T5W: Books for your Hogwarts House – Slytherin

Hi all!

So it’s been a long time since I last participated in T5W and that’s because I already post so much during the week, I don’t want to feel like I’m over-saturating your newsfeed. That being said, when I found out this week’s T5W was sharing recommendations based on your Hogwarts House, I knew I had to join in. (Also, it’s Thursday for me, not Wednesday; just roll with it.)

It’s always annoyed me how the Slytherin House is viewed by not only the characters in the novels, but by the readers too. Resourcefulness, cunning, cleverness, ambition, shrewdness – those are not necessarily bad things, and we have to stop acting as if they are. So here’s my list of books with characters that feature these typical Slytherin qualities.

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey @ Gingerreadslainey and is now hosted by Sam @ Thoughts On Tomes. Join the T5W Goodreads group here. 

1. The Young Elites series by Marie Lu

The story: These books follow Adelina Amouteru who, after a blood fever which took her eye and left her with silver hair, discovers she is one of the malfettos who have special powers. As her powers focus on fear and pain (sourced from her childhood), Adelina soon discovers she doesn’t need to rely on others and work for them, which leads to her betraying her friends and proclaiming herself Queen.

Why is this for Slytherins? Like … did you read my synopsis? Adelina is ridiculously ambitious: she begins the novel as a frightened daughter of a noble who is about to be sold off as a mistress, and by the end of the second book, SPOILERS: ………………………she has conquered a country. Adelina doesn’t shy away from the darkness and evil inside of her; she cultivates it. You don’t get more Slytherin than Adelina Amouteru.

2.  A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin

The story: This book series follows seven different noble families as they fight for power, control, and the throne of the mythical Kingdom of Westeros.

Why is this for Slytherins? You might be able to make the argument that these books could also be for Gryffindors or even Ravenclaws, but at the end of the day, I think it is ultimately for Slytherins. Each character, no matter how honourable, brave or smart they are, is also highly power-hungry, cunning, and resourceful. In fact, the books kill off a lot of the characters who don’t feature Slytherins traits: SPOILER ………. i.e. Ned Stark.
From Daenerys to Cersei to Tyrion to Arya to Sansa, the characters of ASOIAF series would fit well in Slytherin.

3. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

The story: After her father was executed for treason and her mother and baby brother left to die in prison, Mia Covere leaves her tutor and sets out for the Red Church, a school for assassins, where she must learn to combat deadly students and murderers if she is ever to avenge her family.

Why is this for Slytherins? Mia Covere is a total badass, and also somehow who cannot be moved from her set path: she will do anything to avenge her family – lying, killing, using magic, you name it.

4. And I Darken by Kiersten White

The story: Lada Dracul is the cruel daughter of the prince of Wallachia who, along with her brother Radu, is sent to the court of the Ottoman Empire as hostages, to pay for their father’s crimes. There, they befriend Mehmed, the future Sultan and protect him from a dangerous, deadly court.

Why is this for Slytherins? Lada undoubtedly belongs in Slytherin: she is ambitious, volatile, a little cruel, and will never give up what she believes is rightfully hers. But what made me include this novel in this selection is also Radu. Radu, while many people would probably think of him as a Hufflepuff, is more sinister and ruthless than Lada as he knows how to play people in order to get his way. While Lada is overtly Slytherin, Radu hides his true nature to further his cause.

5. Half Bad series by Sally Green

The story: Nathan is half White half Black witch, and the son of the most evil Black Witch that has ever existed. As such, he is kept in a cage for most of his life and treated abysmally by the White Witch Council, who think he will eventually turn into a witch like his father. When Nathan escapes, he inadvertently starts a war between the two factions of witches and becomes the figurehead of an army.

Why is this for Slytherins? The Black witches are considered evil, until you get to know them a little better, much like how Slytherins are viewed as evil until you get to know them. Black witches are dangerous and can’t be controlled, much like how Slytherins don’t allow themselves to be told what to do or how to behave. Half of Nathan is biologically “bad” and that part of himself is drawn to freedom and being in control of his own life.

What do you think of my list? Do you disagree on any books? What’s your Hogwarts House and what books would you choose?

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