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Currently reading a book with an action heroine?
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Patrick, I'm guessing that "ACOTAR" stands for A Court of Thorns and Roses? (I'm terrible at deciphering abbreviations and acronyms!) I've never read any of Maas' work, so I don't know if the protagonist of that series is an action heroine or not.Lizzie doesn't display any action-y abilities in Austen's original Pride and Prejudice (though I love that book, and Austen's novels in general --I also read other stuff besides action heroine fiction!). Did you possibly mean Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?
Yeah, I would expect not for Pride and Prejudice, but its still what I am after next.A court of thorns and roses is more of a romance than an action story. Its actually a retelling of beauty and the beast as far as I can tell, only the MC, Feyre, is more on the 'I can take care of myself' side of the story. She mixes it up at times, hunts, pulls her knife or sword on a number of things.
I'd say, she is meant to look tough, but in the context of her story, I feel it detracts from the power of some of the scenes.
I am not really sure what the last, purely action female, story I've read was. Many stories have such women in them, but hey are not necessarily the lead, or the subject of the whole story.
I recently saw the Anime Claymore, which was pretty much an all female warrior cast. I thought it was pretty good. I wish they had more seasons.
I think maybe it was a book called The Warriors Feast, by my friend, Natalie Millman, but that was a work in progress. I am not sure if it was or will be released.
Oh...I think I read the Deed of Pakksenarion after that. That was a very thick book, and I am not sure what is going on with that, cause there is another one called the sheepherders daughter. I was not sure if the book was self contained, or it was some kind of mashing together of all the complied Pakks stories in one giant book.In spite of its size, it felt unfinished to me.
Currently reading
--post apocalyptic dystopian. I enjoyed the author's Kyn Chronciles and decided to try this one when it showed up on a 99c deal.The heroine of the current read is a bounty hunter, and so far so good. There is an occasional typo, but they are minor distractions.
P. Pherson wrote: "I recently saw the Anime Claymore, which was pretty much an all female warrior cast. I thought it was pretty good. I wish they had more seasons."Patrick, you might also be interested in this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/....
P. Pherson wrote: "I am not really sure what the last, purely action female, story I've read was. Many stories have such women in them, but hey are not necessarily the lead, or the subject of the whole story."
In the case of books where a male protagonist's sidekick or love interest is a butt-kicking lady (even though they don't count towards our annual Action Heroine Challenge), I think of those gals as action heroines too. (By definition, the main female character of a book IS its "heroine," even if the "hero' is male.) And we discuss those books (and films) here too. And books like 1632 (which has several important gunslinging female characters), get their due here as well.
P. Pherson wrote: "Oh...I think I read the Deed of Pakksenarion after that. That was a very thick book, and I am not sure what is going on with that, cause there is another one called the sheepherders daughter. I was..."
The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon is the omnibus volume containing all three books of the eponymous trilogy: Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance, and Oath of Gold. My wife Barb and I read it (that is, I read it out loud to her; she likes reading by herself, but she also enjoys being read to, when we're traveling together in the car) back in 2012-13, and both ultimately liked it a lot.I said "ultimately" because you really have to read the whole thing to understand Moon's achievement here, and to experience the whole arc of the plot (because it is one connected arc). When I finished and reviewed the first book, I wasn't especially impressed; and the second book, which I never reviewed separately, leaves Paks in a horrible place, physically and mentally. After finishing the whole trilogy, I reviewed the omnibus volume as one book (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ), and gave it five stars.
Vampire Academy"Vampire Academy" is the inaugural book in Richelle Mead's series of the same name. Despite my initial hesitation due to it being a YA series and my general disinterest in YA novels, I was quickly captivated by the story within the first few paragraphs and devoured "Vampire Academy" in less than a day! I found the universe and vampire characteristics that Richelle Mead crafted to be not only original but also a refreshing deviation from the standard vampire lore. In the "Vampire Academy" universe, vampires are categorized into two types: the Moroi, who are living and relatively vulnerable 'good' vampires, and the Strigoi, who are undead, unnaturally strong, and malevolent vampires intent on converting or killing the Moroi. Additionally, there is a third supernatural group, the Dhampirs, who are hybrid offspring of a Moroi and a Dhampir parent. Dhampirs are more robust than Moroi and are trained as their protectors. The protagonist of the series is Rose Hathaway, a Dhampir girl preparing to become the guardian of her best friend, Lissa Dragomir, a Moroi princess. Rose is attractive, sarcastic, and tomboyish, dedicating her life to safeguarding Lissa from any danger. The girls share a bond deeper than friendship, akin to sisterhood, through which Rose can sense Lissa's emotions and thoughts. The narrative is primarily from Rose's perspective, with occasional scenes from Lissa's point of view, making Rose an engaging and likable narrator. Amidst the chaos that follows her, Rose ensures there's never a dull moment. What I appreciated about "Vampire Academy" and Rose is her maturity despite being seventeen. She displays typical teenage behaviors yet remains singularly focused on her ultimate goal: to become the finest guardian possible for Lissa, sacrificing everything to achieve this end.
