I love reading fantasy, especially when the story gets a bit gruesome at times, but I much prefer reading about a female lead. However, I've been finding that many books with a female mc tend to have a strong romantic plot to them and although I don't mind some romance, I hate when it starts to take over the story. I'm looking for a fantasy book with a "strong" female lead that focuses more on the adventure, character development, worldbuilding, etc. rather than romance. I drift more towards stories that are a bit more action based (war, battles) where the mc gets roughed up at times, but political (and non-violent) fantasy recommendations are fine as well. Thanks!
Some that I've enjoyed:
the poppy war by R. F. Kuang
daughter of the empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts
the twelve kingdoms by Fuyumi Ono
by study-dying
8 Comments
You may want to check out NK Jemisin books many of which feature female protagonists.
Jemisin has been nominated and won mutiple times for Huge, Nebula, and Locus awards.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, it’s more of a political fantasy than romance.
Nefertiti
Book by Michelle Moran
The Aurelian Cycle series by Rosaria Munda. It has romance but is definitely more focused on the political intrigue and it has dragons.
Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett has a female lead, and eventually several more female characters. It’s about a girl disguising herself as a boy to join the army and find out what happened to her brother. With vampires, trolls, a lot of humour, a lot of heart and the only romantic relationships mentioned are between a couple who just remain a couple with no drama and a mention of a past relationship towards the end of the book, none of which feature the protagonist.
Pratchett’s witches stories also have strong female leads, and next to zero romance.
I would say “Honor Harrington” series from David WEBER. It’s more sci-fi books.
In fantasy, I would say “Liveship Traders” from Robin HOBB.
The Priory and the Orange tree has a little romance and is definitely more political (but does have action), but it’s one of my favorite fantasy reads in a long time and definitely a breath of fresh air after my friend convinced me to read Fourth Wing.
Also Mistborn but only the first one. The magic system alone is good enough it’s worth reading.
Anything by Tanya Huff. The Silvered for a high fantasy where she played with romance tropes and completely subverts them, not a romance. Blood series for an urban fantasy and not a romance. Valor series for a space opera with lots of action.
The Broke Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin is more of a mother/daughter story. It’s dark and has a very unique system.
Moxyland by Lauren Beukes for a great female MC cyberpunk novel.
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. She usually has a diverse cast of characters but has lots of female MCs front and center in her time travel tales.
Elizabeth Moon has a ton of books that will meet your criteria.