Today, I’m diving into my personal ranking of female protagonists from some of my favorite fantasy books. Strong female characters have always been an important part of art, but they feel even more essential these days - not just to me as a reader, but to literature in general.
And I’ll admit, these rankings are entirely based on personal preference, and even the lower spots are filled with incredible characters. (Sometimes a book just hits differently depending on when you read it, and that definitely played a role here.)
The Importance of Strong Female Leads in Fantasy
In fantasy literature, strong female leads often serve as symbols of hope, courage, and transformation. These female protagonists are more than just warriors or queens; they navigate intricate relationships, face insurmountable odds that would give any great leader a headache, and grow into their own power, whether it’s personal or literal I-can-breathe-fire magic.
Strong FMCs also show women as multi-dimensional heroes, balancing emotional depth, personal growth, and extreme skill with leadership and determination…all without asking them to give up the spotlight.
The Evolution of Female Fantasy Characters
Over the past decade, trends in literature have evolved to include more… “intense” female leads. In the early 2010s, heroines like Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games and Tris Prior from Divergent emphasized independence, rebellion, and survival. Their grit and ability to persevere - even at the sake of their own safety and sanity - were a main part of their character.
More recently, fantasy literature has introduced heroines who balance strength with vulnerability. Characters like Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses and Aelin Galathynius from Throne of Glass, or the women of Cassandra Clare novels embody emotional depth while navigating power struggles, personal growth, and dangerous secrets. For them, there’s a clear strength when it comes to feminine energy that isn’t always so obvious in epic fantasy genre.
So, Let’s Dive Into the List!
15. Mare from Red Queen
Mare is a fantastic female lead, but she lands at number 15 because I haven’t read her full story yet (I’ve only read the first three books). Mare’s journey—from the bottom of society to infiltrating its elite—is a classic tale of resilience and defiance against power struggles. While Red Queen leans more dystopian than high fantasy, its unique magic system makes it a standout series, with an extremely detailed hierarchy not only within the society, but within each tier of the societal structure.
Part of why this one is here is because I think I simply read it too late in life. I didn’t read Red Queen til my 20s, and I feel like teenage Katelyn would have eaten this up. The story is still incredible and everyone knows that the twist will make you second guess yourself for the rest of time, but I think it would have hit a bit harder for me if I’d read it earlier.
14. Dawsyn from Ledge
Image credit: People Magazine
Dawsyn is like a fantasy version of Katniss Everdeen. Stacey McEwan’s Ledge is set in a freezing, resource-scarce village perched on a literal cliffside. Dawsyn’s determination and extreme skill shine through as she battles mythical creatures and faces impossible odds. Her gritty resilience earns her a place on this list.
I feel like this book hasn’t gotten the amount of popularity it deserves. In case you haven’t heard about it before, in the world of Ledge, these superhuman ice creatures come and take people from the village periodically (presumably to be eaten). When Dawson is taken, she realizes that’s not necessarily the case. (Oh yeah, she also ends up in a situationship with one of these people she’s been told to fear her whole life.)
13. Isla Crown from Lightlark
Isla Crown is a compelling female protagonist with fascinating powers. While Lightlark received mixed reactions (honestly, I think it was a blunder in marketing and picking the proper target audience), its blend of urban fantasy and political intrigue kept me hooked. Isla’s story feels like it’s building toward something great, and I’m eager to see how her character evolves in future books.
As of writing this, I’m currently almost done with book 3 and I’m loving it. Honestly, this book has every trope that we fangirl about on BookTok (enemies-to-lovers, “That is my wife!”, and “Who did this to you?” We gotta love it).
12. Bryce from Crescent City
Bryce is the definition of a strong female protagonist. From Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series, which leans into urban fantasy, Bryce is faced down with odds that seem nearly impossible to face, especially because she appears to be…basically human in a world of fae and angels. (She’s meant to be an “ordinary girl” who goes on an extraordinary adventure.)
While her modern-day setting didn’t resonate with me as much as Maas’s high fantasy works, Bryce’s growth and emotional depth shine, particularly in book three.
11. Violet from Fourth Wing
Violet is a warrior with a scholar’s mind and a dragon rider who embodies strength and intelligence. Her journey in Fourth Wing reminds me of Tris from Divergent. However, right now (I’ve read through Iron Flame), her personality hasn’t quite connected with me the way Tris’ did - a character who seemed like my own thoughts personified back when I first read it at 15.
While Violet’s story is still unfolding, I’m excited to see how she continues to navigate power struggles and personal growth in future books.
10. Clary from The Mortal Instruments
Teenage me adored Clary. Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series combines urban fantasy with unforgettable female characters. Clary’s growth throughout the series is a testament to Clare’s ability to create multi-dimensional female protagonists.
