Fans pick 100 books like Immortal

This chart-topping writing duo can do no wrong in my eyes. Their Innkeeper Chronicles series ranks amongst my all-time favorites, but when it comes to fierce female protagonists, their Kate Daniels series truly takes the cake.

I find Kate fascinating. She has a complex backstory (no spoilers here!), and she is a masterful fighter, excelling in both physical combat and magical prowess. She consistently stands up for others, often putting herself in peril to protect those around her. 

I love how her wit and humor shine through, striking the perfect balance between light and shade. 

I will always remember the way she greeted a particular deadly lion shifter with a cheeky “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.” For me, Kate Daniels embodies everything a fierce female protagonist should be.

If I were ever to face a zombie apocalypse, I would want Mercy Thompson by my side. Mercy is a scrappy coyote shifter, and despite often being physically outmatched by the myriad supernatural creatures surrounding her, it is her intelligence, independence, and resourcefulness that truly sets her apart for me. I also just love that she is a mechanic, as Patty has taken that gender expectation and turned it on its head. 

I adore that when Mercy believes in something, she stands her ground, no matter the consequences. Her unwavering moral compass and fierce loyalty make her an awesome heroine. In a world filled with chaos, Mercy Thompson is the kind of fierce female companion every reader would be fortunate to have. And as I said, I totally call dibs on her for the apocalypse. 

I have adored everything Helen Harper has ever written (and I mean EVERYTHING), but this series, beginning with Bloodfire, holds a special place in my heart. This series was my gateway into urban fantasy—a genre that has magic in our contemporary world. It was the book that sneakily drew me away from my first love, epic fantasy, with humor, magic, and the promise of lighthearted escapism.

Let me introduce you to my girl, Mac. Mackenzie Smith is an ordinary human raised among werewolves. Although she seems woefully underpowered, Mackenzie relies on her wits and self-reliance to navigate treacherous paths with aplomb. I love Mac’s tenacity; she never laments her lack of power; instead, she dives headfirst into challenges, determined to save the day. Her unwavering spirit makes her an inspiring and totally relatable heroine, and I cheered her on loudly as she came into her own (much to the vexation… show more.

I adore it when characters name inanimate objects, be it weapons or their cars; take my money, I’m all in. London, the kickass knight at the heart of this series, is the heroine I needed. Armed with her trusty axe, Babe, and an unwavering moral compass, London isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty in the name of what is right.

I love everything about this book, including the phenomenal world-building and a kick-butt female protagonist to root for. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where the sun is forever obscured, allowing vampires to reign supreme, London captured my attention from the very first page.

I love her courage, strength, and determination, all of which make her an unforgettable character. And I loved Babe, the axe. 

The Bridge is a terrific and terrifying novella about womanhood, the patriarchate, technology, identity, and, ultimately, freedom. Its theme appeals to me as I have always been an ally of the women’s cause and JS Breukelaar does a great job describing a disturbing future if we are not more careful and respectful. What’s more, it is a great story, which embarks the reader in a dark and fascinating labyrinth. Both nightmarish and poetic, with references to ancient mythologies, The Bridge offers a unique reading experience. Although it’s very different stylistically from Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, I nonetheless consider it to be a top-class feminist speculative fiction classic.

This is absolutely the best introduction to witchcraft I have ever read. Even when I deepened my craft, using this book as a guide was extremely helpful for nuance and details. I still keep it for reference and love the tone and attitude. Herstik goes over everything I use in my practice!

The First Woman is perhaps the best novel you haven’t yet read. Kirabo has never known her mother and she is looking for answers at the same time as she is becoming a woman. She is guided first by the village’s blind witch Nsuuta, who has her own reasons for getting involved. Nsuuta tells Kirabo that women were once, “huge, strong, loud, proud, brave, independent. But it was too much for the world.” The writing in this ambitious novel is sometimes funny and sometimes poignant.

As a young woman, the protagonists of feminist fiction offered me bold heroines with more than a bit of oomph who weren’t afraid to get it wrong sometimes. Having completed a degree in literary fiction, desperate for something fun and frivolous, I stumbled upon Fanny Hackabout Jones. A foundling brought up by British aristocrats, she is forced to flee and seek her fortune, encountering witches, highwaymen, prostitutes, and pirates. This unashamed sexy romp presents as pulp fiction, but it’s thoroughly researched and informative, and has something to say about women and their role in society, then and now.  A real treat of a book.

Feeling empowered is my mission, and Kristen Sollee gives an entire breakdown of why this is. From persecution to misogyny, witches (and women) have been demonized by the patriarchy, and it gets my engine revving! I love the history, but more than that, the actionable change we can start doing today!

Written with intelligence, wit, and searing social commentary, this book follows Jo, a 28-year-old woman living in a world in which witches are not only real but are feared, put on trial, and killed—she has until the age of 30 to marry a man or else she’ll have to register with the Bureau of Witchcraft and be closely monitored.

On top of that, Jo’s mother disappeared 14 years ago, and we meet her as she is just beginning to accept the idea that her mother might be dead. However, that all changes when she gets an opportunity to honor her mom’s one last request. What ensues is a powerful exploration of grief, autonomy, freedom, desire, community, and so much more. At once heartbreaking and hopeful, Giddings will have you savoring every word.