Welcome back!! *pats chair* *gives you a cookie* It’s time for more swoony boys in fiction!
Swoony Boy Alerts are reoccurring posts in which we, and YOU, awesome reader, swoon together over our favorite male characters. Congrats and tackle hugs to our last swoony boy post winner, Miranda, who won a copy of If I Stay and Where She Went by the awesome Gayle Forman, and to Meg, who won a copy of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor for her contribution to this weeks post. HUGE thanks to everyone who emailed with your swoon and suggestions, the response was overwhelming.
Up this week: Four from Divergent by Veronica Roth.
A little background on Divergent: In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
By Meg:
I am crushing something major on Four from Divergent. I’m talking weak-kneed, googly-eyed swooning over here. Sure he’s good looking (tattoos, full lips, beautiful dark blue eyes, perfect hair, and did I mention tattoos?), but it’s so much more than that. He’s smart. I mean adorably borderline genius smart. He’s cautious, rugged, passionate and just the right amount of dangerous. He’s a perfectly written character who leaves you wanting to know everything about him.
Four is a smooth talker, and with lines like these, you can’t help but let out a girly giggle.
“Fear doesn’t shut you down; it wakes you up. I’ve seen it. It’s fascinating.” He releases me but doesn’t pull away, his hand grazing my jaw, my neck. “Sometimes I just want to see it again. Want to see you awake.”
and…
“Okay.” He laughs shakily in my ear. “Why is your heart racing, Tris?”
I mean really? REALLY?? *dreamy sigh*
He’s not perfect, which is probably another reason I love him, but he’s pretty darn close. With as beautiful as he is, the quality that draws me in the most is his strength. Everything about him screams, MAN. Even when he’s afraid, he’s brave, and he can calm (and excite) Tris with just a brush of his fingertips.
I fell hard for Four from the very beginning, and I needed a little ‘picsperation’ while I read, something to drool over. This is my Four. (christina: Because Summit has acquired the film rights to Divergent, we’ll soon (2015) see Four on screen*gaspswoonfaint* of course I had to share my dream Four, as well)
christina: Four’s path seems pretty clear to us as a reader: he’s strong, broody and intense, a major hard ass, and totally serious business about readying the initiates. He distances himself, oftentimes coming off as cold or indifferent, BUT BUT BUT (and here’s the difference between Four and a lot of other male leads who MUST PROTECT BECAUSE YOU’RE SUCH A DELICATE PETAL OMG) he KNOWS Tris can take care of herself. And while it might seem like he’s doing everything he can to keep her away, he’s really doing everything he can to protect her. And of course we have the reason he’s called Four…. but that’s sooper sekrit so you’ll have to read to find out.
Another great line:
“What’s your name?”
“Um…” I don’t know why I hesitate. But “Beatrice” just doesn’t sound right anymore.
“Think about it,” he says, a faint smile curling his lips. ” You don’t get to pick again.”
If you haven’t read this book, I just… I might have to break up with you. In fact, we loved it so much in my house (even my husband!) that I somehow ended up with three copies.
AND because it’s so important that you discover the awesome that is Tris and Four and the world that Veronica Roth has created, we’re giving one away. Leave me some swoon over Four, tell me that my choice for movie Four WINS (or even share yours), and if you haven’t read, for the love of god EXPLAIN YOURSELF (!). We’ll announce the winner next week when we swoon again and maybe… just MAYBE, have something super duper awesome exciting to give away.
JennieE says
I liked this little line from Four: “I might be in love with you." He smiles a little. "I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you, though.”
Something about a strong, intelligent, independent man facing up and matching up with a very similar woman…
Toni says
"Maybe I'm already sure," he says, "and I don't want to frighten you."
"Then you should know better."
"Fine," he says. "Then I love you."
Ah, I loved Four. I even asked my husband if he'd mind if I tattooed the number on my arm. It's still in consideration.
Lori says
*Sighs* Four is just so damn dreamy and swoony! This post made me laugh and nod my head enthusiastically like an idiot. =) I tell everyone who will listen that they must read this book. If they don't like it… um, we can't be friends.
I like both choices for Four, I was originally all about Max Irons, but erm, who is the other guy? I must not be w/ the "in" crowd, but he is HOT. I like. Can't wait to see who get's cast!
Christina says
I LOVED THAT LINE! I remember I read it long after Lo and had to text her with my heartclenches.
Christina says
swoonz.
And I love what comes next:
I kiss him for as long as I want, for longer than I should…
yes, please.
Christina says
Actually, I'm not sure who the first actor is. Maybe Meg can fill us in?
And the fact that you knew that was Max Irons makes us soul mates. #TRUFAX
CANNOT WAIT for book 2, Insurgent. Is it May 2012 yet????
sarabara081 says
Max Irons is a REALLY good pick to play FOUR in the movie!
I have to say my swooning began with this line: 'He put his lips next to my ear and says, "You look good, Tris."' <– THUD And then he went on to kill me the rest of the book too. One of my all time favorite books and favorite swoony boy. Insurgent cannot come soon enough for me! 🙂
Lauren G. says
Okay, Four is so amazing. The fact that you guys are swooning over him makes YOU amazing.
