Peeta is the new Edward: Hunger Games vs Twilight

When it comes to leading YA literature men, I say out with Edward and in with Peeta. Peeta is the male protagonist in the sci-fi adventure series Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and let me tell you, he is as loving and manly as Edward, the cold blooded vampire from the Twilight series, is cold and arrogant.

While I was never a big Edward fan to begin with, I favored him over his rival Jacob. Where Jacob was, you know, most human and warm, Edward was worldly and educated. Jacob’s youth and lack of romantic prowess worked against him. It was a tough choice, but Edward won anyway, so I guess it didn’t really matter.

Peeta has all the fine qualities of Edward, but the warm, softness of Jacob. Peeta cares for his love interest, Katniss, in an undying, never-let-you-down kind of way. Unlike Edward, who devastates Bella by leaving her when she has just been through a near death experience at his expense, Peeta protects Katniss by staying by her side.

Bella’s inability to care for herself leaves her dependent on Edward. Katinss is a veritable bad-ass and doesn’t need the protection of any man. Peeta respects this about her, a move that sets him apart from the overbearing Edward.

It isn’t all Edward's fault, mind you. He was born before women’s suffrage. He had never had a romantic relationship prior to almost killing and then falling for Bella. He’s a bit of a twit when it comes to women. Peeta exists in an unnamed future time when women work beside the men to provide for their families.

Whether you credit the age in which they were born, or their inherent ability to respect women, Peeta would be my choice any day of the year. And he comes with the added bonus of not having to be transformed into an undead bloodsucker.