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  Strong Female Characters - Favorite Books

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  My favorite books with strong female characters are Anne Bishop's trilogy, "Poison Study", "Summers at Castle Auburn" and the Margaret Weis/Tracy Hickman series called "Legends."

  dreamer started this discussion 5 years ago. ( reply | permalink )

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  DragonFlower 

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  I love the "Study" books by Maria V. Snyder. Have you tried David Weber's Honor Harrington books? Great hard SF with a very strong female character! I've also just discovered Linnea Sinclair and fallen in love with her stories.

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  DragonFlower 

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  If you try the David Weber books you need to read them in order. The first Honor Harrington books is "On Basilisk Station."

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    imdragonflys 

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    Loved the Honor Harrington books in the beginning but they were just to tech-y battle specific for me.
    I really enjoy JD Rob's gutsy gal, Eve Dallas and I also enjoy the women in the Christine Feehan books.

    posted 5 years ago. ( permalink )

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    K's Cove removed this reply 5 years ago.

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    K's Cove 

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    Kresley Cole has a fantastic series out that includes Valkyries as one of the continuing "groups" in the series. They are smart alecky and tough as nails. Funny and yet with dark themes. That is a very hard nitch to fill but she does it so well !!
    
    I, too, like Anne Bishop. And Sherrilynn Kenyon has such a wonderfully dry sense of humor, and can carry a "cast of thousands"......... LOL

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  DragonFlower 

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  I've been thinking a lot about the original post or actually the title of this discussion. I really don't remember ever reading fantasy or SF that didn't have a strong female character. Of course, there were a lot of early authors I didn't read ... but I started with Anne McCaffrey and then found Andre Norton. I, at the time, firmly believed that only women could write good strong women. So I pretty much ony bought books writen by women. Then I found F.M. Busby. I loved Rissa and Tregare ... great space opera! I don't know if you can even find copies of his books any more.
  It's sort of like ... so many great stories, so many strong female characters ... I don't really know where to start the list!

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    paikea 

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    i have a sci-fi/fantasy library of 800-900 - about 90% women authors - i got sick of reading sci-fi written by men where the women are totally incidental and useless (except for the "usual") - i've run into men who voraciously read sci-fi, but never read women authors - i give them WHAT FOR! - constantly amazed at this - i found Rissa and Tregare several years ago - i agree, great space opera:)

    check out the Mageworlds series by Debra Doyle and James MacDonald - among my favorites

    posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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  Jaclyn  

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  I really love Kelly Armstrong's books- "Bitten", "Stolen" (that is all I have read so far in the werewolf series.) I have also read her "Haunted" and I find myself getting so attached to her female lead characters. They are considered a series by some readers, but she wrote them to where you can read them out of order.

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    dreamer 

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    Hi Jaclyn,
    Thanks for posting. Add your favorite books to this shelf, if you like.

    posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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  AngG 

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  The "Poison Study" was recomended to me but I have not read them yet. I look forward to it.

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    dreamer 

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    Yes, please read "Poison Study." Guaranteed to surprise you and there is great writing - sometimes not present in this genre. I've been reading "Warrior of the Mist" - and I haven't decided how I feel about it, although it is definitely addictive.

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  fuzzy_giraffe 

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  hi, everyone! this is such an awesome idea for a shelfari group!
  I'd been complaining to friends that I don't get to read about a lot of smart women in fiction... and then someone recommended "Shards of Honor" and "Barrayar" by Lois McMaster Bujold. ( l know the quotes are not the proper way to cite a book, but there isn't another way to denote the titles!).
  The characters, the universe Bujold creates-- the books were just a great experience! (there are a few more books in the series, too-- google or wikipedia the Vorkosigan Saga for info)
  

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    dreamer 

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    Thanks for the suggestions!! Remember "Poison Study" now!:) It should be available in paperback too.

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  seagreen 

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  the maximum ride books by james patterson. all the female characters are tough and smart

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    dreamer 

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    Ok, I wrote him on my wish list too.

