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How about the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. Every protagonist is a late teen to early 20s female that quickly has to learn about magic in order to fight the evil magic users and undead that threaten their homelands. They always have a magical talking animal that is mischievous and hilarious. First book is Sabriel.
Definitely second the old kingdom series. I think all of the first 5 books have female protagonists between sabriel, Lirael, and Clariel, and they’re pretty darn good
Probably. But it's still a part of the riftwar cycle as a whole. Like the separate trilogies in Realm of the elderings by Robin Hobb. I believe, as a whole, with all the trilogies that make up a larger series. Makes it epic. Even if it wouldn't be if it were a solo trilogy.
Maybe. But the OP recommended the Empire trilogy, not the cycle as a whole. Which is good, because the cycle as a whole doesn't have a female protagonist.
It's only really one sub.
Genre - fantasy
Subgenre - epic fantasy.
Also there isn't really set "rules" it's a somewhat objective measure. They were just trying to engage and start a conversation.
Does it have to be modern? I immediately thought of [By The Sword](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28735.By_the_Sword) and [Paladin of Souls.](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61904.Paladin_of_Souls?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_7) But Paladin of Souls does feature religion/ gods but not Christian at all. Both feature female leads and are cis hetero women.
Oh and for an asexual female paladin - [The Deeds of Paksennarion](https://www.goodreads.com/series/49608-paksenarrion).
Trigger warning, attempted SA in the first book, and mention of off screen SA in the third. The assault itself isn't detailed, but it's part of a fairly disturbing torture sequence.
Thanks for the heads up. Not something I seek out but if done for a narrative purpose and not written in too much detail I should be fine to get through rough things like that or torture.
Possibly The Adventures of Amina Al-Serafi by Shannon Chakraborty? A retired pirate queen goes out for one last adventure (or that’s the plan, anyway, it’s not quite how things work out). The setting is an alternate medieval kiddie east, so more Sinbad the Sailor than Lord of the Rings. The MC is a more or less devout Muslim, so it’s a question of how that works for your SIL.
Nope, she isn't a lesbian. Hope you still give the books a shot, because they tell a thrilling and complex story. The first one kiiiiinda starts out looking like it's going to be romantasy or YAish, but it shifts gears pretty fast, so stick with it for at least the first few chapters.
Hmm maybe I picked it up because it was a female protag. I bought a few books at the same time with lesbian protags so I got confused.
The biggest reason I picked it up is the setting, non-euro influenced fantasy is relatively rare so I was excited by the setting. I still want to read it for sure.
You're in for a treat! I won't babble too much (because it'd be spoilery!) but yessss, the setting and the female protagonist are great. The male characters are wonderful as well! One of those books with a ton of developed secondary characters that also drive the plot. And there's a queer romantic plotline! Adventure, magic, battles, travel, politics and intrigue!
I seriously went in blind because I got the first book on sale. My socks, they were thoroughly knocked off. Super fun story told with verve and craft.
Deed of Paksenarrion is 100% epic fantasy. It's incredibly Tolkienesque, and has all the bits you'd associate with epic - lots of travel, evil gods and good, priests and magic mucking everything up, elves, ancient curses, etc. Just what about *Deed* ISN'T epic?
How about Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders trilogy, or the Dragon Keeper Chronicles by the same author? Part of a larger scope series, but I think they can be read on their own. The female leads I am thinking of (Althea and Alise,) switch in and out with other main characters but neither rely on a relationship to be strong. There are other LGBTQ relationships in the story though, don't know if that is a deal breaker.
Any Tamora Pierce is pretty good for that. It's YA, but I loved Trickster's Choice / Trickster's Queen. The Beka Cooper series was fun as well, but I honestly can't remember many details about it.
I was also going to suggest Liveship Traders, although there's one particular scene that I found *really* heavy handed and shitty in book 3, I'm sure you know the one I mean. I still think it's a fantastic series, but that one incident could be very triggering to some people, I think.
Yes I wish I could have skipped that scene, really wrenched open the old trauma wounds while I was at work lol. Not cool, Hobb.
Be ready with the "skip ahead" button in book 3, audio book listeners.
Orka and Elvar are badasses. I do think Elvar steps up her game in book 2 considerably more than book 1, but it's completely understandable why.
Can't wait for Fury of The Gods to drop in October!!! I've already pre-ordered it!
Either the Witches (Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad, Lords & Ladies, Carpe Jugulum) or possibly the Susan Sto Helit (Hogfather, Soul Music, Thief of Time) subsets of the Discworld books. They’re not high fantasy like LOTR but they do play with many classic fantasy elements. There is some very minor hetero-romance subplots but the focus is primarily on the FMCs getting things done.
If she’s open to a sort of steampunk setting, I recently read and enjoyed City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennet. The FMC does have a prior relationship with a bi man, but is herself heterosexual, and there’s no romance in the bulk of the book. I particularly enjoyed that the FMC and secondary female lead were different flavors of strong/independent women.
Ah yes, I knew Red Sand didn't quite sound right. I think it was my favorite after Best Served though. Everyone praises The Heroes, but I preferred those two
I don't think any deeply religious person (so religious LGBTQ themes should be avoided) would like the language and viscous cynicism of Abercrombie, though I've only gotten to the first book in the series so I'm batting that on incomplete data.
You may be right, I’d been assuming queer mc was the only thing to avoid since that’s all op mentions wanting to avoid.
At the same time while definitely still violent and having a copious amount of swearing, best served cold is not nearly as cynical as First Law.
I often get annoyed with how every recommendation post will have someone recommending a Sanderson book whether it suits or not (understandable given how big his bibliography is now), but in this case I think Tress is absolutely the right answer.
