I have a passion for strong, complex female characters because I find that teen fiction lacks the combination of strong as well as complex. I have found authors sometimes focus on only showing how a character is strong but forgetting that only being strong isn’t realistic. A character needs flaws and depth to be relatable. As a writer of teen fiction, this is what I strive for in my own work and I hope with each story I accomplish it, whether the genre be teen fiction or fantasy.
In a Washington D.C. private high school, where everyone is related to someone in power, Carter Owens is no one. Her biting sarcasm and snarky jabs make her impossible to beat in a word fight, and when words don’t work, she uses her fists.
With a Secret Service agent for a father, Carter lives each day with the fear that one night he might not come home. Between that daily fear, and a mother who walked out on both of them, Carter is convinced it’s best to keep everyone at arm’s length. That resolve is challenged when two new students decide to befriend her. Along with their friendship they bring the mystery of their true identities, a mystery Carter is determined to solve.
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I have read this book countless times and will continue to read it countless times. The main character: Fire, is a perfect example of a strong female character that is both powerful as well as vulnerable. These are a mix of traits I find rare in fiction and love how it’s portrayed by Kristin’s beautiful writing style.
It’s been years since I’ve read this book and yet I could tell you a million details about the story, the main character as well as the side characters. I didn’t like the character of Scarlet for the majority of the book but I always understood her and respected her determination to survive no matter what. I can’t help but admire Margaret for writing such a strong, complex character.
The beauty of Maggie’s writing never ceases to amaze me when I read this story. The setting, the characters, and the world she creates sweep a reader in and never let them go. And most of all: the character of Puck shows that standing up for something you want always takes courage but is worth it in the end.
What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said by hundreds, thousands of readers before me? Elizabeth is a classic strong female character that continues to inspire writers even to this day and I am not an exception to that. I return to this book at least once a year and am always inspired by Elizabeth being both strong and flawed. No one is perfect and everyone needs to grow, that’s how Elizabeth is still relatable today.
5,309 authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about grief, romantic love, and orphans.
We think you will like The Shadows Between Us, The Winner's Curse, and Dragon Slippers if you like this list.
From Stephanie's list on the best fantasy novels with a little zingy romance thrown in.
This is another book that I consider to fall under the romance category first. However, I absolutely adored this book because the main character is a morally gray character. I love seeing morally gray characters! I love writing them. It makes the story so much more interesting. It also makes the characters unpredictable, keeping them from falling into the “Mary Sue” category.
From Kathy's list on the best young adult fantasy/sci fi novels about female characters who don't care if you like them or not.
Kestrel’s father is the fierce general who won the Herran War and enslaved its people. When she buys a Herrani house slave named Arin at the market, Kestrel gets more than she bargained for – a challenge to her privileged, sheltered life, an epic love, and a part in the revolution. This is the first in the trilogy, and it is a genuine pleasure to watch Kestrel, from the beginning a character with an independent streak, navigate impossible choices as she grows into the person she wants to be. A lush and detailed world full of intrigue, politics, and gripping romance.
From Eileen's list on the best books on dragons for all ages.
Here’s another sacrifice for the girl to improve the family fortunes story. Creel’s aunt sets her up to be sacrificed to a dragon but no one really thinks a dragon will show up. When one does everything changes. Creel is stuck with an old brown dragon who doesn’t want to be bothered with fighting a dragon. Creel offers a trade – she wants something from his hoard to bring her good fortune. Again, we have a heroine who is tired of her life and seeks out her fortune in another way. I love the strong female lead and I love how clueless she is about something. I also enjoy the way the author breaks away from the typical tropes about princes.
