10 Amazing, Complex Girls and Women from Across Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Court of Fives, by Kate Elliott
In the recently released first volume of Kate Elliott’s debut YA trilogy, we meet Jessamy, caught between her family, the strict social structure of the ruling class that excludes her due to her mixed race, and her passion for the Fives, an athletic competition she yearns to compete in. Jes’s story begins and ends with how she balances her love for her family, her passion for the sport she excels in, and her ability to function in a world that constantly sees her as less than she is. Even as she is continually discouraged by the systems around her, she’s focused and determined to win—in the Fives, and in the life or death games of politics and social class she’s forced into by those in power as she fights to save her mother and her sisters.

Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal, by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona
Ms. Marvel has been a juggernaut since before its release, and since the first issue, Kamala Khan has been a mainstay in my comic reading. I’m not alone in my love for her adventures as a high schooler going through all the growing pains of being an adolescent and a superhero. A Pakistani-American teen who must come to grips with powers thrust upon her, Kamala is slowly learning how she can use her unique abilities to protect her family, her friends, and the people of Jersey City. Kamala is kind, sarcastic, loyal, and resolute—once she’s made up her mind. Most of all, she’s not a unstoppable force; her powers are amazing, but she uses them thoughtfully and responsibly, determining the best way to use them to meet her goals. She’s a fantastic superhero, but also a fantastic person, period, one who believes in working hard to do what’s right.

Rosemary and Rue, by Seanan McGuire
I recently started reading Seanan McGuire’s sprawling urban fantasy series featuring October Daye, a half-fae changeling and private detective. Grumpy if woken up too early and frustratingly self-sacrificing, Toby is one of the most persevering, fierce urban fantasy heroines I’ve encountered. Her adventures include avoiding car chases, adopting rose bushes, being pestered by annoyingly attractive Cait Sidhe, and solving mysteries for her liege while trying not to end up dead. She’s charming, obtuse, amusing, and aggravating in equal measure, a compelling character I’m happy to follow further into the complicated world of the Faerie.

One Piece, Vol. 1: Romance Dawn, by Eiichiro Oda
One Piece is a long-running manga about a group of pirates in a dangerous world filled with mysteries, oppressive governments, powerful enemies, and magical fruit that grants special powers to whoever eats it. If you like epic fight scenes and high romance adventure, this is your bag. The story follows the Straw Hat crew, and one of my favorite characters is Nami—an unpowered girl in a world of powerful pirates with special physical abilities, she serves as the crew’s navigator, as well as their compass for common sense. Nami is also a thief: quick, clever, adaptable to new surroundings, and intensely resourceful, especially in scenarios where her friends are in trouble or someone is suffering unjustly. Nami’s capacity for empathy and compassion, and her ability to work through problems methodically and triumph even in the most dire circumstances, is wonderful.

Lumberjanes Vol. 1, by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis and Noelle Stevenson
Lumberjanes is an Eisner-winning comic for the young and old alike. Featuring an ensemble cast of incredible young women, the comic is about five friends attending Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley spend their time at camp participating in activities, earning scout badges, and, oh, battling evil supernatural creatures in the woods amid much mystery. Each of them is unique in their own way, and and all have their own strengths, skills, and interests, but they come together as best friends. The supporting characters, too, are compelling: Jen, their harried scout leader; Rosie, their enigmatic camp leader; and…who is that bear woman? The comic is light-hearted and fun even as it tackles tough issues with verve and heart. It’s a delightful fantasy for anyone who loves stories about friendship.

Caliban’s War, by James S.A. Corey
Caliban’s War is the second book of Corey’s The Expanse, which recently released its fifth volume, Nemesis Games. The books are an impressive, cinematic space opera story, spanning Earth, the Asteroid Belt, and the outer planets. In the second volume, we meet Chrisjen Avasarala, the United Nations Assistant Undersecretary of Executive Administration, as she deals with the political fallout from an alien threat. Avasarala is a savvy, no-holds-barred political shark with a filthy mouth and no time for nonsense. But the beautiful thing about Avasarala as a character is that Corey makes sure to humanize her: she’s good at her job, but she’s also someone who cares deeply for her family and for the world she lives in. This December, Shohreh Aghdashloo will portray her in the live-action adaptation The Expanse, airing on Syfy, but you owe it to yourself to get aquainted with her on the page first.
Who are your favorite strong female characters in SF/F?