Clary has been shielded from the world of angels, demons, vampires, and werewolves from a young age despite her blood making her a permanent part of it. When she’s basically dragged into it against her own - and her mother’s - will, she has to take her artistry to new heights while also having to become a warrior for the first time.
If you’re into the dark academia vibe, The Mortal Instruments is right for you.
9. Evie from Assistant to the Villain
Evie is refreshingly optimistic and brings humor to a genre often dominated by darker female leads. Her journey in Assistant to the Villain offers a lighter take on fantasy literature, while still showcasing resilience and emotional depth.
If you like Ella Enchanted, you’re probably going to love Evie.
8. Lady Fire from Fire
Part of the Graceling series, Lady Fire is a shapeshifter with a striking presence and a heart full of courage. Her unique magic system and fight against gender stereotypes make her a standout character in fantasy books.
Though I’ll admit, I read this at a very young age, and my #1 reason for being obsessed with her was her HAIR. A mix of pink, magenta, and orange…I wanted that. Badly. And I actually ended up dyeing my hair in attempt to replicate that color:
Unfortunately, we weren’t successful.
7. Juliette from Shatter Me
Juliette’s fragmented, artistic perspective in Shatter Me is hauntingly beautiful. Her emotional depth and inner turmoil make her a compelling main character, and the series is a great example of how fantasy books can explore the intricacies of the human mind.
As Tahereh Mafi moves the plot forward, we get to watch Juliette slowly become more sure of herself, and when the novels take a science fiction turn starting in the second half of the series, Juliette has to face down some majorly creepy stuff. (I don’t wanna spoil anything, but iykyk.)
6. Feyre from A Court of Thorns and Roses
Feyre is a strong female lead who embodies resilience and creativity. Her artistic worldview and journey through personal growth make her one of the most relatable heroines in high fantasy.
Early on, she grapples with self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness, especially as she’s thrust into a world of mythical creatures and political intrigue. Over time, she learns to assert herself, finding her voice and embracing her power. Her relationship with Rhysand, in particular, serves as a catalyst for her transformation, showing how love and trust is meant to be freeing, and that relationships aren’t meant to create cages around us.
In the early books, she thinks that the artistic side of herself isn’t useful in such a harsh world. As she grows and becomes more confident, we see her creativity come back in a beautiful and healing way.
5. Cordelia from The Last Hours
Cordelia from The Last Hours is a Victorian-era heroine who balances poise with strength. Her story, filled with complex politics and friendships, is a shining example of how female characters in fantasy books can be both powerful and relatable.
One of my favorite scenes with her is a moment where she’s reciting a poem, but it’s meant to be performed with a sword - which she does expertly while decked out in a gorgeous gold gown. It’s a beautiful mix of artistry and power - two things Cordelia completely embodies.
4. Vin from Mistborn: The Final Empire
Vin’s transformation from an unassuming girl to a powerful Mistborn is a true journey. Her mastery of her unique magic system and growth in relationships reflect one another as she grows in every area of her life.
I’ve just finished book 2, so I feel like putting her here is a little preemptive because I still have so much to learn about her. But she has grown so much in both power and her ability to form and build relationships (I feel like a proud parent lol) and I anticipate that continuing, so I felt like she deserved the fourth spot.
3. Hermione from Harry Potter
Hermione Granger is an iconic female character in fantasy literature, and my personal favorite of our trio.
A character arc that I truly love to see is when the character with a rigid moral compass (like Hermione) stops simply listening to what they’re told and instead begin to make true decisions for themselves. Around the book 5 mark, Hermione stops listening to the powers that be and instead makes her own choices about what is right.
2. Tessa from The Infernal Devices
Set in Victorian England, Tessa is a prime example of how fantasy books can blend emotional depth with epic storytelling. Her loyalty, strength, and compassion make her a standout female lead in the Shadowhunter universe. Because despite any power she might have, her greatest strength is the love she has for others.
Ever since first reading the book years ago, I’ve admired her ability to carry herself with such poise, no matter the circumstance.
1. Aelin Galathynius from Throne of Glass
(feat. my puppy)
Aelin’s journey through the Throne of Glass series is the epitome of epic fantasy. Her unrelenting will to fulfill her promise of “a better world” make her an inspiring female lead.
KINGDOM OF ASH SPOILERS AHEAD - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
One of the most impactful moments I’ve personally ever read was in Kingdom of Ash, when it looks like all the effort, training, and fighting have been for nothing…Aelin appears with all the women she promised a better world to throughout the years. She knew that she would be able to call upon these women when she truly needed them - and that they would be there for her. Seeing them fight together using each of their unique strengths was incredibly powerful.
Final Thoughts
These rankings are just for fun, but every character here has left an impact on me in a very real way. If you haven’t read the books I mentioned, please know that I highly recommend all of them.