A copy of Vampire Academy is in one of my voluminous physical piles of still-unread books. I've been hesitant to start it, because I didn't want to get sucked into another long series (six books in this one). But if it can be read as a stand-alone (?), maybe I can work it in next year.
Yesterday, I started reading
The Eye of Ebon, the opening volume for the projected series The White Sword Saga, by our own P. Pherson Green.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Queen of the SlayersQueen of the Slayers is the best Buffy book I have read. Nancy Holder keeps all the characters true to the way they were portrayed in the series, which, as a major Buffy fan, I thought was very important. The story picks up exactly where the show ended, with Buffy and the gang having shut down the Sunnydale Hellmouth. It incorporates some of the plot from season 5 of Angel, so it has excellent continuity. It features all the characters we know, plus some new ones, with a great 'big bad.' The storyline is compelling, with all the twists and shocks you would expect from Buffy.
To any Buffy fans, I would strongly recommend this, as I think it is the best complement to the series and is a must for those who need to know what could have happened if the show had continued another season. For non-Buffy fans, this wouldn't be the best book to start with, as it contains information relevant to the series, so you might find yourself a bit lost.
This is my favorite Buffy book by far. Nancy Holder, who is already known among Buffy fans for writing several other Buffy books, has written an amazing book that I just couldn't put down.
Because of time limitations, I've only watched the Buffy TV series sporadically (I mostly like what I've seen of it, but prefer the earlier seasons over the later ones), and haven't read many of the spinoff books. But the story collection Buffy the Vampire Slayer: How I Survived My Summer Vacation, which Holder edited (she also contributed an excellent story "Absalom Rising") got five stars from me! (I've read and liked another of her short stories, but have never read any of her longer fiction.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow & TaraI am a big fan of the Willow & Tara relationship.
The story revolves around Willow and Tara featuring strong female characters, a lesbian relationship, themes of ecology, paganism, and magic It is beautifully illustrated and coloured, with compelling plot that is both humorous and poignant. What more can a Buffy fan desire? The remarkable details, such as the label on the "Premium Tap Water" bottle, which humorously critiques the commercialization of a natural resource, set this book apart.
For a bonus, it was written by someone who knows the character best - Amber Benson.
I did not make it through Buffy for my own reasons. And I was older when I was watching it, that probably made a difference. But...its was not the hit with me I wanted it to be. I felt Buffy was a little more like Buffy the Serial Vampire dater, and I wondered why she was more interested in them as love interests than as monsters to get rid of.. What I wanted was the action scenes that made me believe. I actually don't recall anymore if they did. I do recall a scene where she had two axes and was fighting on a platform... So...I think I bought them. I can say, though, that I did believe Xena, and her action scenes were often kind of hokey.
I am hesitating to say, but I've seen you post in a lot of places about lesbianism as a draw. For me, it is not a draw. It feels exploitive. Like, See their sexuality first... If that's the point of female heroines, I think we have taken something away from them, they are not heroes because they get it on with other girls. They are heroes because they are heroes. I want something more.
I will be kind and say, lesbian as a feature does not interest me.
I'm also not attracted to action heroine portrayals that use their sexuality (heterosexual or homosexual) as a come-on; and lesbianism as a theme is not a draw for me personally either. (Different readers, of course, are attracted --or unattracted-- to different things.)It occurs to me that this discussion touches (at least indirectly) on the theme of this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... , though as I recall there wasn't much if any discussion there of lesbianism as such. Of course, there hasn't been a comment there since Sept. 2015.
I've not found any groups that are really active anywhere on Goodreads. Least not with the topics that would interest me. I think the slower pace is more the norm.I was in a group that was very active, but it was just forum games. I wish them well, but its not for me.
