Fantasy novels with positive portrayals of female leadership

A list of books that provide an antidote to the "God Save Us From the Queen" trope. Any book in which at least one woman holds authority (as a queen, a commander, an employer, etc.) and exercises that authority with competence, wisdom, and a modicum of kindness belongs here. (Note: Princesses wouldn't belong here, unless in the course of the book/series they rise to be queens in their own right.)

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1	The Priory of the Orange Tree (The Roots of Chaos, #1) by Samantha Shannon (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 129,089 ratings score: 347, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	A-Ma Alchemy of Love (AoL Mindfulness, #1) by Nataša Pantović (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 52 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods, #1) by Lois McMaster Bujold (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 37,149 ratings score: 260, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Reader and Raelynx (Twelve Houses, #4) by Sharon Shinn 4.13 avg rating — 5,397 ratings score: 183, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Seraphina (Seraphina, #1) by Rachel Hartman (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 84,250 ratings score: 179, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip 4.08 avg rating — 5,674 ratings score: 178, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Shadow Scale (Seraphina, #2) by Rachel Hartman (Goodreads Author) 3.74 avg rating — 19,228 ratings score: 174, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill 4.12 avg rating — 11,247 ratings score: 161, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Shadow Throne (The Shadow Campaigns, #2) by Django Wexler (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 10,643 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Mistress of the Stone by Maria Zannini 3.78 avg rating — 23 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Loderunner by Christina Engela (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Oaken Throne (The Deptford Histories, #2) by Robin Jarvis 4.25 avg rating — 535 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Albion Imperilled by Ruth Thomas 3.78 avg rating — 60 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Lord of Stariel (Stariel, #1) by A.J. Lancaster (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 5,148 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Plight of Steel by Tony Del Degan (Goodreads Author) 4.56 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Price of Valor (The Shadow Campaigns, #3) by Django Wexler (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 7,975 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Copper Crown (The Tales of Aeron, #1) by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison 4.03 avg rating — 1,565 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Black Sunrise by Christina Engela (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #1) by Erika Johansen (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 90,984 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Guns of Empire (The Shadow Campaigns, #4) by Django Wexler (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 5,869 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper 4.06 avg rating — 12,960 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Dead Beckoning by Christina Engela (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 12 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Daughter of the Empire (The Empire Trilogy, #1) by Raymond E. Feist 4.29 avg rating — 36,112 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles, #1) by Melina Marchetta (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 43,257 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	The Queen of Attolia (The Queen's Thief, #2) by Megan Whalen Turner (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 43,519 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Cold Iron (The Malorum Gates, #1) by Stina Leicht (Goodreads Author) 3.60 avg rating — 492 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Crown of Vengeance (The Dragon Prophecy, #1) by Mercedes Lackey 4.07 avg rating — 1,580 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Scriber by Ben S. Dobson (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 1,110 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Steles of the Sky (Eternal Sky, #3) by Elizabeth Bear (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 1,241 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Three Parts Dead (Craft Sequence, #1) by Max Gladstone (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 13,951 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	Fire in the Mist (Arhel, #1) by Holly Lisle (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 1,536 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Bones of the Past (Arhel, #2) by Holly Lisle (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 363 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	The Steel Seraglio by Mike Carey (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 759 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	The Cloud Roads (Books of the Raksura, #1) by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 11,461 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	The Serpent Sea (Books of the Raksura, #2) by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 6,250 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Siren Depths (Books of the Raksura, #3) by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 5,062 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Jovah's Angel (Samaria, #2) by Sharon Shinn 3.95 avg rating — 5,372 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Feet of Clay (Discworld, #19; City Watch, #3) by Terry Pratchett 4.30 avg rating — 78,770 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Cobweb Bride (Cobweb Bride Trilogy, #1) by Vera Nazarian (Goodreads Author) 3.63 avg rating — 2,343 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Cygnet (Cygnet, #1-2) by Patricia A. McKillip 4.08 avg rating — 591 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis 4.18 avg rating — 64,197 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Destiny: Child of the Sky (Symphony of Ages, #3) by Elizabeth Haydon 4.14 avg rating — 11,161 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Priestess of the White (Age of the Five, #1) by Trudi Canavan 3.87 avg rating — 16,780 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The Witches of Eileanan (The Witches of Eileanan, #1) by Kate Forsyth (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 6,854 ratings score: 73, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Pool of Two Moons (The Witches of Eileanan, #2) by Kate Forsyth (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 4,474 ratings score: 72, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	The Heart of Stars (Rhiannon's Ride #3) by Kate Forsyth (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 2,072 ratings score: 71, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	The Shining City (Rhiannon's Ride #2) by Kate Forsyth (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 2,379 ratings score: 70, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Queen's Own (Valdemar: Arrows of the Queen #1-3) by Mercedes Lackey 4.42 avg rating — 7,517 ratings score: 69, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Firebird (Fairy Tales #1) by Mercedes Lackey 3.86 avg rating — 6,187 ratings score: 68, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	The Snow Queen (Five Hundred Kingdoms, #4) by Mercedes Lackey 3.80 avg rating — 7,843 ratings score: 67, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	The Fairy Godmother (Five Hundred Kingdoms, #1) by Mercedes Lackey 3.98 avg rating — 18,043 ratings score: 66, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	The Summer Queen (The Snow Queen Cycle, #3) by Joan D. Vinge 4.06 avg rating — 3,257 ratings score: 65, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	The Broken Crown (The Sun Sword, #1) by Michelle West 3.93 avg rating — 3,075 ratings score: 64, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy, #1) by Jacqueline Carey (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 77,097 ratings score: 61, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	The Palace Job (Rogues of the Republic, #1) by Patrick Weekes 3.82 avg rating — 7,938 ratings score: 60, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Prophecy Con (Rogues of the Republic, #2) by Patrick Weekes 4.13 avg rating — 3,691 ratings score: 59, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Age of Myth (The Legends of the First Empire, #1) by Michael J. Sullivan (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 31,952 ratings score: 58, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Age of Swords (The Legends of the First Empire, #2) by Michael J. Sullivan (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 19,758 ratings score: 57, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Black Wolves (Black Wolves, #1) by Kate Elliott (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 1,573 ratings score: 56, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Green Rider (Green Rider, #1) by Kristen Britain 4.08 avg rating — 36,425 ratings score: 55, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	First Rider's Call (Green Rider, #2) by Kristen Britain 4.22 avg rating — 22,543 ratings score: 54, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The High King's Tomb (Green Rider, #3) by Kristen Britain 4.24 avg rating — 16,624 ratings score: 53, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	The Queen of Blood (The Queens of Renthia, #1) by Sarah Beth Durst (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 10,748 ratings score: 52, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	The Unbound Empire (Swords and Fire, #3) by Melissa Caruso (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 2,116 ratings score: 51, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	The True Queen (Sorcerer Royal, #2) by Zen Cho (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 3,057 ratings score: 49, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Bone Ships (The Tide Child, #1) by R.J. Barker (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 5,654 ratings score: 48, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars