Friday, September 17, 2010

Favourite female characters in YA

I found this really difficult to do and even now, I feel as though I've missed some really obviously awesome female in a YA book. With the exception of Anne Shirley, most are from contemporary YA fiction. I'd really love to see someone's list that isn't so heavily populated by current fiction!

Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins - This came out first on my list, probably because Mockingjay is still fresh in my mind. Though a lot of the fight and rebellion was lost for Katniss in that last book, I still have to give her credit. She really stood up to the Capitol and fought to get what she wanted (to save Prim from the Games, to honour Rue, to save her's and Peeta's lives with the berries).

Sabriel from the Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix - Sabriel kicks ass. I was completely swept away by this book, the world it was set in, absolutely everything. And that wouldn't have happened without such a fabulous character as Sabriel.

Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
- I really love Hermione Granger. She's really book smart and loyal. I could have just as easily said Ginny Weasley, or Tonks... JK Rowling writes such interesting female characters. How much do I heart kooky Luna Lovegood? I love that she really just doesn't care what other people think and that she's utterly and perfectly bonkers.

Lyra Silvertongue from the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman -Lyra seems like a girl who knows how to have some fun. Like if we were friends, everytime we'd hang out there'd be an adventure.

Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green Gables series by LM Montgomery - There's such charm to Anne Shirley. Reading those books, there was nothing I wanted more than to wear puffed sleeves and be Anne's bosom buddy and make up stories together. In fact, I still want to do those things. Is it possible for me to still do these things?

Tiffany Aching from the young Discworld series by Terry Pratchett - I'm sure Tiffany could kick some butt with that frying pan. I've only read the first book in the series, and I have so much more Tiffany to read about! YAY!

Viola from the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness - Oh, poor Viola. The spaceship she's in crash lands on another planet kills her parents. She's left on her own in this crazy new world with Noise and horrific dictators and she's got to make some really tough decisions. I loved Viola throughout the series.

Dru Anderson from the Strange Angels series by Lili St Crow - Dru's a feisty one. I like that about her. Life throws her some raw deals, what with her dad becoming a zombie and a really powerful sucker like Sergej after her. And she's still up for looking after herself.

Katsa from Graceling by Kristin Cashore - She's so fierce, Katsa, isn't she? Her Grace is surviving. When she carried the girl over the mountain? All the sword fighting with Po? Swoon. She tries to stand up to her horrid uncle and then train other girls to fight. My hero.

Mia Thermopolis from the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot - And because I didn't want this list to be all fantasy YA, I had to include one of Meg Cabot's heroines. And who better than Mia Thermopolis? She's funny and smart and wrote a book, and is a princess. Love her.

Runners-up: Hester Shaw from The Mortal Engines series. Clary from the Mortal Instruments. Tally Youngblood by from the Uglies Quartet. If I'd read these books more recently than they might have made the list :(

Who would make your list?

13 comments:

  1. I love Mia Thermopolis. Great list! :)

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  2. Brilliant list! Katniss, hermione and Luna would be on my list too. And your runner-up Tally.

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  3. Katniss - would be top of my list too. I have just got my hands on Mockingjay.Yay!!!

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  4. I love your list! And I'm glad you included Mia, because I don't think she gets enough recognition for being awesome...possibly because Meg Cabot writes "chick lit."

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  5. Viola and Hermione would definitely make my list too! But I'd probably say Emily of New Moon rather than Anne of Green Gables. I'd add Liesel from The Book Thief too. :)

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  6. I'd definately have Tally and Clary on the List. Another one who I think is awesome is Sally Lockhart from The ruby in the smoke by Phillip Pullman- awesome post

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  7. Kirsty - Sally Lockhart was pretty cool as well, but I think I read the books too long ago to remember any details about her.

    Jenny - I've not read The Book Thief, or Emily of New Moon. Should I?

    Zara - I couldn't not include Mia, I think she's absolutely awesome!

    Vivienne - have you not read Mockingjay yet?!

    Sophie - Yay! We agree on so many of them :)

    Luisa - I heart Mia :)

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  8. Great list and although some are unfamiliar to me, I'll definitely be checking out the books that I haven't read yet. As for characters I love, my favourite would have to me Clary from the MI series - I absolutely adore her!

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  9. I do recommend all the books these cool women are in, definitely! And I liked Clary, I just hadn't read about her in forever..

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  10. Good list, I'd have to add Gwyna from Here Lies Arthur and Maerad from the Books of Pellinor ;)

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  11. Gwyna was definitely an interesting character :) But I've not heard of the Books of Pellinor?

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  12. By Alison Croggan - not the most original stories, but I really love the characters and Croggan's storytelling. And Maerad fascinated me as she's such a dual character trying to accept her dark side.

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  13. Her DARK SIDE?! :) Sounds fascinating. I shall write that down, thank you!

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