Oh my, I really need to read Tchaikovsky 👀 and also Mistborn. I really liked Navani and Jasnah in the Stormlight, and you're not the first one to speak so highly of Vim. Also, Bakker! Another I have been recommended, and know you just gave me a great reason. Great video, Johanna, you definitely gave me more reasons to get into some series I've been postponing!
Thank you, Livia! Jasnah was good in Stormlight. I could see replacing Vin with that character, and I like that Shallan was artistic as well as intellectually curious. :)
Hey Johanna! I'm thinking of doing my favorite Female Characters in Stephen King books video, there's a lot of great ones. Some of my favorite female fantasy characters are a bunch from ASOIAF (Arya, Cersei, Sansa, Brienne) Jasnah from Stormlight, Rin from Poppy War, Susannah from Dark Tower, Suri from LOTFE, Vin from Mistborn, Yennefer from Witcher. Hope you're doing well!
Love the cover of The Return of the King. I’ve never seen it before. Btw, Susannah is my #1 ! And although I know her only through the TV series, Cersei Lannister is definitely a powerhouse of a character. Great video. I enjoyed it even though I did not read most of the books.
I’m so happy Savine ranked so high! She and Yennefer from the Witcher are my two favorite female characters and I can’t choose between them! Also, as someone who has only read Gardens of the Moon, I was surprised that Tavore will have more going on with her. She was Ganoes Paran’s sister I think? My theory You know how Oponn (I think) tells Paran that someone he loves will take his place in exchange for his life? Now that Tavore was mentioned I think it’s her 😊 (this might be very very wrong haha)
I can't believe I forgot Yennefer on this list! 😫 It’s just been so long since I've The Witcher books. I'm fascinated by your Gardens question. I hope you enjoyed it!
This is a great list! Some series I haven't read yet, but we share Vin as a favourite! Cersei is a strong one, but behind Arya for me, my main gripe with Cersei is her relation with Tommen, that I find incredibly toxic -- but it just goes to show how talented Martin is in writing complex female characters. My personal TOP3 would be: Althea from Liveship Traders, Shae from Green Bone Saga and Cithrin from The Dagger and the Coin. Highly recommend these series if you haven't read them, I think you'll like Cithrin (Daniel Abraham) a lot if you love Cersei!
Such a great list, Johanna! I love to see your entries from WOLAS, Age of Madness, Second Apocalypse, Malazan, and more. Your number one makes complete sense, especially given how well you channel her, but I suppose being an elvish assassin would help you in that! 😁
Yes Cersei ftw! My personal favorite all-time favorite is Cordelia Naismith in the Vorkosigan saga. She doesn't appear in most of the series but her actions have such profound effects on all the major characters that her "presence" can be felt in every book. High recommend checking it out and thanks for adding some promising books to my tbr 👍
@@archlectoryarvi2873 Cersei reigns supreme! 🔥 Thank you for the recommendation! I haven’t heard of that series, but that sounds amazing! Happy reading!
I'm surprised that Savine is your favorite female from AoM! She definitely is funny. Love Jehane- even though I'd likely put Miranda above her for my list! Number one isn't a surprise at all 🤣
Great list, and yes Esmenet's journey is even more interesting in Bakker's Aspect Emperor where we also meet the equally fascinating Mimara, Theliopa and other interesting female characters. Also I am once again tempted to try Malazan, what lies beyond that seemingly impenetrable wall of baffling density that is the utter confuse-a-cat experience of reading Gardens of the Moon?!? I feel so confident I will love it once it's "unlocked". And yes Cersei is amazing, let's hope we one day will see her take to the page again.
I'm reading White-Luck right now, and I'm loving Aspect-Emperor so far! Can't wait to see what's in store for Esmenet, Mimara, and Theliopa. Best wishes with Malazan! I thought it was well worth it, but the approach is understandably unsettling. I am eager for more Cersei!
Great topic. I'm not sure if it's just a coincidence but for whatever reason my favourite characters of all time tend to be women. For a long time Mara from the Empire trilogy by Wurts & Feist was top of my list. Then last year I read the Kushiel trilogy and found a new favourite in Phedre who is a truly brilliant heroine. I highly recommend both these trilogies!
Thanks for the recommendations! I started the Kushiel trilogy many years ago and would like to return to it someday. I've heard so many great things about Mara and will check that out after finishing Wars of Light and Shadow!
Great list! Emily Marshwic is a favourite too, and you’ve made me want to get to some titles even more (they’re all in my TBR 😂). I’d add Lady Trent, and Mina from Dracula. I have a few more but they’re in scifi.
Don't mind me yelling 'heck yes' the entire way through this video!! Of the ones I have read, I couldn't agree more. And I desperately need to read some Mercedes Lackey! Some of my personal favourites are Stella from Legacy of the Brightwash, Mia Corvere from Nevernight, Isabelle from The Risen Kingdoms, Zomi from Dandelion Dynasty, and Victra from Red Rising!
