There is no fantasy story without a hero and a quest that needs undertaking. There are, of course, exceptions, and more of them every day, as we celebrate books by more authors, male and female, who truly get that strength in a character doesnt necessarily mean masculine traits. Maybe its because i like reading about women i can look up to. Here are 12 kickass women from scifi and fantasy who are the best kind of strongtheir own. The 10 most badass women in fantasy literature barnes. I like reading about powerful protagonists that dont take shit from people. Most badass fictional female characters in movies insider. Here are a few more we can add to our lists via books recommended by. It features 50 amazing queer fantasy books, from highepic fantasy to urban fantasy to superheroes and everywhere in between.
I also like darker books where it feels like things are at stake. Best female protagonists in fantasy score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. This list of mustread lgbt fantasy books is here to help. The best dark fantasy books ever written io9 created a list containing the 25 best moments in the history of dark fantasy, but i dont think it really identified the top dark fantasy books.
Perhaps its because the majority of beloved fantasy novels feature male protagonists. The 50 best fantasy books of the 21st century so far paste. Let us know who your personal faves are in the comments below. Stand alone complex follows the major and her team, who work for the public security section 9, as they investigate highly sensitive criminal cases in a world where many people have become cyborgs. Perhaps its because books about women are less likely to win prizes. The novel is narrated by its main female protagonist, helena, who is as strong, as cunning, and as formidable as any other heroine on this list. When it comes to entertainment media, badass female protagonists are having a bit of a moment. Vin from mistborn isnt a huge favorite of mine mostly because i disliked the books, but if you analyze her separately from the plot shes pretty cool. Kinda mean, street smart and kicks some major butt with. If youre a lover of fantasy, and starving for a few good female protagonists, here are my top list of fantasy recommendations. Sigourney weaver even earned a best actress nomination for aliens 1986, which was groundbreaking as, prior to that point, the academy had given little recognition to.
Theres something so satisfying about reading about a killer female protagonist and even more so when theyre fighting for justice, saving the world, or just being their allaround. Rowan is the titular character from the fantasy series rowan of rin. Nevertheless, fantasy as a genre frequently confronts difficult topics, grappling with subjects like identity, class, and race in a way that lingers long after the book is closed. Paks is one of the earlier examples of a strong, realistic female heroine who appeals to men and women. Kick ass female heroines in paranormal genre 889 books. The bloodprint, the first in the khorasan archives, by ausma zehanat khan. Major mokoto kusanagi, the lead character of the ghost in the shell franchise, is one of animes bestknown female protagonists. Rowling to sabaa tahir, we list the best fantasy books of the 21st century. The best dark fantasy books for the aspiring evil lord. Ginevra weasley may not be a protagonist, but so help me if anyone says she isnt one of the most badassiest and most inspiring female characters out there because i will fight on her behalf. Whites answer is a book that convinces you, inch by inch, that a vicious girl, abandoned by her father as an ottoman hostage, doomed to forfeit her life for her fathers follies or to be married off at the sultans convenience. Theres something about a powerhouse female protagonist that makes me happy. Weve got a list of badass female characters that you should definitely check out.
A skinwalker of cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires, jane is really good at killing supernatural monstrosities. The hunger games by suzanne collins, throne of glass by sarah j. And books with strong female characters over 50 are less than plentiful. These books are full of intrigue and romance and are extremely readable, and also feature a female protagonist, which is rarer than it should be for fantasy novels. A dark power called the talisman has risen in the land, born of ignorance and persecution. There are many incredibly strong female characters in chain of gold but personally cordelia is. Through war, through famine, through heartbreak, and hardwon victory, scarlett ohara. Divergent by veronica roth, the hunger games by suzanne collins, legend by marie lu, catching fire by suzanne col. Please think about the strong female aspect of this list before adding a book. Best strong female fantasy novels 3329 books goodreads. This newberry award winning book is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys fantasy books with a badass female protagonist. There are books out there, though, that speak to a diverse world and any list about badass female characters could easily list a couple of books with nonwhite protagonists, so i made my own list of 8 books that put badass black women at their center.
Ive made a specific section of queer ya fantasy books just for you. Jemisins broken earth trilogy centers on essun, one of the marginalized people known as orogenes. Worms taylor hebert is not only my favorite female protagonist, but one of my favorite protagonists in general. These are stories about women in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s who are finding freedom, power, and joy as they age with grace and courage in a variety of circumstances. The 20 greatest female characters in scifi and fantasy. Two of his latest novels, surface detail and matter both feature a woman main. This list is not for commercial purposes and those books will be removed. Basically, we live for powerful women in our ya fiction and non. Im in search of an immersive, fantastical story with a female protagonist.