Tress is perfect for this, Yumi might be a sort of fit as well. It switches between a female and male lead, it also switches between a kind of fantasy Japan culture and a modern one.
[The Sword of Kaigen](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41886271-the-sword-of-kaigen?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=kDBciiLXFj&rank=1) by M.L. Wang
I’m Catholic and I devour modern fantasy. The overwhelming majority of themes even in modern fantasy is stuff that all ppl resonate with.
Paksenarrion
sheepfarmers daughter
Divided alligence
and
Oath of gold.
you can likely get the three in one volume it might show it's Christian influences towards the end but there is no stronger female lead.
Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls.
Just hoping that if I say it enough you'll see it. This is it. This is your answer.
Agree here, both great but not epic. I don't think I'd class Tombs as epic either, really - it's pretty intimate/claustrophobic, for want of a better term (but also very good).
No the whole series is great, but OP specifically asked for non gay queer books. And I’m guessing their very Christian sister who can’t read gay characters, will be even less likely to accept a trans character.
On the other hand they only mentioned that the protagonist shouldn't be lesbian. Feels like if zero LGBT characters in the book at all is a requirement, OP would've mentioned so.
From the prompt, I more got the vibe that it may just be that the sister wants someone to relate to?
Or this may not be what OP meant, but I'd be incredibly unsurprised if it's that society associates strength as such a masculine characteristic that lesbianism gets bundled into the concept. But if the female lead is het, she gets weaker because there's a man to be strong?
Oh, I misunderstood. I thought you were referring to the character with the sensibilities for some reason. My bad. I've been considering reading it though. It's doesn't have heavy romance like A court of thorns and roses, does it?
No it’s very not romantic like that, there is a romance but not in any way shape or form like ACoTaR.
I think at one point in book 2 there is a brief period where there’s a polycule though?
This book is so different from Sarah J Maas, the focus is much more on the world, systemic oppression, brain washing, and a mother’s quest to find her stolen daughter.
The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon. I'm pretty sure she is asexual, I haven't read the books in about 20 years. There is attempted sexual assault, as a warning.
Deverry Saga by Katharine Kerr. Very much epic fantasy of the Tolkien kind, there’s many books in the series, very strong female lead character and incredibly intricate story.
" I’d like to give her a modern book or series with a strong female protagonist who doesn't need to be gay/lesbian in order to be independent/strong."
Did you mean to say that you do not want books with gay female main characters? Or could you post an example of this? ...where the character's independence or strength is contingent on their queer sexuality?
"It’s important to me that the book I give her not be Christian-themed. She is very religious, but she knows I'm not, and I want her to feel comfortable reading the gift I give her."
You want her to feel comfortable reading the book but don't want to give her a book she'll feel comfortable with?
Best Served Cold, Red Country, the Age of Madness trilogy, Half the World, Half a War. All by Joe Abercrombie.
Lions of Al-Rassan, A Brightness Long Ago, Children of Earth and Sky, All the Seas of the World. All by Guy Gavriel Kay. Actually, on second thought, the replacement Christianity in his works might disqualify them.
fifth season is good but it has some gay male secondary characters, and a side character is revealed to be a trans woman, though it’s not really the focus. can i ask why it needs to be hetero?
Based on being very religious I’m assuming she wants her to dip her toe into modern fantasy without her being scared away by “woke” messaging. So it seems she wants her to try something thats new but with traditional themes. For some of these ppl the second they read a queer character it triggers them into an authors motives or has them on guard for “liberal” messaging.
Or it could just be that it would be nice if the sister saw a female lead who was more like herself.
Or there could be a minor association with "but strength is only for lesbian characters" which I could kinda see. There is a societal association of strength with being "butch" and all that.
School for Good and Evil. Two strong protagonists and their friendship is the main point of the series. It's based on Arthurian legends but it has subtle darker themes.
I’m pretty sure the main character in Godkiller by Hannah Kaner isn’t gay? It’s been a while though.
Amina Sirafi is more swashbuckling but it’s pretty epic too.
I don’t think sexuality plays a role in the Justice of Kings? No wait, thinking about it there’s a hetero normative romance in it where the character has to choose between their life and a man…
Chelsea Abdulla’s The Stardust Thief is a little Epic, and I think the romance is straight.
Theif’s Magic by Trudi Canavan? I bounced off this after book 3 but it had some neat ideas.
Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim is pretty hetero normative if memory serves.
Need to look at my bookshelf, there’s a lot of queer female protagonists there which I think is a good thing…
Mistborne or Stormlight archives both have female protagonists, but they are multi character stories. Brando Sando is a Mormon but it doesn’t leak into his books too much apart from his romances being a bit tame.
That said Mistborne has a character who is trying to find the true religion…
Warbreaker might be a better standalone with a main character who is female.
The main protagonist of Godkiller is bisexual. She never does anything more than flirt with another woman, from what I can remember, but I have a feeling that OPs sister would find that objectionable.
Another "not really epic fantasy" recommendation, but *Practical Guide to Sorcery*, by Azalea Ellis. Its main character has three alter egos on the boil at once - a male disguise they're using to get into magic school, her real persona, who's working with an altruistic revolutionary/gangster to pay off a debt, and the Raven Queen, an urban legend she accidentally creates, and has to live up to.
“Castle Waiting” is a fantastic fantasy graphic novel about misfits making a new life for themselves in the titular enchanted castle. There are a lot of female characters and all of them are brave and independent — and straight, as far as I remember.
