Top-10 Female Protagonists (4)

It was excruciating to have to pick out of a huge list of wonderful female characters. I tried to mix between ones who grew and changed, and the ones that were just plain kick butt awesome. Of course there are a few that just go without saying, but it was really tricky to try and cover all the bases. I probably forgot someone really important. Here goes.

1. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

2. Beatrice "Tris" Prior (Divergent)

3. Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson)

4. Katsa (Graceling)

5. Yelena (Poison Study)

6. Tally Youngblood (Uglies)

7. Anna Korlov (Anna Dressed In Blood)

8. Ismae (Grave Mercy)

9. Raisa ana'Marianna (The Demon King)

10. Saba (Blood Red Road)

There are so many more that belong on that list (maybe I'll edit occasionally and keep adding characters over time or as I remember them):

Meghan Chase (The Iron King)

Maximum Ride (The Angel Experiment)

Cinder (Cinder)

Amy (Across the Universe)

June (Legend)

Aria (Under the Never Sky)

There are a lot of reasons I believe these are the best female characters (for me at least). And for those same reasons, Bella Swan did not even come within a mile of being on this list. Most of these characters are really strong, independent, intelligent, compassionate, and powerful. They are capable of making a change in their world. They all mature or show extraordinary qualities that made the books themselves stand out from thousands of others. To the authors out there, thank you for writing such wonderful, complex characters. 

Snippet Saturdays - Hourglass

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

1. "Please don't misunderstand...I'm only trying to..." With his fingertips still on the edge of the dresser, he closed his eyes, struggling with words.
Seeing an escape, I ducked under his arm. There were some advantages to being short. "Trying to what? Scare me? Piss me off?"
"I didn't mean to do either of those things." He pushed away from the dresser to face me. "I'm so--"
"Stop." I cut him off before he could say anything else. "Whether you meant to or not, you did. And now you should probably go." (p. 74) 

2. I flattened myself against the wall until the light went off again, then I took off in the direction of the car, flinging the door open when I reached it.
I let out a scream.
Someone was already sitting there. (p. 138)

Foretelling Fridays - Goddess (Starcrossed #3)

Goddess by Josephine Angelini

Expected Publication: May 28, 2013

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.

My Reaction: Hi there. First off, how do you say "OMG THAT COVER IS SO GORGEOUS THOSE COLORS." Furthermore, "I LOVE GREEK MYTHS." And finally, "SO MUCH ROMANTIC TENSION." I am nearly paralyzed. I have to say, Starcrossed didn't truly impress me until I read Dreamless and from there....geez. I really can't wait to see what happens between all the Scion houses and Helen and Lucas, and the poor little oracle, and Helen and Lucas, and Orion, and Helen and Lucas, and well yeah. Basically lots of Helen and Lucas.