mcm – Page 2 – Zakiya N. Jamal

Man Crush Monday: Cinna

Posted on August 31, 2015August 30, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

I just went to The Hunger Games exhibit and I realized I haven’t talked about Cinna yet which is a crying shame. I love Cinna and if you don’t love Cinna we can’t be friends.

First of all, I always imagined Cinna as a cool, swagged up guy from the Capitol. I was not disappointed when the first movie came out and Lenny Kravitz was cast to play him. That was perfect casting to me.

Cinna was one of, if not the only person in the Capitol that made Katniss feel comfortable. He treated her with respect and acknowledged the fact that the hunger games actually sucked and shouldn’t be praised. When he told Katniss he would bet on her if he could I swooned (although unlike some fans I never actually shipped them).

More than that it was Cinna that first made Katniss into a symbol by turning her into the girl on fire and later an actual mockingjay. His keen eye for fashion wasn’t just a game but was his own personal way of rebelling. Unfortunately it inevitably got him killed.

I loved Cinna and more than anything I wanted a better ending for him but unfortunately it is what it is. This is why fanfiction exists, so Cinna can live forever.

I’ve said this a million times but I’ll say it once more. If you haven’t read The Hunger Games yet please do so as soon as possible.

“Remember, girl on fire,” [Cinna] says, “I’m still betting on you.” – Catching Fire

Man Crush Monday: Eikko (Erik)

Posted on August 24, 2015August 23, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

I don’t care what anyone says, if Erik doesn’t end up with Eadlyn in the next Selection book I’m going to be the most upset. I don’t think I’ll forgive Kiera Cass. I really don’t think I could.

Erik is fantastic. He speaks both English and Finnish and he just gets Eadlyn better than anyone. He’s cute and kind of shy and always knows the perfect thing to say. Did I mention he’s cute?

Unfortunately we didn’t get to see a lot of him in The Heir because technically he’s not a part of Eadlyn’s selection but I saw enough of him to fall head over heels. Honestly, he made the book for me and I hope to see plenty more of him in the next one.

If you have no idea who Erik is please do yourself a favor and read The Selection series. I’m pretty sure I talk about this series at least once a week so if I haven’t convinced you to read it yet I don’t know what will.

If you have read the books vote in my poll for who you think Eadlyn should end up with (*cough* Erik *cough*). Also if you have a book hottie you think should be next week’s Man Crush Monday let me know in the comments below.

I remembered the feeling of my first date with Hale, how I felt when I was sure he’d peeled everything back and had seen the real me. This time, I felt like I was on the other side of that, looking past duty and worry and rank, seeing the true heart of a person.

And [Erik] was so beautiful. – The Heir

Man Crush Monday: Peeta Mellark

Posted on August 17, 2015August 16, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Oh Peeta. He’s such a sweetie. Until you try to hurt Katniss. Or President Snow makes him crazy and … hurt Katniss. He’s a complicated individual.

Honestly though, Peeta is a cute and sweet guy. He tries his best to do what he believes is right and he loves Katniss so fiercely it’s hard to believe it’s real. I was team Peeta from day one (but let’s face it Gale is hotter) and I think he’s the perfect compliment to Katniss’ fierce personality.

Additionally, Peeta isn’t just a softie though. He turns out to be really strong and more than that he stands up for himself. He may love Katniss but he doesn’t always like or agree with what she does and tells her so. I like that Peeta is kind and caring but not a push over. He’s my fave.

“Peeta, how come I never know when you’re having a nightmare?” I say.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I cry out or thrash around or anything. I just come to, paralyzed with terror,” he says.
“You should wake me,” I say, thinking about how I can interrupt his sleep two or three times on a bad night. About how long it can take to calm me down.
“It’s not necessary. My nightmares are usually about losing you,” he says. “I’m okay once I realize you’re here.” – Catching Fire

Man Crush Monday: Thresh

Posted on August 10, 2015September 6, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

I know all The Hunger Games fans are freaking out right now. “HOW COULD YOU NOT DO PEETA?” Don’t worry Peeta’s chance to shine will come … just not today. Today is Thresh’s day.

Poor Thresh didn’t have a big role in The Hunger Games, however his role was still important. Besides coming from the same district as my homegirl Rue (and let’s be real District 11 was obviously the “black district” but I digress) he also saves Katniss’ life. He only does this because of what Katniss did for Rue but still Thresh is a BAMF for reals.

