Hey, im searching for a (character driven) fantasy book written by a female author with a female lead, who despite being strong doesnt loose her feminity over it. So absolutely no “not like the other girls” characters pls. I want a strong mc whos feminity is part of her, which she’s proud of. The book also would preferably not be solely romantasy. I love love love interpersonal relationships in books a whole lot but i would prefer the romance not being the sole focus.
Maybe The Fifth Season? I wouldn’t say the leads in that series are particularly masculine but I’m not sure that they’re overly feminine either. But motherhood and daughterhood are both pretty big parts of the story. There are some romance elements but they’re really not the focus of the main story. It’s a Hugo award winner and an exceptional story.
This is what I came to recommend too.
I came here to recommend this as well. While I wouldn’t describe the MC as overly feminine, the fact that she is a woman is definitely part of the story and the wider commentary.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik fits the bill! Uprooted by the same author should also fit.
I like these too! Uprooted probably fits the feminine theme a little better, but I like Spinning Silver more. Both good books though.
Broken Earth Nk Jemsin
I really enjoyed ‘Godkiller’ by Hannah Kaner.
Kissen, the main character isn’t your typical “chosen one” hero. She’s a professional god killershe. She’s an amputee who uses a prosthetic leg, and Kaner writes this so authentically. She’s lived through some serious trauma (The first chapter is a dramatic and slightly traumatic ordeal) but she isn’t broken. She’s capable, very grumpy and shows that being a strong woman doesn’t mean you have to be perfect but is about keeping on going.
Circe - Madeline Miller. It’s a great take on the mythological figure. Tuches theames of solitiute, selfgrowth, moderhiod and beeing a bad ass witch.
I mentioned this thread to my wife; she suggested The Bone Spindle.
I read Blood Over Bright Haven fairly recently. Great premise with magic-as-technology, breaking into academia, and some killer intrigue in the background.
If you don’t mind a diversion into sci-fi, Unconquerable Sun is one of my recent favorites. It’s dense with a good mix of action and intrigue. The point of view characters span both sides of multiple conflicts. I’m greatly anticipating the conclusion to the trilogy later this year.
Would fantasy Sci-Fi work? Kameron Hurley the Bel Dame series starting with God’s War. Most of her books are carried by strong female leads.
The Steerswoman’s Road by Rosemary Kirstein
I came here to say this. I love those books so much. I wish she would finish the series, or at least give us notes on how she was planning to continue and end it
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I really like The Land, by Pirateaba (they/them)
All of them?
Manifold Worlds series.
Although it’s sci-fi I’d recommend Artemis by Andy Weir (Martian and Hail Mary fame) same no nonsense problem solving main character but a women
Roots of Chaos series is great and seems to fit these criteria. (The Priory of the Orange Tree, A Day of Fallen Knight, Among the Burning Flowers).
Juliette Mariller - Daughter of the Forrest
It is the first book in a historical fantasy series that follows a an Irish family through several generations.
It is loosely based on an old fairy tale where a witch turns 6 brothers into swans and their sister is set to an impossible task to free them.
The writing style takes a little time to get into, IMO, but once you do, I think it is un-put-down-able.
The rest of the series is also great, mixed gender protagonists in the other books.
