If a character isn’t introduced with a clever quip or vivid imagery, is that character dull or introduced poorly? This is why there are two lists: my favorite character descriptions and my favorite character aesthetics. 

The first list is my top five favorite character descriptions. Full discretion—I don’t remember every moment of every book I’ve ever read, so these may not be my absolute favorites of all time, but they are my favorites at the moment. 

5. Thomas Cresswell- Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

“A boy with dark brown hair—as carefully sculpted as his immaculately pressed uniform—raised his hand, straight as an arrow in the air. Inkblots covered much of his fingertips, as if he were too entranced with writing notes to be bothered with delicacy. My gaze had lingered on him earlier, fascinated by the methodical way he took notes. He was nearly manic with learning—a trait I couldn’t help admiring.”

This is a great example of using out-of-place details to describe a character and their personality at the same time. All we really get physically is his brown hair, but we get a pretty good idea of him from the rest of the passage.

4. Richard Campbell Gansey III- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater 

“Before her stood the multitasking cell phone Aglionby boy, looking tidy and presidential. His watch looked as if it cost more than her mother’s car, and every area of exposed skin was a flattering shade of tan. Blue had never figured out how Aglionby boys managed to tan earlier than locals…

“…He had to speak loudly to be heard, and he had to incline his head to meet her eyes. There was something annoyingly impressive about him, an impression that he was very tall, although he was no taller than most boys.”

This is Blue’s first impression of Gansey before she even knows who he is, and it’s decidedly mixed. Being strictly middle class, the first thing she notices is his wealth, and this is a great precursor to the argument that they have not long after, which ultimately clinches her opinion of him for the foreseeable future.

3. Magnus Bane- Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

“She whirled and saw that a tall man had appeared just behind her, as soundlessly as if he had drifted there like smoke. He wore an elaborate brocade jacket, like something out of the previous century, with a riot of white lace at his collar and cuffs…In one ear he sported a silver loop from which dangled a diamond pendant the size of a finger, which sparkled brilliantly under the lights, and there were diamonds set into the head of his silver walking stick. He seemed to gleam all over, like witchlight.”

I love Magnus Bane. The presence, the class, the glitter. This is a great image of him, especially for any readers that decided to start with Clockwork Angel rather than City of Bones. 

2. Lila Bard- A Darker Shade Of Magic by V.E. Schwab 

“Her hand went to the brim of her top hat—stolen from a dozing chauffeur the week before—and she hoped the gesture passed for a greeting and not a nervous slip, an attempt to hide her face.

“Half past nine,’ she murmured deeply, tucking the watch into the vest pocket under her cloak, careful not to let the constable catch sight of the various weapons glittering beneath it. Lila was tall and thin, with a boyish frame that helped her pass for a young man, but only from a distance. Too close an inspection, and the illusion would crumble.”

The personality in this description is staggering. A thief dressed as a gentleman—already, that is iconic. 

1. Governor Dragna- Caraval by Stephanie Garber

“Ignoring his daughters, Governor Dragna reached a gloved hand toward Julian. He wore his plum-colored gloves, the shade of dark bruises and power…

“…Scarlett could still smell her father’s perfume. It smelled like the color of his gloves: anise and lavender and something akin to rotted plums.”

I chose to focus on the two parts with the gloves because even though we get a full description of Dragna somewhere in there, it’s his gloves that paint the picture. This is not a positive image that his daughter Scarlett is painting, and Dragna hasn’t even done anything yet. The likeness of the color to bruises, paired with the smell of rotted plums sets up an excellent introduction to someone so horrible. 

I’ll be honest in saying that this list distressed me. There are so many characters with excellent aesthetics that are missing from this list! How could that be? 

So List #2 consists of some of those vivid characters in no particular order: 

• Kaz Brekker- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
• Alucard Emery- A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
• Jem Carstairs- Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
• Blue Sargent- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
• Rhysand- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
• Inej Ghafa- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
• Jacks- Legendary by Stephanie Garber
• Jude Duarte- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
• Kell Maresh- A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
• Rhy Maresh- A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
• Benyamin Haadi- We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal 
• Scarlett Dragna- Caraval by Stephanie Garber
• Mr. Tumnus- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
• Galaxy Stern- The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
• Sarai- Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

What’s the difference between the two lists? List #1 is of bold introductions meant to impact the reader right away. Notice how most of them aren’t the main character or even the point of view character. Except for a Lila, they’re how the point of view character perceives the character in question. You get their opinions in a “show don’t tell” manner. 

List #2 is of well-done characters in a different way: their imagery slipped in between the cracks. Kaz Brekker, for instance, builds more slowly than the characters in List #1. Bits of him are revealed as the chapters proceed and cycle through different perspectives—his hair, his cane, his demon-ish presence (I hesitate to flat-out call him demonic).

Other characters are fine with a general description plus one particular feature—Alucard Emery’s sapphire-dotted eyebrow, Kell Maresh’s all-black eye, Jem Carstairs’ silver hair, Jude Duarte’s horn buns. Then there are characters whose looks are influenced by their personalities… or am I the only one that imagines Wylan Van Eck looking like a sad baby deer? 

Characters are complicated, and that’s not even the half of it. Just wait until I get into character building. 

Just remember that if your character’s not being introduced to your readers by punching them in the face with all five senses, that’s okay! Only some characters are effective that way. Some need to be exposed slowly, or have a certain vibe or quirk that’s brought up as a repeated motif.

Even without any of that, you’ll be fine. Look at all the great characters that are missing from these lists whose personalities carry their charm. Whatever feels right in your project is probably what is actually right. 

What’s your opinion? Comment below your favorite character introductions or vibes!