(One warning: the comic features a convent of bearded women. I think they are a very positive representation of Christianity, but they may fall a little to close to gender non-conforming for someone with a “no gays” rule)
"Best Served Cold" by Joe Abercrombie (even though it would be better to read the trilogy before it first. But it still works great on its own). It literally does not get stronger or more badass than Monzcarro (Monza) Murcatto, aka the butcher of Capril, aka the snake of Talins, etc. The book can be said to be "Fantasy Kill Bill", and it's freaking amazing.
Try Graceling, single book, kinda simple and easy to read but not a kids book, medium length, strong female protagonist, not lesbian, she has a romantic interest but that doesn't weaken her in any way, in fact she's kinda stronger than the guy and she keeps all her strong character. No religion mentioned whatsoever.
Check out the Tiger and Del novels by Jennifer Roberson- great chemistry between the two leads, and Del certainly qualifies as a strong woman. She is a bad ass.
The Troy Game by Sara Douglass - its set in different eras of Earth history (Celts, WW2, etc) it features the key players in the Minotaur's Labrynth out of Greek mythology.
Anything more I say will be spoilerish. It's a very good series. One I read every couple years.
Two of Brandon Sanderson's "Secret Project" books.
"Tress of the Emerald Sea" and "Yumi and the Nightmare Painter" for your description nicely.
Also the first trilogy of the Mistborn Saga is an ensemble cast but it has a strong female character in the main lineup.
You could argue Egwene being equal protagonist since her journey is just as dramatic as Rands and takes up a lot of POV chapter.
That's more an ensemble cast rather than one single character protagonist
...but when the first book is the length of 2-3 normal sized fantasy novels... that's a lot of 'but not at all what she's interested in' to get through. And Jordan does *not* write women well.
I can't imagine a religious person really liking Golden Compass. In fact my (religious) father wouldn't let me read it when I was a kid because it was 'atheist propaganda'.
His Dark Materials is a good shout , but worth noting that The Golden Compass is the first book in the series in the US, elsewhere #1 is called Northern Lights.
Mistborn is also excellent.
I’ve read Jackaroo and Best Served Cold and they were great!
Joe Abercrombie writes some pretty smart and tough female characters, but Best Served Cold probably highlights one of his best and most fleshed roles. Ferro in First Law trilogy is awesome but she’s pretty shrouded in mystery and we didn’t get to know enough about her. I was hoping we would get more books about her but not yet.
Schoolmance is awesome but MC is bi with a same-sex relationship in the third book. Said relationship is also kind of/sort of/maybe cheating. It’s definitely a weird gray area that I doubt SIL would appreciate.
Um which part? 😅
Major spoilers here and there:
>!FMC isn’t really interested in romance until book 2 when she realizes she’s been accidentally dating the MMC. It’s super cute. During this book, we meet that year’s valedictorian: a stunning take-charge blonde with a manipulative, pragmatic streak. She tries to seduce the MMC and is shot down because he’s got ~~one~~ two things on his mind (monster hunting and the FMC.) FMC is surprised listing all of Blondie’s assets including looks. Book 3, Blondie is in a mutually ambitious open relationship. MMC is presumed dead and she attempts to seduce FMC for the couple’s political gain. FMC turns her down. MMC is NOT dead but severely out of it and the relationship is in a really weird spot. Blondie recognizes that FMC is at a moral horizon point and reattempts seduction which is accepted this time. It’s not as much romantic love as Blondie making sure that FMC has enough emotional attachments to quite literally not destroy the world. (Blondie is very much not an idiot and will work in the ethical gray both for the greater good and her own good.) At the end, MMC is fully saved and they resume their relationship.!<
Mistborn for sure. Vin is probably my favorite female protagonist I’ve read in fantasy. I also don’t remember it having any overtly Christian themes although it’s been a while since I’ve read it. Another option is the Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin. It’s incredible but not quite as accessible as something like Mistborn. Also pretty much anything by Naomi Novik fits this description, and I have yet to read anything by her I would consider bad. Best Served Cold by Abercrombie is fantastic but I suggest reading the First Law Trilogy first because it’s set after the events of the Trilogy.
It’s a lot worse than that. She was an abuser herself, and an active accomplice and apologist, not an innocent bystander. Also, at least one of her books has a really disturbing depiction of child sexual abuse presented in a bizarre, celebratory manner that is consistent with her abusive behavior.
So it’s the artist, not the artist’s husband, and it’s within the art itself.
I had the misfortune of learning the whole awful story when I cluelessly googled her because I felt sick to my stomach after a particular moment in one of the Mists of Avalon books.
Well shit. I had never heard any of that. I really enjoyed Mists of Avalon. Only read them once, but damn. This sucks, I love strong female characters and enjoyed the books for that reason. Well guess time to toss those books from my collection.
WoT does not have a female lead.
Supporting characters who are very strong, yes, but Rand is the lead and Mat and Perrin are the two secondary leads.
It's explicit in the text.
They are *ta'veren*, the rest of the cast is not.
Egwene and Moiraine are very strong women characters, as are Min and Aviendha.
But they're not leads.
While they're not *ta'veren*, anyone with a significant POV that spans the series could easily be considered "leading" roles.
Their contributions to the story are not redundant, and, the author(s) does a great job of not having romance/ sex be their main and only contribution to the plot. It's a great series for young female readers.
While it's not without its flaws, it certainly meets the requirements of the OP.
Nah, words mean things, and lead does not mean what you claim. Davos is not one of the lead characters of ASOIAF, despite having significant POV chapters and contributing to the plot. If someone asked you to name a series where the lead character is a former criminal with a good heart doing his best to lead a respectable life, ASOIAF would not be an appropriate recommendation despite the fact that such a character is present in the story.
