Looking for Fantasies that involve strong lead womyn that don't get raped and aren't obsessed with men.

[Kayla]

You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a character that fits that description...it's like people have this idea that a womyn has to have gone through some seriously traumatic stuff to be strong!

[[deleted user]]

I saw the following article on how women writers approach apocalyptic writing, which isn't the same as fantasy, I know, but thought you might be interested?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/boo...

[Kayla]

Thank you, I might have to at least check out Find Me. The article was good, it's nice to see that I'm not the only one to notice that trend.

[[deleted user]]

Ellen wrote: "I saw the following article on how women writers approach apocalyptic writing, which isn't the same as fantasy, I know, but thought you might be interested?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/boo..."

Great article!

[[deleted user]]

Kayla wrote: "Thank you, I might have to at least check out Find Me. The article was good, it's nice to see that I'm not the only one to notice that trend."

It was nice to see. I'm not a fantasy reader, per se, but I keep looking for women who write, hmm, what's the word? Directly? Unappologetically? Truthfully, and without guilt? As persons, as fully persons as men, using their full and different vision, the vision of women that's so easily dismissed as sentimental, as wishful thinking, as women stepping out of their "proper: role. Elena Ferrante is one, contemporary. Toni Morrison. Alice Munro. Grace Paley. Carson McCullers. Tess Slessinger is another, from the '30's. Lots, I know, I'm leaving out. I'm not discounting, but I do put in a different class, women who do seem to write that way, but their main characters are men, such as Hilary Mantel. Although she writes well in the voice of a woman, of the internal life of women, in her new short stories, The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher. I can think of more poets than novelists, actually.

There are lots of women scholars, such as Elaine Showalter, who study the subject. Her A Jury of Her Peers, a history of American women writers, is excellent.

[Taylor]

Not sure if it's exactly what you are looking for, but The Bone Doll's Twin is the first story in a fantasy trilogy about a girl who is destined to inherit a throne that has been dominated by male rulers for ages. Her parents are afraid she will be killed before she can take her rightful place so they use magic to hide her in the body of a boy until she is able to come to power. There is a love interest but it's complicated by the gender swap so it's not quite the same run-of-the-mill romance thread seen in other fantasy novels.

[Kayla]

Sounds wonderful! Added it to the to-read list. I've read so many fantasies that somewhat fit my description that it's really a struggle to continue reading what I love...which is why I appreciate it so much getting everyone's help. Thanks so much, if you think of anymore, let me know...I read all the time.

[[deleted user]]

Kayla wrote: "You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a character that fits that description...it's like people have this idea that a womyn has to have gone through some seriously traumatic stuff to be strong!"

Kayla I can give you an ebook copy of Crowning Fantasy if you're interested just message me. :) I think it fits what you're looking for as far as female fantasy characters.

[[deleted user]]

Stephanie wrote: "Not sure if it's exactly what you are looking for, but The Bone Doll's Twin is the first story in a fantasy trilogy about a girl who is destined to inherit a throne that has been domi..."

I put that on my TBR list too!

[Taylor]

Yay! Oh and I misremembered, it is actually her uncle that usurps the throne and puts his son in line to inherit. The girl's father wants her to get it back. Usurpers! So good.

[Kayla]

Coral, I tried sending a message but it didn't go through...something about how your not accepting messages. I would love to get that eBook.

[[deleted user]]

Kayla wrote: "Coral, I tried sending a message but it didn't go through...something about how your not accepting messages. I would love to get that eBook."

Oh so sorry! I was getting a lot of spam. I'll have to reset it. Email coralrussellbooks@gmail.com I was going to have to send it through email anyway. :)

[Jim]

Coral wrote: "Kayla I can give you an ebook copy of Crowning Fantasy if you're interested just message me. :) I think it fits what you're looking for as far as female fantasy characters."

This sounds like an interesting book, Coral! I just found it on Smashwords and downloaded it. Can't wait to read it!

[Kayla]

Hey Jim, I see your a big fantasy reader with lots of books I read and loved, plus lots of dragons which I can't get enough of. Got any recommendations?

[Jim]

Kayla wrote: "Hey Jim, I see your a big fantasy reader with lots of books I read and loved, plus lots of dragons which I can't get enough of. Got any recommendations?"

Hi, Kayla! I assume you're talking "high" fantasy - different worlds, etc.; and not "urban" fantasy. Because there seems to be a ton of main characters (much of which I haven't read) who have their own series in urban fantasy (like Kate Daniels or Mercy Thompson).

But I'll start with some great stuff in more urban fantasy environments.

The Skulduggery Pleasant series is pretty fantastic (the main protagonist is a 13-year-old-girl) - but it takes place in the modern day. (Not a love story, but she ends up with a boyfriend in later books.)

Harkness's All Soul's Trilogy (starting with A Discovery of Witches) is pretty amazing - but again, it takes place in modern day. (And also, a love story.)

The Parasol Protectorate series (starting with Soulless) is pretty amazing, but it takes place in an alternate (Victorian) London where there are werewolves and vampires. (She does fall in love, but it is a bit unconventional.)

Laini Taylor is just about my favorite author and her Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy is truly amazing. Again, present day. (And a love story. But a good one! :) )

But I haven't encountered much in High Fantasy. All of the books seem to involve some type of romance, and the main female characters aren't necessarily the only "main" characters.

