Currently reading a book with an action heroine?

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I clicked on it and found one book and no photo. The thing is I remembered reading Poison Study. Sent me looking.

[E.J.]

I'm currently reading The Guilty by David Baldacci. It's the 4th installment in his Will Robie series, and I've really enjoyed these books over the past couple of years. The series namesake character is - perhaps obviously - a guy, but Jessica Reel, who is introduced in Book 2 (The Hit), is one of the best female characters I've ever read. As an assassin, she's smart and tough and calculating, but she's also really well-written and realistic. We get more of a glimpse into her past in Book 3 (The Target). I've really appreciated the way Baldacci writes female characters in general - in books 2 and 3, Reel splits "screen time" just about 50/50 with Robie, and I think that's really cool. I just got to the part in the current book where she appears for the first time, and it seems like she's going to end up playing a large role in the rest of the story. Can't wait to find out what happens!

[Werner]

E. J., I have the first novel in the Will Robie series on my to-read shelf, and am looking forward to starting on it sometime, once I bring some closure to a few of the plethora of series I'm already reading. I know, we have to wait until the second book before we meet Jessica. (But I'm trusting that the first book will be a worthwhile read, too!)

[E.J.]

Werner wrote: "E. J., I have the first novel in the Will Robie series on my to-read shelf, and am looking forward to starting on it sometime, once I bring some closure to a few of the plethora of series I'm alrea..."

It was! There's another really well-written female character, Nicole Vance, in the first one. She's not so much an "action heroine" though but she still plays a pretty big role

[Werner]

It's in one of my many physical to-read piles, E.J. --but there are a lot of books piled around it, too, so who knows when I'll get to it? But it's nice to have something to look forward to for the future! :-)

[Angela]

Anyone interested in the 4th in the Dragon Tattoo series? I didn't even realize it was out till I walked past it on a store book shelf. I am very excited about reading it! Has anyone watched the Swedish movies? They are much better than the American remake.
The Girl in the Spider's Web

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Read it. It's not bad. You'll probably see the difference but still it stays close enough to carry the story along. I hope he continues the series.

[Jon]

Speaking of the Baldacci books, I'd assumed that an unwritten requirement for a read in this group was that the woman be the lead character in the book. I haven't read those Baldacci books, so perhaps the women are close to co-leads. But, if only Will Robie is a continuing character (a fact I don't know), then ....

[Jon]

I've just added three books with action heroines to the group's bookshelf. I hope those of you who come across good books will add them there as well as mentioning them here.

I added:
Anne Hillerman's continuation of her father, late author Tony Hillerman's, excellent series about two Navajo tribal policemen, Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Sgt Chee. In this book she focuses on a third tribal police officer, who became a regular towards the end of TH's books, Bernadette Manuelito. .

Jami Gold, who writes a blog for writers, recently published . The heroine is a shifter from an alternative world where magic, unicorns, elves "still" exist, who is on earth fleeing from a villain who has taken over her realm. Plenty of agency. Here on earth she is part of an aging motorcycle club.

And, isn't it typical that I just forgot the third book I shelved...

[Werner]

Jon wrote: "Speaking of the Baldacci books, I'd assumed that an unwritten requirement for a read in this group was that the woman be the lead character in the book. I haven't read those Baldacci books, so perh..."

Actually, we interpret "heroine" more elastically; as long as an action-oriented lady is the main female character in a book, the book can qualify for our bookshelves and discussions., even if the protagonist happens to be male. There are a number of combat-capable female sidekicks or love interests who kick butt right alongside a fictional hero; I've always felt that they deserve their propers here, even if they aren't protagonists. So Jessica Reel, for instance (who does appear in both the second and third books of the Will Robie series), would qualify.

I join with Jon in encouraging everyone to add action heroine titles to our bookshelves, as you run across them. I try to add both those I read and (on the group to-read shelf) those I haven't read, but that appear potentially interesting. (My personal to-read shelf has so many books on it already that I sometimes use our group shelf as sort of an extension for it. :-) )

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I just started the 4th Robie book but in the first three there was basically a female co-protagonist.

[Jon]

Two series that might meet the heroine definition; I haven't read either:
Into the Dark by an A Sutherland. Looks like it could be another Horatio Hornblower type saga. [Added 12/21/15: it is.}

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[book:Hunter's Claim|20332896] by S.E. Smith. Labelled in part as romance, may or may not have erotic content.