Wonderful list, Esmay! I'm so hyped for Dandelion Dynasty, and I've heard amazing things about Legacy of Brightwash. I hope you enjoy Mercedes Lackey if you pick her up. 💜💜
I just watched the video, Joanna. Well done and you got me thinking about my favorite female characters in fantasy. I will share my favorites but I will bend your category to include a couple of female characters that have been categorized as a science fiction. However, I have always believed “soft sci-fi” or “speculative fiction” is closer to fantasy than traditional science fiction. Here’s my list: 1) Jilly Coppercorn from The Onion Girl by Charles de Lint. Jilly is a carefree artist in the fictional city of Newford where a series of interconnected books takes place. And she has recurred in many of the books in the series but in The Onion Girl we get her full story and why she becomes the person she is. Charles de Lint is my favorite fantasy writer and one of the most important ones the genre has produced. He has influenced me as a writer and a reader showing that fantasy is not just about old Medieval European Kingdoms, Dragons, & Warfare. Fantasy can exist in the city and includes a diverse background of people. de Lint’s hey day was in the 90s and he’s out of fashion now. But the story of the fantasy genre can not be told without him and his Newford series of books is one of genre’s greatest literary creations. Jilly Coppercorn is one of his excellent female characters. 2) Jehane from The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay. I totally agree with you about Jehane. Your description of her fits exactly how I feel about her. I just read this in April and she still comes to mind. 3) Princess Sarene from Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. I’m not a huge Sanderson reader (just read Tress last month for my 2nd Sanderson book). However, I really like her character and it still comes to mind. 4) Lauren Olamina from Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. This is where I bend your category a bit. Parable of the Sower is categorized as science fiction on the bookshelves but this dystopian fantasy to me and she is one of the best female characters I have ever read (Sula by Toni Morrison is in that category too) in all of literature. Lauren is an interesting and special teenager that basically starts her own religion in midst of societal ruin. There is so much about her. But I would recommend just reading it for yourself. A great character. 5) Grainger from The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. Similar to Butler’s novel, this one falls into the dystopian fantasy category for me. I just reread this one last year where Grainger jumped off the page for me. She is a driver on a colony where the native alien race believes in Jesus and reads from the New Testament. The protagonist Peter has arrived the colony to further develop the alien’s race beliefs in Christ. However, he leaves his wife Bea back home in a dystopian London. Peter begins developing a connection with Grainger and even though she doesn’t believe in Christianity…their friendship grows. Her character felt real and the author did an excellent job showing it. Those are my favorite female characters. This was another great video, Johanna.
Thank you so much for sharing your list and reasons for each character! I would love to follow up and do a Sci-Fi version someday. I haven't yet read Parable of the Sower, but I keep hearing great things. I thought Dana in Kindred was an incredible character.
Great video! 🤩 I haven’t read a lot of the books from this list, but many are on my wtr. The more you talk about the Mercedes Lackey trilogy, the more I want to read it. 👀 Two favorites I can think of are Kettricken from the Realm of the Elderlings and Iselle from the Curse of Chalion. (My favorite from The Lions of Al-Rassan is Miranda Belmonte! 🔥)
Thank you, Mariana! I should've thought about Kettricken though I've only read the Farseer Trilogy. You still have me wanting to read Curse of the Chalion! I'm looking forward to that one!
Totally with you for Tavore! And Elaira of course! For other great female characters, check out Donaldson's The Great God's War trilogy and Mordant's Need duology. Fantastic stuff! Great break down for each character. Cheers!
You talking about FMC in books already on my tbr is making me giddy with joy! Guns of the Dawn, books 2 and 3 of Bear and the Nightingale… and I’m gathering some Mercedes Lacky books! I adore the omnibus collections so I’m tracking them down.
I love a good honourable mentions section to squeeze in a few extras 😁 One of my favourite female fantasy characters that pops to mind is Eska from Rob J. Hayes’ “The War Eternal” quadrilogy, though I have inky read book one thus far. It was my book of the year back in 2022.
Fabulous video Johanna! A couple of my own favourites in there, and I think potential favourites (I skipped a couple because I've just picked up LPQ and intend to read a couple of others) in future. Within Lackey's Valdemar series, I have several faves, and I hope you meet them soon.
The ones that come first to mind: Misaki - The Sword of Kaigen Xiala - Between Earth and Sky Lauren Olamina - Parable of the Sower Vintage - The Winnowing Flame Ling Taishi - The Art of Prophecy Amina al- Sirafi But the most complex character I ever read was Jia Matiza from "The Dandelion Dynasty".
Excellent video Johanna! Vasya is one of my all time favorites as well. I enjoyed Vin, but she wasn’t super compelling for me. Mistborn Era 2 has some amazing female characters.