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  Lewister 

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  Thought for sure these would have been mentioned as they're not that obscure. Surprised they haven't. They are definitely among my favorites, mostly because they have strong female leads.
  
  Mistress of the Empire triology by Raymond Feist
  Mirror of Her Dreams/A Man Rides Through by Stephen Donaldson
  
  (New member here!! Looking forward to being part of the group.)

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    dreamer 

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    Hi Lewister- I don't always check this group as the # of books recommended by others has me reading. Amazon should PAY US. Anyway, thanks for joining. Thanks for the suggestions. Add books to the group or any other fantasy group. I don't think people are keeping track of their groups - as there are so many now. Welcome!

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    paikea 

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    i think the Mistress of the Empire trilogy is really Feist's finest series, Lewister

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    bjgryphon 

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    Glad someone else likes the Mirror of her dreams and sequel. Wonder why he didn't continue with that "world"?

    posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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  audrey 

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  Some other good reads are the Walker Papers by C.E. Murphy and that starts with Urban Shaman and also the Mercy Thompson novels by Patricia Briggs. Has anyone else read these?

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    dreamer 

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    Hi Audrey,
    I'll check out those authors. Thanks a lot and thanks for the note.

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    bjgryphon 

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    Yes, Patricia Briggs has a great character in Mercy - with all her flaws, at times. Kim Harrison and Kelly Armstrong also have great female protagonists. Off topic - but another good but flawed strong woman is the Charlie Fox character in a mystery series by Zoe Sharp.

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    paikea 

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    Have you read Steal the Dragon, by Patricia Briggs? - excellent book

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• daydreamer 

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  I love this group! I just started really getting into Fantasy and here was this group! I love a book when there is a strong female character.

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    dreamer 

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    Hi, Thanks for continuing to be interested in the group. I read "The Host" a while back, and it sort of qualifies in this genre. The "Twilight" series does not, unfortunately because Bella needs to start being smart, tough, and having some skills. Anyway, I'm waiting for the next book from Holly Black, and Marillier. Don't get me wrong as I love the "Twilight" series, but the character of Bella gets me irritated at times.

    posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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    paikea 

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    no fan of Twilight here - couldn't even bring myself to read the last one - i think the most interesting characters are Jacob (the werewolf) and the sort of earth-mother vampire (can't remember her name) - Bella bugged me - and i could not see what everybody saw in her main squeeze

    posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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  Jan D 

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  I love Kahlan Amnell in Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series. She is the main female character, and so strong-willed.
  
  There are several other characters in there that are amazing... Honestly, almost every "good guy" female is amazingly strong, and their human flaws make them even more amazing.

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    dreamer 

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    Hi,
    Thanks for your interest. I'll have to try Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth." "The Host" (Stephenie Meyer) is pretty good, and qualifies in this genre. I've read Holly Black and Juliet Marillier and found them to have great books in this area as well. Actually, if you check Marillier's work, you'll find her to be an excellent and lyrical writer.l She can certainly set a background universe for her characters. You'll see what I mean if you read one of her books. If you've already read her work, this is just a rehash then. Sorry.

    posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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  Anna N.~Where There Is Desire There Is Gonna Be A Flame 

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  One of my favorites is Lisa Shearin's Magic Lost Trouble Found. Along with the second book Armed and Magical. These are really great books with a great female heroine. :)

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    dreamer 

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    OK, I'll have to check those books out. Thanks for your interest in the group. Anyone can add their favorite book to this group. Please do so if you have other books of note.

    posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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  Kerry F 

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  One of the favorites on my shelf is the Bitterbynde Series by Celia Dart-Thornton. I'm giving a little away here about the first book, The Ill-Made Mute, but the strong female character is only one of the plusses to these books. I highly recommend them to you all!

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    dreamer 

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    Thanks for your suggestions. Add your books to this shelf!

