6 Fantasy Novels Featuring Strong Female Leads
Historically, women as primary protagonists in fantasy novels—ripe with action, danger, heroism, and intensity—were a rarity. This, unfortunately, placed limits on the types of skills and complex emotions that female characters could exhibit, and readers could enjoy. There so many stories that would be no better executed than through a female role.
Now, authors of various novels are getting into it!
This list of fantasy novels presents female characters who prove that they are, in various manners, truly strong.
1) Changeling Justice (Ascending Mage, #1) by Frank Hurt
Ember Wright isn’t your ‘conventional girl’, no high heels or cooking for herself. She’d much rather eat instant noodles, read westerns, and keep her extraordinary magical abilities to herself. But when a dark force is out infecting the residents of her town, Ember might have to reveal her talents, after all. And no one’s quite the mage that she is.
Readers enjoy Ember as a main character who admittedly starts out a bit naïve, but then turns into an exceptional figure—with no obvious ‘strength stickers’ like a harem or slaves.
2) Call of the Siren (Obsidian Cove Supernatural Academy, #1) by Jarica James
Call of the Siren is a jarring, mature (18+) fantasy novel following a girl who starts out the victim of bullying at her human high school, Obsidian Cove Prep. Discouraged and alone, Lennox Malia discovers not only her worth but the awakening of mysterious powers within her as the arrival of five handsome guys at her school piques her interest. And the feeling is mutual, they all want her. Lennox, with new powers that lead to imposing dangers and increased risk of kidnapping and stalking, finds herself transferring to a new school for the supernatural and, most surprisingly, in possession of her own harem.
This is a novel in which readers were enamored with Lennox’s tough personality and strength.
3) The Vixen’s Lead (Kit Davenport, #1) by Tate James
Kit Davenport is a super sly thief who is confident in her skills. Perfect for her job are her mysterious healing abilities and more than ideal speed that prevents anyone from catching her. She’s so sly that her nickname is The Fox, and she’s darn proud of it. On top of that, she keeps seeing things. Suddenly, she’s at the top of everyone’s wanted list when things go left and, more than anything, they want her abilities. Kit needs to make friends to aide in her survival… and those friends may become more than just that…
Another reverse harem novel whose main character is well-liked by readers for her confidence and abilities that aid in her mad snatch-and-go skills.
4) Hominid by R. D. Brandy
Hominid is a cool mythical-creature science fiction/fantasy following a duo of scientist trying track the trail of a popular mythical creature. Dr. Tess Brannick is determined to locate the well-known but never proven-to-be-real Bigfoot. Tess, convinced she is nearing her long-awaited discovery, is hampered by an unusual challenge: Her research partner, Carter Hayes, who is and has been obsessed with discovering Bigfoot since childhood. This wasn’t a problem in the beginning, but it is now. Hayes is making it clear that he won’t let anyone get in his way.
Readers of this novel gush about a strong female lead who isn’t physically strong and daring. They don’t all have to be! Tess is an intelligent role model and a likable character.
5) Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, #1) by Faith Hunter
Jane Yellowrock is a Cherokee skinwalker, a person with the unique ability to take the appearance of any creature one can think of. And her occupation? A bad-ass vampire hunter. Now, she’s been hired by one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans to track down a powerful vamp who’s gone renegade and has been killing others of his own kind. Jane is used to danger—she’s also used to working alone, away from hot bikers with panther tattoos, without distractions that ignite her desire and may very well get her killed.
Readers enjoy a whole series featuring a strong female lead, written by an author who frequently writes novels starring she-warriors, vengeance seekers, and hunters.
6) The Girl with Ghost Eyes (The Daoshi Chronicles, #1) by M.H. Boroson
Li-lin is the daughter of a renowned Daoshi exorcist and she carries with her a curse: Eyes that can see the dead. A widow and cursed with unlucky eyes, Li-lin brings her family shame in modern, ghost-hunter San Francisco Chinatown. Life only gets more challenging when an evil sorcerer severely injures her father, leaving Li-lin overwhelmingly vengeful and forced to overcome the evils of Chinatown alone.
Readers found themselves impressed with this strong female, firm in her honor and determination.
After reading these summaries, feeling as excited about these strong female protagonists as fellow readers were? With all their action and determination, I’m sure these novels won’t disappoint!