Vin is a woman of few words, so I can understand not feeling her as much. I just felt like I knew exactly what she was feeling in book 1 and couldn't help but see young Johanna when reading about her. Era 2 was very "meh" for me. I still haven't read the 4th book. 😅
@@Johanna_reads I love that she resonated with you so much Johanna! I just read the Lost Metal and really liked it, but if you haven’t enjoyed the series I can understand holding off.
I enjoyed The Queens of Renthia Trilogy, but I never hear anyone talk about it. Was nice to see it pop up here. The second book was certainly my favourite of the three.
Awesome list, so many of my favorites on here. Emily, Vasya, Misaki, TAVORE (I thought I was the only one who liked her!) and of course Savine! Have you read The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi as yet? She'd be a shoe-in for top 3 if not number #1 if I had to make a list like this, that woman is the GOAT.
You love Tavore too??? We’ve just become besties. I haven’t read The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, but I have heard great things about that character!
@@Johanna_reads Tavore's so underrated, that march at the end of Malazan was nuts when I stepped back and thought about it. I really hope you check out Amina al-Sirafi soon, that book was top notch! And Amina absolutely carries it.
Can really recommend the «Dandelion Dynasty» series by Ken Liu: If I were to write a similar list, over half would have to come from «DD» if were to live with myself with a clear conscience😅: Jia, Gin, Zomi, Fara, Thera, Soto, Wasu, Goztan, Tanvanaki, and that is just those that come to my mind! 😄 Not surprised by #2! 🤩 Just started on «The Darkness That Comes Before», so I am definitely will be following Esmenet’s development over the series! Cheers!
Quite a lot of overlap with me here! I would also definitely have Tavore on my list(who definitely does have a couple PoV sections but whatever the world has been Mandella effected into thinking she doesn't), she is a significant reason why The Crippled God is so good. IDK which GGK character I would pick, and my #1 would definitely be from Realm of the Elderlings, it would just be about deciding which RotE character to pick so uh....when is Liveship happening?
Wait, she does? 🤯I sincerely don't remember being in her head, but I remember imagining her very clearly. Wars of Light and Shadow is the number 1 reason I keep putting off more Hobb, but I'd love to weigh in about the female POVs!
@@Johanna_reads Crippled god Major spoilers She has very few Pov's, and they come very late. She has a few pages walking by the column, and when she reunites with Ganoes. I think she may also have a random PoV in the Bonehunters
If we are considering strictly fantasy stories, I would have to say Yennefer and Ciri of the Witcher books (and games) for the top of my list, particularly in The Last Wish and Blood of Elves I find their dynamic so interesting and quite different than most other books. I would also have to include the ladies of Under Heaven in that list and Galadriel. Happy Reading!
This is strictly fantasy, and I can't believe I forgot about the Witcher women! I did read all the Witcher books, and that's a faulty omission on my part!
The main factor for me is how powerful us the writer's prose. Esmenet and Mimara are my favourite. Their survival and achievements in Bakker's bleak, burdened by zealotry and false meanings, world is pretty touching to me. Another one who undergoes a similar journey is Morn Hyland from The Gap. Stephen Donaldson's space series. I am also a follower of Eowyn. Her melancholic, brave demeanour is really appealing to me. And finally. Yes Elaira. I was really charmed by her. Clever, sweet resourceful, empathetic, independent. Great character. P.S. Susanna is so intense. The Dark Tower is a fantastic series
My favorite female character is Mara of the Acoma from Daughter of the Empire by Feist & Wurts. I believe this could be read as a stand-alone, 100%! I also think this book is close to perfect.
Cersei Lannister is my favorite fantasy female character as well. The Lannisters are my favorite characters in fantasy. My other favorite is Nynaeve from WoT. Even though it can get dismissed as smut I really like Phèdre from the Kushiel Trilogy. Felisin and Esemenet are also favorites they had to struggle so much...
I started the first Kushiel book many years ago but felt uncomfortable with some scenes. I've since regretted DNFing the book but still haven't returned to it. Hooray for the Lannisters!
not sure I could name a single one. There is Sal the Cacophony from Sam Sykes' trilogy starting with Seven Blades in Black; fast, badass, and deep emotional issues from love to revenge. Mia Corvere, Nevernight. I don't think I have to explain this one. Eschalla from a D&D trilogu by Paul Kidd starting with White Plume Mountain, she's magical, fae, smart, lacking in responsibility, loyal, sassy, and FUN.
@@Johanna_reads I recall Merphy did not like it. And someone who I thought would love it (Chanel Chapters) did not like it, But I liked it. I'll say, it is violent and sexual.
There's a few female characters in GGK's Sarantine Mosaic, Children of Earth & Sky, A Brightness Long Ago and All the Seas of the World I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on.
@@Johanna_reads His female characters are underrated imo, granted I feel that way about his characters in general. Oh, and Under Heaven has some wonderful characters too! Remind is it A Brightness Long Ago or Sarantine Mosaic you're reading next?