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  twhodges 

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  Hello, I'm new to the group and thought I'd throw my 2 cents in on this subject. I only started reading fantasy fiction a couple of years ago but I've learned that I really enjoy books with a strong female character in it. Some of my favorites have been the Halfblood Chronicles by Mercedes Lackey, the Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Marillier & the Meredith Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton. The Meredith Gentry series however is not for the faint of heart as it is very erotic but at the same time has a great female character and an interesting story line.

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    dreamer 

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    Welcome. Please add your books to this shelf. I haven't read Mercedes Lackey. I know I should. I'm waiting for Juliet Marillier's new book. Coming out in November, I think. Laurell Hamilton is cool. Everyone has their favorite, so keep on writing about your favorite books/authors. Happy Reading!

    posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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    twhodges 

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    I think Marillier's new book is due out on Nov. 4th. I'm so glad she's continuing the story of Sevenwaters as it was my introduction to her writing and is one of my favorites. I can't wait to read it.

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    dreamer 

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    So, what did you think? I loved the new Sevenwaters Trilogy book. It can't quite compete with Bran and Liadan, but I really enjoyed this one. Marillier proves that she can spin a tale - that will keep you up too late, until you finish it. She is one of the best.

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  Chris K 

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  The whole of Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series.

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  Linda I 

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  I'd like to recommend a new author who has just published the first in a new series: Renee Wildes, and her book is Duality, available as an ebook at Samhainpublishing.com. It's a very cool book with a strong heroine and a sexy elf-prince hero, extremely well written.

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  Beth C 

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  I just discovered this group and am so glad. I am a huge fan of fantasy and have been reading some great books with complex heroines.
  The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
  Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
  The Darkangel Trilogy by Meredith Pierce (YA)
  Dragon's Keep by Janet lee Carey (YA)
  The Golden Compass Trilogy by Philip Pullman (YA/Adult)
  The Hero and the Crown by Robin Mckinley
  I just started The Blue Sword by Robin Mckinley and it seems interesting.

  I am also on the search for great fiction/fantasy with a strong heroine.

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    cpauley929 

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    I love the His Dark Materials (Golden Compass, Subtle Knife, Amber Spyglass) trilogy. Lyra was a fantastic lead character. Very strong, and willing, even so young, to do what was necessary.

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    Beth C 

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    I liked that trilogy as well, though I had a difficult time getting into the Amber Spyglass. I loved the Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife. I had great hopes for the movie and was sorely disappointed.

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    Sarah B 

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    I recommend the Darkangel trilogy to anyone who mentions that they either like YA books or fantasy. LOVE THEM! Good call!

    posted 3 years ago. ( permalink )

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  paikea (edited)

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  let's see - trying not to repeat - love many of the books already mentioned (especially the Feist books)

  Tamora Pierce - The Song of the Lioness Quartet (and any other one of her Tortall-related series) - Alanna - the girl who wanted to be a knight (and 4 books later, she made it!) - YA Fantasy - but definitely relateable to females of all ages - and such wonderful characters

  Debra Doyle & James MacDonald - Mageworlds series - Sci-Fi - Becca is truly an intelligent, strong, and politically savvy woman to admire

  Paula Ashwell - Unwillingly to Earth - YA-A - Lizzie Lee - one of the most interesting characters i've read - things happen to her and then she makes them happen - excellent

  Gael Baudino - Dragonsword trilogy - Susan goes from grad student to warrior - where she becomes something she was always meant to become - some tough themes - can be a serious read

  Elizabeth Moon - where to start! - Sci-Fi - the best of military space operas - Sassinak, Hunting Party (Heris Serrano), Once a Hero (Esmay Suiza) - it runs in the family:)

  Connie Willis - anything - ex. To Say Nothing of the Dog - time traveling with flair

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    bjgryphon 

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    re: Connie Willis - loved "To say nothing..." story. Also her DOMESDAY book. Listening to it on audio added another dimension as well.

