No one mentioned the Bene Gesserit from Frank Herbert’s Dune series? Especially as they were featured in “Heretics of Dune” and “Chapterhouse, Dune” which was centered on the sisterhood. Granted, they stiffled their emotions, but I felt nonetheless they made for well rounded, complex characters. Paul Maud’dib’s mother Jessica was a rebellious Bene Gesserit acolyte who dared to love, a very strong character to defy her sisterhood and who saved Paul after the House Atreides was attacked.
Also there was Sheeana from God Emperor of Dune was Leto II’s way onto the Golden Path for humanity.
Mmm, pretty sure she was a college professors’ kid–lived in Chapel Hill. Ah well, so much for that hijack!
I need to pick up some more Robin McKinley: The Hero and the Crown is one of those books that stands up to multiple rereadings, and is at the top of my list of books to give to children, male or female.
I have or have read most of the McKinleys. I second your statement vigorously, although I obviously prefer The Blue Sword. I almost Doper-named myself Gonturan.
The Bene Gesserit definitely qualify as butt-kicking women.
I didn’t see the following mentioned, but I skimmed through the thread kind of fast:
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis. This is his best novel, by far. If you’re thinking Chronicles of Narnia, think again: TWHF is on a totally different level.
I’d have to agree with most of what I’ve seen listed (and I’m going to keep a list for books to track down & read!)
For Mercedes Lackey I’d definately agree with the Elemental Masters books, but out of her Velgarth (Valdemar, etc.) stuff I’d have to recommend the Tarma & Kethry books - Oathblood, Oathbound and Oathbreakers, along with By The Sword which ties Tarma & Kethry with the main Valdemarian characters. Also, the later Valdemar books with Elspeth as the main character are, IMO even better than the earlier books with Talia - Elspeth is definately stronger (and somewhat more interesting.)
Also for Lackey, they’re somewhat corny (ok, maybe A LOT corny) but the Diana Tregarde books (Jinx High, Children of the Night, and Burning Water) are fun.
And I can’t believe that no one has mentioned Laurell K. Hamilton yet and her Anita Blake series. I’ve only read the first few - I’m given to understand that some of the later ones are more sex & less plot, but I’ve enjoyed what I read. I think her other main books have a strong female protagonist, also.
[nitpick] Their names are Star Hawk (or Starhawk) and Joanna.[/nitpick]
Star Hawk and Sun Wolf begin their adventures in The Ladies of Mandrygin, which has a lot of very strong female characters. You can occasionally find this book bundled with the sequel, The Witches of Wenshar, under the title of The Unchooled (or Untaught, I forget) Mage. There’s a third book in the series, The Dark Hand of Magic, which is also good.
If you want to start reading Hambly, I suggest Dragonsbane. It spawned some sequels, but it was originally written as a stand alone book, and it’s excellent. The official Barbara Hambly webpage lists her books and short stories. Ummmm, yes, I like her writing a bit, can you tell?