[Werner]

Jon, your message 462 above gave me the idea to start another thread. Check this one out: www.goodreads.com/topic/show/17893721... .

[Werner]

Our own Seeley James has warmly praised Taylor Stevens' debut novel The Informationist (2011), the opening volume of her Vanessa Michael Munroe series, on his blog, and our co-moderator Danielle also gave it four stars (although another of our members, Mike the Paladin, only rated it with one star). I'll soon find out which end of the spectrum my reaction comes closer to; I recently mooched a free copy from BookMooch, so I kicked off 2016 by starting it on New Year's Day..

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I finished Collision Course on New Year's Eve. It's definitely a romance with a lot of sex, but it has a good action heroine as well.

[Jon]

Thanks Seeley and Werner. When I checked I found I had read The Informationist several years ago. All I remember is that the writer seemed to really know Equitorial Guinea.

[Angela]

I recently started reading two new series. I've never been quite interested in reading stories involving witches, vampires, and werewolves but I ave been expanding my reading . These two series have a female lead with a good mystery and some action:

Boundary Crossed: Book one of a series about a woman who did not know she was a witch until she should have died after an attack but survived. Read in awe as Lex, a former US Army Sergeant, learns of her powers and tracks down those who have wronged her family by abducting her infant niece.

The Line: Another book about witches but while the female lead grew up in an influential family of the craft, she was the first to be born without the gift. There is a death in the family and a great mystery which leads her to discover her powers.

[Jon]

If you like Horatio Hornblower type books, at least the first of three (so far) Alexis Carew books in on KU; maybe all three.

My review and more info is in message 462 above.

[Jon]

While looking at a friend's bookshelf, I saw this book: Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey. A quick click to GR found a review by my fellow moderator Danielle the Book Huntress and a blurb:

First the Blurb
In the year 2139, fearless Tedra De Arr sets out to rescue her beleaguered planet Kystran from the savage rule of the evil Crad Ce Moerr. Experienced in combat but not in love, the beautiful, untouched Amazon flies with Martha, her wise-cracking, free-thinking computer, to a world where warriors reigns supreme--and into the arms of the one man she can never hope to vanquish: the bronzed barbarian Challen Ly-San-Ter. A magnificent creature of raw yet disciplined desires, the muscle-bound primitive succeeds where no puny Kystran male had before--igniting a raging fire within Tedra that must be extinguished before she can even think of saving her enslaved world. . .

The Book Huntress' review:

I have mixed feelings about this book. I was impressed that Johanna Lindsey wrote this futuristic, science fiction romance when she was a historical romance author, but at the same time, I felt that the hero Challen was very much a caveman, moreso than her heroes in even her most bodice-rippery romances.

I loved Tedra. She was pretty awesome: independent, upbeat, fashionable, intelligent. I found it hard to believe she would be happy being the 'little woman' for Old School Macho Guy Challen.
...more

Danielle, and anyone else who has read this book: for those of us who like a bit more action than ripping bodices - although that can be fun! - is it a legitimate "action heroine" story?

[Jon]

More on Warrior Women

When I went looking for Johanna Lindsey's Warrior's Women book, I found a number of titles with the same to words in them. Has anyone read one or more and have a recommendation as to the ratio of bodice-ripping to woman with agency?

Here are a few:
by veteran author Marion Bradley. by Summer Lee. by Becca Van. by noted author Maxine Hong Kingston.

There are several more GR pages with these two words in the title.

[Angela]

"'Oh, my God! What was that?' The attendant’s eyes bugged as though she had just witnessed irrefutable evidence of demon possession. Several plastic tags that she had been holding fluttered to the floor. 'Did your…your bra just say something?' 'Naw,' Savannah told her in a lazy, Dixie drawl, 'it’s just her right boob. Sometimes it has political arguments with the other one about being too far left.'"

That made me laugh sooooooo hard. It's a quote from Cooked Goose. It's the first of the Savannah Reid series I am reading.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Jon wrote: "While looking at a friend's bookshelf, I saw this book: Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey. A quick click to GR found a review by my fellow moderato..."

It's more of a romance with a butt-kicking heroine. I don't think it would appeal to readers who aren't in it for the romance. And it's definitely more of a bodice ripper with some un-PC elements, since the hero is a bit of a Stone Age type.

