It’s official: the days of passive female characters in science fiction and fantasy are over.

Nowadays, we have more than just Buffy to look up to. From Star Wars’ Rey to Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery and the new Doctor, recent pop culture has finally caught up to the fact that women are interested in seeing themselves assuming powerful roles in science fiction and fantasy (SFF).

And the situation in books is also changing rapidly. SFF shelves have for years been dominated by men, but female authors are now breaking through in their droves.

To make sure you don’t miss out of any of this year’s great science fiction and fantasy, here’s your guide to 2019’s SFF books written by women.

Happy reading…