Books with a complex main character and good character development?

[Brabbleruffs]

Hey guys! Sooo it's kinda hard to put it, but I'm looking for a sci-fi or fantasy story that is mainly focused on one character that has its own issues and problems and as the story progresses, he/she overcomes them and develops - in a REALISTIC way. I would like to read about self-debating, struggle. I need a story that makes me think, that raises some important questions, like what is right and wrong or sg similar.
I know, this development-thing applies to almost all books, but I hope I could explain what I am looking for good enough. Plus here's a concrete example: I got the idea to read sg like this after watching the Lucifer series. I loved the way they built his character with his struggles, daddy-issues and all. It turned out that the devil himself is not evil after all, we got to see how he matures and so on.
I'd prefer a female MC if possible, but it is not particularly necessary. And please don't suggest teenager dramas and those typical romance books.

Thanks in advance 👍🏻

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Well I can unreservedly recommend to you this month's fantasy pick, The Once and Future King!

In more of a vein of Lucifer, Dresden Files (Storm Front) has a flawed but well intentioned character who changes a lot throughout the series.

[Gabi]

Hmm … not sure if this is what you're looking for, but Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, the two books of the Earthseed saga are about the development of a female MC in a dystopian world. It's not your typical likeable MC, though, but certainly there are quite some questions about what is right and what is wrong.

Same goes for the Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

[Chris]

Among Others has a female MC who changes a lot. It's mostly about her everyday struggles, and magic is a small part of the story.

[Trike]

I will second Gabi’s recs of Octavia Butler and N.K. Jemisin.

Also the OG Dragonriders of Pern trilogy by Anne McCaffrey: Dragonflight, Dragonquest and The White Dragon.

And The Ophiuchi Hotline and Steel Beach by John Varley.

Dreamsnake by Vonda McIntyre.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.

[Erin]

The main character in The Magicians grows and changes quite a bit over the course of the books.

[Lesley]

I’m not sure if this fits the bill, but The Breath of the Sun raises some really intriguing questions, though the character development is not linear as the story unfold through present actions and past history. You’re sort of presented with a complex character and then the story goes on to reveal why she is the way she is.

And not a female protagonist, but there’s also Assassin's Apprentice and the Farseer Trilogy. Robin Hobb is a master of intricate character development.

[Jacqueline]

Mark Lawrence’s Book of the Ancestor trilogy. Red Sister, Grey Sister and Holy Sister. There’s also a novella in between Grey and Holy Sister (Bound). Mostly female characters and it is brilliant. He’s currently writing another trilogy set in the same world.

I’m currently listing to the first book, Dragonflight, in the Dragonriders of Pern series and (like Trike) I would recommend that too.

Also agree on the Robin Hobb books. Fitz may be male but the world building and everything you asked for is there.

If you like sci-fi there’s the Imperial Radch series starting with Ancillary Justice. They use the pronoun “she” for everyone no matter what their gender is. The MC in that goes on quite a journey.

[Jemppu]

Adding my full hearted agreement with Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy . The character journey(s) in that are phenomenally compelling, and indeed what I'd call realistic. Hobb has a way of making all her characters come across real and accessible (flaws included).

(And for more female lead trilogy, there's the next installment Liveship Traders, though less of a one person journey).

[Don]

"The Martian" by Andy Weir, you will know Mark Watney intimately.

[Don]

I would like to second or third thems who mention Octavia Butler, she develops main characters very well

[David]

The "Wheel of Time" series by Robert Jordan shows the main character, and not always in a positive way.

Robin Hobb's Farseer books (and its following trilogies) are excellent for character development.

[Karin]

I agree with The Martian, The Handmaid's Tale and Parable of the Sower.

In addition, I'd like to add Seveneves

[Joseph]

Gabi wrote: "Hmm … not sure if this is what you're looking for, but Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, the two books of the Earthseed saga are about the development of a ..."

Definitely good reads and fill the requirements.

[CBRetriever]

Patrick Rothfuss's Kingkiller Chronicles fits the criteria.

[Nichelle]

Gabi wrote: "Hmm … not sure if this is what you're looking for, but Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, the two books of the Earthseed saga are about the development of a ..."

I agree with this recommendation--Parable books are outstanding.

[Nichelle]

I would recommend the Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier starting with Daughter of the Forest.

[Helena]

@Brabbleruffs, have you considered the Indigo series by Louise Cooper?

The series centres around a single female character who makes a terrible, terrible mistake at the very beginning, and then has to overcome herself bit by bit through each book. If you like sword and sorcery style fantasy, and Louise Cooper's writing style, this series may fit the bill for you.

[CBRetriever]

Helena wrote: "@Brabbleruffs, have you considered the Indigo series by Louise Cooper?

The series centres around a single female character who makes a terrible, terrible mistake at the very beginni..."

That is one series that I really, really wish was available in Kindle format. I have paperback versions, but they're getting a bit worn