As title suggests, I love strong driven and morally grey/ definitely not good female leads. Monza Murcatto, savine dan glokta, baru cormorant, etc.
I’m in the mood for a revenge story, whether a betrayal, social class war, political, etc.
Any books or series that hit on the above? I also have some more specific niche wants not needs; however I recognize that no book probably has it all so whatever hits the most 🙂
Romance/sex is a plus, prefer bi/lesbian but not required
I do love assassin/merc, will kill if need too protagonist
Not a hard req; but would be interested in East Asian or Indian inspired culture
Do any female assassins use chakrams and poison? I’m ideally picturing a commoner/royalty betrayed and turned into a chakram wielding assassin dealing death and falling in love. But will take anything close enough!!
by vadersalt
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Female assassins: Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Grave Mercy by Robin LeFevers
Revenge tales: By the Sword by Mercedes Lackey, Strands of Starlight by Gael Baudino
I’m not sure that these check all of your boxes but I’d recommend:
*Iron Widow* by Xiran Jay Zhao
*The Huntress* by Kate Quinn
*Killers of a Certain Age* by Deanna Raybourn
The Faceless Old Woman by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Kranor
Check out Red Sister, Not Even Bones, The Poppy War, and She Who Became the Sun. Most of these are more “survival” stories than revenge stories, but they all feature a ruthless heroine and lots of feminine rage.
My favorite straight up female revenge story is actually a k-drama called My Name. It’s on Netflix and would definitely scratch that itch if you’re willing to watch something instead!
There’s also a female revenge manhwa I love titled Hero Killer that’s worth a read. She’s vicious lol
Oh, and I just remembered another revenge manhwa that has a wlw potential romance. It’s called 6th Degree. Female revenge is literally like an entire genre in manhwas lmao. A lot of them are terrible tbh, but there’s some good ones if you dig!