I really like Sebastian Stan or Thomas Dekker as Four, but Matt Dallas and Max Irons are also great!
My favorite lines from the book have already been said but I pretty much just love his character.
Also, IS IT MAY YET? I need Insurgent!
Dana says
Y'all were going on so much about this book a few months back on Twitter so I read the description and thought, "Okay–so it's another Hunger Games. I liked that so I guess I'll try it." So I picked it as my choice for book club and all ten of us LOVED it. I told one of my besties that I wanted to meet Four down in the chasm to make out. Everyone has pretty much already said my favorite lines. I have a copy on my Nook but I need one on a shelf that I can walk by and touch and flip through the pages and smell the crisp paper!
**I think it would be fair to also point out that at book club we determined that I would have been one of the initiates that didn't make the jump onto the train. lol
Tristina says
I think what makes Four such a great character is not only how badass he is, but how unassuming and down to earth he is. He is firm in what he believes and everything he does is with all of his being – his job, his beliefs in the original articles of the Dauntless, falling in love, facing his fears, etc. But it's natural to him to act this way. Which is why I think someone with unassuming good looks should play him.
My picks? Zachary Levi (tall, dark hair, brilliant nerdy genius in real life) or Robin Dunne (genius, has a habit of smiling with one corner only and rubbing his neck when embarrassed).
Hands down, my favorite scene is the ferris wheel.
Lo says
Jaysus AYTCH. That boy is swoony.
Lo says
My friend just started Divergent and it's all I can do to not pester her constantly about Four and Tris. SO MUCH OF THE AWESOME.
Lo says
Damn – I was hoping we could post pictures in here. You find a picture of your ideal Four and I'll add it to the post.
Lo says
HAHAHA Dana that is so me too! *high fives* we would have been all, "Um…so we missed the train. Let's go hang with the Amity!"
Lo says
OH HOLY HANNAH. Zach Levi as Four might kill me. In a good way.
Also, I totally agree with you. He's so down to earth. I love the part when Tris asks him what faction he's from and he doesn't tell her, like, it doesn't even matter.
I LOVE THESE COMMENTS!
*gobbles*
Victoria says
Since you started the Swoony Boy Alert I was hoping Four would be on that list. I remember being instantly captivated by him the moment he helped Tris get off the net and I wanted to know more about him especially why he had the unusual name of Four.
Each time he and Tris had a private moment together I got all melty.
Courtney says
I am so excited to see Four on the SBA! My heart fluttered every time he spoke – I swear! I can't even name a fave line but i do love this moment:
"He tugs me closer, pressing his lips to each bird in turn. I close my eyes. His touch is light, sensitive. A heavy, warm feeling, like spilling honey, fills my body, slowing my thoughts. He touches my cheek."
I just looove Four. And….Zachary Levi? *diesdeddedded*
Tristina says
Ahem. http://images1.fanpop.com/images/photos/2400000/Z…
Justine says
I envisioned Four as not traditionally handsome. I'm not sure what description of him in the book gave me that impression.
To the casting directors: Pretty boys are pretty, but not too pretty, ok, pretty please? Oh, and we need a young'un who looks like a believable teenager.
(Matt Dallas is probably best known for his work on the TV shows Kyle XY and Eastwick. And did you know that Zachary Levi can sing? He's the male lead in Tangled opposite Mandy Moore.)
Christina says
oh heavens, he's pretty.
Christina says
Hi V!! And I loved that moment! and is it wrong that i totally swooned when he helped her unzip her jacket? sigh, it's the simple things.
Christina says
Awesome line! And clearly I need to look into this Zachary Levi person a bit more. For research purposes, of course. *cough*
Christina says
So I remember reading and then going back and thinking… what exactly did he look like? Was his hair dark or light? Blue eyes or brown? I honestly couldn't remember. I love that we all fell for a character whose physical perfection wasn't described on every page.
Tristina says
And he can act. And sing. And he's trained in combat/guns/stunts for his work on Chuck. Plus he's a computer nerd in real life. Perfect pick, in my mind.
Jess says
The first guy is Matt Dallas (who I've had a major crush on for years). He's been in a couple of ABC Family things. 🙂
Jess says
I'm so in love with this post. I've been trying to talk my friend into reading Divergent purely because of the awesome that is Four, but she won't do it! I think I need to show her this. 😀
Becci says
So I didn't read this when it posted because Divergent was still on the shelf, waiting to be read and I didn't want to see anything ahead of time. But now that I've read…
OMGOMGOMGOMGFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRR.
I can't even shut up about it/him. I loved the book overall, but when I talk about Four, I get this ridiculous, goofy, dopey, all the other Disney characters, look in my face. I'd be embarrassed, but I just don't care. He even edged out my previous swooniest boy, Delirium's Alex. And that was not easy, because I really love Alex. But Four killed me. Dead.
Loved the post, as always, ladies.
Oh, and for the record, Douglas Booth is my choice for Four even though he's not naturally dark haired. He's yummy!
-B