Picking Tavore isn't controversial. Some people are just wrong. Seren Pedac is close as a perfect foil for Karsa. I might throw in Sister Apple or Kettle from Book of the Ancestor. While side characters, I found them a lot more engaging than Nona at times.
Haha, Hermonie? No. Lyra from His Dark Materials? Yes. Olamina from Parable of Sower and Talents. Death from Sandman. Well the trio of personalities (Susana) from Dark Tower. Shallan if Sanderson. Tuan from Earthsea. Ronica from Lifeship Traders. And yes! Tavore! from Malazan. Paula Myo from Commonwealth Saga
@@Johanna_reads Kindred is a good book but I know exactly why is it not the top of the Octavia Butler’s fans. It is a very simple idea and could be done in a historical fiction format. It’s just “dwelling” in the slave situation that’s all. It’s cruel and very dark in a sense but still not that deep. Yet the two I chose is on university courses for a reason. It’s literally started a religion. And as Petrik Leo says it’s so relevant that he felt it in Indonesia where he lives that it hit hard. I also could say that my family from my father side in Africa had very similar experiences. That book is on spot. And the bad part is, Patrick is not talking about the past while I was talking about decades he talked about the recent events. It’s not getting old. It’s maybe a sci-fi but the environmental issues are just going on not to mention the fundamental problems with people. And how you start a cult or movements. USA also had serious issues with cult and leaders in them some are still active. And now your presidential debate was just ridiculous. Really this will be a world leader country? ☝️😂
@@nazimelmardi I’ll keep everything you said in mind if I pick up Parable of a Sower! Kindred is the only Butler book I’ve read, so I obviously can’t weigh in. I thought it was a profound look at how “progress” might actually equal “pretend.” As much as we think we’ve moved on from the past, the traumas of it still affect us in insidious ways. That’s how I understood it (I’m sure there’s more to be said), but I love that Butler never hits you over the head with that message. I also love time travel stories, and Butler’s use of time travel was impactful in delivering those themes. It may be considered a simple idea, but I still think it was brilliantly delivered. Simply profound!
@@Johanna_reads that’s true. Said well. Now imagine we say it’s her “weakest” book. In that regard it’s the easiest to digest. Very easy to read and understand what the message is, but from you I expect to see the layers of a book. Kindred is the most popular on booktok, Parable is the favorite of Daniel Greene and of a lot of teachers with PhD. That’s my first book from broken bindings, the duo. I never read in translation, but I appreciate the writing too, the main character is also a growing up female black girl to woman and (strange) mother. It has many themes. Way more than Kindred. Yet it’s a harder read because it’s not this straightforward type of book. Some would say a bit “dry” closer to the classic sci-fi things, and it’s still VERY dark. Full with trigger warnings. And as we are in Pride month, that’s lgbtq book too.
Oh my, I really need to read Tchaikovsky 👀 and also Mistborn. I really liked Navani and Jasnah in the Stormlight, and you're not the first one to speak so highly of Vim. Also, Bakker! Another I have been recommended, and know you just gave me a great reason. Great video, Johanna, you definitely gave me more reasons to get into some series I've been postponing!
Thank you, Livia! Jasnah was good in Stormlight. I could see replacing Vin with that character, and I like that Shallan was artistic as well as intellectually curious. :)
Esmenet is my top 1 favorite female character. The metamorphosis she went through in Aspect Emperor is mesmerizing
I did cheat a little by just referring to the trilogy, but I’m into White-Luck Warrior now and can’t wait to see what’s in store!
Hey Johanna! I'm thinking of doing my favorite Female Characters in Stephen King books video, there's a lot of great ones. Some of my favorite female fantasy characters are a bunch from ASOIAF (Arya, Cersei, Sansa, Brienne) Jasnah from Stormlight, Rin from Poppy War, Susannah from Dark Tower, Suri from LOTFE, Vin from Mistborn, Yennefer from Witcher. Hope you're doing well!
I feel so bad that I forgot Yennefer! Big oversight on my part. Great choices, Jake!
Vin is my personal favorite of these :)
Love to hear it! :)
You're right! Song of Susannah (book 6) is completely underrated. A lot of people call it filler, but i loved it
Love the cover of The Return of the King. I’ve never seen it before.
Btw, Susannah is my #1 !
And although I know her only through the TV series, Cersei Lannister is definitely a powerhouse of a character.
Great video. I enjoyed it even though I did not read most of the books.
Thank you so much, Bart! Susannah was such an powerful character. Lena Headey was amazing as Cersei!
I’m so happy Savine ranked so high! She and Yennefer from the Witcher are my two favorite female characters and I can’t choose between them!
Also, as someone who has only read Gardens of the Moon, I was surprised that Tavore will have more going on with her. She was Ganoes Paran’s sister I think?
My theory
You know how Oponn (I think) tells Paran that someone he loves will take his place in exchange for his life? Now that Tavore was mentioned I think it’s her 😊 (this might be very very wrong haha)
I can't believe I forgot Yennefer on this list! 😫 It’s just been so long since I've The Witcher books. I'm fascinated by your Gardens question. I hope you enjoyed it!