Mat is literally the commanding general of all the armies of the Light at the Last Battle.
Perrin is by far the lowest of the three *ta'veren,* and even he teaches Egwene a thing or two about something she assumes she already mastered.
"It's just a weave."
Without even Perrin, Egwene doesn't do her epic thing.
What for? After learning about Mists of Avalon author I'm starting to worry this thread is going to cost me a bunch of books I loved. Loved Ann McCaffery's books.
Don't recall the scene. Recognize the names. It's been over 15 years since I read any of the books. I just remember really enjoying the series. I had all the books before I lost my book collection in my storage unit that got wrongly sold while I was in the hospital for 4 months. We had pre paid the storage unit for 6 months but they screwed up the paper work and sold all my shit after 3 months. Lost everything I owned. I've since only collected audio books but never got the books again because there were so many books in her series and they are too short. I mostly now only get really long books 40+ hours.
tamora pierce. the answer is ALWAYS tamora pierce. i can also recommend the october daye books by seanan mcguire, if she likes urban fantasy. though honestly, somebody complaining that "why are all these characters gay?!?!" is a major red flag.
I’m confused by your parameters. It’s important that the book NOT be Christian themed, because you want her to feel comfortable reading it, but you said she’s religious so that would mean she would be more comfortable reading a Christian themed book. I was going to recommend one but it’s smutty, while also being deep in plot world building and lore. But definitely not Christian. In fact it has its own religion that is directly influenced by Christianity, but changed some things that would be insulting to a Christian’s beliefs.
OP's trying to find a book for their sister that isn't directly Christian (because OP isn't and their sister knows and respects that), but also will have things she wants (strong women MCs that are het, and no real LGBT presence). It's a tough needle to thread, because Fantasy's had a strong queernorm strain for the last, like, 40 years or so.
Yeah, I love the fantasy genre because you can get really specific with your requests, and there’s usually something out there that’s not only fitting, but also good. But in this case I’d say OPs parameters are way too specific even for the fantasy genre which is usually pretty varied. I can’t think of anything.
Hi there! This post has been removed due to its title. Critical discussion is okay, but it must fulfill r/Fantasy's vision to be a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming space. Asking for recs that specifically exclude queer people, especially during our Pride month events, is not a great look. Thanks so much for understanding! Please contact us via [modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FFantasy) with any follow-up questions.
How about the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. Every protagonist is a late teen to early 20s female that quickly has to learn about magic in order to fight the evil magic users and undead that threaten their homelands. They always have a magical talking animal that is mischievous and hilarious. First book is Sabriel.
Definitely second the old kingdom series. I think all of the first 5 books have female protagonists between sabriel, Lirael, and Clariel, and they’re pretty darn good
The Empire Trilogy by Janny Wurts and Raymond Feist but not really “Epic” fantasy
I consider the rift war saga epic. Is it not?
Riftwar is, but Empire Trilogy is more political fantasy, from what I remember.
Probably. But it's still a part of the riftwar cycle as a whole. Like the separate trilogies in Realm of the elderings by Robin Hobb. I believe, as a whole, with all the trilogies that make up a larger series. Makes it epic. Even if it wouldn't be if it were a solo trilogy.
Maybe. But the OP recommended the Empire trilogy, not the cycle as a whole. Which is good, because the cycle as a whole doesn't have a female protagonist.
Can the empire trilogy be read without ready anything prior?
Yes. There's some stuff where it briefly intersects with the timeline of Magician, but I don't think it's a huge issue.
Same, definitely epic.
I’m vague on the nitty gritty of the subsubsubsubsubsub genre labels
It's only really one sub. Genre - fantasy Subgenre - epic fantasy. Also there isn't really set "rules" it's a somewhat objective measure. They were just trying to engage and start a conversation.
Does it have to be modern? I immediately thought of [By The Sword](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28735.By_the_Sword) and [Paladin of Souls.](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61904.Paladin_of_Souls?ref=nav_sb_ss_2_7) But Paladin of Souls does feature religion/ gods but not Christian at all. Both feature female leads and are cis hetero women. Oh and for an asexual female paladin - [The Deeds of Paksennarion](https://www.goodreads.com/series/49608-paksenarrion).
I second Deed of Paksenarrion! She's a great, realistic and down to earth character who goes through a lot of growth.
Sounds interesting! I’ll add them to the queue!
Trigger warning, attempted SA in the first book, and mention of off screen SA in the third. The assault itself isn't detailed, but it's part of a fairly disturbing torture sequence.
Thanks for the heads up. Not something I seek out but if done for a narrative purpose and not written in too much detail I should be fine to get through rough things like that or torture.
The torture is actually kinda essential to the character's final phase of growth, and there's no real details given.
dealing with dragons by patricia wrede
Yes! So so good.
Possibly The Adventures of Amina Al-Serafi by Shannon Chakraborty? A retired pirate queen goes out for one last adventure (or that’s the plan, anyway, it’s not quite how things work out). The setting is an alternate medieval kiddie east, so more Sinbad the Sailor than Lord of the Rings. The MC is a more or less devout Muslim, so it’s a question of how that works for your SIL.
Plus if she likes it, the author has an entire unconnected trilogy set in the world hundreds of years later (Daevabad Trilogy) and it's great as well!
Isn't the protagonist for Daevabad a lesbian? I haven't read it yet but I vaguely recall that being one of the reasons I picked it up
Nope, she isn't a lesbian. Hope you still give the books a shot, because they tell a thrilling and complex story. The first one kiiiiinda starts out looking like it's going to be romantasy or YAish, but it shifts gears pretty fast, so stick with it for at least the first few chapters.
