Book Review: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

Title: The Golem and the Jinni Author: Helene Wecker Published: April 2013 by Harper (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic. When her master, the husband who commissioned her, dies at sea on the voyage from Poland, she is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York in 1899. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian desert. Trapped in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard centuries ago, he is released accidentally by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop. Though he is no longer imprisoned, Ahmad is not entirely free – an unbreakable band of iron binds him to the physical world. The Golem and the Jinni is their magical, unforgettable story; unlikely friends whose tenuous attachment challenges their opposing natures – until the night a terrifying incident drives them back into their separate worlds. But a powerful threat will soon bring Chava and Ahmad together again, challenging their existence and forcing them to make a fateful choice

I'm not entirely sure when I heard about this book but I know as soon as I learned about it I knew I had to read it. It's historical fiction set during one of my favorite periods, no it's a historical fantasy with characters who were created from magic and can preform magic. I had heard some good things from fellow bloggers and I couldn't wait to read it. And was I glad I did. It is one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful books I have read in a long time, an instant favorite.

The Lower East Side of NYC in 1890's - Source

One of the best things about this book was the setting. I've already said that I enjoy historical fiction set during this time period. It's such an interesting period of American history. With the surge of immigrants arrive in the US and the changing politics it is a period of evolution and growth but it was also a period of inequality. And this was a gritty and honest look at that period. In The Golem and the Jinni we don't get a glamorous look at the things, we see things from the perspective of two immigrants in two different communities. Not only is that unique and interesting, but Wecker is able to immerse the reader in this world. You feel the sense of optimism but you also feel the sense confinement with the society of the time. It was a contrast that added to the captivating suspense of the novel. This was accentuated by the magical aspect of the story. It could be said that The Golem and the Jinni is magical realism. The magic was subtle and not the focus of the book. I usually hate that, I want my magic to be the focus of the book if it is going to be apart of the story. But here the subtlety gave the book a really interesting atmosphere. And it also gave the book a sense of danger. Magic in a world where magic is not acceptable, magic in a world where being different is dangerous. It was such a complex setting and world that captured my interest from beginning to end.

But what really hooked me about The Golem and the Jinni was the characters. The main characters were both complex and likable. They are both so different but they had this great narrative symmetry. Chava, the Golem, is a resilient woman who was created to serve a master she doesn't have any more. She's curious and intelligent but it's against her nature to not have a master. She spends a lot of the novel struggling to find companionship. Ahmad, the Jinni, is a complicated man who just wants to create beautiful things and be himself but he is trapped in a human form and tied to a master who imprisoned him for personal use. Throughout most of the novel he is searching for freedom. They both have strength and weaknesses which makes them the kind of characters I love reading about. But better than that, they are both thrust into this world they don't understand and are searching for a connection to their fellow man. You can't help but become invested in their struggle and want to see them succeed in their goals. And that's when you also can't help but enjoy the immigrant communities they become a part of. The Syrian community that embarrasses the Jinni and the Jewish community that embraces the Golem are both full of interesting characters that rounds out the cast here. These are the kind of characters that work their way deep into your heart and then never leave. I was so emotionally connected to them and their struggle that as the book developed I was just as emotionally connected to the book.

But I think my favorite part of this book was Helene Wecker's writing. This book is her debut but it was so well-written that I would have thought it was her tenth book. Not only were her prose beautiful and heartbreaking but the plot development was flawless. This is an incredibly intricate story where all the clues aren't revealed to the very end. It takes place throughout different time periods, different continent, and is narrated by more characters than I can count. It could be quite the complicated story, and to be honest it is a complicated story. But it's complicated in a good way. The pacing is a bit on the slow side but the pay off at the end makes it all worth it. This is the kind of book where things build to a thrilling conclusion. And when it was all finally revealed, I was in complete shock with the twists. I can't remember the last time a plot twist had me this surprised and this emotionally affected. It was a fantastic and enjoyable ride! It's the kind of book that you can't help but think about long after you have finished reading it.

