Graphic with strong female theme

6 Fantasy Books Which Have A Strong Female Character

By Shahna Hopper

Here are 6 Young Adult fantasy novels featuring a badass strong female character. Once you read about them, you’ll wish these girls were your besties. 

Of Light and Shadow by Tanaz Bhathena

Standalone | Historical | Bandits

Let me introduce you to Roshan Chaya, the leader of the Shadow Clan, a group of bandits set on fighting back against a corrupt government that has left its people in poverty. She is out for revenge, and Navin, a prince and second in line for the throne, is the target.


After a night of partying, he wakes up tied and gagged in the hands of the Shadow Clan. Roshan’s plan is to use him as bait to force the government's hand towards change.


But this plan backfires as sparks fly between the two, no matter how much Roshan tries to fight it. Does she fight her feelings, or does she use them to save her people?

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Standalone | Retelling | Queer

In a land far far away, 200 years after Cinderella married her Prince Charming, we are introduced to a small village that takes the rags to riches miracle as inspiration for every law and tradition. For those who don’t follow the rules... Well, let’s just say they don’t get their happy ending.


Sophia is once again being forced to attend the annual ball, but she would rather be kissing her bestie, Erin. They have a plan to run away together, but when Sophia is the only one to make it out of the village, her heart is broken.


She soon finds herself lost in the woods and stumbles upon the true story of what happened to Cinderella. Does she use her new-found knowledge to save the other girls in her village, or does she keep running?

A Song Below Water by Bethany C Marrow

Finished Duology | Mythology | Social Justice

Tavia is trying to live a normal teenage life in Portland, but she has a huge secret that could lead to disaster if anyone found out about it. Only her family and her closest friend know the truth... Tavia is a siren.


Because magical beings are shunned and shamed, she must continue to hide who she really is to protect herself and the ones she loves. But when a siren is murdered and national news covers the event, Tavia fears for her life and for the future of other magical beings like her.


As she tries to figure out her place in a world full of hate, more people become exposed for their magical differences. Fear is spreading like wildfire, and amidst protests and political chaos, Tavia is faced with the biggest decision of her lifetime.

Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto

Finished Trilogy | Adventure | Phoenixes

Who needs enemies when you have an older sister? Veronyka and her sister Val are orphans of war, wandering the woods in search of answers.


Following an unforgivable betrayal, Veronyka sets out on her own to find the elusive Phoenix Riders. Rumor has it they still exist, and she’s determined to find them, even if it means having to disguise herself as a boy to find a place among them.


She makes the most of her time with them by learning everything she can, making friends, and finally eating regular meals. But all this is ruined when Val finds her and reveals a nightmare of lies that impacts their relationship. As Veronyka tries to process these new revelations, the Riders secret hideout gets exposed, and the empire finds them. Soon war is on the horizon.

Goddess Crown by Shade Lapite

Standalone | Scifi | Royalty

In a beautiful kingdom called Galla, we are introduced to the secret that is Kalothia. After her parents were outed as traitors to the king, she was raised in secret, away from the Crown's eyes. Raised by wise women in the woods, who did their best to teach her all they knew, she still knows little of the real world.


On her sixteenth birthday, assassins come to kill her, and Kalothia narrowly escapes this attempt. She sets off for the king's court to claim what is rightfully hers. As she adventures through a deadly wood, run-ins with criminals, and confrontations with different worldviews, Kalothia quickly learns a lot.


With the Goddess guiding her, she has to make the choice between serving her country or following her heart.

Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne

Standalone | Paranormal | Taxidermy

How does a lazy day on a farm in a sleepy small town sound? Surrounded by forests Laurel Early grew up on this farm and has no plans to ever leave. The townsfolk think she’s a little weird, with her bone collections and taxidermy shed, but she works hard and keeps to herself.


After dropping out of college, Laurel begins to spend more time with her childhood friends and the boy she’s always loved, but soon a darkness starts to make its presence known. An ancient shadow of evil comes for Laurel, just like it came for her mother before.


The only way she can fight it is if she stops ignoring what’s right in front of her and finds her hidden magic.

Shahna is a lifelong book lover with a personal library of over 2000 books. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from Queen’s University. She is a mood reader with a soft spot for thrillers. Shahna is a huge advocate of audiobooks. Find her on socials (@shahnareads).

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