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Fierce, Willful, and Defiant: Our Readers' Favorite Fictional Heroines
On the subject of women, Jane Austen once wrote, “None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.” And so it goes for the heroines we meet in books. Not only are they admired for their spirit and independence, but also for their fears and flaws.
In honor of Women's History Month, we asked our fans on Twitter and Facebook which fictional heroines have captured their hearts. We limited our roundup to the most popular answers and added an inspiring quote from each character.
If you don’t see your fictional heroine on this list, be sure to add their names in comments. Don’t forget to add new favorites to your Want-to-Read shelf!
In honor of Women's History Month, we asked our fans on Twitter and Facebook which fictional heroines have captured their hearts. We limited our roundup to the most popular answers and added an inspiring quote from each character.
If you don’t see your fictional heroine on this list, be sure to add their names in comments. Don’t forget to add new favorites to your Want-to-Read shelf!
Quote: “There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”
Quote: “What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?”
Make sure to check out our interview with Angie Thomas.
Make sure to check out our interview with Angie Thomas.
Quote: “Every time I caught a glimpse of myself in the glass of a shop, I felt I was someone to be taken seriously; not a girl anymore, but a young woman.”
Quote: “All my life men like you've sneered at me, and all my life I've been knocking men like you into the dust.”
Quote: “My name isn't Offred, I have another name, which nobody uses now because it's forbidden. I tell myself it doesn't matter...but what I tell myself is wrong, it does matter.”
Quote: “I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, something heroic or wonderful that won't be forgotten after I'm dead. I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all someday.”
Quote: “I hate this society where we're watched over all the time. I've had enough of Big Brother and the authorities in my life.”
Quote: “One dictum I had learned on the battlefields of France in a far distant war: You cannot save the world, but you might save the man in front of you, if you work fast enough.”
Who are your favorite fictional heroines? Let us know in the comments!
Check out more recent blogs:
28 Books That Got You Hooked on a New Genre
Loved 'Ready Player One'? Check out these 8 Books
Monogamous vs. Polygamous Reading: Which 'Type' Do You Prefer?
Check out more recent blogs:
28 Books That Got You Hooked on a New Genre
Loved 'Ready Player One'? Check out these 8 Books
Monogamous vs. Polygamous Reading: Which 'Type' Do You Prefer?
Comments Showing 101-124 of 124 (124 new)
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Emma
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Mar 31, 2018 06:45PM
I think that Marmee from Little Women should be added to the list. She is an anchor, strong and courageous and kind. An amazing role model for women today.
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Cassandra wrote: "Chris wrote: "Eve Dallas, Detective, from J.D. Robb's (Nora Roberts') In Death Series. Eve is fierce, willful, and defiant, as well as loyal, competent, and beautiful. Great series comprising nearl..."I agree
Jane Drew from Susan Coopers Greenwitch. Love the whole serie "The dark is rising" in which "Greenwitch" is the third book of five.
Kinsey Millhone from Sue Grafton's Alphabet series. No contest!
Anne of Elliot-Persuasion by Jane Austen to add to some already on this list.
Some of my favorite heroines among too many to count are:Anna Pigeon from the Nevada Barr series because of her steadfast and innovative spirit.
Victoria Moretti - the deputy sheriff from Craig Johnson's series because of her bravery and guts plus being so real.
Temperance Brennen (Kathy Reichs books) and Kay Scarpetta
(Patricia Cornwall because I love forensics!
Mma Ramotsue from Alexander McCall Smith due to her refreshing attitude against all odds.
Yes!!Noirfifre wrote: "Anne of Elliot-Persuasion by Jane Austen to add to some already on this list."
Jazzy wrote: "Also, some great heroines who are children include Matilda...."Yes, Matilda!
Cendaquenta wrote: "Ankit wrote: "How You Guys missed Hermione from 
and whole rest series."She's... she's the third one on the list."
Oh Yeah.. Probably I missed. ;)
Rose Campbell - Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott
Never have read the “Unfortunate Events” series, but there is a Violet Beauregard in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. She chews gum and turns into a giant blueberry.😂
Scarlet O'Hara -She starts out as a vain, self-centered, spoiled flirt but she grows with the changing circumstances. She is strong. determined and smart! I don't approve of all her methods but at least she doesn't just sit around sewing like the other women! Sure, she's still self-centered at the end but she's also going after what or who she wants not just sitting around mooning about it.
Tris Prior from the Divergent series
Hazel Lancaster from The Fault In Our Stars
Annabeth Chase from the Percy Jackson series
Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games series
Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series
Hazel Lancaster from The Fault In Our Stars
Annabeth Chase from the Percy Jackson series
Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games series
Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series
Cordelia from The Vorkosigan Saga, a sseries by Lois McMaster Bujold.
I think Anne McCaffrey had the best heroines.I love Lessa of Pern, Menolly of Haper Hall and Chris B of the Freedom series
