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When I was growing up, I was shocked by the lack of strong, female leads in the type of books I liked to read. So here's a list of books with strong heroines who fight against stereotypes of women in the Fantasy and Science Fiction genres
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| 1 |
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Viciously Yours (Fae Kings of Eden, #1)
by
Jamie Applegate Hunter (Goodreads Author)
3.60 avg rating — 42,340 ratings
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| 2 |
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The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)
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4.35 avg rating — 9,713,130 ratings
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| 3 |
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The Lies of Vampires and Slayers (Magic on Main Street, #1)
by
K.M. Shea (Goodreads Author)
4.35 avg rating — 8,594 ratings
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| 4 |
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A Dead and Stormy Night (Nevermore Bookshop Mysteries, #1)
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3.91 avg rating — 13,097 ratings
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| 5 |
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Heretical Fishing (Heretical Fishing, #1)
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4.26 avg rating — 7,788 ratings
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| 6 |
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The Three Witches and the Master
by
Max Nowaz (Goodreads Author)
4.30 avg rating — 18,015 ratings
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| 7 |
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I'm Glad You're Dead: Preternatural Chronicles Book 1
by
Hunter Blain (Goodreads Author)
4.22 avg rating — 2,625 ratings
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| 8 |
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The Art of Avoiding Your Werewolf (Wildwood, #1)
by
Lola Glass (Goodreads Author)
3.83 avg rating — 8,026 ratings
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| 9 |
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Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch, #1)
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4.34 avg rating — 231,878 ratings
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| 10 |
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Magical Midlife Awakening (Leveling Up, #9)
by
K.F. Breene (Goodreads Author)
4.63 avg rating — 11,156 ratings
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| 11 |
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Divergent (Divergent, #1)
by
Veronica Roth (Goodreads Author)
4.13 avg rating — 4,322,773 ratings
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| 12 |
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Code Yellow in Gretna Green (Midlife Recorder, #5)
by
Linzi Day (Goodreads Author)
4.63 avg rating — 3,594 ratings
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| 12 |
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Marked by Magic (Tracking Trouble #1)
by
Lindsay Buroker (Goodreads Author)
4.31 avg rating — 4,908 ratings
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| 14 |
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A Cursed Son (Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom, #1)
by
Day Leitao (Goodreads Author)
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3,207 ratings
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| 15 |
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Lucky Son of a Gun (The Demon Accords, #19)
by
John Conroe (Goodreads Author)
4.46 avg rating — 2,320 ratings
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| 16 |
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The Art of Avoiding Your Alpha (Wildwood, #2)
by
Lola Glass (Goodreads Author)
3.87 avg rating — 5,371 ratings
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| 17 |
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Accidental Mystic (Midlife Melody, #1)
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4.20 avg rating — 2,010 ratings
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| 18 |
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The Warm Hands of Ghosts
by
Katherine Arden (Goodreads Author)
3.97 avg rating — 28,785 ratings
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| 19 |
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Sheever's Journal, Diary of a Poison Master
by
K. Ritz (Goodreads Author)
4.30 avg rating — 27,636 ratings
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| 20 |
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House of Vampires and Flame (Shades of Ruin and Magic #1)
by
Meg Xuemei X (Goodreads Author)
4.11 avg rating — 5,074 ratings
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| 21 |
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Get Rich or Get Lucky
by
Max Nowaz (Goodreads Author)
4.25 avg rating — 20,709 ratings
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| 22 |
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A Language of Dragons (A Language of Dragons, #1)
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3.84 avg rating — 14,444 ratings
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| 23 |
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Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
by
Grady Hendrix (Goodreads Author)
3.94 avg rating — 88,541 ratings
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| 24 |