This is a great list! Some series I haven't read yet, but we share Vin as a favourite! Cersei is a strong one, but behind Arya for me, my main gripe with Cersei is her relation with Tommen, that I find incredibly toxic -- but it just goes to show how talented Martin is in writing complex female characters.
My personal TOP3 would be: Althea from Liveship Traders, Shae from Green Bone Saga and Cithrin from The Dagger and the Coin. Highly recommend these series if you haven't read them, I think you'll like Cithrin (Daniel Abraham) a lot if you love Cersei!
Thank you so much for sharing your favorites! Arya is amazing! I am looking forward to The Dagger and the Coin and Liveship Traders!
My gurls: Esme, Vin, Tavore, Mariko-sama, and Daenerys
I stuck with fantasy for this list, but if I crossed genres, Mariko would be here for sure!!!
@@Johanna_reads oh, right. the category is fantasy. LOL
Such a great list, Johanna! I love to see your entries from WOLAS, Age of Madness, Second Apocalypse, Malazan, and more. Your number one makes complete sense, especially given how well you channel her, but I suppose being an elvish assassin would help you in that! 😁
I was living my dream with that Cersei skit! Cersei may be despicable, but my elvish assassin dark side understood her fierceness! 😁
Yes Cersei ftw!
My personal favorite all-time favorite is Cordelia Naismith in the Vorkosigan saga. She doesn't appear in most of the series but her actions have such profound effects on all the major characters that her "presence" can be felt in every book.
High recommend checking it out and thanks for adding some promising books to my tbr 👍
@@archlectoryarvi2873 Cersei reigns supreme! 🔥 Thank you for the recommendation! I haven’t heard of that series, but that sounds amazing! Happy reading!
I'm surprised that Savine is your favorite female from AoM! She definitely is funny.
Love Jehane- even though I'd likely put Miranda above her for my list!
Number one isn't a surprise at all 🤣
Savine, Savine, Savine!!! I adored her! Miranda was great, and you know me well! ❤️❤️❤️
Great list, and yes Esmenet's journey is even more interesting in Bakker's Aspect Emperor where we also meet the equally fascinating Mimara, Theliopa and other interesting female characters. Also I am once again tempted to try Malazan, what lies beyond that seemingly impenetrable wall of baffling density that is the utter confuse-a-cat experience of reading Gardens of the Moon?!? I feel so confident I will love it once it's "unlocked". And yes Cersei is amazing, let's hope we one day will see her take to the page again.
I'm reading White-Luck right now, and I'm loving Aspect-Emperor so far! Can't wait to see what's in store for Esmenet, Mimara, and Theliopa. Best wishes with Malazan! I thought it was well worth it, but the approach is understandably unsettling. I am eager for more Cersei!
Great topic. I'm not sure if it's just a coincidence but for whatever reason my favourite characters of all time tend to be women. For a long time Mara from the Empire trilogy by Wurts & Feist was top of my list. Then last year I read the Kushiel trilogy and found a new favourite in Phedre who is a truly brilliant heroine. I highly recommend both these trilogies!
Thanks for the recommendations! I started the Kushiel trilogy many years ago and would like to return to it someday. I've heard so many great things about Mara and will check that out after finishing Wars of Light and Shadow!
Great list! Emily Marshwic is a favourite too, and you’ve made me want to get to some titles even more (they’re all in my TBR 😂). I’d add Lady Trent, and Mina from Dracula. I have a few more but they’re in scifi.
Thank you so much! I'm thinking about making a sci-fi version someday. 😊
Don't mind me yelling 'heck yes' the entire way through this video!! Of the ones I have read, I couldn't agree more. And I desperately need to read some Mercedes Lackey! Some of my personal favourites are Stella from Legacy of the Brightwash, Mia Corvere from Nevernight, Isabelle from The Risen Kingdoms, Zomi from Dandelion Dynasty, and Victra from Red Rising!
Wonderful list, Esmay! I'm so hyped for Dandelion Dynasty, and I've heard amazing things about Legacy of Brightwash. I hope you enjoy Mercedes Lackey if you pick her up. 💜💜
I just watched the video, Joanna. Well done and you got me thinking about my favorite female characters in fantasy. I will share my favorites but I will bend your category to include a couple of female characters that have been categorized as a science fiction. However, I have always believed “soft sci-fi” or “speculative fiction” is closer to fantasy than traditional science fiction. Here’s my list:
1) Jilly Coppercorn from The Onion Girl by Charles de Lint. Jilly is a carefree artist in the fictional city of Newford where a series of interconnected books takes place. And she has recurred in many of the books in the series but in The Onion Girl we get her full story and why she becomes the person she is.
Charles de Lint is my favorite fantasy writer and one of the most important ones the genre has produced. He has influenced me as a writer and a reader showing that fantasy is not just about old Medieval European Kingdoms, Dragons, & Warfare.
