Fictional Power Couples I've Read and Adored

 

This list is prompted by the book club’s discussion of An Odyssey: A Father, a Son, and an Epic by Daniel Mendelsohn. Well, more like the tangent discussion of Homer’s Odyssey due to the former book. The question of whether Odysseus is a true hero or not was brought forward, which made me thought of Penelope. A woman whose fortitude was well tested, not only by holding up the candle of hope for Odysseus’s return but also by her vigilance to hold the fort against the wolves who wanted to take Ithaca’s throne. Odysseus managed to fight his way home (though arduous and protracted) with his ability to think himself out of tough situations (and help from Athena), hence, winning back both wife and throne. Their love for each other is strong. True. Moreover, Odysseus and Penelope are two powerful individuals on their own, and even stronger together.

With Penelope and Odysseus in mind, I made a list of the fictional power couples I’ve met and liked -couples whose love stories are cheer-worthy. And likewise, they are forces to reckon with together or even individually. Forces that can either shape or knock down a kingdom (or something like that).

(5) Lindsey Boxer and Joe Molinari (Women’s Murder Club by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro)

Sgt. Lindsey Boxer is a homicide detective for the San Francisco Police Department, who has multiple solved-cases under her belt. She faced off with too many scumbags on record, crossed bullets, and survived them all. She loves deeply and fights fiercely for her own. Joe Molinari was former deputy director of Homeland Security and FBI agent. His CV is probably a hundred pages thick. He left his august position, to be near Lindsey and take care of their baby girl Julie, and now works as a consultant for different agencies. Aside from Lindsey’s group of lady friends, Joe is her topmost consultant on her active cases and everything else.

  

(4) Yelena Zaltana and Valek Icefaren (Poison Study series by Maria V. Snyder)

Yelena is a Soulfinder, a very rare magician that can capture or release human souls. She has remarkable equestrian and Bo Staff fighting skills too. Valek, on the other hand, is an assassin whose tracking, disguise, and knife skills are yet unmatched. I love their loyalty to each other, more so by their loyalty to their kingdoms and how much they are willing to sacrifice to find peace between Ixia and Sitia.

(3) Sophie Hatter and Howl Jenkins Pendragon (Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones)

Known for her shyness and gentle heart, Sophie came to be a determined individual after she was cursed into an old woman. After a while, it is discovered that Sophie is capable of talking life into objects. Meanwhile, Howl is a powerful wizard and can turn himself and others into any animal. Bound with Calcifer, Howl’s power is heightened. Together, Sophie and Howl took down a powerful witch and djinn. I love how these two can always find each other even in peculiar ways.

(2) Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar and Rowley Picot (Mistress of the Art of Death Series by Ariana Franklin)

Adelia is an Italian doctor from the renowned University of Solerno and well-versed in the "art of death". In Henry II’s England, when both advanced medicine and autopsy were but a myth, Adelia is an oddity for being a lady doctor. So she hid her true identity to fend off accusations of practicing witchcraft while answering to the King’s call to unravel murders and examine the dead. Sir Rowley Picot, is the Bishop of St. Albans. A knight and Henry’s most trusted fixer. His current position turned him into one of the most powerful people in England, opening many doors, and yet bound apart from Adelia and their daughter Allie. Together, they have foiled conspiracies and a war against Henry II and England.

(1) Hero Jarvis and Sebastian St. Cyr (Sebastian St. Cyr series by C.S. Harris)

Hero Jarvis is the only child of Lord Charles Jarvis, the Prince Regent’s cousin, executor, and the real power behind England in this series. Hero is the Lady after my own heart. She is determined and smart, even shrewd if she wants to be. And her social principles are to be replicated. Hero works on writing about the underprivileged people of London slums, bringing awareness to the opulent populace the true nature of their society. She never cringed away from danger and exposure if it means saving lives. Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin is the youngest son and heir of the Earl of Hendon. He also served in the royal army. Now, he serves the people by investigating murders and bringing perpetrators to justice. Picture him as James Bond in Regency England. With both Hero and Devlin’s influences and talents, they can move around circles no Bow Street Runner can and investigate.

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I am sure there are more power couples out there to add to this list. I’ve yet to discover them so I’ll keep my eyes peeled. If you have any suggestions, give me a holler.