He pretty much stays scarce during the games and his biggest appearance was saving Katniss’ life. Still in that moment I loved Thresh’s sense of loyalty to Katniss via Rue. In the games a lot of those kids are ruthless (the Careers) or sneaky (Foxface) but Thresh wasn’t a part of that. He stayed above the fray and although it can’t really be confirmed I believe he didn’t kill anyone unless he had to. Besides who could be mad at him for killing Clove after she mocked Rue’s death and tried to kill Katniss.

In conclusion, Thresh was a boss and let’s be real he’s also hella fine which is why he’s this week’s MCM.

I always respected [Thresh]. For his power. For his refusal to play the Games on anyone’s terms but his own.– Catching Fire

Man Crush Monday: Tobias “Four” Eaton

Posted on July 27, 2015July 26, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

If you don’t know who Four is that means you’ve never read Divergent and that’s a real shame. I’m currently reading Four, a collection of short stories about Four and I love it. Honestly, he was my favorite part of the Divergent trilogy and learning that Veronica Roth originally planned to do the trilogy from his point of view isn’t surprising.

Four is great because he’s such a sweet, dork who’s also really strong, brave, and kind of intimidating. Raised in the Abnegation factor by a terrible father, Four grew up with no friends and was used to being quiet, respectful, and selfless. Although being selfless is great there’s a big difference between being selfless and being pushed around and thankfully Four realizes this.

Of course, he’s also attractive but this isn’t something he capitalizes on. He’s not the hot flirt with a smirk. He’s kind of shy and doesn’t really know how to even talk to girls, much less put the moves on them. This only makes him more adorable.

The Divergent trilogy definitely has it’s faults but Four isn’t one of them. Check him out in the books (not the movies, although Theo James is very attractive) and prepare to fall in love.

“My name is Four,” I say. “Call me ‘Stiff’ again and you and I will have a problem.” – Four: A Divergent Collection

Man Crush Monday: Cooper Cartwright

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Cooper Cartwright is the hottest landlord a woman could ask for, which makes Heather Wells, the protagonist of the Heather Wells Mysteries, the luckiest woman alive.

Cooper owns the brownstone that Heather is renting, now that she’s no longer a pop star and single since she and Cooper’s little brother broke up. Cooper’s also a private investigator and wants nothing to do with his famous brother and his star studded lifestyle, which makes him the perfect match for Heather.

Cooper, of course, is super attractive but not in a pretty boy way. He’s a tough and self-made man who rejects the rich, privileged lifestyle he grew up in (not that he doesn’t benefit from it, of course, but he doesn’t flaunt it either). He’s a really chill guy who cares about and respects Heather for who she is not what size she wears.

This post has now made me want to reread the whole Heather Wells series because honestly it’s been too long and I love Cooper and Heather respectively. If you haven’t read this series yet it’s one of Meg Cabot’s best and you should definitely check it out.

“As you pointed out, I should have left well enough alone. But… well, it’s not in my nature. Let’s face it, though: It’s not in your nature, either, Heather. That’s why we make such a perfect pair. We’re lucky to have found each other. I feel sorry sometimes for people like your mom. Maybe her problem isn’t that she’s a dirty, no good, whatever-you-were-going-to-call-her. It’s that she was never lucky enough to find her soul mate, like we were.” – The Bride Wore Size 12

Man Crush Monday: Jace Wayland

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Jace is your typical cool boy with an ice cold demeanor but a secretly kind heart that’s still wounded by past grievances. He’s scarred by his past but doesn’t want to talk about. He’s the dark brooding type that you want to help but also know you should probably stay away from because he’ll probably break your heart. And he’s hot.

What makes Jace stand out from the rest, however, is his quick wit. He has the one liners to end all one liners. He’s funny and brutally honest in a way that makes you know you can trust him. My favorite description of Jace is only ask him a question if you’re ready to hear an honest answer.

Jace’s best quality, although it could also be seen as a flaw, is his fear of love. He believes it’s bad to be loved or to be in love, which is understandable considering who his father is. This fact makes Jace scared to give into his feelings for Clary, the protagonist of The Mortal Instruments novels, while also confusing him and making him into an adorable character you just want to help.