I give The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker 9.5 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! This is an absolutely fantastic read. I really feel like I wasn't able to do the book justice. I'm still emotionally affected by it days later, I loved it that much. If you are a fan of historical fiction or magical realism you must read this book. The characters are interesting and easy to connect with, the setting is complex and captivating, and the plot is intricate and full of surprising. It's a seriously beautiful book.

Have you read The Golem and the Jinni? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Title: The Age of Innocence Author: Edith Wharton Published: 1920 by D. Appleton & Company (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Winner of the 1921 Pulitzer Prize, The Age of Innocence is Edith Wharton’s masterful portrait of desire and betrayal during the sumptuous Golden Age of Old New York, a time when society people “dreaded scandal more than disease.” This is Newland Archer’s world as he prepares to marry the beautiful but conventional May Welland. But when the mysterious Countess Ellen Olenska returns to New York after a disastrous marriage, Archer falls deeply in love with her. Torn between duty and passion, Archer struggles to make a decision that will either courageously define his life—or mercilessly destroy it

I try to read a classic a month, there are just so many that I hadn't read. The Age of Innocence has been on my list for quite awhile. It's a classic that seems like one I would really enjoy. I was not disappointed in the history, the characters, and Edith Whatron's writing.

What was so interesting for me about this book is the historical context. It was written in the 1920's but it takes place in the 1870's (which is why I am reading it as part of my historical fiction month) so it can't be viewed entirely through either construct. Interestingly they are not very different periods in American history. The 1920's was a period of change and modernization. Frivolity and excess was celebrated and there was this general idea of people doing as they pleased (think The Great Gatsby). Where in the 1870's it was about excess and showing off but that was because it was what society deemed, it was all about convention and expectation. So Edith Wharton is writing through this lens as much as one fixed on the 1920's. And that to me is what made the book so interesting. The two ideas are at such odds throughout the novel. And it's a social commentary about not only the fact that you shouldn't look to society to dictate your actions but you also should do whatever you want because there will be consequences. The historical context made for some really interesting themes in The Age of Innocence.

And that idea of what society wants being at odds with what you want was embodied in the characters. First I want to say that I found it so interesting here that the book had a male protagonist. There sort of novels, especially classics, that focus on romance and modernizing despite societies conventions tend to focus on women whose role in society was at the heart of the change. But here we have Newland Archer as our protagonist. He's in a bit of a love triangle with his fiance, the demure society darling May Welland, and her cousin the modern and reckless Countess Olenska. All the characters were complex and interesting, I particularly enjoyed their development throughout the book. But I think what I really liked was the dynamic between them. Both romantic and non.-romantic. I love a good tortured romance in my classics and here we have a great one. Like most people I tend to get very tired of love triangles but here it really did work. It fit the characters, it fit the themes of the book, and it added drama instead of taking away from the plot.

In fact the plot really centered around the romance and that was perfectly fine with me. I really enjoyed seeing these characters interact.  There was this realistic subtle to them. They talked and they gossiped. They were on their best behavior because that's what society expected of them but in private they were who they wanted to be. They were constantly changing and evolving just as society was modernizing around them. It was almost a coming-of-age story with the character development. Edith Wharton wrote a beautiful character-driven novel about the entangled loves of the elites during the Gilded Age.

And what made the book so engaging was the writing. I tend to have this tortured relationship with a lot of classics because they are good but they're long with moments that just seem wordy and not very important to the general plot. And yes, it does have it's moments, but modern classics like this really improve on that a lot. We are still able to be immersed in the world but it's not all about explaining the setting. Edith Wharton makes New York in the 1890's come alive with the glamour and the parties but be don't get bogged down in the details. Her writing is lyrical and deep while still being readable. It's no wonder The Age of Innocence is a Pulitzer Winner. It's just an all-around well-written novel.

I give The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton a 9 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow A definite read for fans of romantic classics in the the vein of Jane Austen but especially for fans of the Bronte sisters. I loved the characters and the historical context. If you are a fan of books set during this period like I am then check this book out.

