Monday, July 18, 2011

YA Crush Tourney: Archer vs Tod (Match #11) goes to Tod

AND THE WINNER IS:
TOD

Holy smokes, it is already Round 2!  We are down to our final sixteen which we are going to call The Sexy Sixteen!  Before we get started, it's the same rules as usual.  We've tried as much as possible to keep everything spoiler free, but to really show the best qualities of a character sometimes spoilers are necessary, so BEWARE!!!  Also, feel free to write comments in the comments section about either character, but we will not tolerate rudeness.  The moment it crosses over from logical argument to rudeness, your comment will be deleted and your vote cancelled.  Voting will open at 8am and close 40 hours later at midnight on Tuesday night.  Because of crashing 2 different poll sites in the 1st round, we have decided for the sake of our sanity and all of your guys sleep, to only allow 1 vote per computer.  So call in all of your reinforcements for the next rounds.  With all that said, let the voting begin!

Archer Cross (seed #4)

The snarky Archer Cross is from Rachel Hawkin's Hex Hall series.  You can find out more info about her and her books by clicking her name on our sidebar.  You can also read our review of the second book in the Hex Hall series, Demonglass.  Archer is being represented by Jazmin.  You can follow her on twitter @jazminlabrada.

Personality:

Arrogant, snarky and rich, oh wait MY BAD. Archer is the guy any girl could fall for, but he's hands off as he's all for Sophie. He’s a popular guy with a wicked sense of humor. He has a strong character and is able to form his own opinions about people. Though what he did in Hex Hall (L'Occhio di Dio, seriously?!), he did redeem himself in Demonglass (well....) and its ending. Archer is the boy you KNOW should take home the title.

Looks:

He has deep dark brown eyes and is athletic. He's also a warlock.  a smoking HOT one. And you know that this warlock trumps any reaper by a long shot. 

Talents:

He has warlock-y powers and uses them in Hex Hall (remember the "Bad Dog" scene? Yeahhh...) and in Demonglass (for the wrong things but for Sophie, so all’s good)

Special Attributes:

Attributes: Did we mention he's rich and has movie star worthy looks? Oh okay, well even though he's part of the Eye, they taught him some wicked magic skillz. Come on, how can you resist this delicious hunk of meat? 

Why is Archer better than Tod?

Welll, Archer has had some pretty epic kisses with Sophie than his competitor and he has saved her from death, more than once. Meanwhile, Tod, my dear voters, tends to pop in and out and usually not at great times. 

Anything else you'd like to add?

Yep ,he’s able to go from "decent human being to complete jackass in zero-point-two seconds". Also, he’s always sticking his neck out for Sophie even though he could get in trouble. ANNNNDDD he's competing against Cal for dear old Sophie's heart. What more could you want from this warlock who has looks, talent and personality. 

Tod Hudson(seed #20)

Tod Hudson is from the Soul Screamer by Rachel Vincent. You can learn more about it here. And be on the lookout for a review of the series soon here at YA Sisterhood! Tod is represented by Rachel Clarke. You can reach her at any of the following places:

Blog: Fiktshun.com (But I'll be posting any tourney related posts on my blog annex Fiktshuns-ramblings.blogspot.com)
Twitter: @Fiktshun
Blog FB page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiktshun/167196403318584

Personality:

Tod Hudson may be a reaper, but he is anything but grim. And although he may look innocent, he is trouble. He is a reaper after all. Someone assigned to collect souls. Someone who takes a walk on the wild side and ventures into the Netherworld on occasion. And someone who is no stranger to the Hellions and Demons that call it home.

Now, he may not be your typical bad boy, I don’t know many reapers who are, but he is definitely not someone to bring home to meet the parents. Kaylee Cavanaugh’s Dad certainly doesn’t like him hanging around his daughter and they’re not even dating. Especially when he can just come and go as he pleases - any parents worst nightmare. And it seems to please him quite a bit to visit Kaylee. At night. Alone. In her room. Forever stuck at 17, Tod is an eternal boy.

But Tod has another side. And that one is charming, funny and sarcastic. He is mischievous and has one heck of a wicked grin for someone with such an angelic face. He likes to pop in at the most inconvenient times. And surprising Kaylee is one of his favorite things to do. Well... that and popping in on Kaylee and Nash when they don’t particularly want to be disturbed. Tod definitely has issues with boundaries.