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    paikea 

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    oh, i really enjoyed her Doomsday book as well - also Bellwether - never though about listening to them audio - would add new dimension - thanks:)

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    Katie 

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    I agree with both. Excellent reads! Connie Willis really knows how to twist the cliche time travelling plot device to suit the needs of her story and its characters.

    posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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  dreamer 

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  Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions. I've read some of the authors, but not all. There's a lot to read now. AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMING (ok, so I remember that from the old rock radio days). Keep on including your suggestions and adding them to the shelf too!! Happy Reading!

  posted 4 years ago. ( permalink )

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  Beth C 

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  I just read The Hero and the Crown, and The Blue Sword, by Robin Mckinley and loved them. Both have strong heroine's and both have a great journey throughout the novel's.

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  Captain Korina (edited)

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  Here are a few of my favorite heroines off the top of my head:

  Cassandra Palmer in the Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance
  Mercy Thompson in the Mercy Thompson series by Patrica Briggs
  Yelena in the Study series by Maria V. Snyder
  Jaz Parks in the Jaz Parks series by Jennifer Rardin
  Rachel Morgan in the Rachel Morgan novels by Kim Harrison
  Aisling Grey in the Aisling Grey novels by Katie Macalister
  The heroines in any of the books by Tamora Pierce
  Karigan and the other Green Riders in the Green Rider series by Kristen Britain
  Katsa in Graceling by Kristin Cashore

  There's more, I just can't think of them right now ^^;

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    Beth C 

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    I just read The Graceling by Kristin Cashore, and really liked it. I know that she wrote a prequel, Fire, coming out in the fall which takes place five years before Graceling. She is presently at work on Bitterblue taking place at least five years after Graceling.l I want a sequel to Graceling. I really liked Po and his relationship with Katsa.

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  Beth C 

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  I just started Daughter of the Empire by Raymond Feist and Jenny Wurts; Mara, the heroine, is one gutsy girl. It seems to have an Asian warrior feel and is very well written. Great character development with fast moving action, though not a fast read.

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  Beth C 

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  I stopped reading Daughter of the Empire for a while--I didn't like the writing style or content, as it was very choppy and agitating. I am presently reading Keturah and Lord Death, it is YA, but so beautifully written. Simple, yet so lyrical and sophisticated. It reminds me of The Princess Bride--stylistically, not content wise. I highly recommend it.

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    bjgryphon 

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    I liked Keturah and Lord Death too. It reminded me of Robin McKinley's _Deerskin_. That character grows from a naive kid thru rape and flight into powers and a strong sense of self. It was also lyrical and, in some places, dreamlike. I required a grad class to read it once and there were widely varied responses to it. But I loved it.

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    Beth C 

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    I'm so glad you mentioned Deerskin, as I just bought it, having loved The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword". I really appreciate lyrical writing and Keturah and Lord Death, was simple, yet lyrical and so moving. I cried towards the end, knowing what was coming.

    Thanks for the recommendation, can you think of any others along those lines?

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    bjgryphon 

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    I liked the Green Rider series by Brittain. I am absolutely addicted to the Valdemar series from Lackey. She goes back and forth from male to female leads. The female leads are evolving, strong characters as well. Donaldson's _The Mirror of her deams_ had a dreamlike quality and the character - who is initially weak and abused - goes thru a believable change.

    A new fantasy series which is kind of urban paranormal starts with a character who has been thru a lot and evolves in several ways - the first in the series is Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersen.

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    dreamer 

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    Isn't Keturah & Lord Death great? On a totally different tangent, I recommend "The Hunger Games." Author is Suzanne Collins. It surprised me. You won't be able to put it down. I have to thank Evie for suggesting these.

    posted 3 years ago. ( permalink )

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  Katie (edited)

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  I can't believe no one's rec'd "The Diamond Age, or A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer" yet! (But it is more sci-fi than fantasy, so maybe that's it.) Features a strong heroine who rises from nothing to become a very special person indeed, a vaguely Victorian worldscape, and nanotechnology. Some of the most strongly emotive parts I've ever read involve the empathy we readers develop for Nell through her physically distant but increasingly emotionally subscribed ractor "mother" Miranda.