The closest things I've found that I've enjoyed:

The The Darkangel trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce

I recall enjoying the Dungeons & Dragons related Azure Bonds, but that was in high school :)

The classic Ella Enchanted.

Cinda Williams Chima's The Demon King has a main male character, but the extremely strong presence of a good female character. I love Chima's writing and her characters became real to me as I read this series. (Somewhat of a love story.)

I also recently read and enjoyed Laura Lam's Pantomime.

Let me end with 2 series of books that are some of the most amazing I've read in my life. The first is Ash and Huntress by Malindo Lo. These are almost fairy tales and are beautifully written.

But by far the greatest books I've ever read (seriously) are the Faeries of Dreamdark series (back to Laini Taylor). I fell in love with Taylor's writing with Blackbringer and Silksinger. I think these are more intended for middle grades, but the stories are just amazing. I didn't want them to end.

Sorry. I can be a bit wordy at times.

[Jim]

And apparently, I like the adjective "amazing" and the adverb "pretty" :)

[Jim]

Oh, yeah - you mentioned dragons.

I recently read an interesting kid's story by George R.R. Martin of Game of Thrones! I didn't love it, but it was a decent read: The Ice Dragon.

[Jim]

Okay, last post. I hope it's okay to mention another group here (it's not my group I'm promoting, I promise!)

But if you are looking for strong female protagonists, you may enjoy the group She-Geeks. Its tagline is "For women who love comic books, manga, science fiction, and fantasy." (They also allow men to join :) ) Not all of their reads are necessarily female protagonists, but many are, considering the nature of the group. And this year, their reading challenge is "Strong Female Protagonists", so you might find something in that group or among lists of people completing that challenge. (And it looks like it has 2 books of the month for July that are Fantasy with female protagonists.)

[Stef]

The Obernewtyn series which starts as a kids series and rapidly grows up has a strong non-raped heroine who has a love story but has more important concerns too.

It's not exactly fantasy, not high-fantasy anyway but a post-apocalyptic world that has some fantasy-like elements. It's a lot better than any explanation by me could say.

I like fantasy over sf and I also object to romance disguised-as-fantasy and get a bit impatient even with any romance in books at all but the obernewtyn series is soooooo beautiful!

Also have you tried the kids/YA books by Tamora Pierce. I like the protector of the small series best as she is least romantic but there is still a kids of normalisation of hormonal heterosexuality in Pierce's work even if it is milder but it might be worth a look. My son preferred the "trickster" series, same warning for all of pierce's work

And Sabriel by Garth Nix. Also has romance but she is genuinely tough!

[Kayla]

Wow. I need a minute to look into all that and definitely will, thanks so much!

[Kayla]

I read a little of Tamara pierce when I was younger and had a go at sabriel but it didn't really grab me.

[Stef]

Sabriel is a slow start! Nix's characters are amazing and usually not gender stereotypes (apart from the heteronormativity) but...I am still searching for the ultimate fantasy book (and waiting on the edge of my seat for the last obernewtyn this year)

[Stef]

And a sweet one (children's book) from Africa:

Zahrah the Windseeker

[Kayla]

Hmm... While I once might have leaned more towards children's books I now read more adult. At least one sex scene is always looked for...although my list of wants in a book is getting a little unrealistic...strong female in touch with her sexuality and power, not blinded or victimized by men but still up for a romp here and there (doesn't have to be love!), in fantasy. Don't think it's unrealistic to want a character like that but not every author seems to follow my thought pattern.

[Kayla]

One series that really stood out to me was the Magister Trilogy by C.S Friedman. She was whored out in her youth but it doesn't start there. Also the Firekeeper Saga by Jane Lindskold is a favorite but the main character I don't think ever really thinks about sex. Other character do though. ;)

[[deleted user]]

Kayla wrote: "Hmm... While I once might have leaned more towards children's books I now read more adult. At least one sex scene is always looked for...although my list of wants in a book is getting a little unre..."

I don't think that's a bad list of what you want from a good story.

Stef gave a lot of good suggestions and I'm going to check out that group. :)

[Kayla]

Definitely. On page 35 so far of the book you gave me and loving it. Only thing I feel is missing is a map.

[[deleted user]]

Jim wrote: "Coral wrote: "Kayla I can give you an ebook copy of Crowning Fantasy if you're interested just message me. :) I think it fits what you're looking for as far as female fantasy characters."

This sou..."

Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!

[[deleted user]]

Kayla wrote: "Definitely. On page 35 so far of the book you gave me and loving it. Only thing I feel is missing is a map."

Okay there is another section at the back of the book that gives at least an outline of all the areas and how they connect to one another.

I know not the same as a map but just couldn't figure out how to get that done and shoot I don't mind if you just make up places in your imagination. ;)

[[deleted user]]

Jim wrote: "Kayla wrote: "Hey Jim, I see your a big fantasy reader with lots of books I read and loved, plus lots of dragons which I can't get enough of. Got any recommendations?"

Hi, Kayla! I assume you're t..."

Oh I confused Jim and Stef cuz you both had rainbows in your profile pic. Nice list, Jim, thanks!

[Jim]

Coral wrote: "Oh I confused Jim and Stef cuz you both had rainbows in your profile pic. Nice list, Jim, thanks!"

Ha! Thank you.

[Stef]

Ha ha even I confuse myself when there are other rainbow profiles.

But it was nioe to be flooded with them for a while :)