DeadlineBooks that take tropes and turn them on their heads are favorites of mine, (My Trust Caseiles Series for example) "Deadline by Jennifer Blackstream is no exception Shade Renaut a "witch" works in the small town of DresdenSpeaking of Dresden, could clearly see the inspiration Jennifer drew from authors like Jim Butcher, simply from the town's name.
I understood the inspiration, but I never felt like she borrowed anything from those authors. She took the "witch for hire" trope and completely made it her own. "Deadline" is part of a series of books, and I cannot wait to delve deeper into this world!
Shade Renaut has been training for in her witchly duties. Her training has prepared her to be a "v witch" in the town. She works on tasks such as finding a lost kitten or making healing potions. Her mentor has never encouraged Shade to be anything other a witch, but "Mother Ren" desperately wants to be a private investigator So when she receives visitor late one night, she the case despite misgivings about the potential danger.
Blackstream created a unique setting; "Deadline" is set in the modern world. She takes her readers from small towns like Dresden and Cleveland and back
Books that take tropes and turn them on their heads are favorites of mine, (My Trust Caseiles Series for example) "Deadline by Jennifer Blackstream is no exception Shade Renaut a "witch" works in the small town of Dresden
Speaking of Dresden, could clearly see the inspiration Jennifer drew from authors like Jim Butcher, simply from the town's name.
I understood the inspiration, but I never felt like she borrowed anything from those authors. She took the "witch for hire" trope and completely made it her own. "Deadline" is part of a series of books, and I cannot wait to delve deeper into this world!
Shade Renaut has been training for in her witchly duties. Her training has prepared her to be a "v witch" in the town. She works on tasks such as finding a lost kitten or making healing potions. Her mentor has never encouraged Shade to be anything other a witch, but "Mother Ren" desperately wants to be a private investigator So when she receives visitor late one night, she the case despite misgivings about the potential danger.
Blackstream created a unique setting; "Deadline" is set in the modern world. She takes her readers from small towns like Dresden and Cleveland and back
These are additions to my list of things I wish I had.
"Deadline" has a couple of scenes where the character is stuck in traffic, and they are written so well that I felt for her. The author has also created several interesting characters to occupy that world, making it richer and more complete than it would be. Vamp, wizards, witches, pixies, and other delightful additions book one I completely fell in love with.
2025 will see the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen. My library colleague Paula would like to do an Austen-themed program for the library's face-to-face Book Club; and to hopefully pique student interest, she'd like to feature the spin-off novel
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith. So I'm reading the latter in order to be able to contribute to that discussion, and started on it today.
Werner wrote: "2025 will see the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen. My library colleague Paula would like to do an Austen-themed program for the library's face-to-face Book Club; and to hopefully piqu..."I'll be interested in your review. I recall checking out a sample of this one, a few years ago, and it didn't catch my interest. I can't remember why not.
I'll probably finish it late this month or early next month, and will link to my review when I update my tracking post in our annual challenge.
Well, it turns out that I won't be listing Pride and Prejudice and Zombies in my tracking post for our annual challenge after all, since I didn't finish it! This note (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ) explains why.
Werner wrote: "Well, it turns out that I won't be listing Pride and Prejudice and Zombies in my tracking post for our annual challenge after all, since I didn't finish it! This note (https://www.goodreads.com/rev..."You did better than I did. I gave up after reading the sample for the same reason--the 'Lizzy' in this story was unpleasant and unlikable.
E.G. wrote: " I gave up after reading the sample for the same reason--the 'Lizzy' in this story was unpleasant and unlikable."Yes, samples can be a blessing! (Too bad I didn't read one first.... :-) )
Yeah...that one has a great title, and an idea that ought to bring in the readers, but...I do recall my wife did not like it either. I believe her comments were that the zombie aspect barely had any role in the story, so we are left with Pride and Prejudice, for which, the original is better. Or something to that effect.I'll probably never get around to that one.
Well...I have completed my Book 4 :) so....Among other things, I may try to read some of the things I said I would.I am putting Sword of Kaigen on hold, as...I am not really interested in it as much as just why it is a big hit.
I am going back to Pakksenarion book 3, cause I am interest in that ;)
Since the protagonist of the book I'm currently reading (because it was a Christmas gift),
The Accidental Keyhand by Jen Swann Downey, is only 12 years old, she's not a very formidable fighter in serious combat. But within the limits of her physical growth and of what training she's had, she actually does display some action heroine chops, albeit not until quite a ways into the book. :-)
I'd hit the like button if GR had one.