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  Amaya 

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  I don't know if this has been said before, but a good historical fiction book with a strong female characters is the Bloody Jack series by LA Meyer. It's historical fiction about a girl that disguises herself as a boy to sneak aboard a war ship. It's really good.

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  bjgryphon 

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  I just discovered "Bloody Jack" and listened on audio. Love the character!

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    Beth C 

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    what did you think of the audio, a friend of mine is the narrator..

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    bjgryphon 

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    very energetic and a lot of fun!! She really brought the book to life.

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  dreamer 

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  OK. I've got to read "Bloody Jack" now.

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  Beth C 

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  I recommend Graceling, by Kristin Cashore. It was very exciting with a great Heroine, Katsa. The gracelings are those with two different colored eyes, and graced with a specific skill--the best swimmer, the best fighter, mindreader, etc. The main character Katsa has an unusual grace--fighting, killing, etc. (that isn't really her grace, but to say what truly is, would be a spoiler and I liked the book-- except for the last ten pages), and don't want to ruin it.
  I will say, strong female character and a great quest.

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  cpauley929 

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  I really like Tiffany Aching in the Terry Pratchett series centered around her. It starts with The Wee Free Men, then A Hat Full of Sky, followed by Wintersmith. Three wonderful books, with a brilliant, resourceful, strong, young female lead.

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  Yatenko (edited)

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  Sophie in Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle. It's a wonderful book overall, but Sophie is something else!

  Rachel Hael and Mina in Alan Campbell's Deepgate Codex. I love them both--they're strong without being annoying.

  All the witches in Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld books, especially Granny Weatherwax!

  Momma K in Brent Weeks's Night Angel trilogy.

  Mitsuko in Kara Dalkey's Heavenward Path and Little Sister. Again, strong without being annoying, and I love Japan's Heian era.

  I can't believe no one has mentioned Eowyn from The Lord of the Rings! She's practically the original strong fantasy heroine.

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    cpauley929 

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    I love Eowyn. You're right. She is kind of the ultimate.

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  Erin S 

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  Katniss in The Huger Games by Suzanne Collins. It's an amazing book and you don't get much tougher than she is!

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    dreamer 

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    I so totally agree. We have to see what she does in "Catching Fire."

    posted 3 years ago. ( permalink )

• SAM Taking a break, I'll be back eventually... 

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  I say blade dancer!!!!!!!!!!

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  cpauley929 

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  I recently read Graceling by Kristin Cashore, and talke about strong female leads in YA fantasy. In this book Katsa is the hired thug, the killer, the ruthless one. It's very cool to see her romantic interest completely embrace her independence and willfullness without being emasculated. It was a beautiful balance. Katsa was allowed to be strong, but also to feel and be vulnerable without giving up part of herself, and her love interest completely accepted that about her. Really great!

  I also find that Neil Gaiman always writes very strong female characters. Love it.

  posted 3 years ago. ( permalink )

• Cindy W. ~ ♥ ::~** bye everyone, especially to rachel, because, im sure most of us hate that bitch. **♥ 

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  Ashley from Beach House by R.L. Stine

  posted 3 years ago. ( permalink )

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  Brooke C 

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  One of the series that really had me started on Fantasy was 'Witches of Eileannan' by Kate Forsyth - there are some really excellent female characters, and she went on to write a second series, 'Rhiannon's Ride', with some equally enjoyable characters. Magic, intrigue, romance, some history & culture. The only thing was that the very first book took a couple of chapters to warm to. Have read them over and over. Favorites!

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  Brooke C 

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  While I'm thinking of it - bad attempt at strong female characters - 'Troy Game' series by Sara Douglass. Maybe she wasn't aiming for strong women. They all end up fairly passive and pathetic in the end, and it didn't even feel like a statement or cynical commentary.

  posted 2 years ago. ( permalink )

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