Strong female characters have taken center stage in recent media, sparking widespread analysis and conversation. Their stories have been met with praise and criticism, yet they continue to captivate audiences and inspire resilience and determination. These heroines remind us of our strength and ability to overcome challenges. Here, we celebrate some of the most inspiring female protagonists who have left lasting impressions on the Bookstr team. Warning: mild spoilers ahead.
Jo March from Little Women
A classic story that most of us have at least heard of, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is the coming-of-age story of four sisters, Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth. Jo, the second daughter, is the narrative main protagonist of the story, and she is depicted as an outspoken girl who shows disdain for the conventions of femininity. Throughout the story, she seeks her freedom and independence and aims to find her identity beyond the limitations of the 19th century. For these qualities, she has become a favorite in our editorial team.
I think generations of book-loving women have fallen in love with (and seen themselves in) Jo, myself included. She’s a writer and a storyteller who doesn’t conform to the expectations and norms of her time, and though she’s hot-tempered and strong-willed she also loves fiercely. I love gruff, clumsy characters who have a more tender side to them.
- Phoebe Pineda, Editorial
Violet Sorrengail from The Empyrean series
The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros is a story that blends fantasy, romance, and a world filled with dragons and their bonds with their riders. The story centers around young cadets who must face grueling challenges to join the esteemed ranks of Navarre’s Dragon Riders.
Violet Sorrengail, the protagonist, is described as small and fragile, often getting bruises, dislocating her joints, or breaking bones. However, she makes up for whatever physical deficiencies she may have with her confidence, intelligence, selflessness, and stubbornness. She is compassionate and merciful towards her enemies, even at the risk of her own life. These qualities, along with her refusal to hide her feelings and inner strength, are why Tairneanach chose her. She immediately became another favorite of our team.
It’s so empowering to read a story with a main character embracing her chronic illness, and bringing light to the world of living with one. As someone who struggles with multiple, I find comfort in the representation, as well as the message behind her character. She’s very determined to not let her illness best her, finding alternatives to achieve the same goals as her peers. It’s also very empowering as an aspiring author to see authors showing their stories and illnesses through their characters. I find it very respectable and inspiring.
- Kayla Cole, Graphics
Aelin Galathynius from Throne of Glass series
Throne of Glass, written by Sarah J. Maas, throws us into a world with no magic where the king rules with an iron hand. The assassin Celaena Sardothien, later known as Aelin Galathynius, arrives at the castle, summoned by the king. To earn her freedom, she must face twenty-three thieves, killers, and warriors. If she prevails, she will be free and serve as the king’s champion. However, her fight for freedom will soon become one of survival as something evil lurks in the castle, and it’s there with one purpose: kill.
Aelin is passionate about many things and cares deeply about the people she loves. She is often called evil or rude, but she loves and cares deeply for her friends. Although she is witty and carefree, she channels her negative emotions into rage or killing calm, which gets her into trouble often.
She is also described as being meticulous with her appearance and having a fixation on finery and fashionable clothing. Overall, she is a passionate character, always aiming to look her best in every situation. All her qualities have made her an inspirational character for our editorial team.
I finished reading the Throne of Glass series about two years ago, but I don’t believe I will ever be able to stop raving about how much I love this character. As you progress through this massive series, you witness Aelin’s development, and how she came from nothing but eventually turned into an incredibly impactful queen. Her clever thinking and selfless actions towards her allies and loved ones made her an inspirational female protagonist, and one that stuck with me long after I closed the final book.
- Sophia Gerneck, Editorial
Cam Jansen from the Cam Jansen series
The Cam Jensen series contains various stories surrounding the titular character Cam Jensen, who solves mysteries with her photographic memory alongside her friend Eric.
Cam is portrayed as an intelligent girl who learns how to embrace her ability and use it to solve mysteries as an amateur detective. As a book for young children, it has inspired many readers who grew up with her to embrace who they are and know they can do anything with a bit of wit and creativity. This makes her an editorial favorite.
I know Cam Jansen is a young girl, but Cam has hit home for me since I was a kid. When Cam Jansen uses her photographic memory to help solve crimes, I found that I relate to her through that ability she has. As Cam gets older, she’s able to take on more tough crimes and her photographic memory gets even more pronounced. I love that Cam embraces her skills and loves who she is as a person throughout the series. It allows her to become a force to be reckoned with. It’s very inspiring to see a young girl who thinks differently at times and can do absolutely anything. These experiences she’s had will make her a very strong and innovative woman.
