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After finishing a book, it's the characters that stay with us for a while. Some books never truly let you go. Character development is one of the most compelling aspects of a story. The journey and transformation of characters can leave a lasting impression. In some books, the character development is so strong that I still remember and think about it often.
In this blog post, I'm going to recommend different kinds of books, all with one thing in common: amazing character development.
Whether you're looking for fantasy, historical, or literary fiction, I have the perfect books with strong character development for you!
Why we love character development so much
In my opinion, character development is one of the most important parts of a story. Sure, there are amazing books out there that fully focus on plot, but seeing your favorite characters grow is just something special. I think it correlates with us humans—there are so many things that have happened in our lives that shaped us into the people we are today, and every day we change a little.
Seeing that humanized reflection of ourselves in our favorite characters makes them more dynamic and moves the story forward.
But enough said, let's get into some books that offer amazing character development.
The best books for character development
The House in the Cerulean Sea
Author: TJ Klune
Genre: Contemporary fantasy
Duology
They always say "save the best for last," however this book deserves to be mentioned first in terms of character development. The story follows Linus Baker, a government worker with a quiet life; at forty, he has a tiny house, a big record collection, and a cat, in a grey city where rain pours down every day.
One day he gets summoned by Extremely Upper Management and receives a secret, highly classified assignment: He has to travel to the sea where an orphanage houses six of the most dangerous children in the world. With a suitcase full of prejudices, he goes. However, once arrived and settled down, Linus is forced to choose between his duty and his dreams.
“Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar.”― T.J. Klune, The House in the Cerulean Sea
This book felt like a Roald Dahl book for adults; I really liked it and ended up giving it 4.5 stars.
The Nightingale
Author: Kristin Hannah
Genre: Historical fiction
Standalone
Another strong book for character development is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, chosen for the monthly Reese's book club pick. A beautiful, heart breaking story set in World War II, it follows two sisters in Nazi-occupied France. Vianne, a mother who would do anything to keep her family safe, and her sister Isabelle, who seeks to find her purpose and becomes a fierce fighter for the resistance.
“I always thought it was what I wanted: to be loved and admired. Now I think perhaps I'd like to be known.”― Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale
This novel tells not only the horrors of the war but also the personal transformation of the main characters. Making The Nightingale a powerful exploration of strength, family, and love. It's a very good book to pick up if you're looking for great historical fiction an other great historical fiction book is In Memoriam by Alice Winn, about this book I've wrote a review as well!
Malibu Rising
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Literary contemporary fiction
Standalone
I'm a big fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid's works and am highly anticipating her new novel that comes out in June next year. Malibu Rising was the best book I've read by her; I did a buddy read with a friend of mine and gave it a strong 5 stars. One of the main reasons I gave this book five stars was because of the amazingly written and strong character development.
“Must be nice. To be able to be weak. I wouldn’t know.”― Taylor Jenkins Reid, Malibu Rising
The story is uniquely written, set in one night, with past flashbacks scattered throughout to slowly give the reader context. On this night, Nina throws a party where all of famous LA comes. The main characters are forced to confront their secrets, emotional scars, and the ways their past actions have shaped who they are. The novel's masterful character development reveals the complexities of sibling dynamics and personal growth, and finding freedom in one's own identity.
The Poppy War
Author: R.F. Kuang
Genre: Historical fantasy
Trilogy
Okay, so here's the thing: In this series, there's a lot of character evolution, and it's very strongly executed. Is it morally good character development? Not necessarily. However, there's a lot of development that our main character, Rin, undergoes.
Rin is born into a poor family, with marriage as her only prospect. Through sheer determination, she aces the imperial test and goes to the most prestigious military college in the country. She transforms from a young woman with determination to a warrior who discovers her own secret abilities. However, the question remains: Is it possible for Rin to keep her powers at bay, or will they consume her?
“It’s easy to be brave. Harder to know when not to fight.”― R.F. Kuang, The Poppy War
I've already talked a lot about this series on my book blog—see my full review -- But I believe all the praise is justified; it's a very good series with a character who develops with every book.
Circe
Author: Madeline Miller
Genre: Historical, fantasy, literary Standalone
This is a novel I read quite a while ago, but it was one of the first books that came to mind when I thought about strong character development. This story follows Circe, the enchantress from Homer's Odyssey. Miller gave her a richly developed character arc that explores transformation, power, and isolation. From a misunderstood daughter of the gods to her eventual emergence as a powerful figure, Circe's journey is one of self-discovery. She evolves from a passive figure into a woman who takes control of her own destiny, which makes this book the perfect end for this list.
“I would say, some people are like constellations that only touch the earth for a season.” ― Madeline Miller, Circe
I would love to hear your thoughts on these books if you've read them, or tell me which book you're most excited to read! Looking back at this list, I've come to a realization about my own character arc: I love books with strong characters who evolve with and through the story.
And let me know in the poll down here if you like books who are more focused on Character or on the Plot!
What focus do you like more in a book?
Character
Plot
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