Essential for good conflict in a story, a villain is someone you hate or fear—or both. Here’s just a few:

Queen Levana, The Lunar Chronicle—Levana uses mind control and works to appear more beautiful than she actually is. She seeks to kill her own family making her a chilling villain.

Slagar from Mattimeo, A brutal slave trader who kidnaps children.

The Eye of Sauron, Lord of the Rings A god-like eye of fire that sees everything we do—need I say more?

SCNR-Captain Hook from Peter Pan Unlike the child-friendly adaptions of this book, the original Captain Hook proved more vicious.

Lord Voldemort or Dolores Umbridge? in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Many people will choose the noseless Lord Voldemort as the chief villain but what is more frightening that a villain who hides behind the veil of goodness? Think pink and kittens!

The frenemy, Nancy Wheeler, in Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret            

What’s worse than a friend who turns out to be an enemy? A BFF turned villain—pure pain!

Who’s your favorite villain and why?