Fantasy novels used to feature male heroes rescuing princesses, but now there are many great fantasy books for women with female characters playing major roles. Robin McKinley, Patricia McKillip, and Robert Jordan are among the top authors. The purpose is not to eliminate men, but to create fully developed characters of both genders and show that women can fill any role they desire.
For many years, the fantasy genre of novels was invaded by valiant male heroes who spent much of their time rescuing princesses and slaying dragons. Twentieth-century shifts in the social importance of female individuality and strength finally removed many damsels from the angst of a supportive and often one-dimensional role. There are now many great fantasy books for women, with female characters playing major roles and occasionally slaying a dragon or two as well.
Robin McKinley is one of the best known fantasy authors in the world and a top writer of excellent fantasy books for women. While her her books are certainly suitable for men, she often uses female heroines and female issues to create the storylines of her her books. In The Hero and the Crown, Aerin is the only child of a king and his second wife, and as a tall, thin redhead in a court full of petite brunettes, she stands out for a number of reasons. Aerin’s response is to start hunting dragons.
Another book by Robin McKinley, Deerskin has a heroine saved from untimely death after a brutal sexual assault. Lissar, the protagonist, must slowly rediscover her identity and discover new and unusual powers granted by her savior, the Moonwoman. Despite the book’s setting in a fantasy world of princesses, evil queens, and kingdoms, the themes are decidedly set in the real world, detailing the long recovery from a terrible injustice.
The epic Wheel of Time series contains 11 volumes, all of which are great fantasy books for women. In a storyline populated by dozens of main characters, women make up at least half of the lead roles. The fantasy world of the late Robert Jordan includes a powerful political base of women called the Aes Sedai, whose ancient sorcery-performing abilities allow them to influence the world. Jordan’s female characters are anything but one-dimensional, with motives, allegiances, and intents constantly shifting with each new story.
In Patricia McKillip’s Cygnet books, both main characters are female. Nyx Ro is the wayward heir to her mother’s throne, who has spent much of her life abandoning her responsibilities to study magic. Her cousin, Meguet, is a resourceful warrior destined to protect the sometimes reckless heir. Over the course of the two books, Nyx and Meguet must battle wizards, legends, and eventually dragons to secure the future of their homeland. McKillip’s other works are excellent fantasy books for women, with a good balance of the importance of character between the two genders.
The purpose of women’s fantasy books is not to denigrate or eliminate the importance of men in fantasy stories. As in any good literature, the greatest emphasis is placed on creating fully developed three-dimensional characters of both genders. There were few books in the 19th century in which the main goal of the female characters was anything other than being saved or getting married. With the advent of the women’s rights movement, it has become important to demonstrate that women can fill any role they desire, from housewife to queen. Fantasy books for women can teach girls that if they like slaying dragons instead of hiding in a tower and growing their hair out, they certainly aren’t alone.
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