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Anathema (The Eating Woods, #1)
by
Keri Lake (Goodreads Author)
4.23 avg rating — 71,483 ratings
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| 25 |
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The In-Between Bookstore
by
Edward Underhill (Goodreads Author)
3.56 avg rating — 6,059 ratings
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| 26 |
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I Am Not Jessica Chen
by
Ann Liang (Goodreads Author)
4.04 avg rating — 14,874 ratings
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| 27 |
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Being a Witch, and Other Things I Didn't Ask For
by
Sara Pascoe (Goodreads Author)
4.28 avg rating — 26,646 ratings
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| 28 |
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Honeysuckle and Bone
by
Trisha Tobias (Goodreads Author)
3.71 avg rating — 1,978 ratings
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| 29 |
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The Aspect of Essence (The Aelfyn Archives, #1)
by
Samantha Amstutz (Goodreads Author)
3.99 avg rating — 6,938 ratings
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| 30 |
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Death of the Author
by
Nnedi Okorafor (Goodreads Author)
4.02 avg rating — 13,793 ratings
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| 31 |
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A Game of Love and Betrayal (The Choosing Chronicles, #1)
by
Elayna R. Gallea (Goodreads Author)
3.78 avg rating — 11,139 ratings
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| 32 |
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Mother of Death & Dawn (The War of Lost Hearts, #3)
by
Carissa Broadbent (Goodreads Author)
4.35 avg rating — 78,071 ratings
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| 33 |
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Phantasma (Wicked Games, #1)
by
Kaylie Smith (Goodreads Author)
4.06 avg rating — 267,228 ratings
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| 34 |
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Blood Over Bright Haven
by
M.L. Wang (Goodreads Author)
4.36 avg rating — 95,437 ratings
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| 35 |
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Lady of Darkness (Lady of Darkness, #1)
by
Melissa K. Roehrich (Goodreads Author)
4.14 avg rating — 43,424 ratings
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| 36 |
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Immortal
by
Sue Lynn Tan (Goodreads Author)
3.83 avg rating — 13,505 ratings
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| 37 |
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Water Moon
by
Samantha Sotto Yambao (Goodreads Author)
3.78 avg rating — 36,007 ratings
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| 38 |
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Under the Whispering Door
by
T.J. Klune (Goodreads Author)
4.12 avg rating — 310,624 ratings
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| 39 |
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The Book of Azrael (Gods & Monsters, #1)
by
Amber V. Nicole (Goodreads Author)
4.12 avg rating — 156,615 ratings
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| 40 |
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Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)
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4.06 avg rating — 478,276 ratings
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| 41 |
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At the Bottom of the Garden
by
Camilla Bruce (Goodreads Author)
3.58 avg rating — 2,657 ratings
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| 42 |
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The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy (Hart and Mercy, #1)
by
Megan Bannen (Goodreads Author)
4.05 avg rating — 46,040 ratings
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| 43 |
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Kingdom of Fallen Ash (The Order #1)
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4.08 avg rating — 3,169 ratings
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| 44 |
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The Three Witches and The Master
by
Max Nowaz (Goodreads Author)
4.30 avg rating — 18,015 ratings
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| 45 |
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Half a Soul (Regency Faerie Tales, #1)
by
Olivia Atwater (Goodreads Author)
4.05 avg rating — 73,849 ratings
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| 46 |
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Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)
by
Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)
3.97 avg rating — 373,940 ratings
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| 47 |
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The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1)
by
Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author)
4.05 avg rating — 398,292 ratings
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| 48 |
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Every Heart a Doorway (Wayward Children, #1)
by
Seanan McGuire (Goodreads Author)
3.81 avg rating — 121,762 ratings
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| 49 |
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Rivers of London (Rivers of London, #1)
by
Ben Aaronovitch (Goodreads Author)