Fantasy can exist in the city and includes a diverse background of people. de Lint’s hey day was in the 90s and he’s out of fashion now. But the story of the fantasy genre can not be told without him and his Newford series of books is one of genre’s greatest literary creations. Jilly Coppercorn is one of his excellent female characters.
2) Jehane from The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay. I totally agree with you about Jehane. Your description of her fits exactly how I feel about her. I just read this in April and she still comes to mind.
3) Princess Sarene from Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. I’m not a huge Sanderson reader (just read Tress last month for my 2nd Sanderson book). However, I really like her character and it still comes to mind.
4) Lauren Olamina from Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. This is where I bend your category a bit. Parable of the Sower is categorized as science fiction on the bookshelves but this dystopian fantasy to me and she is one of the best female characters I have ever read (Sula by Toni Morrison is in that category too) in all of literature. Lauren is an interesting and special teenager that basically starts her own religion in midst of societal ruin. There is so much about her. But I would recommend just reading it for yourself. A great character.
5) Grainger from The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. Similar to Butler’s novel, this one falls into the dystopian fantasy category for me. I just reread this one last year where Grainger jumped off the page for me. She is a driver on a colony where the native alien race believes in Jesus and reads from the New Testament. The protagonist Peter has arrived the colony to further develop the alien’s race beliefs in Christ. However, he leaves his wife Bea back home in a dystopian London. Peter begins developing a connection with Grainger and even though she doesn’t believe in Christianity…their friendship grows. Her character felt real and the author did an excellent job showing it.
Those are my favorite female characters. This was another great video, Johanna.
Thank you so much for sharing your list and reasons for each character! I would love to follow up and do a Sci-Fi version someday. I haven't yet read Parable of the Sower, but I keep hearing great things. I thought Dana in Kindred was an incredible character.
Great video! 🤩 I haven’t read a lot of the books from this list, but many are on my wtr. The more you talk about the Mercedes Lackey trilogy, the more I want to read it. 👀 Two favorites I can think of are Kettricken from the Realm of the Elderlings and Iselle from the Curse of Chalion. (My favorite from The Lions of Al-Rassan is Miranda Belmonte! 🔥)
Thank you, Mariana! I should've thought about Kettricken though I've only read the Farseer Trilogy. You still have me wanting to read Curse of the Chalion! I'm looking forward to that one!
Elaira is a great character! Really enjoy the parts she has played so far in the series.
I love her so much! I'm excited to see what's in store for her.
Cersei Lannister 🔥 I will have to check out some of the others you listed.
I love her so much! Thank you!
This list is straight up awesome!
Thank you so much, my friend!
Love to see Guns of the Dawn getting some love.
Thank you! Such a great standalone!
Great video and list. Thank you 🥰
Thank you so much! ❤️
Totally with you for Tavore! And Elaira of course! For other great female characters, check out Donaldson's The Great God's War trilogy and Mordant's Need duology. Fantastic stuff! Great break down for each character. Cheers!
Thank you for those recommendations! I appreciate your kind words, and I can't wait to read more about Elaira!
Shurq, Hellian, Lorn, Kettle, Sinn, Tavore, Apsalar, Silverfox, Tattersail, Lady Envy, Felisin, Korlat, Stonny, Krughava, Mogora.
Yes! I also loved Seren Pedac and Scillara.
You talking about FMC in books already on my tbr is making me giddy with joy! Guns of the Dawn, books 2 and 3 of Bear and the Nightingale… and I’m gathering some Mercedes Lacky books! I adore the omnibus collections so I’m tracking them down.
Yay! I think you also might enjoy The Queens of Renthia series. I need to read more from Mercedes Lackey!
I love a good honourable mentions section to squeeze in a few extras 😁
One of my favourite female fantasy characters that pops to mind is Eska from Rob J. Hayes’ “The War Eternal” quadrilogy, though I have inky read book one thus far. It was my book of the year back in 2022.
Thank you! 😄 Good to know about Eska. I've heard so many great things about Rob J. Hayes' books!
Fabulous video Johanna! A couple of my own favourites in there, and I think potential favourites (I skipped a couple because I've just picked up LPQ and intend to read a couple of others) in future. Within Lackey's Valdemar series, I have several faves, and I hope you meet them soon.
Thank you, Derri! We'll have to chat when I get back to Valdemar and Realm of the Elderlings! ❤️❤️
The ones that come first to mind:
Misaki - The Sword of Kaigen
Xiala - Between Earth and Sky
Lauren Olamina - Parable of the Sower
Vintage - The Winnowing Flame
Ling Taishi - The Art of Prophecy
Amina al- Sirafi
But the most complex character I ever read was Jia Matiza from "The Dandelion Dynasty".
I'm looking forward to The Dandelion Dynasty!
Amat Kyaan was definitely my favorite part of A Shadow In Summer. Great list becuase it gives me more for my TBR!
