Fierce: having or showing a lot of strong emotion: very strong or intense.
Recently Signature newsletter had a good article about Fierce Female protagonists in literature and offered some new books with some leading characters who are powerful and exciting to read about. Of course I added most of the titles to my TBR list.
However, I wanted to make my own leading ladies list so here are some female protagonists that I think well deserve the description of fierce. They may not all be lovable or even likable but they aren’t afraid to make their own way in the world.
Eileen by Ottesa Moshfegh. Eileen is definitely not likable but there is something so captivating by this narrator that you cannot look away.
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier. Two women who share friendship and obsession which will lead them to make some of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century.
Slamerkin by Emma Donoghue. Mary lives by her own set of rules and one of those is never give up your liberty.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Katniss Everdeen is a warrior who fights for her family, friends and love. And, she’s great with a bow and arrow!
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. Lisbeth Salander may have been a victim of those who were supposed to protect her but no more.
This is a short list but Iād like to hear what some of your additions would be?
Vin from Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson; Lada from And I Darken by Kiersten White, Arista from the Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan… I could go on and on and on…
Definitely need to read more books on strong and fierce female protagonists! Thanks for the great list, Iliana! š
I haven’t read Eileen or Slamerkin, but can certainly agree with your other fierce and feisty protagonists!