Does a Book Need a Likable Protagonist?
A protagonist does not have to be pleasant or morally admirable. The better test is whether the story makes that character compelling, understandable, and worth following.
Why Some Villains Are More Interesting Than the Hero
Villains often command attention because they carry a story’s strongest desires, contradictions, choices, and moral questions. Here is how to recognize that effect without confusing fascination with approval.