Have you read The Age of Innocence? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

ARC Review: The Revelation of Louisa May by Michaela MacColl

Title: The Revelation of Louisa May Author: Michaela McColl Published: April 14, 2015 by Chronicle Books (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Louisa May Alcott can't believe it—her mother is leaving for the summer to earn money for the family and Louisa is to be in charge of the household. How will she find the time to write her stories, much less have any adventures of her own?  But before long, Louisa finds herself juggling her temperamental father, a mysterious murder, a fugitive seeking refuge along the Underground Railroad, and blossoming love. Intertwining fact, fiction, and quotes from Little Women, Michaela MacColl has crafted another spunky heroine whose story will keep readers turning pages until the very end.

If you are a constant reader at My Thoughts Lit you probably know that I'm a big fan of Little Women. It's my favorite classic. I've read it more times than I can count and I think that this is my fifth review of a book that is somehow connected with Little Women. So when I saw an e-ARC of The Revelation of Louisa May available on Edelweiss of course I snagged it. I was not disappointed by this fun and engaging read based on a beloved classic.

Anything that makes me think of Little Women is something that I will always enjoy and this is definitely a book for fans of Little Women. I wouldn't call it a retelling or even a reimagining. It's more a re-inspiration. It's no secret that Little Women is semi-autobiographical and with this being a book Louisa May Alcott what the author does is think about what moments from Louisa's life could have inspired her to write her novels. While everything is purely fictional, throughout the book you can see moments and characters that may led to the creation of Little Women, the March family, and Louisa's "stories." Fans of the classic will pick out subtle moments that will remind them of  Amy, Laurie, Mr. Behr, and of course our beloved Jo. The moments were so natural and well-researched that I actually found myself thinking that they really happened. And that is is the sign of good historical fiction.

Which brings me to my favorite thing about the book, the historical context. Even better than the elements from Little Women, Michaela McColl wrote an engaging story that was rooted in history and reality. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and my favorite kind are novels that combines real people and elaborates with made up characters and situations. And yes, the characters (more on them later) aren't totally made up but that's what makes it all the more interesting. But what the book really elaborates on however is their connection with the Underground Railroad and the abolition movement. That's such a complex subject and I really enjoyed the authors exploration of the topic and it's connection to the Alcott family. I love that Little Women stands the test of time but I always missed the events of the time in that novel, and I loved that it was explored in The Revelation of Louisa May.

The author also did a fantastic job creating characters that were complex and memorable. In fact, this is a book about the Alcott family and their connection with the transcendentalists of Concord. It is clear to me that Michaela MacColl did her research. Louisa's father Bronson Alcott is of course featured along with Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Each philosopher was so well-rounded with strengths and weaknesses that made them compelling to read about and like the situations, made me wonder how much was true. And just as well-rounded was Louisa herself. She is just as plucky and rash as our beloved Jo. I did feel a little bit like we were told about her temper more than witnessing it firsthand but I did still love the way she walked the fine line between societies expectations of her and what she wanted for herself.

And while I really loved the historical aspect of the book, what kept me from giving it a really strong rating was the mystery. That sounds like a weird thing to say because I usually enjoy the addition of a mystery to any novel but this just seemed to over-complicate things. Which is even weirder to say because this was a quick and easy read. It just didn't really fit with the story to me. About half way through the book a sudden murder mystery just seemed out of left field and it was an odd direction to take the plot in. Not to mention that it was the kind of mystery that I solved very quickly and it took forever for the characters to get on the same page. I think I would have enjoyed it a little more if it just stuck with the historical fiction aspect and it didn't try to be a historical mystery.

I give The Revelation of Louisa May by Michaela MacColl an 8 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. If you are a fan of Little Women and/or you are looking for an interesting historical fiction novel then grab this one on your next library haul. It was an interesting read that wasn't perfect but it was a fun and engaging Young Adult read.

Have you read The Revelation of Louisa May? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!  