Hmm maybe I picked it up because it was a female protag. I bought a few books at the same time with lesbian protags so I got confused. The biggest reason I picked it up is the setting, non-euro influenced fantasy is relatively rare so I was excited by the setting. I still want to read it for sure.
You're in for a treat! I won't babble too much (because it'd be spoilery!) but yessss, the setting and the female protagonist are great. The male characters are wonderful as well! One of those books with a ton of developed secondary characters that also drive the plot. And there's a queer romantic plotline! Adventure, magic, battles, travel, politics and intrigue! I seriously went in blind because I got the first book on sale. My socks, they were thoroughly knocked off. Super fun story told with verve and craft.
one recurring character is gay, if that would change her enjoyment at all.
Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
The Morgaine Cycle by CJ Cherryh.
Definitely one of the best female leads in fantasy
Probably not "epic" but try Elizabeth Moon's "Deed of Paksenarrion."
Deed of Paksenarrion is 100% epic fantasy. It's incredibly Tolkienesque, and has all the bits you'd associate with epic - lots of travel, evil gods and good, priests and magic mucking everything up, elves, ancient curses, etc. Just what about *Deed* ISN'T epic?
I keep misreading this as Pokemon...
Came to find this
How about Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders trilogy, or the Dragon Keeper Chronicles by the same author? Part of a larger scope series, but I think they can be read on their own. The female leads I am thinking of (Althea and Alise,) switch in and out with other main characters but neither rely on a relationship to be strong. There are other LGBTQ relationships in the story though, don't know if that is a deal breaker. Any Tamora Pierce is pretty good for that. It's YA, but I loved Trickster's Choice / Trickster's Queen. The Beka Cooper series was fun as well, but I honestly can't remember many details about it.
I was also going to suggest Liveship Traders, although there's one particular scene that I found *really* heavy handed and shitty in book 3, I'm sure you know the one I mean. I still think it's a fantastic series, but that one incident could be very triggering to some people, I think.
Yes I wish I could have skipped that scene, really wrenched open the old trauma wounds while I was at work lol. Not cool, Hobb. Be ready with the "skip ahead" button in book 3, audio book listeners.
i was going to suggest Liveship Traders. maybe my fave female cast of all time!
Another vote for Liveship Traders. Also has my fave villains too.
Kennitt!
Good recomend.
The green rider series might fit the bill
Bloodsworn saga has 2
Orka and Elvar are badasses. I do think Elvar steps up her game in book 2 considerably more than book 1, but it's completely understandable why. Can't wait for Fury of The Gods to drop in October!!! I've already pre-ordered it!
Either the Witches (Wyrd Sisters, Witches Abroad, Lords & Ladies, Carpe Jugulum) or possibly the Susan Sto Helit (Hogfather, Soul Music, Thief of Time) subsets of the Discworld books. They’re not high fantasy like LOTR but they do play with many classic fantasy elements. There is some very minor hetero-romance subplots but the focus is primarily on the FMCs getting things done. If she’s open to a sort of steampunk setting, I recently read and enjoyed City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennet. The FMC does have a prior relationship with a bi man, but is herself heterosexual, and there’s no romance in the bulk of the book. I particularly enjoyed that the FMC and secondary female lead were different flavors of strong/independent women.
I think the "Daughter of the Empire" trilogy by Raymond E Feist and Janny Wurts may meet your requirement?
Worm by wildbow
I definitely read too much fanfiction because it took me a second to remember that Taylor is straight
- Legends of the First Empire by Michael J Sullivan - Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie - Medalon by Jennifer Fallon
First Empire*
Edited — thanks!
Also the other standalone from Abercrombie right? Red Sand, was it? It's been a while
You might be thinking of Red Country (great book). Best Served Cold was the one before that, and also a good choice here.
Ah yes, I knew Red Sand didn't quite sound right. I think it was my favorite after Best Served though. Everyone praises The Heroes, but I preferred those two
I don't think any deeply religious person (so religious LGBTQ themes should be avoided) would like the language and viscous cynicism of Abercrombie, though I've only gotten to the first book in the series so I'm batting that on incomplete data.
You may be right, I’d been assuming queer mc was the only thing to avoid since that’s all op mentions wanting to avoid. At the same time while definitely still violent and having a copious amount of swearing, best served cold is not nearly as cynical as First Law.
Legends of the First Empire by Michael J Sullivan
Easy. **Tress of the Emerald Sea** by Brandon Sanderson.
I often get annoyed with how every recommendation post will have someone recommending a Sanderson book whether it suits or not (understandable given how big his bibliography is now), but in this case I think Tress is absolutely the right answer.
Tress is perfect for this, Yumi might be a sort of fit as well. It switches between a female and male lead, it also switches between a kind of fantasy Japan culture and a modern one.
Rain wilds chronicles by Robin Hobb I believe. This series is a part of a larger series of trilogies called the Realm of the elderlings.
[The Sword of Kaigen](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41886271-the-sword-of-kaigen?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=kDBciiLXFj&rank=1) by M.L. Wang I’m Catholic and I devour modern fantasy. The overwhelming majority of themes even in modern fantasy is stuff that all ppl resonate with.
Farilane by Michael J Sullivan
Book of the ancestor trilogy , starting with Red Sister, Nona is one formidable female !!
Paksenarrion sheepfarmers daughter Divided alligence and Oath of gold. you can likely get the three in one volume it might show it's Christian influences towards the end but there is no stronger female lead.
Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Paladin of Souls. Just hoping that if I say it enough you'll see it. This is it. This is your answer.
But have you ever read Paladin of Souls?
