Hey there, book addicts!
I hope everyone is doing well. Lately, I’ve been mulling over ideas for a book list. Not one that’s typically for Valentine’s Day, I tried to think up one that didn’t circulate around romance and ships, not that there’s anything wrong with those. There totally isn’t. I just don’t get lovey-dovey for the oozing heart time of year. But! That doesn’t mean that I didn’t come up with one. I know about a year or two back I did a book tag inspired by this theme and I’m excited to do it in book list form. I get so giddy recommending books in such a fun fashion. This list is about women! Powerful, memorable, outstanding female characters. I’m so stoked. Let’s do this!
Lore
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Lore is a strong and empowering young woman that takes her life into her own hands and no god can take that away from her. But even after so much suffering and living in exile, she’ll do whatever it takes to save the world.
The Morganville Vampires
Author: Rachel Caine
Both Claire Danvers and Eve Rosser stand out with no regret. Eve lets no one and nothing tear her down or scare her. Claire breaks down barriers even though it terrifies her and her belief in others is game-changing.
The Dark Tower
Author: Stephen King
Susannah Dean is a rough tough woman that struggles against at least two other personalities when she makes her official entrance in the second Dark Tower book: The Drawing of Three. As a gunslinger, she lets nothing, not even being crippled, get in her way, or make her feel inferior because she’s anything but. A wild and sassy fighter with a heart of a mother.
Red Queen
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Mare Barrow always lands on her feet and even then, doesn’t stop moving. She’s always got a plan and giving up is not a part of her agenda, ever. Though underneath she feels like the earth can be crumbling under her feet, but that never matters. Those she strives to protect matter most. Even in the face of utter betrayal, she’ll give all she has.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Author: Rick Riordan
You don’t mess with Annabeth Chase. Regardless of being the daughter of Athena, she is smart and formidable, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t apt to change.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Author: Jenny Han
A coming-of-age tale doesn’t always mean a character has to be a fighter or survivor of any kind. Sometimes growth can make the character and that’s the case for Belly. Always with her head in the clouds and her mind straying to the Fisher boys, she encompasses hardship and change. The frustrations and heartaches and family and love ebb back and forth much like the waves that wash across Cousins Beach. Sometimes it’s all of this that makes a powerful character; the major changes she goes through and the changes that occur and the lessons that remain.
Nightworld
Author: L. J. Smith
There are many female characters within this series and each of them stands as independent individuals that don’t depend solely on the connection discovered with their “mates” when it comes to the decisions they make. It’s empowering to make such decisions after only just stepping into a world of the supernatural and discovering that witches, vampires, and werewolves exist. They don’t allow such a large cliff to keep them from jumping in boldly. They are anything but delicate flowers needing protection.
Valiant
Author: Holly Black
Valerie never knew what was in store for her when she took to the streets of New York City as a runaway. She certainly didn’t expect to get swept up in the affairs of the fae realm. She’s never backed down from a challenge and she wasn’t starting here. With her eyes open to a whole new world and to new feelings that she never expected, she’ll fight for those she cares about no matter the cost. Being a mere human, a pathetic mortal in the eyes of creatures that are endless means nothing.
Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Zelie contained power that was ruthless and spread across her people. Her determination to save her people and culture and restore their magic surpassed that of her want to love so much more. Though she is powerful and only wants to save those she holds dear, she could be putting them in danger as it seems she may be the danger if she isn’t careful. What she’s willing to sacrifice may have no limit.
The Magician
Author: Lisa Maxwell
Esta is a clever thief that typically looks out for only herself, but after being betrayed, what trust she did have to spare vanishes. Still, with her abilities to manipulate time, she leaves her feelings in the dust to try and save history and the future. She risks more than her own life to set the world right even though it feels like it’s never done much for her.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Author: Neil Gaiman
Lettie Hempstock is nothing short of remarkable and unique even though she is nothing but a whisper of a memory. That memory is so powerful that even after so much time has passed and a strange magic has tried to wipe her away, she remains. Having saved the life of her friend and neighbor, she still lingers and protects him and the pond that so much resembles the endless ocean, hoping to return one day.
More to come soon…
-K.
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Thoughts? Let’s chat in the comments below!
The Scarlet Reader 
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