All in all, Jace is a keeper. As long as he’s not your long lost brother, of course.

“Have you fallen in love with the wrong person yet?’
Jace said, “Unfortunately, Lady of the Haven, my one true love remains myself.”
…”At least,” she said, “you don’t have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland.”
“Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting.” – City of Bones

Man Crush Monday: Daemon Black

Posted on June 29, 2015July 11, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Although I love Katy, my favorite part of the Lux series is Daemon Black, the hot alien that she inevitably falls in love with.

Sassy, funny, and such a flirt he kind of reminds me of Damon from The Vampire Diaries. He’s also hot which is always a plus. What really makes Daemon such a man crush is his over protective tendencies. He puts everyone else in his life ahead of himself and does whatever it takes to protect the people he cares about. Also, the way he calls Katy “Kitten” is ridiculously adorable.

That’s why I’m super excited that Jennifer L. Armentrout is doing another Lux series book called Oblivion, which will be the first three books of the series in Daemon’s point of view. When we finally got books with his POV I loved them. I found his POV to be more interesting than Katy’s, honestly, and I’m excited to see everything from his POV.

If you haven’t checked out the Lux series yet you definitely need to. The first book wasn’t the best but it gets so much better after that if you just push through. One of my favorite series that is way underrated. Also, who doesn’t want a hot alien in your life?

“So I was thinking, there’re eighty-six thousand, four hundred seconds in a day, right? There’re one thousand, four hundred and forty minutes in a day…There’re one hundred and sixty-eight hours in a week. Around eighty-seven hundred and then some hours in a year, and you know what?…I want to spend every second, every minute, every hour with you…I want a year’s worth of seconds and minutes with you. I want a decade’s worth of hours, so many that I can’t add them up.” – Origin

Man Crush Monday: Ezekiel “Zeke” Crosse

Posted on June 15, 2015June 14, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Zeke is perhaps my favorite character in The Immortal Rules trilogy, which says a lot because I love most of the characters. What makes Zeke so loveable is his ability to see the best in people and have a heart of gold despite all the terrible things that are happening in his world.

Growing up in the midst of a vampire apocalypse, where humans are used as blood bags and any human that resists is left to die or survive on their own, Zeke somehow remains positive. He still believes in this place called Eden (yes, like the Garden of Eden but modernized) that will be a safe space for all humans despite everything that’s telling him no such place really exists.

Moreover, although Zeke has a positive outlook he’s not stupid or naive. He knows how to fight and take care of himself and the people he cares about. He doesn’t back down from a challenge and takes betrayal very seriously. Don’t mess with Zeke or his friends. Period.

Zeke is basically a tough guy trapped in a nice guy’s body and it works for him very well. He’s a swoon worthy character and I wish more people knew about him. If you haven’t read Julie Kagawa’s The Immortal Rules yet please do yourself a favor and add it to your “To-Be-Read” stack. You won’t regret it.

For the rest of my existence, if I lived to see the end of this world, there would never be another Ezekiel Crosse. There would never be another soul as bright as his. And that both terrified me and made me savagely – and maybe selfishly – determined to keep him. Zeke was mine now. Forever. – The Eternity Cure

Man Crush Monday: Hector “Jesse” De Silva

Posted on June 8, 2015June 7, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Take a hot, Mexican gentleman from the early 19th century and place him in the 21st century and you not only have a genuine nice guy but I’d say a diamond in the rough. Too bad this guy is a ghost.

Jesse, the male lead in Meg Cabot’s Mediator series is everything you could want in a guy. He’s charming, funny, hot, and your knight in shining armor when you need him (although he totally understands that you can kick butt on your own). Unfortunately, Jesse is dead. And not hot vampire type dead, I mean really dead.

Which makes it very interesting that he’s clearly the love interest for one Ms. Susannah Simon but that’s what makes these books awesome (besides the crime fighting and other amazing plot points).

Although the Mediator series isn’t new I’m surprised by the amount of people that have never heard of it much less read it. If you’re one of those poor unfortunate souls please pick up these books and fall in love with Jesse ASAP. You won’t regret it. Trust me.

‘I may have been dead for the past hundred and fifty years, Susannah,’ Jesse said, ‘but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how people say good night. And generally, when people say goodnight, they keep their tongues to themselves.’ – The Ninth Key