If manga qualifies as a book, then I will recommend Hayao Miyazaki’s “Nausicca”.
The Tombs of Atuan Uprooted (maybe) Spinning Silver
Uprooted and Spinning Silver are fairytale retelling, not epic fantasy. But both very good.
Agree here, both great but not epic. I don't think I'd class Tombs as epic either, really - it's pretty intimate/claustrophobic, for want of a better term (but also very good).
Maybe? It's totally hetero and I can't think of any christian themes
Spinning Silver leans heavily into Judaism towards the end, might be something to consider depending on OP's relative.
Mistborn. Broken earth trilogy I think.
Love the Broken Earth, but it has a trans character in it... Don’t want to hurt their delicate sensibilities.
Oh, I haven't read it. Just heard about it. Did the author write the character poorly?
No the whole series is great, but OP specifically asked for non gay queer books. And I’m guessing their very Christian sister who can’t read gay characters, will be even less likely to accept a trans character.
On the other hand they only mentioned that the protagonist shouldn't be lesbian. Feels like if zero LGBT characters in the book at all is a requirement, OP would've mentioned so.
From the prompt, I more got the vibe that it may just be that the sister wants someone to relate to? Or this may not be what OP meant, but I'd be incredibly unsurprised if it's that society associates strength as such a masculine characteristic that lesbianism gets bundled into the concept. But if the female lead is het, she gets weaker because there's a man to be strong?
Oh, I misunderstood. I thought you were referring to the character with the sensibilities for some reason. My bad. I've been considering reading it though. It's doesn't have heavy romance like A court of thorns and roses, does it?
No it’s very not romantic like that, there is a romance but not in any way shape or form like ACoTaR. I think at one point in book 2 there is a brief period where there’s a polycule though? This book is so different from Sarah J Maas, the focus is much more on the world, systemic oppression, brain washing, and a mother’s quest to find her stolen daughter.
That's good. I'll probably check it out then.
>There's a polycule That's in book 1 >!on the pirate island!<
The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon. I'm pretty sure she is asexual, I haven't read the books in about 20 years. There is attempted sexual assault, as a warning.
There is actual sexual assault and torture in the third book.
> that's not gay or lesbian? Once you have established they are a woman, is there a difference between gay and lesbian?
Also how does OP feel about bisexual women?
That’s quite a trend in sci-fi movies (terminator, alien, fury road).
Tiger and the Wolf.
Half a World by Joe Abercrombie
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi
Deverry Saga by Katharine Kerr. Very much epic fantasy of the Tolkien kind, there’s many books in the series, very strong female lead character and incredibly intricate story.
Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jemisin
As long as a bit of scifi is ok and she's not exclusively looking for high fantasy. This series is excellent
" I’d like to give her a modern book or series with a strong female protagonist who doesn't need to be gay/lesbian in order to be independent/strong." Did you mean to say that you do not want books with gay female main characters? Or could you post an example of this? ...where the character's independence or strength is contingent on their queer sexuality? "It’s important to me that the book I give her not be Christian-themed. She is very religious, but she knows I'm not, and I want her to feel comfortable reading the gift I give her." You want her to feel comfortable reading the book but don't want to give her a book she'll feel comfortable with?
Best Served Cold, Red Country, the Age of Madness trilogy, Half the World, Half a War. All by Joe Abercrombie. Lions of Al-Rassan, A Brightness Long Ago, Children of Earth and Sky, All the Seas of the World. All by Guy Gavriel Kay. Actually, on second thought, the replacement Christianity in his works might disqualify them.
Yeah, I can't see OP's very religious sister being particularly happy with GGK's work.
I've read Lions of Al-Rassan. Am fairly religious. My problem with said book was only that I cried on it and it was from the library...
Joe Abercrombie has loads of them, but Monza Mercatto in Best Served Cold is the main character, and she's straight up Tarantino levels of badass
fifth season is good but it has some gay male secondary characters, and a side character is revealed to be a trans woman, though it’s not really the focus. can i ask why it needs to be hetero?
Based on being very religious I’m assuming she wants her to dip her toe into modern fantasy without her being scared away by “woke” messaging. So it seems she wants her to try something thats new but with traditional themes. For some of these ppl the second they read a queer character it triggers them into an authors motives or has them on guard for “liberal” messaging.
Or it could just be that it would be nice if the sister saw a female lead who was more like herself. Or there could be a minor association with "but strength is only for lesbian characters" which I could kinda see. There is a societal association of strength with being "butch" and all that.
please tell me of all the fantasy books that have butch lesbian main characters, id like to read them(if they’re good)
School for Good and Evil. Two strong protagonists and their friendship is the main point of the series. It's based on Arthurian legends but it has subtle darker themes.
Godstalk by P.C. Hodgell ticks all those boxes. Or To Dance With Dragons by Jaq D. Hawkins
I’m pretty sure the main character in Godkiller by Hannah Kaner isn’t gay? It’s been a while though. Amina Sirafi is more swashbuckling but it’s pretty epic too. I don’t think sexuality plays a role in the Justice of Kings? No wait, thinking about it there’s a hetero normative romance in it where the character has to choose between their life and a man… Chelsea Abdulla’s The Stardust Thief is a little Epic, and I think the romance is straight. Theif’s Magic by Trudi Canavan? I bounced off this after book 3 but it had some neat ideas. Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim is pretty hetero normative if memory serves. Need to look at my bookshelf, there’s a lot of queer female protagonists there which I think is a good thing… Mistborne or Stormlight archives both have female protagonists, but they are multi character stories. Brando Sando is a Mormon but it doesn’t leak into his books too much apart from his romances being a bit tame. That said Mistborne has a character who is trying to find the true religion… Warbreaker might be a better standalone with a main character who is female.
