Looking back, I’m rather surprised at how many authors I’ve been enjoying whose main characters are feisty, heroic women. I like a woman who stands up for herself and doesn’t sit back cringing in a corner when the chips are down!
In the paranormal genre, Gail Carriger’s Alexia Tarabotti is quirky, Karen Chance’s Lia de Croissets is the misfit in the War Mage Corps while Christine Feehan’s Drake sisters, Sunny’s Mona Lisa, and Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse represent the softer side of a lively gal. Charlaine Harris’ Harper Connelly digs in to help people out.
Kim Harrison’s Madison Avery and Tanya Huff’s Vicki are stubborn little things while Julie Kenner’s Kate Connor fights back between carpooling duties and the trials of raising a teenage daughter. Karen Marie Moning’s Mackayla Lane is fighting through a sudden introduction to her heritage without a lot of information.
The ladies who “don’t take no shit”—my favorites(!)—include Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock and Thorn St. Croix, Allyson James’ new series with Janet Begay, Mercedes Lackey’s Diana Tregarde, Jeanne C. Stein’s Anna Strong, Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels is right up there with Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson and Raven, Keri Arthurs’ Riley Jenson, Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake and Meredith Gentry, Rachel Caine’s Joanne Baldwin, Eileen Wilks’ Lily, Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan, and Lynn Kurland’s Morgan from her Nine Kingdoms series.
In mysteries, the comedic slot is filled with Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow, Dorothy Gilman‘s Mrs. Pollifax, Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next, and Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody (reminds me of Gail Carriger’s Alexia!) The historical-mystery approach is filled with Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy, Lindsay Davies’ Helena, Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma, and C. L. Grace’s Kathryn Swinbrooke. Sharp-eyed investigators include Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon, J. A. Konrad’s Jack Daniels, Kathy Reichs’ Temperance Brennan, J. D. Robb’s Eve Dallas, Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta, Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone, and Agatha Christie’s Tuppence Beresford. Warm and cozy mysteries are covered by Charlaine Harris’ Aurora Teagarden, Diane Mott Davidson’s Goldy Bear, Carolyn Hart’s Annie Laurence, Tamar Myers’ Abigail Timberlake, and Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple while technology is wired in with Donna Andrews’ Turing. Lastly, Charlaine Harris’ Lily Bard fights back against her past while Carolyn Hart’s Magdalena Yoder (cousin to Amelia and Alexia) takes on all comers while nurturing their basic needs.
What can I say, we all love Diana Gabaldon’s Claire Fraser.
There are a couple of great supporting women characters: Jim Butcher’s Amara from Codex Alera starts off as a main character and I think she holds her own throughout the series and Viola from Alan Gordon’s Fools’ Guild Mystery series is a treat. Anne Perry’s Charlotte Pitt is a classic.
These are only the books I’ve read the past couple of years…I know there is a ton more out there…let me know your favorites!