This list is to discover books featuring strong female characters. I just want a character that doesnt back down even when he knows he is outmatched. The wildcats we are the wildcats by siobhan vivian. I like to associate with my character, and switching povs isnt fun. Fantasy novels offer readers compelling stories, from wild vampire love affairs to thrilling adventures in magical worlds. What i mean by strong is that the character can make decisions for herself and be actively involved in the main storyline how she starts out doesnt. If youre a fan of lgbt ya fantasy books in particular, youre in luck. Whats more bad ass than a leading lady captain who goes a sailing on a magical ship. In so many fantasy stories female characters are the ones needing rescuing and are usually strong because of some magical power. Weve rounded up 50 of the portalist staffs picks for the best fantasy characters ever. Not because the series doesnt contain texts that are surely some of the best dark fantasy books, but because everyone already knows about them. Its called mem by bethany morrow, an upcoming book from unnamed press that sounds like a mashup of never let me go and eternal.
Plus, she became the blueprint for one of the best female tv characters of all time. Epic fantasy with strong female protagonists hi all, as indicated by the title, im on the hunt for some epic fantasy that features a female protagonist as one of the leads or as the lead. Rowan is an attractive gaelic name that has been rising rapidly of large. Arky has a very strong passion for manga, video games, and writing. Which means it does not include the host, or any of the hunger games books. I have 12 female driven scifi and fantasy novels youll love to read, so be sure to add these new and newish adventures to your tbr, a.
Ellen ripley is the greatest female character in scifi or fantasy, and also one of the greatest movie characters of all time. Iain banks often features very compelling and capable female protagonists. Books with very powerful protagonist, and only 1 pov. And it ruins the book when i wish to go back to a different pov all the time. As soon as i finish writing this post about great recommendations to tick off the scifi novel with a female protagonist by a female author box on your 2018 read harder challenge list, i am coincidentally going to start a book that fits the requirements. Magic bites by ilona andrews, moon called by patricia briggs, halfway to the grave by jeaniene frost, vampire academy by r. Gemma doyle, the protagonist in this trilogy, starts as a spoiled wealthy daughter in victorian india.
If youre searching for scifi books with badass female protagonists, look no further. In the book, rowan proves his worth in the village with his heroic act. Brooke shields made the name a viable choice for both girls and boys by naming her daughter rowan. Female protagonist sword and sorcery book recommendations. Ive got 15 fantastic books and series you can pick up today. Gritty action, complex plotting, and a compelling strong female protagonist make this one of the standouts of the badass magician variety of urban fantasy. But there are those who fight the talismans spread, including the companions of hira, a diverse group of badass women whose power derives from the words of a sacred scripture. And while this genre used to almost exclusively feature men and boys, its come a long way since tolkiens time. Roleplay gaming and fantasy novels have gone handinhand for most of their existence, but its a. Weve been given jessica jones, weve critiqued black widows. Fantasy fiction is full of compelling characterssome of whom wed love to meet in real life, some of whom were glad to only know through the pages of a book or on a screen. But i have been enjoying some wonderful books lately about older women having a great second act in life. There are tons of good shoujo, josei, and even shounen manga with very powerful female leads, and here are just a few of my favorites. Nayla treeborn is a badass because of years of training.
I need to know of more fantasy or sci fi with female main characters. What are some good science fiction or adventure novels featuring a. Young, brave alanna dreams of becoming a female knight and warrior, but isnt allowed to train because she is a woman. Although shes not quite as badass as her tv counterpart, the titular character of buffy the vampire slayer kristy swanson had a just as much attitude. Sciencefiction including dystopian, apocalyptic, or postapocalyptic. Scarlett from gone with the wind by margaret mitchell. Books with strong female characters over 50 book riot. This list covers nine of the most common types of fantasy characters.
A list of badass women in fantasy literature wouldnt be complete without the heroine from faith hunters jane yellowrock saga blood cross, et. I recall about 15 years ago wow, i was young back then. Shows like outlander and the handmaids tale are revealing a big appetite for the female driven fantasy genre. They dont have to be kick ass but they do have to have a backbone. Best fantasy books with strong women characters 538 books. Female manga characters get a bad rep as they are often portrayed as being weak, ditzy, or simply used for story filler.