The main protagonist of Godkiller is bisexual. She never does anything more than flirt with another woman, from what I can remember, but I have a feeling that OPs sister would find that objectionable.
Ah right, it’s been a while since I read it, I stand corrected.
Spellsong Cycle by L.E. Modesitt https://www.goodreads.com/series/41479-spellsong-cycle
A Woman with a Sword by Anna Spark Smith
The Keltiad series by Patricia Kenneald
Another "not really epic fantasy" recommendation, but *Practical Guide to Sorcery*, by Azalea Ellis. Its main character has three alter egos on the boil at once - a male disguise they're using to get into magic school, her real persona, who's working with an altruistic revolutionary/gangster to pay off a debt, and the Raven Queen, an urban legend she accidentally creates, and has to live up to.
The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, #1) by Melanie Rawn
Great book but issue being book 3 of the trilogy is not written
And won't be.
“Castle Waiting” is a fantastic fantasy graphic novel about misfits making a new life for themselves in the titular enchanted castle. There are a lot of female characters and all of them are brave and independent — and straight, as far as I remember. (One warning: the comic features a convent of bearded women. I think they are a very positive representation of Christianity, but they may fall a little to close to gender non-conforming for someone with a “no gays” rule)
"Best Served Cold" by Joe Abercrombie (even though it would be better to read the trilogy before it first. But it still works great on its own). It literally does not get stronger or more badass than Monzcarro (Monza) Murcatto, aka the butcher of Capril, aka the snake of Talins, etc. The book can be said to be "Fantasy Kill Bill", and it's freaking amazing.
Bloody rose the sequel to kings of the wylds
Queen of the Orcs (She isen't orc btw. and only become strong, even she's not a fighter)
_Echoes of the Fall_ by Adrian Tchaikovsky has a strong straight female lead. It also features bisexual male characters.
The Twelve Houses series by Sharon Shinn would probably work!
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novick Sword Heart by T Kingfisher
Try Graceling, single book, kinda simple and easy to read but not a kids book, medium length, strong female protagonist, not lesbian, she has a romantic interest but that doesn't weaken her in any way, in fact she's kinda stronger than the guy and she keeps all her strong character. No religion mentioned whatsoever.
The Interior Life.
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie. However, she is not a good person.
Check out the Tiger and Del novels by Jennifer Roberson- great chemistry between the two leads, and Del certainly qualifies as a strong woman. She is a bad ass.
The Troy Game by Sara Douglass - its set in different eras of Earth history (Celts, WW2, etc) it features the key players in the Minotaur's Labrynth out of Greek mythology. Anything more I say will be spoilerish. It's a very good series. One I read every couple years.
Two of Brandon Sanderson's "Secret Project" books. "Tress of the Emerald Sea" and "Yumi and the Nightmare Painter" for your description nicely. Also the first trilogy of the Mistborn Saga is an ensemble cast but it has a strong female character in the main lineup.
Bone Witch Trilogy by Rin Chupeco and the Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo.
Obernewtyn chronicles is a really good fit.
Wheel of time have multiple female characters, most of them is in power.
The protagonist is a guy.
You could argue Egwene being equal protagonist since her journey is just as dramatic as Rands and takes up a lot of POV chapter. That's more an ensemble cast rather than one single character protagonist
Only in first book. Starting from the next you have Egwene, nyanewe, Eleyne, Aviendha, several female dark ones and aes sedai.
...but when the first book is the length of 2-3 normal sized fantasy novels... that's a lot of 'but not at all what she's interested in' to get through. And Jordan does *not* write women well.
Mist born is good. The golden compass is also really good.
I can't imagine a religious person really liking Golden Compass. In fact my (religious) father wouldn't let me read it when I was a kid because it was 'atheist propaganda'.
Just don't read the third book it's not as obvious
His Dark Materials is a good shout , but worth noting that The Golden Compass is the first book in the series in the US, elsewhere #1 is called Northern Lights. Mistborn is also excellent.
Maybe not "epic" but Cynthia Voight's *Jackaroo* sounds like it fits the bill. Also, *The Fifth Season* and *Best Served Cold* probably work.
I’ve read Jackaroo and Best Served Cold and they were great! Joe Abercrombie writes some pretty smart and tough female characters, but Best Served Cold probably highlights one of his best and most fleshed roles. Ferro in First Law trilogy is awesome but she’s pretty shrouded in mystery and we didn’t get to know enough about her. I was hoping we would get more books about her but not yet.
Throne of glass Mistborn Recurve These are some of my favorites
She might like mistborn and fair portions of the stormlight archive but idk how epic or relevant those would be
El from *Naomi Novik’s* **Scholomance trilogy** is the character you’re looking. However it’s not exactly an Epic fantasy.
Schoolmance is awesome but MC is bi with a same-sex relationship in the third book. Said relationship is also kind of/sort of/maybe cheating. It’s definitely a weird gray area that I doubt SIL would appreciate.
What?! gimme more details!
