on at will. And it's a tool he uses to his advantage during the games, trying to win viewers over so he can hopefully gain some sponsors. During preparation for the Games, while Katniss has problems adjusting to the idea of putting on a show for people, it's Peeta who is able to perform for others by waving and smiling at those around him.
And during Catching Fire is when we REALLY see him put on a show:
*SPOILER*
“But I have to confess, I'm glad you two had at least a few months of happiness together."
I'm not glad," says Peeta. "I wish we had waited until the whole thing was done officially."
This takes even Caesar aback. "Surely even a brief time is better than no time?"
Maybe I'd think that, too, Caesar," says Peeta bitterly, "If it weren't for the baby.” (Catching Fire)
Special Attributes/Best Qualities:
We know that Peeta is willing to risk his life to save others- and that he's brave, putting himself in dangerous positions just to help them. And we know that he has certain talents that helpl him during the Games.
But one of the most overlooked qualities of his that isn't mentioned as much is his sense of humour - it's EXACTLY the kind that I love to see in a character, and his dry wit always seems to pop up even in rather dire situations.
“Yes, and I’m sure the arena will be full of bags of flour for me to chuck at people.”
“Yes, frosting. The final defense of the dying.”
And like many of the other characters in the Hunger Games, he WANTS to find a way to fight back. But he knows it isn't as simple as that.
"“Why not? It's true. My best hope is to not disgrace myself and..." He hesitates.
"And what?" I say.
"I don't know how to say it exactly. Only... I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?" he asks. I shake my head. How could he die as anyone but himself? "I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not."
I bite my lip feeling inferior. While I've been ruminating on the availability of trees, Peeta has been struggling with how to maintain his identity. His purity of self. "Do you mean you won't kill anyone?" I ask.
"No, when the time comes, I'm sure I'll kill just like everybody else. I can't go down without a fight. Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to... to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their Games," says Peeta.
And what makes him more than a great person, but a great CRUSH? This guy is so romantic. I swoon at just about everything he says. Even if it's about bread.
"“I don't want you forgetting how different our circumstaces are. If you die, and I live, there's no life for me at all back in District Twelve. You're my whole life." Peeta says. "I would never be happy again. It's different for you. I'm not saying it wouldn't be hard. But there are other people who'd make your life worth living."
"No one really needs me," he says, and there's no selfpity in his voice. It's true his family doesn't need him. They will mourn him, as will a handfull of friends. But they will get on.... I realise only one person will be damaged beyond repair if Peeta dies. Me.
"I do," I say. "I need you.”" (Catching Fire)
“So I only say, "So what should we do with our last few days?"
"I just want to spend every possible minute of the rest of my life with you," Peeta replies.” (Catching Fire)
And lastly, to really show the depth of his inner strength I have to talk about one huge spoiler from Mockingjay *SPOILER*
Not only does Peeta fight back as much as he can against outside forces - but after he's held and brainwashed by the Capitol to hate Katniss and is set on a mission to kill her, it takes an extraordinary amount of strength from within himself to fight back against his own brainwashing in an attempt to rehabilitate him to who he once was.
“There's a chance that the old Peeta, the one who loves you, is still inside. Trying to get back to you. Don't give up on him.” (Mockingjay)
Anything else?
Katniss' appreciation for Peeta isn't instant, it's slow and gradual and built up over time. It's beautiful, and their relationship is one that still brings tears to my eyes.
*SPOILER*
“What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only Peeta can give me that.” (Mockingjay)
That's who Peeta is, and what he means for her.
PLUS, I think one of Peeta's biggest selling points is that he is the boy with the bread. He's a baker's son, and he loves frosting cakes. So on a less serious note, you know what that means?
BAGUETTES.
CROISSANTS.
CAKES.
COOKIES.
PIE.
All that good stuff. I mean, if you can get a guy who is strong and brave and funny AND CAN BAKE - what else is there?
So today- take time to VOTE FOR THE BOY WITH THE BREAD <3
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I'm Emilie from
Emilie's Book World and I'm here to tell you today about why you should support and vote for the ever wonderful Lucas Delos from Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed trilogy. First off, and that should be plenty of reason, the Fates strongly suggest you vote for Lucas. Would you really want to invoke the wrath of the Fates on yourself? I didn't really think so.
But if that's not enough for you, just keep reading to find out more about Lucas.