- Kinsey Krachinski, Editorial
Mercedes “Mercy” Thompson from the Mercy Tompson series
The Mercy Thompson series focuses on our protagonist, Mercy Thompson, who inherited her father’s ability to shapeshift. She is capable of transforming into a coyote at will without her abilities being linked to the moon. In Native American folklore, particularly in Navajo traditions, she is considered a walker. When she was born, seeing how she had shifted into a coyote pup, her mother took her to be raised by a pack of werewolves so they would be able to understand and raise her appropriately. However, the pack runs her off after having a forbidden love affair. Using her abilities to fix cars, she opened a mechanic shop in the tri-cities area of Washington State.
Eventually, Mercy’s worlds collide when a half-starved young wolf arrives at her shop looking for work, only to reveal he is a newly changed werewolf. Mercy asks the local werewolf pack for assistance, but little does she know that this act of kindness will bring her once more to the doorstep of those she once called family.
Mercy is depicted as a strong and stubborn woman who is independent, thoughtful, and caring. As a coyote, she has sharper senses, and she can see ghosts.
Mercy called to me in many ways, just from the cover art on the first book Moon Called. Something about the way Briggs writes her as being tough yet kind, fearless yet vulnerable, funny yet capable. She’s never forced into a box of the female tropes we often see with women like her, and she’s allowed to be a fully realized, often imperfect character in her interests, hobbies, and heritage without ever falling into stereotypes. She’s never a victim; even when terrible things happen to her, she’s allowed to work through the trauma in ways that felt so real to me. I found Briggs’ series at a time in my life when I really needed someone like that, so I always think of her when I think of my favorite female protagonists.
- Cara Broel, Editorial & Outreach
Elena Devereux from The Guild Hunter series
Nalini Singh introduces us to a world where angels hold power over mortals and immortal beings alike, with guild hunters trapped in between. In this world, we meet our protagonist, Elena Devereux, who is hired by the archangel Raphael in New York. Usually, guild hunters track vampires who have broken their contracts with angels, but this time, Elena must hunt down a rogue angel.
Elena is brash, honest, and a skilled hunter. She is determined and has a rebellious streak, often clashing with Raphael when he tries to control her.
This strong and capable heroine has earned a spot among our favorite female protagonists.
We all love a tough, strong female MC, but Elena is an absolute badass. She stands on what is right, overcomes prejudice, and is willing to go toe-to-toe with those who could kill her at the snap of their fingers. More than that, Elena embraces her femininity while being able to wield weapons and fight for justice. She has demons and trauma that haunt her, and while they might trip her up occasionally, she doesn’t let it keep her down or hinder her world view.
- Kristi Eskew, Executive Editor
Dolores Price from She’s Come Undone
This book is not for the faint of heart. She’s Come Undone is Wally Lamb’s debut novel featuring our protagonist Dolores Price, who goes through several traumatic experiences in her life, from the abandonment of her dad, school bullying, abuse, and death of her loved one, to an abusive marriage. At one point, she reaches a breaking point and wishes to end all her suffering. After this attempt, she is institutionalized and begins to work through her issues.
At the beginning of the novel, Dolores is quite an unlikable character. She is mean and insecure and treats her body as an alter ego to be even more cruel to those around her. She creates a gap between herself and everyone else. However, later on in the novel, after she is institutionalized, she is ready to have a new beginning and not let the traumas of her past drive her to the edge again. Her complexity makes her one of Nikolina’s favorites.
Dolores is not a likable character, at least at the beginning of this book, but as she continues to grow and learn, she embodies a symbol of resilience. Being abused and severely overweight, she has had her fair share of childhood trauma. Though I read this book over five years ago, I can never truly shake Dolores out of my mind. Her willingness to heal her traumas and go through life with a mindset that giving up is not an option is what inspires me to face my fears.
- Nikolina Katanic, Editorial & Outreach
These remarkable female protagonists showcase the many facets of strength, resilience, and determination, each inspiring readers in their unique way. Whether they defy societal expectations, fight for justice, embrace their differences, or overcome personal hardships, these heroines remind us of the power within ourselves to persevere and grow.
Their stories continue to captivate and empower audiences, proving that strong female characters will always have a lasting impact in literature and beyond. Who are some of your favorite female protagonists?
Would you like to know more about strong female leads? Click here.
Find more inspiring women on our Thought-Provoking Novels About Womanhood bookshelf on Bookshop.
