By Camryn Buckman
Fantasy women are taking over the world in every kind of way and have shaped the world in and out of books, where will your heroines stand?
No.1: Katniss Everdeen
Katniss is the most relevant and influential fantasy woman of our generation. Leading a compelling and powerful story that confronts themes of politics, inequality and rawness, Everdeen stands as the grand statue for powerful women and likely will be for generations to come.
If we burn, you burn with us
No.2: Feyre Archeron
Feyre Archeron is the leading woman of romantasy books. She begins her story as a lowly villager, rising to a high lady, and finds challenges and obstacles along the way. Her journey follows inequality, loyalty, family troubles and tragedy. Feyre comes with her own struggles and health issues that transform her story into a layered novel full of twists and heartbreaking turns. She faces injustice and adversity throughout but forces herself to pull through and fight to fulfil her fate.
No one was my master— but I might be master of everything, if I wished. If I dared
No.3: Hermione Granger
I mean where could you start? Hermione’s sassy yet iconic lines, her intelligence and her charisma. She shines as a standing god for young heroines and youthful female empowerment despite her many struggles and has always had that influence in fantasy and media that makes her unforgettable.
At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in, they got in on pure talent
No.4: Aelin Galathynius
Aelin Galathynius has led the book community to victory with her heart-wrenching and glorious journey. The Throne of Glass series has been the birth of a new genre of fantasy and with it has come one of the most complex forms of a timeline and its growth. Aelin has revolutionised the game for women in fantasy in both political and emotional aspects of the industry and leads as the most popular book female in the past few years and continues to gain popularity.
My name is Celaena Sardothien. But it makes no difference if my name’s Celaena or Lillian or Bitch, because I’d still beat you, no matter what you call me
No.5: Nesta Archeron
Nesta Archeron is one of Sarah J Maas’s most complex and divisive characters. Her arc resolves around flaws, realism and difficulty as well as themes of depression and alcoholism to create a tightly wound, morally grey character. Her personality consists of violent bursts and rage that seem to stem from her eldest sister’s experience. She grows as a character through difficult and heartfelt moments that change how fantasy women are looked at with Nesta’s story being anything less than a fairytale.
I am the rock against which the surf crashes. Nothing can break me
No.6: Fang Runin
Fang Runin emerges as a highly influential figure in 21st Century fantasy due to the way her narrative challenges traditional depictions of the female hero. Listed among the most impactful women in the genre, Rin represents a shift toward portrayals that embrace moral ambiguity, political brutality and the psychological consequences of conflict. Her presence in a group of heroines defined by themes of rebellion, injustice, adversity and social transformation aligns her with the broader patterns of influence identified in contemporary fantasy culture. Rin’s story confronts issues of oppression, identity and trauma with a directness that distinguishes her from more conventional Western fantasy protagonists.
I will die with flames in my hand and fury in my heart
No.7: Jude Duarte
Jude Duarte lives a mundane life in the mortal world until it is turned upside down and she is taken to the faerie realm of Elfhame. Unlike most YA female protagonists, Jude exhibits vicious and aggressive behaviour as part of her character which makes her such an interesting and morally ambiguous person as she strives to do what she is right. Dealing with abuse and inequality, Jude carves her way as the “man” of the story.
If I cannot be better than them, I will be so much worse
No.8: Bryce Quinlan
Bryce Quinlan demonstrates her fantasy heroine nature with a combined element of modern humanity. With an ancient bloodline brewing within her, Bryce finds a way to balance her trauma, healing and her emotional realism as a representation for the rising era of the fantasy-human hybrid female protagonists. In a world where there are nightclubs, libraries and magic, Bryce is the perfect middle ground for both.
The power shall always belong to those who give their lives to the city
No.9: Beatrice (Tris) Prior
Tris Prior is the second-most-heavily influential book female. Although her book is dystopian, the novel balances fantasy elements throughout. Her story revolves around rebellion and change, for both the world and Tris as she leads her small circle of vigilantes into the unknown world of hiding, and what lies beyond the walls both literally and figuratively.
I don’t want to be just one thing. I can’t be. I want to be brave, and selfless, and smart, and kind, and honest
No.10: Violet Sorrengail
Violet Sorrengail’s is the last on the list. Although that does not change how inspiring and wishful her story is. Violet suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which affects her tissue and joints, but that doesn’t keep her from combat in difficult dragon training and treacherous conditions. Violet is often seen as the weaker side of the YA female protagonists due to her frail nature and often emotional scenes, however this spot on the list is deserved.
I know exactly what and who you are, Violet Sorrengail
So where did your favourites sit? Were you inspired by some the stories you read here? Look for more from Camryn Buckman for TAFE Media.
Featured image: Tris Prior, Hermione Granger and Katniss Everdeen. Photos: YouTube