Waiting on Wednesday: Court of Fives by Kate Elliott

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Court of Fives Series: Court of Fives #1 Author: Kate Elliott Published: August 18, 2015 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In this imaginative escape into an enthralling new world, World Fantasy Award finalist Kate Elliott begins a new trilogy with her debut young adult novel, weaving an epic story of a girl struggling to do what she loves in a society suffocated by rules of class and privilege.  Jessamy's life is a balance between acting like an upper class Patron and dreaming of the freedom of the Commoners. But at night she can be whomever she wants when she sneaks out to train for The Fives, an intricate, multi-level athletic competition that offers a chance for glory to the kingdom's best competitors. Then Jes meets Kalliarkos, and an unlikely friendship between a girl of mixed race and a Patron boy causes heads to turn. When a scheming lord tears Jes's family apart, she'll have to test Kal's loyalty and risk the vengeance of a powerful clan to save her mother and sisters from certain death.

Why I'm Waiting 

When I heard about this book I saw it pitched as "Little Women meets The Hunger Games." I normally hate that but those two comparisons really have me interested. It's an odd blend but in a good way. Not to mention the synopsis of this book has so many of my Bookish Buzzwords. "Society suffocated by rules of class and privilege" sounds to me like we are going to get some great political intrigue and a antagonistic ruler that I will love to hate. "Unlikely friendship" sounds interesting and like there may be a good slowburn romance but even if they just stay friends I'm cool with that. "Vengeance of a powerful" clan makes me think there will be some death and destruction along with the political intrigue.

I think I'm also really excited because Jessamy sounds like a female protagonist that I love. Last week I talked about how I like my heroines to be tough but balanced. Maybe they are a little vulnerable or reluctant or maybe they are more intelligent with inner strength instead of outer. Jessamy sounds like a good blend of the two.

And finally I'm really excited about this book because it sounds like it has crossover appeal. Kate Elliott has written a lot of adult Sci-Fi and fantasy novels but this is her first YA. That makes me think that this will be more on the mature side and that's how I like my YA. I seriously cannot wait!

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting for Court of Fives with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Top Ten Tuesday: Inspirational Quotes

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

"If I seem to wander, if I seem to stray, remember that true stories seldom take the straightest way."
-Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind
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"Love doesn't buy us anything, so be glad for what you have and who you have because you may want for things but you need for nothing."
V. E. Schwab, A Darker Shade Of Magic
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"The way I figure it, life's the sum total of all our small mistakes, little tragedies, bad choices."
Lauren Oliver, Rooms
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"You wish to be a hero, but you don't know what a hero is. You think a hero is one who wins. But a hero must be prepared to lose."
Lev Grossman, The Magician King
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"And for a moment, I understood that I have friends on this lonely path, that sometimes your place is not something you find, but something you have when you need it."
Libba Bray, Rebel Angels
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"Words are everything. Words give wings even to those who have been stamped
upon, broken beyond all hope of repair."
-Samantha Shannon, The Mime Order

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"Never forget what you, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it never will be used to hurt you."
George R.R. Martin A Game of Thrones

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"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: fear of failure."
Paulo Coehlo,The Alchemist
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"You can't be so frightened of what might happen that you are unwilling to act."
Brandon Sanderson, Steelheart

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"It was funny too, how lonesome a person could be in a crowded house."
Carson McCullers, The Heart is A Lonely Hunter
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And those are just a few of the memorable quotes I found by searching through the post-it notes I use for bookmarks. I tend to like more sad and depressing quotes about life but what can you do. What are some of your favorite quotes? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

BookReview: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief Author: Marcus Zusak Published: March 2006 by Knopf Books for Young Readers (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul. It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

I'm a big fan of historical fiction, it's my second favorite genre. I also read a lot of YA. When you ask people what their favorite YA historical fiction novel is I would wager that a lot of people would answer this book. It comes extremely well recommended, I mean it has an average rating of 4.35 on Goodreads, that is one of the highest I have ever seen. And yet I resisted reading it. I told myself I don't like sad books, I don't like HF set during World War II, I won't like it. But I finally bit the bullet and read it. I'm happy to say, you were right and I was wrong, this books is beyond gorgeous.

What I think made it so good for me was the that despite a well-developed historical backdrop, that was not focus of this novel. Now don't get me wrong, history definitely came alive in this story. Marcus Zusak immersed us in the world of Germany during World War II. I think my main fear about WWII historical fiction is that they usually fall into one of two categories, being about the war or being about the holocaust. And while both are interesting subject matters and make for complex and emotional stories they tend to feel stale after awhile. That was not the case with The Book Thief. It isn't the standard look at the time period. It is not about the war or the holocaust, although that was obviously a big part of the book. No, this was a book about the Germans on the homefront. How they are dealing with the war and Nazi control of the country.  It was such an interesting take on the period and I really enjoyed it.

