"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass."
Maya Angelou
*Monthly Recommendations was created by Trina at Between Chapters and Kayla at Kayla Rayne. Go to their Goodreads Group to check out what other people recommend and to share your links!
This is my first time doing Monthly Recommendations, and I couldn't have chosen a better theme to start with!
I love strong and epowering female characters, but it's a shame that while male strong characters are just labeled as men, strong female characters still have to go with the "strong" label before them, like if you don't add that adjective, it means that your female character is by definition weak.
As Joss Whedon said when an interviewer asked him why he always wrote strong female characters: "Because you’re still asking me that question." Yeah.
Which are your favorite female characters? And why? Do they have to literally kick ass? Or there's other reasons that makes them strong? Tell me in the comments below!
I love strong and epowering female characters, but it's a shame that while male strong characters are just labeled as men, strong female characters still have to go with the "strong" label before them, like if you don't add that adjective, it means that your female character is by definition weak.
As Joss Whedon said when an interviewer asked him why he always wrote strong female characters: "Because you’re still asking me that question." Yeah.
Which are your favorite female characters? And why? Do they have to literally kick ass? Or there's other reasons that makes them strong? Tell me in the comments below!
1. Celaena Sardothien (Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas)
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| Art by Heilow |
"My name is Celaena Sardothien. But it makes no difference if my name’s Celaena or Lillian or Bitch, because I’d still beat you, no matter what you call me."
Why?
Because being a hardcore assassin or a "strong" female doesn't mean that you cannot like dresses, jewels and puppies. I mean, puppies are just totes adorbs, you know?
2. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling)
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| Art by Crymson99 |
"Actually I’m highly logical which allows me to look past extraneous detail and perceive clearly that which others overlook."
Why?
Because sometimes you don't need physical strenth. Having a quick mind, mighty courage and strong morals makes you badass too. Being capable of doing magic helps as well.
3. Lihn Cinder, Scarlet Benoit, Cress Darnel & Winter Hayle (The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer)
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| Art by Lostie815 |
"You said yourself that the people of Luna need a revolutionary. So I’m going to Luna, and I’m going to start a revolution."
Why?
Because sometimes needing the help of other cunning, brave, smart and fierce women (and men) doesn't make you less amazing. All of you together could save the Earth and the Moon.
4. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins)
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| Art by SilkSpectreII |
"No one will forget me. Not my look, not my name. Katniss. The girl who was on fire."
Why?
Because to overthrow opressive societies, sometimes you have to break some unfair rules that powerful people try to impose, for you and for everyone that will come next.
5. Daenerys Targaryen, Arya Stark, Sansa Stark, Margaery Tyrell, Brienne of Tarth & Cersei Lannister (A Song of Ice & Fire Series by George R.R. Martin)
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| Art by Kafai, Chisien, Lockjaw, AShiori-chan, Volkanyenen, Lorena-Carvalho |
"All men must die, but we are not men."
Why?
Because empowering females come in a whole range of flavors. Some of them do what's necessary to get what's theirs. Some don't want to be ladies and some do, until they've had enough of being damsels in distress. Some of them want to get what they want no matter the cost, some care about the cost. And some do what they have to do and don't care if it's "a man's job".
(BONUS) Joss Whedon's Gals: Buffy Summers, Willow Rosenberg, River Tam, Zoe Washburne...
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| Art by DarkGirlDrawings, SonPan, Petarsaur, Nojitsu |
"From now on, every girl in the world who might be a Slayer will be a Slayer. Every girl who could have the power will have the power. Can stand up, will stand up. Slayers, every one of us. Make your choice. Are you ready to be strong?"
Why?
Because it's ok to be strong and vulnerable all at the same time and it's ok to share your power with every woman in the world. Because you can have the sexuality you want and you can fall as long as you rise as a goddess. Because you can be smart and strong and still need protection sometimes. Because you can be sexy and in love and work for a man, without any of it meaning that you aren't the fiercest person around.
These are all great picks!
ResponderEliminarThese are great. I love Kaylee from Serenity too- how she was so mechanical and talented but still wanted to be pretty also.
ResponderEliminarAnd if we are adding TV shows- Michonne from The Walking Dead. I am ga-ga over that woman, she may truly be the best female character I've ever seen on TV.