[Sadie]

I have just finishes The Untold Tale and I'm on the fence about if it qualifies as an 'action heroine' BUT it is very definitely a critique and subversion of women's roles in epic fantasy. I thought it might appeal to some readers here.

[Jon]

The name of the book does not describe the contents.

This is an excellent, and different, retelling of the Beauty and the Beast tale. Even if you think you know all the Beauty variants, this one takes creative twists while keeping within the touchstones. It is divided into 3 books; as of this comment it is free.

My only problem with posting a note about it here is that, while Beauty (called Benella) has lots of agency, and uses her wits quickly, the action isn't as "physical" as in our typical action heroine read. Mild erotic content but books 2 and 3 (I'm getting to them) may have more.
M.J. Haag's Depravity.

[Jon]

I'm finishing up the second of Melissa F. Olson's Boundary books, Boundary Lines. The feature a late 20's-ish ex-soldier, wounded in combat in Iraq, who discovers she is a witch within a few moments of foiling the kidnapping of her niece. Adventures follow. Not erotic.

This sentence might convince you our heroine qualifies for the title "action heroine:"

"I let out the dogs, grabbed my homemade ghillie suit, and changed my clothes -- I could only fight evil so long without a bra."

[Werner]

Jon, I suspect that a lot of female fighters of evil would agree with that sentiment. :-)

[E.J.]

I finished The Guilty by David Baldacci a couple of weeks ago (Jon reminded me this morning that I hadn't followed up on this!) and was once again impressed by Jessica Reel's role. Her role didn't seem as big as it was in books 2 and 3 (she didn't appear until about 45% through, but then she was in nearly every scene after that). Still, she's a great character.

For those of you who enjoy sci fi, I'd also recommend Tammy Salyer's Spectras Arise trilogy. She recently sent me a paperback copy of her omnibus edition so it's fresh on my mind. The individual books are available in Kindle or paperback formats and so is the omnibus version. The omnibus also contains Conviction, a prequel novella, which you can get for free for Kindle as well.

[Jon]

I'm reading about a seriously brave, kick-ass, heroine, who is modern, thoughtful and a survivor. Currently the book is free, as are the two next books. Apparently the next two are standalones, albeit featuring men in the same Denver family. (Denver is one of my several favorite places.) Mildly erotic.

The book: Kennedy In Denver by R Colora


Kennedy In Denver (In Denver #1) by R. Colora
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y558Q20/?...

Estelle In Denver (In Denver #2) by R. Colora
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z...

Katie In Denver (In Denver #3) by R. Colora
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011EW3SBA/?...

[Cari]

Zarah wrote: "I have just finishes The Untold Tale and I'm on the fence about if it qualifies as an 'action heroine' BUT it is very definitely a critique and subversion of women's roles in epic f..."

This is the thread I read days ago. I thought I'd recommend China Mieville's Un Lun Dun as it too turns tropes on their heads and also has a great 'heroine'. Very fantastical though. Which I loved!

[Cari]

Another edition has a different, perhaps more appealing blurb. I like the rubbish bin/ trash can cover myself on the first above:

[Jon]

Cari, who is one of our group authors (and who writes books I've read and enjoyed considerably) mentions Un Lun Dun by China Mieville. Here is the blurb:

"What is Un Lun Dun?

"It is London through the looking glass, an urban Wonderland of strange delights where all the lost and broken things of London end up . . . and some of its lost and broken people, too–including Brokkenbroll, boss of the broken umbrellas; Obaday Fing, a tailor whose head is an enormous pin-cushion, and an empty milk carton called Curdle. Un Lun Dun is a place where words are alive, a jungle lurks behind the door of an ordinary house, carnivorous giraffes stalk the streets, and a dark cloud dreams of burning the world. It is a city awaiting its hero, whose coming was prophesied long ago, set down for all time in the pages of a talking book.

"When twelve-year-old Zanna and her friend Deeba find a secret entrance leading out of London and into this strange city, it seems that the ancient prophecy is coming true at last. But then things begin to go shockingly wrong."

[Cari]

And it's very much a heroine story too.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

E.J. wrote: "I'm currently reading The Guilty by David Baldacci. It's the 4th installment in his Will Robie series, and I've really enjoyed these books over the past couple of year..."