But like I said, the historical aspect was not really the focus of the novel for me. I would say it was more about the people. This is a character-driven novel about people struggling to survive in the face of adversity. And with the people being the focus of the book Marcus Zusak of course created some absolutely amazing characters that you can't help but love. I very quickly fell in love with every single one of them. Our main character, the titular book thief, is Liesel Meminger. She's got a real thirst for knowledge, a book lover for book lovers which is always fantastic. But the best part about Liesel is her inner strength. She's been through so much in her short life and has amazing sense of humor and innocence. You can't help but empathize with her and want her to succeed. Just as fantastic as Liesel is her foster family Hans and Rosa Huberman. Hans is instantly lovable and supportive while Rosa is prickly and tough. They balance each other so well and are some of the most loving people who absolutely put others first. One of those other people is Max Vandenburg, a complex and kind Jewish refugee the Huberman's are hiding. Rounding out the cast of characters is Rudy Steiner, Liesel's best friend. They have such a fantastic relationship and Rudy's humor and enthusiasm is only matched by Liesel's. The characters are all so wonderful and really make this book so fantastic.

And the character-driven nature of the novel was made all the more interesting because of the narrative style of the book. You see, The Book Thief is narrated by death. He is obviously the perfect narrator for a novel about a historical period with so much death and destruction both because of war and because of other reasons. And yet Death's narration also had this great sense of beautyand lyricism that made the book gorgeous and captivating. But more than that, Death as a narrator added so much suspense and atmosphere to the book. You knew something bad was going to happen. This was not going to have a happy ending, how could it. But when things did get real, I was still not prepared for the emotional toll that it took. Even just writing this review I tear up thinking about how beautiful and tragic it is.

I seriously understand why everyone loves this book. It is an emotional and engaging story with characters you can't help but love with a complex and engaging historical backdrop that isn't like your typical book set during the time period.

I give The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak a 10 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If you are like me have talked yourself out of reading this book then change that. It is a fantastic and beautiful story that I think everyone would love. If you are a fan of historical fiction then absolutely read it. If you are a fan of complex character-driven stories with likable characters then definitely read it. Basically just read it. I wish I hadn't waited so long to pick it up because it is just brilliant.

Have you read The Book Thief? What did you think? Leave me a comment. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Discussion Post: Strong Female Heroines

If you read a lot of YA, and I'm sure you do, then you are really familiar with this trope. And yes, it is a trope, there is even a twitter parody account for the "Typical YA Heroine." But the fact that it's a trope doesn't mean that it's not amazing. What girl and woman doesn't want to see a kickass lady busting heads and taking names. The answer is none. Of course everyone wants that.

But sometimes it does get a little old and cliche. So what I really want to talk about here is what keeps it fresh and exciting for me, including a few things that I don't like. There was a Top Ten Tuesday a while ago about this topic so if you want to see more of my favorite heroines, check that out [HERE].

1.) Ladies who are known for their brains and strategy

I feel like being a strong female heroine means that you can't just be about physical strength. There is a lot of planning and plotting too. Some of my favorite ladies are those who can hold their own in a fight but are better known for their minds. It definitely makes them more complex and likable.

Examples: 

Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Hermione is not the protagonist of this series but she is absolutely the heroine. She is the "brightest witch of her age" and while she can duel with the best of them it is her intelligence that makes her so great. Not to mention she fits so many of the later categories.

Kestrel in The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Kutkowski
I recently read the first two books in this series and boy is Kestrel amazing. She has been raised in a society that tells her she has to be either a wife or a warrior but she has other plans. They don't always work out but I love her for being a strategist.

2.) Ladies who have more inner strength than outer

It sounds like a weird thing to say but being a strong female protagonist doesn't really mean that you are physically strong. Some ladies you put in a battlefield and they would fail miserably but they have this amazing warrior mentality without being a warrior. It makes them really sympathetic and I love it.