The best thing about Tod isn’t his boyish charm or his sense of humor. If that were all Tod had going for him, he wouldn’t have made made my list of crush-worthy boys. It’s his loyalty. Tod is one fiercely loyal bean-sidhe turned reaper.

He will do anything in his power to protect those he cares about. It makes him brave and foolish and reckless to the point of stupidity at times, but his loyalty makes him completely swoon-worthy. What girl wouldn’t want a boy who would go to the ends of the earth to protect her, do whatever he can to make her happy, or cry for her when he can’t?

Tod quick facts: A total flirt, charming, mischievous, not one to play by the rules, funny, sarcastic, bad boy, loves a challenge, brave, reckless, chivalrous, vulnerable, loyal, self-sacrificing.

Looks:

Tod is definitely mighty fine to look at. He may not be one, but he looks like an angel. Blond curly hair, bright blue sparkling eyes, super sexy thick boy-lashes, perfect full lips, strong, square chin which sports a small goatee. He is total eye-candy.

I usually tend to go for the dark, brooding, dangerous types, but over the course of this series Tod has definitely caught my eye. I’m thinking he’s a stone cold fox. He will be forever young. As a reaper he will never look older than 17. And even though he may be a reaper he has his soul. Just stare into those bright blue eyes and you will get lost. And that’s not from some powers of Influence.

But it’s those kissable lips that are quick with a smile, always ready to quirk up into a lopsided grin, that make Tod the ultimate crush-worthy boy in the looks department. His eyes may be magnetic, but it’s those lips that would be tough to look away from.

Tod quick facts: Angelic, bright blue eyes, sexy smile, perfect, full oh-so-kissable lips, with a lower lip he loves to bite while thinking, thick lashes, pale blond, curly hair, face that expresses his emotions.

Talents:

Oh, Tod is one talented reaper. He can materialize wherever he wants, whenever he wants. And as he doesn’t need sleep he has a lot of free time on his hands to drop in, unannounced, on his friends and family. Whether they want him to or not.

This can come in handy when there’s trouble, but can be awkward when you don’t want company. And it makes for some quick travel options since he can take you along for the ride.

He can choose who he wants to see and hear him. And can appear to only some people and not others if he feels like it.

As a reaper he doesn’t need to eat, but he can taste and enjoy food. No problem with the pleasure sensors or taste buds in his mouth.

He doesn’t age, which practically makes him immortal. As he’s technically not alive, he can’t get older.

He also has the power to end a life and take possession of a soul. For some power-hungry reapers this can be a problem, but for one as good-hearted as Tod, this is nothing to worry about.

He can move between this world and the Netherworld. It may not seem such an important talent to me or you, but if you had to rescue someone’s soul from a demon who had them trapped, you’d want someone who could bring you in and out of that world as quickly as possible. Just sayin’.

A phenomenal kisser. That’s all I’ll say for right now, but for those in the know, you can back me up on that.

Tod quick facts: Instant teleportation, selective invisibility, ability to end a life and take a soul - yeah it’s grim, but it’s still pretty cool - no need to eat or sleep, ageless, awesome kisser and it’s not just because he has such perfect lips.

Special Attributes:

Since I’ve included most of Tod’s attributes in the personality, looks and talents departments, I thought I’d just give a few examples of why Tod is so full of awesome and why he deserves the title, “Hero.”

*His first assignment as a reaper he saved the life of a little girl that was on the list.

*He sacrificed his own life to save someone he loved and kept it a secret so that they wouldn’t have to feel guilty. (If that’s not totally swoon-worthy I don’t know what is!)

*He turned himself corporeal to punch Nash for what he did to Kaylee.

*He watched out for Kaylee’s friend Emma when she was in trouble.

*He went to the Netherworld to try and save the soul of his ex-girlfriend.

*He told Kaylee what she needed to hear about Nash and Sabine, even if it would make her hate him.

*He is frequently willing to put his “life” on the line for those he loves.

*And he is always ready to fight for what he wants.