Great series. I've only read the first two, but I'm hooked. Jessica is awesome!

[Cari]

Jon wrote: "I'm finishing up the second of Melissa F. Olson's Boundary books, Boundary Lines. The feature a late 20's-ish ex-soldier, wounded in combat in Iraq, who discovers s..."

I had a look at the first in that series, a few of the reviews, and it sounds really good!

[David]

I just finished "Termination Notice" by A.D. Philips. My review is the first one on Amazon and Goodreads. You can read it here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...Termination Notice

It isn't necessarily 'action heroine' but the MC is a female police detective pursuing a killer who strangles multiple victims. The ending has a fight scene and there are some other action sequences throughout the book. The book is good but not great. Currently on sale for $1.49 (ebook) so the risk is small.

[Denise]

The Deed of Paksenarrion is a classic! This is a title I own, have have revisited over the years. EPIC!

[Denise]

I love the Deed of Paksenarrion! This is a well loved, and often re read classic.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

It's one of my all time favorites, great book.

[Angela]

I added it to my to-read list.

[Werner]

Denise wrote: "The Deed of Paksenarrion is a classic! This is a title I own, have have revisited over the years. EPIC!"

It got five stars from me, and my wife loved it, too; so I'll add my enthusiastic endorsement to Mike's and Denise's!

[Jon]

I'm reading Joel Shepherd's Renegade. Excellent. The woman doing the action isn't actually in command of the spaceship; she's head of the Marine detachment. First of a series; look under The Spiral Wars to find it.

[Jon]

Neither the best nor the worst Sci-Fi alien man - human woman theme story, at least in this one the heroine has made very independent decisions in the past, and makes them here to defend her alien. Mild erotic. Currently on KU.

Annie Nicholas' Boarded

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jon]

I wrote a 5-star review for E.G. Manetti's The Cartel: The Apprentice Volume 1 and I'm currently deep into Bright Star: The Apprentice Volume 2 , the second in the series.

[Jon]

Hope others will jump into this thread. Feels a bit lonely.

Very sadly, I've now finished all three of The Apprentice series excellent books published so far. E.G. Manetti's , , .

You know the expression: Take one for the team? Well, Lilian the heroine has taken so many blows, mostly by way of insults and humiliations, but a few physical, to protect her family and her boss, while maintaining her honor - honor that she supposedly no longer merits due to her father's crimes - that she has by now taken one for each individual member of the team.

And she is back up in the batter's box.

[E.G.]

So, I hit this thread to talk about my current read - where Anna isn't quite up to her normal 'Action Heroine' level.

Now I'm just going to blush heavily and wander away.

[Sadie]

E.G. wrote: "So, I hit this thread to talk about my current read - where Anna isn't quite up to her normal 'Action Heroine' level."

This was my least fav Briggs book that I've read, by far. So, you're not alone in your opinion.

[E.G.]

Zarah wrote: "E.G. wrote: "So, I hit this thread to talk about my current read - where Anna isn't quite up to her normal 'Action Heroine' level."

This was my least fav Briggs book that I've read, by far. So, you're not alone in your opinion.

Definitely not the best. I teetered between 3 and 4 stars and finally came down with 4 because Anna did get her warrior/action heroine on in the end.

[Jon]

E.G., I agree with Zarah. I checked my booklist and find I haven't rated Dead Heat, but by memory it should be about a 3 star on GR. Again by memory it felt rushed.

[E.G.]

Jon wrote: "E.G., I agree with Zarah. I checked my booklist and find I haven't rated Dead Heat, but by memory it should be about a 3 star on GR. Again by memory it felt rushed."

I don't know if the ending was so much rushed as really short given how long it got to get there. The endless discussions of horse-breeding really dragged down the entire narrative for me.

[Jon]

Carol Van Natta is a Sci-Fi author I was unaware of until very recently. I'm about half way through her Overload Flux and I am absolutely sure I'll buy the next book in the series. The heroine is an escapee from a highly clandestine government program that kidnaps children with the potential to be assassins and black ops rangers and trains them ruthlessly. The failure rate is over 50%. That is all back story to the heroine's attempt to hide in a dull job (night watchman) and learn what it is like to be human - for example, to chit-chat or make a friend.

She is assigned to guard a gifted forensic scientist. Adventure across plants and solar systems follows. So far, were at the kissing stage of what may be a romance, too.