Where is the HERO in the Heroine?

[Nevada]

I've just finished reading yet another book where the heroine lacks any identifiable qualities of a hero, this particular one is Fallen. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting it to be fine literature, but as the main POV character and the implied pivot point of the series' whole plot I expected a bit something more than this watered-down milk excuse of a character that is Luce Price. Where are the women who can go toe-to-toe and hold her own with their male counterparts in this post-Bella Swan world? Please tell me - seriously. Does anyone find these characters (Bella, Luce) appealling and think they have merits that I am obviously missing?

[T.S.]

I am with you. I am 47 years old and I was raised on Jamie Summers, Lin Carter's Wonderwoman, Ripley, Xena and others. I have no idea how the Sensitive Seventies, Enormous Eighties and Naughty Nineties could give us such great heroines, but 2000-2010 we get "OoooO, do I chose necrophilia or bestiality? I just cannot decide. AND I BROKE A NAIL!"

Nevada, all I can do is offer you my book, which is still a few months away. I call it "Beneath the Silver Rose" and at its center you will find the heroine you seek.

Her name is Shadyia and she'll be here soon.

[Esther]

Try Grace Draven. Particularly the heroine in

I'm starting to read for a second time. Not a limp heroine in the bunch.

If you want to get a taste for her style, Grace is currently offering a serial on her blog

[Stacey]

Kate Elliott's Spiritwalker series has two feisty, smart, confident, and independent heroines. There's also some heroine-rescues-the-hero in the trilogy.

Start with Cold Magic.

Esther, Master of Crows has been on my to-read list for AGES. I'm glad to hear it has a strong heroine!

[Esther]

While reading Master of Crows again, I'd say Martise, our heroine, has a quiet strength. She's a slave, so submissive on the outside, but with a backbone, and sharp wit when she lets it out. The heroine in Entreat Me, Louvaen, is much more vocal.

Thanks for the recommendation of Cold Magic Stacey!

[Stacey]

You're welcome! I'm looking forward to eventually reading Grace Draven. And in the meantime, I'm heading over to her blog for that serial.

[Tereza]

I recommend Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. The heroine is smart, brave and just awesome. Cordelia's Honor

[Brittany]

Esther wrote: "Try Grace Draven. Particularly the heroine in

I'm starting to read for a second time. Not a limp heroine in the bunch.

If you ..."

Seconded! Both of those books are fantastic and the heroines the author writes can stand on their own two feet and solve their own problems.

[Stacey]

Tereza wrote: "I recommend Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. The heroine is smart, brave and just awesome. Cordelia's Honor"

This is on my nightstand pile! Soon.

[Anna]

I totally agree with you. I can't stand droopy "heroines." As a recommendation I would suggest Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach. Devi is hands down one of the best heroines I've met in a while.

[Cas]

Esther wrote: "Try Grace Draven. Particularly the heroine in

I'm starting to read for a second time. Not a limp heroine in the bunch.

If you ..."


I wish Grace had more books. I swear. She's amazing. Entreat me is easily one of my favorite books. I love.



Anna wrote: "I totally agree with you. I can't stand droopy "heroines." As a recommendation I would suggest Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach. Devi is hands down one of the best heroines I've met in a while."

Same! Oh gosh. I love that series.

[Brigid]

Stacey wrote: "Kate Elliott's Spiritwalker series has two feisty, smart, confident, and independent heroines. There's also some heroine-rescues-the-hero in the trilogy.

Start with Cold Magic.

Esther, Master of..."

I've had the first book for ages and have never gotten to it. I knew it had a strong heroine, from reviews I've read. But I never knew it had romance in it.

[Corrina]

I have a funny story about this. I backdoored into reading romance through JD Robb/Nora Roberts In Death series. I loved that series, primarily because I wanted to build a shrine to Eve Dallas.

Roarke was fine but, meh, I read for Eve.

Fast forward to me joining the JD Robb yahoo loop back in the door and, out loud, I said that Roarke was too perfect: too handsome, too smart, too rich, too good at everything to be at all realistic, especially with his only flaw being too protective/strong. I love his interactions with Eve--those work--but otherwise he didn't do anything for me.

Um, I put my foot in my mouth and the readers who loved Roarke rose up in protest. Oops.

So an Eve-loving friend said "Come to Jenny Crusie's yahoo loop, we'll have fun. "
I said: I haven't read any of her books.
Her: That's okay, Jenny won't mind.

And that's how I ended up reading and loving Jenny Crusie's books. Because her heroines? Love them.

And I still read all the In Death books because I love Eve. And Peabody. And Somerset and various other characters and I suppose Roarke has grown on me. :)

The lesson being that some readers do read romance to put themselves in the heroine's place so they can be with the hero. And if the heroine is too well-drawn, the reader can't do that and becomes dissatisfied. Not the way I want to read, by any means, but that's why you might see some books with less than interesting heroines.