Looks
Lucas is a demigod, so like you would expect he is quite the handsome young man. He is tall, easily over six feet and has a powerful build (again, he's a demigod). But despite that powerful build, he is not bulky, instead his muscles are described as long and lean. To top all of that off, he has short black hair, a deep tan and "swimming pool blue eyes". There's no question about it, Lucas is hot, plain and simple. Want some personal opinions on his looks? Here they come.
Claire - "Lucas, however, is an über-babe. Quite possibly the most beautiful boy I've ever seen." (Starcrossed, p. 27)
Helen - "It wasn't his height or his coloring or his muscles that made him so beautiful, she conclude. It was the way he moved. She had only seen him twice, but she could tell he thought less frequently about his looks than everyone around him did. His eyes, as pretty as they were, looked out, rather than back at himself." (Starcrossed, p. 53)
Still not convinced? Here's one more from Helen.
"The last cobwebs clearing from her eyes, she decided that if Lucas was gay then she was going to get a sex change operation. He would be so worth it." (Starcrossed, p. 185)
But, you tell me, looks aren't everything. Well if those looks aren't enough for you, then you should know that Lucas has an awesome personality to go with them.
Personality
Lucas could quite possibly be the sweetest person in the world. Claire even says so--"He's not going around telling everyone you're monkey-butt crazy, so at least you brutalized a super sweet guy." (Starcrossed, p. 57)
But it's a lot more than Lucas just being the sweetest person to have ever lived. He would also do just about anything for those he loves. He will put everyone's well-being ahead of his own, no matter what that means. Where Helen is concerned, the only thing he wouldn't do for her is destroy thousands of lives--but he will do anything but that. The way he is with Helen is simply amazing, and even when he is told he shouldn't care for her as much as he does, it doesn't stop him. Even when he and Helen were still under the influences of the Furies, he was willing to jump in to her defence when they were supposed to be hating each other.
But he's not just an incredibly thoughtful and caring person. Lucas also has a pretty great sense of humor. One of the best examples is one of my favorite moments in the book. Wondering what I'm talking about? Just read below.
"'Piece of cake,' she said blithely, trying to distract him. 'So what are you doing next Friday night?'
'What have you got in mind?'
"We could try hitting each other with cars."
'Did that last weekend with Jase,' he said with mock regret.
'Go to the zoo and throw ourselves to the lions?' she fired back quickly, desperate to keep him focused on her rather than his caved-in chest.
'The Romans sort of wore that one out. Got anything original?'
'I'll think of something,' she warned him."
Even in the most difficult situations, Lucas is there with his sense of humor at the ready.
Need more? Do you like a little superpowers in your boys? Well, Lucas has plenty of those in store.
Talents
Lucas is a Scion (demigod) so he has plenty of talents. For starters he has supernatural strength and is a natural fighter. And then he can fly. Yes, fly. He can just take off and go anywhere he wants to go anytime he wants. Along with flying, he can play around with how gravity affects his body--he can go from being light as a feather to being as heavy as a large boulder. But that's still not all. Because he's part of the House of Apollo, he can bend the light around him as he pleases, which makes for some pretty neat special effects on demand. Apollo is not only the god of light but also the god of music. So you guessed it, Lucas is also a pretty amazing singer. Just picture him singing to you. Are your insides melting yet? Lucas still has one more talent that's pretty rare. He's a Falsefinder. What does that mean, you ask? Well, Lucas can tell whenever someone around him isn't telling the truth. Could come in pretty handy if you ask me.
Best Quality
I've already talked about it, but Lucas' best quality is how sweet, caring and thoughtful he is. You'll be hard pressed to find another boy like him in those departments. What's even better is that he is all those things without becoming controlling, and that is more than enough to make my heart melt. What girl wouldn't want an amazingly sweet guy who will put her ahead of everything else but will still let her do what she wants? I thought, so.
If you're still not sure, here's a little recap. If you like your boys tall dark and handsome with piercing blue eyes than Lucas is the boy for you. Want more than just good looks? Lucas is the the sweetest and most caring person with a great sense of humor thrown into the mix. Don't want just a regular guy? Lucas is a Scion, a demigod or whatever you want to call it so he has plenty superpowers to show off.
Lucas is clearly the way to go, but I can't control what you do. Just know that you won't regret voting for Lucas Delos.
*Voting is now closed*
“I didn’t save my wish.”
“Ah, but I saved mine.”"Augustus, really. You don’t have to do this.”“Sure I do,” he said. “I found my wish."
"In my mind I switched back and forth between the painting of the angel's scars and Patch's scars. Both scars had healed to the color of black licorice, both ran from the shoulder blades to the kidneys, and both curved out as they traveled the length of his back."
