readers advisory for all discussion

I hope you don't mind me running two queries past you, but I'm just so thrilled to see a group like this and have already gotten so much out of previous threads. I've been on the lookout for books that feature well developed, usually deranged childlike female characters. Examples would be my beloved Gretel from Bitter Seeds The Milkweed Triptych 1, Lise from The Brothers Karamazov or another great example would be Drucilla from Buffy. The character doesn't necessarily have to be villainous, but broken/childlike/doll-like definitely : ) Thanks

The Different Girl definitely immediately comes to mind. It's a bit unusual and I quite enjoyed it.

One of the ways goodreads can be a bit daunting is when you see such violently differing reviews for a book. It certainly seems you either love this one or hate it but I will check it out nonetheless. Thanks : )

I love Gretel! I'll see if I can think of any other books with characters like her.

Bleeding Violet came to mind.

These kinds of characters can be off-putting to some, so I'd expect to see either hate it or love its and not much between. :)

Bleeding Violet! Thank you!! I see quotes from Bleeding Violet all the time and always wonder what they're from.

“She was like the moon—part of her was always hidden away.”

That one's always floating around tumblr.

And Gretel love? Yay! I adore her horribly.

There's a character in Discount Armageddon (urban fantasy) who you might like. She's a waheela who wears Gothic Lolita-style clothes and absentmindedly says delightfully deranged things, such as

"I will enjoy removing his insides and displaying them to him as part of his outsides." She paused, considering, before she added, "I believe I will wear his liver as a hat."

Sadly, she is too awesome and the author had to incapacitate her sometimes to keep her from single-handedly saving the day. (To tell you the truth, this character was the only one I liked. Everyone else inspired anywhere from indifference to outright annoyance. YMMV.)

I listened to the audiobook of We Have Always Lived in the Castle. It's written from the perspective of a rather demented, childlike character. I loved it. It starts out seeming fairly mundane (it's fiction, but not fantasy), but it's clear there is something a bit...off.

Another character I can think of is Annalise from Child of Fire (also urban fantasy, with a large dash of horror). She is childlike in her directness and lack of tact. She charges in and bludgeons everything until it stops moving, then moves on to the next target. She displays very little empathy, and I'd definitely say she has a broken/"off" feel to her.

Finally, it's been ages since I read this book, but I think the vampire girl from Interview With The Vampire would qualify.

Your mention of the character from Discount Armageddon, which I haven't read, reminds me of how I felt about Nikolaos from Guilty Pleasures Anita Blake Vampire Hunter 1. I couldn't stand the Anita Blake series, not that I went on to read any further, but I scooped up Nikolaos into my menagerie of demented darlings.

And yes, Claudia from Interview With The Vampire ... long may she reign, the mad little thing : )

I can't wait to check out your other recommendations ... especially We Have Always Lived in the Castle ... it looks fantastic. Thanks so much for adding these.

Oh and one more thing ... I read Bleeding Violet. She definitely had her moments so thanks for the recommend : )

there is a secondary character in mira grant's new book (by which i mean soon-to-be-released) that definitely fits this.

Parasite

Have you read any of the Emily The Strange: Lost, Dark, and Boring by Rob Reger graphic novels? You might enjoy them, if you are looking for damaged waif like girls.

Don't forget the Bad Seed by William March.... with the original child sociopath Rhonda!

and if you want to get real crazy listen to Nick Cave and the bad seeds murder ballads while reading it! whoa!

Maybe not quite demented enough, but Blood Oranges has an interesting trio of crazy (in different ways)female characters.

Maybe Alabaster although the MC is kick-ass as well as damaged.

alabaster looks awesome. thanks! I know I've read this author years ago... this would be a nice (re)introduction.