It’s the first Friday of the month, so my Most Captivating Character of the Month post is a week late. For June, I’ve selected a character from Joe Abercrombie’s The Devils. I really could’ve picked just about everyone in that novel, but one character stood out to me. Vigga Ullasdottr, sometimes known as Vigga-Wolf (for reasons I will get into). Not only is she captivating, she’s in the running for my favorite new-to-me character of the year. I didn’t mention her when I posted about The Devils yesterday, because revealing her would be taking something away from one of the first reveals of the book (although to be fair, I really didn’t mention many characters). You’ve been warned–if you read on, it’ll take away a little from that reveal (but it’s not vital to the book).
Vigga grew up in a Norse village with a cruel mother. And she was, at best, a troubled child who tended to create havoc (unintentionally). At some point, she was bitten by a werewolf…and well, things go downhill from there for her. In her wolf form, she’s even more unstable than she is as a human. So much so that the people of her village cover her in tattoos warning others about her.
By the time we meet her, she’s living a dissolute life–or was before being captured by the Church and made part of the Chapel of the Holy Expediency’s congregation.
In battle, when she lets her wolf go, she’s essentially a berserker– her ferocity, her strength, her bloodlust, her savage nature– it’s something to behold.
Sure, you could say that she’s a gender-swapped version of Logen Ninefingers/The Bloody-Nine. And she really is. But also, she’s more–she’s deeper, she’s aware of her shortcomings, and frequently wants to change them. But she’s also easily distracted (think Dory with a homicidal streak) and prone to self-pity, so…it’s hard to say.
“I’d like to see the light,” said Vigga. “Folk keep trying to show it to me.”
But most of all, she’s just fun to read. Her personality (both of them) shines forth and charms the reader. Sure, the Vigga-Wolf is frightening and near-mindless. But in context…it makes sense. But as Vigga, she’s heartbreaking, fun, and inspirational (and someone you can laugh at). All in all, she’s captivating.
What character would you name for last month?
Carol
Captivating, indeed! Intriguing. Thanks for joining in! 🙌