Who does not like fantasy books with epic stories? Book readers from all over the world have always favored the fantasy genre, especially female fantasy books with a strong female lead have always fascinated the readers. It is really annoying to read books in which female protagonists have a one-dimensional character arch, i.e., a stereotypical love interest of male protagonists.
Fortunately, authors in recent years have represented female characters more diversely in their fantasy books. This empowering demonstration of women in the fantasy genre is not only refreshing, but also a progressive approach of writing.
Fantasy Novels For Women With Female-Centric Stories
Thanks to modern-age authors, we now have impressive fantasy novels for women that not only take us to creatively developed charismatic realms and universes but also have strong female characters. We are listing 9 best fantasy books with stories revolving around women below:
1. The Dragon’s Rose: One Of The Best Female Fantasy Stories
Author:
Danielle Outlaw
The Dragon’s Rose by fantasy author Danielle Law sets an example of how female fantasy stories should have meaningful female characters. Although the story revolves around a knight, Cullen Branson, strong female characters like Princess Edith, a commanding figure, and Amalia, an elven woman, play an important role in its plot.
While princess Edith is a childhood friend of Cullen and later became his fiancée, she has her influence in the political affairs of Elara. On the other hand, Amalia, an elven woman’s forbidden romance with Tahl’rail, represents the struggles of a couple against Elara’s social and racial restrictions.
We will highly recommend The Dragon’s Rose because of the meaningful portrayal of female characters that influence the reader most progressively. This book also comes under best female fantasy books of all time.
2. The Poppy War
Author:
R.F. Kuang
R.F. Kuang’s books are often best-sellers, and the reason is simple: brilliant writing. Whatever she writes, it becomes a phenomenal book. She wrote her first book, The Poppy War, with a strong female protagonist, and Oh God, what a brilliant book it is.
The lead character, Rin, who joins an elite military academy in Nikan, has a really interesting character arc. Rin is decisive, has her goals set, hardworking, and determined. However, as soon as she discovers that she has some unique abilities, her character becomes grey.
Now, we can’t reveal how dark the story is onwards. To sum it up, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang has a strong female lead, political gameplay, and dark reality in a fantasy setting. Although we cannot say that it is the best work of Kuang, it’s still a powerful read.
3. Tress of the Emerald Sea
Author:
Brandon Sanderson
If you really want to see a perfect example of “a strong female,” give Tress of the Emerald Sea a try. This is one of the most celebrated books by Brandon Sanderson,n with a protagonist, Tress, who lives on an isolated island.
She is a meek girl; however, she decides to help her love, Charlie, who a sorceress abducts across the land of the Emerald Sea. Tress journeys through the sea of deadly and magical spores, deals with rats and pirates, and even befriends a dragon along the way.
If you want to experience the brilliance of character development in Brandon Sanderson’s books, Tress of the Emerald Sea is worth reading.
4. A Broken Blade
Author:
Melissa Blair
With one of the most interesting and strongest characters to play a significant role in its story, A Broken Blade is for sure worth reading. Melissa Blair webs the story around an exceptional assassin, Keera, who takes readers on some nail-biting adventures. She is battling her personal demons and villains of the outside world simultaneously.
You will definitely enjoy Keera’s fierce fights, bone-chilling slay-offs, and thrilling adventures through Melissa Blair’s detailed-oriented writing.
5. A Darker Shade of Magic
Author:
V.E. Schwab
How can we discuss fantasy books with female-centric stories without including A Darker Shade of Magic? It is the first book in this trilogy. V. E. Schwab did a great job of portraying a strong woman, Delilah Bard.
Set in London in the 1800s, the book features the elements of magic and an alternative universe. Readers enjoy the adventures of Kell and Delilah Bard, aka Lila. Delilah is fierce, brave, bold, and doesn’t care about others’ opinions. She does not take any dictation for what she should do in her life.
She defies the traditional gender role and carves her own path to make her way.
6. A Tempest of Tea
Author:
Hafsah Faizal
Although there are lots of great things to write about this book, the character of Arthie won our hearts. This lead female protagonist is the symbol of strength who knows how not to succumb to tragedies in life.
Despite being stricken by a tragedy at a very young age, she manages to own a teahouse. Hafsah Faizal has written the character of Arthie so well that every reader can connect with her. As she faces betrayal and conspiracies ahead, you will definitely root for her.
A Tempest of Tea is set in the time of 1800s and is the best read for young adults.
7. Mistborn
Author:
Brandon Sanderson
An epic tale revolving around Vin, a fantastic female protagonist. This is the 2nd book from Brandon Sanderson that we are including here that evidently says that he honors her female characters immensely.
You will witness how Vin becomes an influential personality in Scadrial from a homeless, poor child on the street. She is a Mistborn with extraordinary abilities and a unique range of powers. While Scadrial is a male-dominated society, Vin emerges in it as a strong woman wo defies typical gender stereotypes.
8. Daughter of No Worlds
Author:
Carissa Broadbent
Carissa Broadbent is an author who knows the perfect recipe for creating strong characters for female protagonists. The best example of this is Tisaanah, which she wrote brilliantly in her book Daughter of No Worlds.
She was displaced from her homeland in childhood, survived, and shines brighter through her determined mindset, wit, and a slight touch of magic. What adds an oomph to her character is the unique, grumpy romance.
This is among the joy-to-read female fantasy books that hit all the right spots.
9. Throne of Glass
Author:
Sarah J. Maas
Throne of Glass is one of the celebrated fantasy books with compelling female leads. Sarah’s epic fantasy series introduces readers to Celaena Sardothian, the deadliest assassin in Rifthold, Adarlan, and a Wyrven-riding witch, Manon Blackbeak, who is the last surviving Crochan Queen.
Celaena Sardothian went through a lot when she was young, but now she is fierce. However, there are some moments when her soft and vulnerable personality emerges. On the other hand, Manon Blackbeak is a mysterious female character who discovers her power as a Crochan Queen.
Read this amazing book for its brilliant, strong, and influential female characters.
More Recommended Titles From Best Female Fantasy Authors
We have discussed a few of the fantasy books featuring strong female characters, however, there are lots of books we have not included in this list from the best female fantasy authors. Here are some more honorable recommendations:
- K. Jemisin’s The Stone Sky
- A. Chakraborty’s The City of Brass
- Kat Howard’s An Unkindness of Magicians
- Kristin Cashore’s Jane, Unlimited
- Rivers Solomon’s Unkindness of Ghosts
What is a women’s fantasy story?
A women’s fantasy story is a storybook or novel of a fantasy genre that features a female protagonist. These stories highlight the feminine strength, her agency as a woman, and positive personal growth within an imaginary world.
What are some of the strongest female characters in fantasy novels and books?
Some of the strongest and best female characters in fantasy novels and books include:
- Aelin Galathynius from Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass
- Alanna from Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness
- Arya Stark and Brienne of Tarth from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire
- Gracelyn from Kristin Cashore’s Graceling
What are the best fantasy romance books?
Here are some of the best fantasy romance books that you must read:
- The Cruel Prince
- A Court of Wings and Ruin
- Rhapsodic
- House of Earth and Blood
- A Court of Thorns and Roses
Conclusion
So this is our list of female fantasy books that you must have. All of them have strong, determined, and influential female characters that positively impact the readers. If you have some more recommendations, do let us know through your feedback.