Tod quick facts: Hero. Seriously, do I need to say more here? He’s a hero in every sense of the word.

What makes Tod better than Archer?



It seems this is a match between a Reaper and a Warlock. How exciting! They both have some pretty awesome powers at their disposal, making this one definitely interesting matchup.

But as much as I love Archer Cross, and even though I am completely biased because I am repping Tod, I would still say Tod is much more crush-worthy. Archer may have the edge if this were a competition on who was more swoon-worthy, but in the crush department, Tod has the lead.

Staying power. For one thing, Tod will be around for the next book in the series. I know this to be fact since I read it already. But Archer’s future isn’t so certain. With Cal in the picture, there is no guarantee that Archer will make it into the next book. Right now things are pretty grim for his future.

Honor. For another, Tod is much more honorable than Archer ever was. Sure, Archer is tall, dark and smokin’ hot. Heck, he made me a little breathless in both books. But to be worthy of a crush he should have more than his looks going for him. And so far in the series Archer hasn’t proven himself to be loyal. He’s kept secrets and told lies. And he continues to lie. And to betray everyone – whether it’s Sophie or his family, he can’t have it both ways, and continues to betray one or the other.

Tod is no slouch in the looks department – he’s a total hottie, even if he’s not the dark and brooding type – and he’s got honor, loyalty and integrity.

Kissability. So, Archer is an awesome kisser. He proved himself in Hex Hall with Sophie. And due to his bad-boy reputation, he’s clearly shared those kisses with quite a few other girls, including that icky Elodie. And the fact that Sophie’s amazing kiss with him ended in a complete nightmare...Yeah, it's not his biggest selling point.

I can assure you that Tod is also an awesome kisser. His perfect lips were just made to be kissed. And while he may not have hooked up with as many girls as Archer, what with the dying young, becoming a reaper thing, he’s no amateur. And the girls he’s kissed and will kiss, do not immediately try to stab him. And they generally stick around for a few more kisses.

Availability. Tod is almost always available. His job as a reaper is not extremely demanding. He’s around for his friends and family and can be at your side on a moment’s notice. This makes him perfect boyfriend material. Plus, he can pop in and out whenever and wherever he wants, and bring you with him.

Sure, Archer can travel too. It’s a bit more complicated and involves some nausea – not a great look for a girl and so not ideal right before kissing. But being a part of an enemy faction that requires him to be away a lot of the time makes him one pretty unavailable boy.

Overall. They both have their looks going for them – so it’s really a matter of personal preference. One light and perfect and beautiful, the other tall, dark and handsome. But looks aren’t all that go into a crush. Personality does count. Big time.

Tod is adorable, funny, sarcastic, honest, selfless and loyal. At times he can be annoying – especially to his brother, Nash – but he does it on purpose. It’s called sibling rivalry for a reason. He’s also caring and sympathetic and brave.

Archer is a bit harder to read. He’s definitely sarcastic and intense. I think deep down he has honor, but the secrets he’s kept, the lies he’s told and his betrayals take away from any honor he has. He needs more time to prove himself. He does care, but doesn’t like to show it, and he is also brave.

And they both have some pretty cool powers. But weighing their overall qualities, Tod just has more crush-worthy qualities than Archer.

And Tod has that one quality that just beats everything. Every. Single. Time. He’s willing to sacrifice his life for those he loves.


Anything else you'd like to add?




I'd like to make a final plea for Tod. Those who've only read the first book or two of the series may not have gotten the warm and fuzzies over him. There may not have been any insta-love connection. I know it wasn't like that for me and Tod. I was a Nash fan all the way...

...All the way through the middle of the second book in the series when that slow anger toward Nash began building.

For those who have read all four books in the series and both novellas you may have a little more love for Tod, but still might not be fully convinced that he is crush-worthy. But let me tell you that he so totally is! And if this tourney was just a few months later, after the release of If I Die, I wouldn't even have to do anything to convince you here and now.

But Tod made me smile, he made me cry, he made me breathless and made my heart stop. More than once. If that doesn't make him crush-worthy I don't know what would.

Thanks so much, and I know that Tod would love your vote!

Voting will close Tuesday at midnight!  Choose wisely!!!


VOTING IS NOW CLOSED!