My favorite type of books are where the strong female lead can fix her own problems. There may be a guy but she neither needs him to solve her problems nor is he a weak character (like Ken in the new Barbie movie, ugh). For example, the books Ella Enchanted, Murder for her Majesty, Ronia the Robbers Daughter, or Court Duel/Crown Duel. I like a touch of romance and fantasy/fairytale-esque is nice. Any ideas? Thanks
Also, I know most of the books I listed are young adult but adult books work too.
by vinylvegetable
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The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K Jemisin
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik. The main character is a powerful magic student.
The Drowning Province by Celine Harvelle!! The female lead is an incredible character and it’s so entertaining watching her journey from being an orphan to the most feared person in the country!!
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-drowning-province-celine-harvelle/1143644736
The Reckless Oath we Made by Bryn Greenwood. It’s like the anti fairy tale
The Adventures of Amina-Al Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty. A middle aged pirate comes out of retirement for one more adventure. There is a guy but she manages perfectly well with or without him, and romance is not the primary focus of the book.
“Dies The Fire” by S.M. Sterling
Juniper MacKenzie, high priestess of the Singing Moon Coven, THE Mackenzie, herself herself, is a badass.
She’s one of several main characters, but she is a leader, a warrior, and an inspiration to her “clan”. She leads her people to safety and is essential to them surviving.
She might or might not also be a god, but that comes way later in the story, like 5 or 6 books in.
Azirinth Healer by Rhaegar.
>Ilea likes punching things. And eating.
>Unfortunately, there aren’t too many career options for hungry brawlers. Instead, the plan is to quit her crappy fast-food job, go to college, and become a fully functioning member of society. Essentially – a fate worse than death.
>So maybe it’s lucky that she wakes up one day in a strange world where a bunch of fantasy monsters are trying to kill her…?
>On the bright side, ‘killing those monsters right back’ is now a viable career path! For she soon discovers her new home runs on a set of game-like rules that will allow her to punch things harder than in her wildest dreams. Well, maybe not her wildest dreams, but it’s close.
>With no quest to follow, no guide to show her the way, and no real desire to be a Hero – Ilea embarks on a journey to discover a world full of magic. Magic she can use to fight even bigger monsters.
>She’s struggling to survive, has no idea what will happen next, and is loving every minute of it. Except, and sometimes also, when she’s poisoned and/or has set herself on fire. It’s complicated.