Becca’s Cyber Home

Who is your favorite female lead character? And why? (And yes, of course, you can name more than one . . . I always have trouble narrowing down these things to one name, why should I force you to?)

This week’s is a hard one! I know I’m going to forget someone, but here’s my list:

• Lessa in the Pern series by Anne McCaffrey: Lessa is a down-trodden girl who grows into a strong and compassionate leader. It was the Pern series that began my love of fantasy and sci-fi novels.
• Lizzy Bennett in Pride & Prejudice: Witty, head-strong, and impossible to stop. I’m always surprised how a female character created all that time ago can still ring true today.
• Cass from the Circle series by Dolores Stewart Riccio: Cass follows her heart with humor and trust.
• Claire Fraser from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon: I have to admit that it took me forever to get started on the Outlander series. But once I did, I was hooked. I love that Claire brings her 20th-century knowledge and principles, but discovers she’s happiest in the 18th Century.
• Moira in the Circle trilogy by Nora Roberts: Moira kicks ass. Smart, bookish, and perhaps plain, she grows into her innate strength, and through love (not just romantic, but for her friends, family, and subjects) discovers herself.
• Mia in the Three Sisters trilogy by Nora Roberts: Okay, Mia kicks ass too. She’s a perfect blend of feminine strength and otherworldly mystique. A loving witch who knows that people only need love and support to find their own best selves. And I’ve always wanted red hair.
• Ellie from Contact by Carl Sagan: The ultimate skeptic who learns to open her heart to the mysteries of the universe. She changed my life.
• Aerin from The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley: Aerin was the first character I encountered who made me realize that girls need heroines.

Okay, there have got to be more, but those are off the top of my head. I think I need to re-read some of these now…