3.85 avg rating — 146,045 ratings
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| 50 |
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My Roommate Is a Vampire (My Vampires, #1)
by
Jenna Levine (Goodreads Author)
3.46 avg rating — 102,970 ratings
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| 51 |
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American Gods
by
Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author)
4.10 avg rating — 983,877 ratings
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| 52 |
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The Ocean at the End of the Lane
by
Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author)
4.01 avg rating — 653,306 ratings
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| 53 |
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The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)
by
Scott Lynch (Goodreads Author)
4.30 avg rating — 333,064 ratings
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| 54 |
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The Colour of Magic (Discworld, #1)
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3.99 avg rating — 417,197 ratings
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| 55 |
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How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying (Dark Lord Davi, #1)
by
Django Wexler (Goodreads Author)
3.77 avg rating — 14,799 ratings
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| 56 |
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What Comes of Attending the Commoners Ball
by
Elisabeth Aimee Brown (Goodreads Author)
4.16 avg rating — 4,189 ratings
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| 57 |
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Getting It On With Gargoyles (Haven Ever After, #1)
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3.99 avg rating — 5,291 ratings
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| 58 |
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Susan, You're The Chosen One (Welcome To Midlife Magic, #1)
by
Lauretta Hignett (Goodreads Author)
4.31 avg rating — 3,306 ratings
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| 59 |
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Never Fall for a Dragon (Mate Mountain, #1)
by
Lola Glass (Goodreads Author)
3.89 avg rating — 7,852 ratings
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| 60 |
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The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by
Sangu Mandanna (Goodreads Author)
4.05 avg rating — 333,514 ratings
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| 61 |
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For Whom the Belle Tolls (Hell's Belles, #1)
by
Jaysea Lynn (Goodreads Author)
4.48 avg rating — 23,828 ratings
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| 62 |
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The House Witch (The House Witch, #1)
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4.13 avg rating — 30,246 ratings
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| 63 |
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City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)
by
Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author)
4.07 avg rating — 2,144,070 ratings
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| 64 |
|
The Stolen Heir (The Stolen Heir Duology, #1)
by
Holly Black (Goodreads Author)
3.93 avg rating — 163,108 ratings
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| 65 |
|
Midlife in Gretna Green (Midlife Recorder, #1)
by
Linzi Day (Goodreads Author)
4.56 avg rating — 5,248 ratings
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| 66 |
|
Assistant to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #1)
by
Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Goodreads Author)
3.93 avg rating — 304,063 ratings
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| 67 |
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Rage and Ruin (The Harbinger, #2)
by
Jennifer L. Armentrout (Goodreads Author)
4.12 avg rating — 46,064 ratings
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| 68 |
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A Wrinkle in Time (A Wrinkle in Time Quintet, #1)
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3.97 avg rating — 1,270,305 ratings
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| 69 |
|
Steel Blood
by
Gabriel F.W. Koch (Goodreads Author)
4.31 avg rating — 7,271 ratings
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| 70 |
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My Funny Demon Valentine (Hell Bent, #1)
by
Aurora Ascher (Goodreads Author)
3.79 avg rating — 14,647 ratings
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| 71 |
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The Librarian of the Haunted Library (Strangely Scary Funny #1)
by
Brian Yansky (Goodreads Author)
3.81 avg rating — 3,695 ratings
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| 72 |
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The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1)
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4.03 avg rating — 1,603,001 ratings
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| 73 |
|
House of Marionne (House of Marionne #1)
by
J. Elle (Goodreads Author)
3.63 avg rating — 7,474 ratings
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| 74 |
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Legendborn (The Legendborn Cycle, #1)
by
Tracy Deonn (Goodreads Author)
4.31 avg rating — 181,760 ratings