I’m so glad you loved her too! I was sad not to get more of her past A Shadow in Summer. Thank you for watching and happy reading!
Excellent video Johanna! Vasya is one of my all time favorites as well. I enjoyed Vin, but she wasn’t super compelling for me. Mistborn Era 2 has some amazing female characters.
Vin is a woman of few words, so I can understand not feeling her as much. I just felt like I knew exactly what she was feeling in book 1 and couldn't help but see young Johanna when reading about her. Era 2 was very "meh" for me. I still haven't read the 4th book. 😅
@@Johanna_reads I love that she resonated with you so much Johanna! I just read the Lost Metal and really liked it, but if you haven’t enjoyed the series I can understand holding off.
Cercei its so fun to read!!!
Yes, indeed!!!
I enjoyed The Queens of Renthia Trilogy, but I never hear anyone talk about it. Was nice to see it pop up here. The second book was certainly my favourite of the three.
That second book is definitely the best in the trilogy! ☺️
Awesome list, so many of my favorites on here. Emily, Vasya, Misaki, TAVORE (I thought I was the only one who liked her!) and of course Savine!
Have you read The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi as yet? She'd be a shoe-in for top 3 if not number #1 if I had to make a list like this, that woman is the GOAT.
You love Tavore too??? We’ve just become besties. I haven’t read The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, but I have heard great things about that character!
@@Johanna_reads Tavore's so underrated, that march at the end of Malazan was nuts when I stepped back and thought about it. I really hope you check out Amina al-Sirafi soon, that book was top notch! And Amina absolutely carries it.
@@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels I finished that series at the end of 2021, and I still get emotional thinking about Tavore!!
Can really recommend the «Dandelion Dynasty» series by Ken Liu: If I were to write a similar list, over half would have to come from «DD» if were to live with myself with a clear conscience😅: Jia, Gin, Zomi, Fara, Thera, Soto, Wasu, Goztan, Tanvanaki, and that is just those that come to my mind! 😄
Not surprised by #2! 🤩
Just started on «The Darkness That Comes Before», so I am definitely will be following Esmenet’s development over the series! Cheers!
Thank you! I'm so excited to start The Dandelion Dynasty later this year!!!
Quite a lot of overlap with me here! I would also definitely have Tavore on my list(who definitely does have a couple PoV sections but whatever the world has been Mandella effected into thinking she doesn't), she is a significant reason why The Crippled God is so good. IDK which GGK character I would pick, and my #1 would definitely be from Realm of the Elderlings, it would just be about deciding which RotE character to pick so uh....when is Liveship happening?
Wait, she does? 🤯I sincerely don't remember being in her head, but I remember imagining her very clearly. Wars of Light and Shadow is the number 1 reason I keep putting off more Hobb, but I'd love to weigh in about the female POVs!
@@Johanna_reads Crippled god Major spoilers
She has very few Pov's, and they come very late. She has a few pages walking by the column, and when she reunites with Ganoes. I think she may also have a random PoV in the Bonehunters
If we are considering strictly fantasy stories, I would have to say Yennefer and Ciri of the Witcher books (and games) for the top of my list, particularly in The Last Wish and Blood of Elves I find their dynamic so interesting and quite different than most other books. I would also have to include the ladies of Under Heaven in that list and Galadriel.
Happy Reading!
This is strictly fantasy, and I can't believe I forgot about the Witcher women! I did read all the Witcher books, and that's a faulty omission on my part!
The main factor for me is how powerful us the writer's prose. Esmenet and Mimara are my favourite. Their survival and achievements in Bakker's bleak, burdened by zealotry and false meanings, world is pretty touching to me.
Another one who undergoes a similar journey is Morn Hyland from The Gap. Stephen Donaldson's space series.
I am also a follower of Eowyn. Her melancholic, brave demeanour is really appealing to me.
And finally. Yes Elaira. I was really charmed by her. Clever, sweet resourceful, empathetic, independent. Great character.
P.S. Susanna is so intense. The Dark Tower is a fantastic series
Yes, I totally agree about the writer’s prose playing a massive role in bringing these characters to life! Sounds like we share a lot of favorites!
Some that come to mind:
Sorcha in Daughter of the Forest
Lady Trent
The Rose Poet and Fjorel in Sarah Tolmie's The Stone Boatmen.
I haven’t read those but have heard great things about Sorcha and Lady Trent!
My favorite female character is Mara of the Acoma from Daughter of the Empire by Feist & Wurts. I believe this could be read as a stand-alone, 100%! I also think this book is close to perfect.
I've heard such great things about Mara! Looking forward to that eventually!
Cersei Lannister is my favorite fantasy female character as well. The Lannisters are my favorite characters in fantasy.
My other favorite is Nynaeve from WoT.
Even though it can get dismissed as smut I really like Phèdre from the Kushiel Trilogy. Felisin and Esemenet are also favorites they had to struggle so much...