Um which part? 😅 Major spoilers here and there: >!FMC isn’t really interested in romance until book 2 when she realizes she’s been accidentally dating the MMC. It’s super cute. During this book, we meet that year’s valedictorian: a stunning take-charge blonde with a manipulative, pragmatic streak. She tries to seduce the MMC and is shot down because he’s got ~~one~~ two things on his mind (monster hunting and the FMC.) FMC is surprised listing all of Blondie’s assets including looks. Book 3, Blondie is in a mutually ambitious open relationship. MMC is presumed dead and she attempts to seduce FMC for the couple’s political gain. FMC turns her down. MMC is NOT dead but severely out of it and the relationship is in a really weird spot. Blondie recognizes that FMC is at a moral horizon point and reattempts seduction which is accepted this time. It’s not as much romantic love as Blondie making sure that FMC has enough emotional attachments to quite literally not destroy the world. (Blondie is very much not an idiot and will work in the ethical gray both for the greater good and her own good.) At the end, MMC is fully saved and they resume their relationship.!<
tysm! hurray for yk >!orion not being dead!<
Mistborn for sure. Vin is probably my favorite female protagonist I’ve read in fantasy. I also don’t remember it having any overtly Christian themes although it’s been a while since I’ve read it. Another option is the Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin. It’s incredible but not quite as accessible as something like Mistborn. Also pretty much anything by Naomi Novik fits this description, and I have yet to read anything by her I would consider bad. Best Served Cold by Abercrombie is fantastic but I suggest reading the First Law Trilogy first because it’s set after the events of the Trilogy.
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Well, the problem with Bradley is that if you look her up you read about some very unfortunate stuff that is unlikely to go over well.
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It’s a lot worse than that. She was an abuser herself, and an active accomplice and apologist, not an innocent bystander. Also, at least one of her books has a really disturbing depiction of child sexual abuse presented in a bizarre, celebratory manner that is consistent with her abusive behavior. So it’s the artist, not the artist’s husband, and it’s within the art itself. I had the misfortune of learning the whole awful story when I cluelessly googled her because I felt sick to my stomach after a particular moment in one of the Mists of Avalon books.
Well shit. I had never heard any of that. I really enjoyed Mists of Avalon. Only read them once, but damn. This sucks, I love strong female characters and enjoyed the books for that reason. Well guess time to toss those books from my collection.
No it's mostly the artist's complicity in said horrific behavior.
WoT does not have a female lead. Supporting characters who are very strong, yes, but Rand is the lead and Mat and Perrin are the two secondary leads. It's explicit in the text. They are *ta'veren*, the rest of the cast is not. Egwene and Moiraine are very strong women characters, as are Min and Aviendha. But they're not leads.
While they're not *ta'veren*, anyone with a significant POV that spans the series could easily be considered "leading" roles. Their contributions to the story are not redundant, and, the author(s) does a great job of not having romance/ sex be their main and only contribution to the plot. It's a great series for young female readers. While it's not without its flaws, it certainly meets the requirements of the OP.
In this context, no. The "lead" is the most important character. That's Rand.
Nah, words mean things, and lead does not mean what you claim. Davos is not one of the lead characters of ASOIAF, despite having significant POV chapters and contributing to the plot. If someone asked you to name a series where the lead character is a former criminal with a good heart doing his best to lead a respectable life, ASOIAF would not be an appropriate recommendation despite the fact that such a character is present in the story.
At the very least Egwene is a secondary lead. She has more POV chapters than Mat
Mat is literally the commanding general of all the armies of the Light at the Last Battle. Perrin is by far the lowest of the three *ta'veren,* and even he teaches Egwene a thing or two about something she assumes she already mastered. "It's just a weave." Without even Perrin, Egwene doesn't do her epic thing.
The female characters in WOT is straight up abominations let's be real like they're so bad that is was alone for me to DNF that series.
I’m not sure it’s “epic” fantasy but Lackey/Norton’s Elvenbane series is pretty fun and is centered on a female lead who is very impressive.
McCaffrey has some content warning tho'.
What for? After learning about Mists of Avalon author I'm starting to worry this thread is going to cost me a bunch of books I loved. Loved Ann McCaffery's books.
That specific scene with >!F'lar and Lessa!<
Don't recall the scene. Recognize the names. It's been over 15 years since I read any of the books. I just remember really enjoying the series. I had all the books before I lost my book collection in my storage unit that got wrongly sold while I was in the hospital for 4 months. We had pre paid the storage unit for 6 months but they screwed up the paper work and sold all my shit after 3 months. Lost everything I owned. I've since only collected audio books but never got the books again because there were so many books in her series and they are too short. I mostly now only get really long books 40+ hours.
McCaffrey tends to lean dubcon - not just in Pern, but in general.
It's by Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton.
Mistborn.
Justice of Kings has a strong female character and the story is told from her perspective.
Mistborne haha
tamora pierce. the answer is ALWAYS tamora pierce. i can also recommend the october daye books by seanan mcguire, if she likes urban fantasy. though honestly, somebody complaining that "why are all these characters gay?!?!" is a major red flag.
ACOTAR? Why not?
What’s the difference between gay and lesbian?
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Gay people exist in Malazan. Seems like gay people just existing might scare OP’s sister.
I’m confused by your parameters. It’s important that the book NOT be Christian themed, because you want her to feel comfortable reading it, but you said she’s religious so that would mean she would be more comfortable reading a Christian themed book. I was going to recommend one but it’s smutty, while also being deep in plot world building and lore. But definitely not Christian. In fact it has its own religion that is directly influenced by Christianity, but changed some things that would be insulting to a Christian’s beliefs.
OP's trying to find a book for their sister that isn't directly Christian (because OP isn't and their sister knows and respects that), but also will have things she wants (strong women MCs that are het, and no real LGBT presence). It's a tough needle to thread, because Fantasy's had a strong queernorm strain for the last, like, 40 years or so.
Yeah, I love the fantasy genre because you can get really specific with your requests, and there’s usually something out there that’s not only fitting, but also good. But in this case I’d say OPs parameters are way too specific even for the fantasy genre which is usually pretty varied. I can’t think of anything.