Examples: 

Sansa Stark in A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
You probably know that Sansa is my favorite character in this series and it is 100% because of her inner strength. Westeros is a place full of amazing women but there is something so amazing about Sansa and the fact that she uses what others see as her weaknesses to survive.

3.) Ladies who don't want to be heroes

Seriously, I love a good reluctant hero. There is nothing like a great character arc where the MC becomes a hero despite the fact that they didn't really want to be. But this is even better with a female character. For so long women were told they can't be heroes so it's great to see female protagonists overcoming that idea. But even better than that it's so much more refreshing than a cliche hero.

Examples: 

Ruby Daly in The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Frankly Ruby is terrified by her powers and doesn't want anything to do with them. She's so vulnerable in the beginning and when she does take on the responsibilty that is thrust on her, not only is it badass but you root for her because you struggle through the process with her.

Source

Alina Starkov in the Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
When we first meet Alina she is a humble soldier who is thrust with this amazing responsibility that she doesn't want and she become a pawn for others who make her into a savior and a saint. But by the end she embraces her powers and it's amazing to see.

4.) Ladies who are also ladies

This is similar to the inner strength one but I much prefer a female protagonist who isn't all about killing people and getting vengeance. Sure, I love when that is a part of their personality but if that is what you are all about then you just aren't complex enough. But my personal favorite is when kickass female heroines are also obsessed with pretty dresses, makeup, and boys. These characters who break the gender norms because they walk the line between the two.

Examples: 

Celaena Sardothian in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
Talking about Celaena inspired this post for me. I love that she is this notorious assassin that loves shopping, chocolate, playing with her puppy, and boys. But then suddenly she will go on a murderous rampage and it's amazing!

Vin in the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
Vin is one of my all-time favorite characters. When we meet her she's this street urchin who gets trained not only to be a kickass Alomantic warrior and to be a lady. She embraces both facets and even has some identity crises where she can't decide if she wants to be a lady or a warrior.

5.) Ladies who are vulnerable and make mistakes

Characters who have weaknesses are just more well-rounded. If you are always winning and succeeding it gets a little dull (to be fair that is extremely rare). But what I'm saying is I like my female protagonists to be far from perfect so they have real things to overcome. I also like when they're slightly prickly and we get to see them they are being vulnerable. It's just more realistic if they have a balance between tough and soft.

Examples: 

Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
I love that moment in Mockingjay when they're brainstorming how to make Katniss likable. And they realize it's not when she's doing amazing feats of strength and toughness, no, it's when she's being vulnerable. Her empathy is what makes her so fantastic a character and heroine.

Paige Mahoney in The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon
Paige could fit in to so many of these other categories. She's a reluctant hero, she's a strategist, and she's definitely shown a lot of inner strength. But like Katniss her best moments are when she is doing stupid things to help other people. She puts herself at risk for the sake of others and sometimes it backfires.

6.) Ladies who are sympathetic villains

I love a good villain. There is something inherently badass about a woman who is diabolical and evil. But that gets old pretty quick and even more cliche then a hero. How many bitch queens are there in literature? Way too many. The idea that women can only be a princess or a witch is so tired. That's why I love when a female villain comes off as more odious and sympathetic. She's not evil, she's just misunderstood. And if she is doing something evil, it's a valid response to how she has been treated so lay off!

Examples: 

Elphaba Throppe in The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire
Ah yes, the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. But then we get to read Wicked from her perspective and see that she wasn't so evil after all. Just a misunderstood revolutionary who was demonized by a not so great ruler. I'm such a fan of the political intrigue in this series and Elphaba was the start of that in the first book.

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Adelina Amorteau in The Young Elites by Marie Lu
I mentioned how much I loved Adelina on my Waiting on Wednesday post, but it begs repeating. I loved how dark this book was and it was such a surprise. And the biggest surprise was how not evil this character comes of as. It's a villain origin story but as the reader you sort of want her to become dark and devious, she sort of earns it.

There you have it, some of my favorite strong female heroines and why I like them. What are your favorite types of female protagonists? Do you also like when they are not just about death and vengeance? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!