When we read, we sometimes find
inspiration in the characters we read about, whether they're good or bad, male
or female. This post is dedicated to the female series protagonists that have
inspired me the most during my reading career. These ladies are far from
ordinary, and have been a source of both entertainment and exhaustion as throughout
their various stories.
So,
without further ado, I would like to introduce to my Top 5 Kickass Female
Protagonists!
#5. Katniss Everdeen
Now, some of you might be
thinking that the sheer idea of Katniss Everdeen being placed 5th is
absurd, and I somewhat agree with you. While I’m not disputing the fact that
she is indeed quite awesome, I’ve actually only read the first of the Hunger
Games series, and so can’t make any final decision on her placement as of yet.
Katniss Everdeen, leading lady in
the crowd favourite dystopian series The
Hunger Games, is considered quite the inspiration to many, and as a female
protagonist is extremely likeable. She survives in a society that does more to
hinder than to help the people, and is considered a hero in her own rights. It
is not surprising that she has such an impact on the audience, as she
represents many positive traits, despite her own series of shortcomings and
faults.
To me, Katniss represents perseverance,
strength, determination, ambition, and sacrifice. She is willing to do what she
thinks has to be done for the betterment of those around her, and while she is
not always stable (who would be, under those circumstances?) she is still a
valuable role model.
#4. Rose Hathaway
Rose Hathaway is the main
protagonist in Rochelle Mead’s stellar Vampire series, Vampire Academy, and it a seriously badass one at that. Rose is a
dhampir in a school full of others just like herself, as well as the young
moroi.
She is taking the 4th
place in my list of kickass ladies because, while she is really very kickass,
she is also easily distracted by a certain Gaurdian (*ahem* Dimitri *ahem*).
She can be a little careless, at times, and very reckless at others, but that
does not make her any less of a badass. Even through her flaws, however, Rose
proves to be loyal and strong-willed, often leading her to face challenges and
obstacles that help her become who she was meant to be.
#3. Clarissa Fray
In a world
of magic and monsters, shadows and those that hunt them, Clarissa Fray finds
out the startling truth of who she really is –or rather, what. She is curious –a
trait that is one of the best and worst for a young woman to possess, especially
when dealing with demons and treachery– and that curiosity leads her to
discover the world of angels and demons, and all the things that go bump in the
night.
Clary, the
protagonist of the Mortal Instruments
series, by Cassandra Clare, takes 3rd place due to her curiosity,
her determination. She is strong-willed, like Rose, but hers is a quieter sort.
She was not raised to be what she is, and she takes to it all without bravado. Rolling
with the punches, as it were.
#2. Zoe Redbird
I am
personally quite fond of the odd vampire tale, here or there, but it wasn’t
Twilight that solidified my love. That title goes to the House of Night series, by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast, and
absolutely wonderful character, Zoe Redbird.
Zoe is thrust into a situation
that turns her entire world on its head, but she takes it in her stride. To me,
she represents the bonds of friendship and the importance of faith, as she and
her circle of friends do what they have to in order to protect one another and
serve the Goddess.
She also
represents strength of character, and an intense loyalty, both of which I
consider important traits within female role models.
While it’s
been years since I’ve read the series, I can still remember exactly why I
became enamoured with it. Zoe isn’t an annoying or frustrating character to
follow. Sure, like every protagonist, there are some cringe-worthy moments, and
even a face palm or two, but I never wanted to cry in sheer frustration at her
exploits. It’s was rather refreshing, to be honest.
#1. Maximum Ride
As one of
my all-time favourite series, Maximum Ride has been one of the most influential
books I’ve ever picked up. The series protagonist, Max (a.k.a. Maximum Ride), is
such a good point of inspiration to look up to, despite her being a fictional
character and her own situation being mildly different from that of reality.
Max is the
leader of a flock (not in a religious sense, but a flock of actual mutant bird-kids),
and she does everything within her power to keep them together, and as safe as
they can possibly be within their particularly troubling circumstances.
She is loyal
to a fault, and always has a plan (even when she really doesn’t). Max, despite
being only a child herself, cares for her flock as best she can, despite being
faced with mad scientists (sometimes literally), mutant creatures, and the
forces of nature. She is an interesting character, not least of all because of
her ability to FLY!
I felt a
connection to Max, being around the same age, and facing my own set of
challenges, though very different to hers. In a period where I felt like giving
up everything, Maximum Ride gave me a reason to keep going, and to be exactly
who I was despite everything. The series is the reason I still keep relatively
good reading habits, and I’m incredibly thankful for the confidence and
assurance Max and her flock offered me. It was like being a part of the flock
myself, and that made the biggest difference for me at the time; it still does
now, even!
There we
go, ladies and gentlemen. My top 5 kickass female protagonists. Who’s your #1?
A.N.
Hey there!
So, considering my utter failure
last year to keep this updated regularly, I’ve decided that, instead of making
promises I probably won’t keep, I’ll instead make a reasonable attempt.
I’m no
longer going to be jumping into this head first, with hardly any idea what it
is I’m actually posting (awkward). Instead, I’m going to be pacing myself,
drafting a little more beforehand, and being especially mindful while editing.
This, of course, means that I may not be posting on a regularly basis, or at
most that I would be posting this kind of content on a regular monthly basis.
I thank you
for your patience and support, while I try to sort myself out, and I apologize
that it’s taken so long for me to do so (only 20 odd years, I’m sure I’ll
figure life out eventually).
Stay
posted!
Em xx