P. Pherson wrote: "I'd hit the like button if GR had one."Thanks, Patrick! :-)
I finished reading this book towards the end of last year. The heroine has been through a lot. Family domestic abuse and such. She's a strong woman. I enjoyed the story and her place within it. The type of profession she's in was very interesting to read about.
Creed
Because the main character of the book I just finished, Robin of Sherwood (the fourth novel in the Clerk of Copmanhurst's Tales series by G.K. Werner) is Robin Hood, not his love interest Maid Marian, I won't count it towards our group's annual challenge. But Marian is definitely an action heroine here; series readers have always known that she was well trained to arms by her father (he didn't have a son), but here she finally gets to demonstrate her sword and bow skills in combat!Over a period of about nine years, I read and liked the first several books of the Kim Oh series (now renamed the Real Dangerous Girl series) by K.W. Jeter. But I lost respect for his artistic integrity after he changed the protagonist's ethnicity from Korean to white, and rewrote all the books to change all the character's names. :-( I've now started on a back-to-back read of the last two books, Real Dangerous Ride and Real Dangerous Plan, just because I want to see the completion of Kim's arc (no matter what she's called). But I don't plan to promote either book by reviewing it.
Undercover Colorado Conspiracy by Jodie Bailey is a book I gave Barb for Christmas in 2024. It wasn't on my to-read shelf, but we decided to read it together, and started today. Having no prior experience with this author, or with the imprint, I wasn't necessarily expecting an action heroine read here. But any doubt on that score was removed in the first chapter, when the lady depicted on the cover handily took down an armed, muscle-bound male thug who attacked her. :-)
Werner wrote: " Undercover Colorado Conspiracy by Jodie Bailey is a book I gave Barb for Christmas in 2024. It wasn't on my to..."Sounds marvelous.
Barb are I are continuing our reading of the Avenging Angels series by "A. W. Hart" (which is a house pen name used by multiple authors) with
Overturned Heart. It's actually the twelfth, and final, series installment, so we're reading it quite a bit out of order. I wanted to find out whether the romantic arcs for our main characters that were begun (or in Sara's case, potential) in the first book really come to fruition. :-)
I just finished a superhero/mystery book
Bounty by J.D. Cunegan. The main character, Jill Andersen is a former soldier and currently a homicide detective and a superhero. She has cybernetic parts and is formidable in combat.I was going to add the book to my action heroine post but I can't find the thread.
Here's the link to the current challenge thread, Mervi: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... . You usually have to click on the "Discussion" link to see it. For the most part, only folders/threads that have fairly recent new posts show automatically on the group homepage (and edits to earlier posts don't count as new posts).
Thanks Werner!I also read
Scarlet Huntress, a YA retelling of the Red Riding Hood. The heroine Allya doesn't start as a action heroine but she grows into that role.
Apparently, I forgot to mention the two books from the Sheriff Bride series that Barb and I finished this summer on this thread (though I did list them on my tracking post)! The series is a tetralogy, with each book written by a different author; the heroines are four sisters who wind up becoming the peace officers of a small West Texas town in the 1870s. So far, we read the first two installments,
Sheriff Bride by Teresa Ives Lilly and
Jo's Story by Brooksie Cox. My actual ratings for both books would be in the two-star range (I rounded up in the first case), and they're at the low end of the action spectrum; but they're quick reads, and all of the heroines are proficient with firearms.I also didn't list the book I just finished reading by myself,
Helsing: Demon Slayer by Liane Zane, which is the opener for The Dragon's Paladins, a projected spin-off series from the author's Elioud Legacy trilogy; but that was because I wasn't certain whether or not the lady co-protagonist would prove to be an action heroine. But though she's not one to start with, she most definitely grows into that role!
Again, I wish I could 'like' a post. Thanks Werner.
Action Heroine Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
Helsing: Demon Slayer (other topics)Jo's Story (other topics)
Sheriff Bride (other topics)
Scarlet Huntress (other topics)
Bounty (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Liane Zane (other topics)Brooksie Cox (other topics)
Teresa Ives Lilly (other topics)
Jodie Bailey (other topics)
Jodie Bailey (other topics)
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Next for me is Pride and Prejudice, just to get it in the read column.