top of page
Writer's pictureProse Before

Strong Female Protagonists in Books




My favorite thing about reading (probably, there are lots) is the idea of a teen girl being the only hope for salvation. A historically overlooked group, the “teen girl” being everyone’s last hope is an inspiring topic to me. Here is the list of 5 of my all-time favorite badass girl heroines.


1.Cammie Morgan (and all of her classmates) from The Gallagher Girl series by Ally Carter

Cammie and all of her classmates go to Spy School and have since 7th grade. They can speak over 10 languages each, can hack into any server on the planet, and can take down men twice their size all without ruining their school uniforms. I love the idea of training these girls who are constantly overlooked and underappreciated and sending them out into the world to be badass spies that will benefit from being overlooked and underappreciated. Every girl in these books is worth mentioning as being cool and capable and for that, they are my number one.


2. Ruby Daly from The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken


Set in a dystopian future where a sickness ravages all kids, leaving most of them dead and the rest with inexplicable powers, Ruby has one of the most coveted powers there is. I love the journey Ruby goes on throughout this series, she is put through the wringer time and time again, forced to learn to use a power she doesn’t want and become a leader she didn’t ask to be. There is something about these books that make me weep every time, Ruby’s life is so unfair and she tries her best to come out on top (I would definitely pass on the movie adaptation, sorry!)


3. June Iparis from the Legend Series by Marie Lu


June is a military prodigy, born and raised to be in charge. When the infamous wanted criminal Day commits crimes too heinous for even June to handle she goes undercover to try to capture him. June must come to terms with what is right and what she has been taught her whole life, leading her down a tumultuous path. I love how capable and clinical June can be but also rational enough to figure out who’s pulling the strings.


4.Bryce Quinlan from House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas


What can’t Bryce Quinlan do? She is strong, beautiful, mean, and an unwavering friend. When something terrible happens to her best friends in the whole world Bryce falls to pieces. Years later when that something terrible comes back she must team up with a fallen angel and solve this mystery. Bryce is fearless and funny, with powers that no one knows about and more love to give than she knows what to do with.


5.Cinder (and Scarlett and Cress) from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer


Cinder is one of my absolute favorites. As a half cyborg in a world where cyborgs command no respect, Cinder is still the top mechanic in all of New Beijing. When a deadly disease ravages the whole Commonwealth and the evil Lunar Queen comes down to take advantage of the dire situation, Cinder is shoved into a spotlight she never thought she’d be in. She is considered important when she figured her whole life she would be ignored and downtrodden. Cinder is capable and strong and incredibly intelligent. She takes the challenges she is given and delivers every time.



Kendall @whatskendalreading

16 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

The Publication Process: A Brief Introduction

Writers from all different backgrounds are all in different stages in their writing careers. Me? I’m currently working on my first book...

Comentarios


bottom of page