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| 75 |
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That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon (Mead Mishaps, #1)
by
Kimberly Lemming (Goodreads Author)
3.86 avg rating — 59,037 ratings
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| 76 |
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The Secret of the Blood Charm (Coven Cove #1)
by
David Clark (Goodreads Author)
4.22 avg rating — 1,339 ratings
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| 77 |
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Unravel Me (Shatter Me, #2)
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4.10 avg rating — 735,022 ratings
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| 78 |
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Wind and Truth (The Stormlight Archive, #5)
by
Brandon Sanderson (Goodreads Author)
4.38 avg rating — 114,891 ratings
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| 79 |
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A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon (Glimmer Falls, #1)
by
Sarah Hawley (Goodreads Author)
3.63 avg rating — 51,208 ratings
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| 80 |
|
Hex of the Witch (The Other Witch, #1)
by
Heather G. Harris (Goodreads Author)
4.43 avg rating — 4,214 ratings
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| 81 |
|
Cordelia's Honor (Vorkosigan Omnibus, #1)
by
Lois McMaster Bujold (Goodreads Author)
4.33 avg rating — 14,380 ratings
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| 82 |
|
Love Bites Hard (Mated to the King, #2)
by
Lola Glass (Goodreads Author)
4.16 avg rating — 6,063 ratings
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| 83 |
|
Marked (House of Night, #1)
by
P.C. Cast (Goodreads Author)
3.82 avg rating — 520,023 ratings
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| 84 |
|
The Emperor (The Emperor, the Son and the Thief, #1)
by
Robert Reid (Goodreads Author)
4.30 avg rating — 4,975 ratings
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| 85 |
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Gilded Tower (Double-Blind #2)
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4.31 avg rating — 902 ratings
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| 86 |
|
Fire (Graceling Realm, #2)
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4.09 avg rating — 193,192 ratings
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| 87 |
|
Six Crimson Cranes (Six Crimson Cranes, #1)
by
Elizabeth Lim (Goodreads Author)
4.18 avg rating — 101,233 ratings
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| 88 |
|
Trickster's Choice (Daughter of the Lioness, #1)
by
Tamora Pierce (Goodreads Author)
4.26 avg rating — 67,772 ratings
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| 89 |
|
Lore
by
Alexandra Bracken (Goodreads Author)
3.74 avg rating — 105,386 ratings
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| 90 |
|
The Blue Sword (Damar, #1)
by
4.20 avg rating — 62,686 ratings
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| 91 |
|
The Ophiuchi Hotline
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3.90 avg rating — 3,952 ratings
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| 92 |
|
The Gone World
by
3.92 avg rating — 26,760 ratings
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| 93 |
|
Sabriel (Abhorsen, #1)
by
Garth Nix (Goodreads Author)
4.16 avg rating — 217,050 ratings
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| 94 |
|
Quantum Radio
by
A.G. Riddle (Goodreads Author)
4.09 avg rating — 16,552 ratings
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| 95 |
|
The Book of Doors
by
Gareth Brown (Goodreads Author)
4.03 avg rating — 87,852 ratings
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| 96 |
|
Future Proof
by
David Atkinson (Goodreads Author)
4.41 avg rating — 2,731 ratings
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| 97 |
|
The Fall of Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos, #2)
by
4.24 avg rating — 144,587 ratings
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| 98 |
|
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, #1)
by
Tamora Pierce (Goodreads Author)
4.27 avg rating — 136,049 ratings
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| 99 |
|
The Dragonriders of Pern: Books 1-3
by
4.28 avg rating — 31,067 ratings
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| 100 |
|
Redshirts
by
John Scalzi (Goodreads Author)
3.87 avg rating — 116,268 ratings
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Luna
378 books
11 friends
11 friends
Julie
1103 books
1930 friends
1930 friends
Tez
3081 books
742 friends
742 friends
Maud
2444 books
1008 friends
1008 friends
Elyse
1033 books
4432 friends
4432 friends
Soumya
1374 books
38 friends
38 friends
Paige
8499 books
1447 friends
1447 friends
Alessandra
2196 books
62 friends
62 friends
More voters…
Comments Showing 1-4 of 4 (4 new)
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message 1:
by
Frank
(new)
May 13, 2015 09:19PM
I'd like to add, The Adventures of Crazy Liddy. I've never read of a tougher female character and the book rocks.
reply
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flag
I love to browse through lists like this, but I always wonder about some of the choices. I've clicked on a number of titles and scrolled through reviews, only to find that not a single review mentions a female character by name. How strong can the female characters in a particular novel possibly be, if none of fifty-odd reviews even bother to name them?
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