I started the first Kushiel book many years ago but felt uncomfortable with some scenes. I've since regretted DNFing the book but still haven't returned to it. Hooray for the Lannisters!
Slept on Elizabeth Moon's Paksenarrion? Didn't read? Didn't like? Inconceivable!
I guess so!
not sure I could name a single one. There is Sal the Cacophony from Sam Sykes' trilogy starting with Seven Blades in Black; fast, badass, and deep emotional issues from love to revenge. Mia Corvere, Nevernight. I don't think I have to explain this one. Eschalla from a D&D trilogu by Paul Kidd starting with White Plume Mountain, she's magical, fae, smart, lacking in responsibility, loyal, sassy, and FUN.
I haven't read Nevernight, but I know there are a lot of Mia fans out there!
@@Johanna_reads I recall Merphy did not like it. And someone who I thought would love it (Chanel Chapters) did not like it, But I liked it. I'll say, it is violent and sexual.
I'm surprised Helena Sedanka (The Justice of Kings) didn't get a mention .
I haven't read it! Maybe someday.
There's a few female characters in GGK's Sarantine Mosaic, Children of Earth & Sky, A Brightness Long Ago and All the Seas of the World I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on.
I'm so excited to read about them! Thanks!
@@Johanna_reads His female characters are underrated imo, granted I feel that way about his characters in general. Oh, and Under Heaven has some wonderful characters too! Remind is it A Brightness Long Ago or Sarantine Mosaic you're reading next?
@@thatsci-firogue I'm planning to read Sarantine Mosaic this fall, if all works out! 😅
✌
I liked Seren Pedac
I LOVED Seren Pedac! I connected deeply with that character as well.
Picking Tavore isn't controversial. Some people are just wrong.
Seren Pedac is close as a perfect foil for Karsa.
I might throw in Sister Apple or Kettle from Book of the Ancestor. While side characters, I found them a lot more engaging than Nona at times.
Thank you! I'll have to read Book of the Ancestor sometime. Seren Pedac would probably be my second choice in Malazan!
Samar Dev for Karsa? Inventor, scholar, Havoc wrangler and witch. Luv her character!
@@mathewvance6882 I loved Samar Dev! 🫶🏼
Hello there hey there hey Hello hey
Hello! :)
Haha, Hermonie? No. Lyra from His Dark Materials? Yes. Olamina from Parable of Sower and Talents. Death from Sandman. Well the trio of personalities (Susana) from Dark Tower. Shallan if Sanderson. Tuan from Earthsea. Ronica from Lifeship Traders. And yes! Tavore! from Malazan. Paula Myo from Commonwealth Saga
Hooray for the Tavore love! I stuck with fantasy for this list, but if I were to include sci-fi, Dana from Kindred would make my list!
@@Johanna_reads Kindred is a good book but I know exactly why is it not the top of the Octavia Butler’s fans. It is a very simple idea and could be done in a historical fiction format. It’s just “dwelling” in the slave situation that’s all. It’s cruel and very dark in a sense but still not that deep. Yet the two I chose is on university courses for a reason. It’s literally started a religion. And as Petrik Leo says it’s so relevant that he felt it in Indonesia where he lives that it hit hard. I also could say that my family from my father side in Africa had very similar experiences. That book is on spot. And the bad part is, Patrick is not talking about the past while I was talking about decades he talked about the recent events. It’s not getting old. It’s maybe a sci-fi but the environmental issues are just going on not to mention the fundamental problems with people. And how you start a cult or movements. USA also had serious issues with cult and leaders in them some are still active. And now your presidential debate was just ridiculous. Really this will be a world leader country? ☝️😂
@@nazimelmardi I’ll keep everything you said in mind if I pick up Parable of a Sower! Kindred is the only Butler book I’ve read, so I obviously can’t weigh in. I thought it was a profound look at how “progress” might actually equal “pretend.” As much as we think we’ve moved on from the past, the traumas of it still affect us in insidious ways. That’s how I understood it (I’m sure there’s more to be said), but I love that Butler never hits you over the head with that message. I also love time travel stories, and Butler’s use of time travel was impactful in delivering those themes. It may be considered a simple idea, but I still think it was brilliantly delivered. Simply profound!
@@Johanna_reads that’s true. Said well. Now imagine we say it’s her “weakest” book.
In that regard it’s the easiest to digest. Very easy to read and understand what the message is, but from you I expect to see the layers of a book. Kindred is the most popular on booktok, Parable is the favorite of Daniel Greene and of a lot of teachers with PhD. That’s my first book from broken bindings, the duo. I never read in translation, but I appreciate the writing too, the main character is also a growing up female black girl to woman and (strange) mother. It has many themes. Way more than Kindred. Yet it’s a harder read because it’s not this straightforward type of book. Some would say a bit “dry” closer to the classic sci-fi things, and it’s still VERY dark. Full with trigger warnings. And as we are in Pride month, that’s lgbtq book too.