Top 25 Fantasy Books for Women

Also known as Fantasy Books with Strong Female Protaganists

Some women want fantasy books that are different from those for men. Now, I know many women read the same fantasy as the boys and are fine with that, but for the women who want fantasy with strong female protagonists, fantasy that's not all about some hunk whose mission is to slay dark lords and sleep with as many women as possible while doing so, this list is for you.

Why have I created this list?

I've heard many women complaining most fantasy novels are 'boy' fantasy. Sounds familiar? You know, fantasy books with male protagonists, pathetic females whose sole role is only to be saved by the hero, and to be part of a ham-fisted romance.

If you like that sort of book as a woman, that's fine. But if you are a woman who likes strong female characters and books that don't cater to the male mind (and yes ladies, MOST of the fantasy books are written by men FOR men), this list will give you some ideas.

While admittedly, most fantasy books are geared toward the male reader, there are some very well written books that may appeal to SOME women who like a "softer," more "character-driven" fantasy tale. Some of the books listed have strong elements of romance (see our best romance novels sister site for PURE romance recommendations if that's what you are looking for).

To aid these ladies in the quest to find good fantasy literature that appeals to such sensibilities, I've listed the best fantasy books for women, or to put it more politically correctly, the best fantasy books with strong female protagonists.

Those ladies who are offended by my title "Fantasy Books for Women," my sincere apologies, but this list is simply my attempt to help certain women (or men) find books that they may find particularly interesting. This is not only limited to girls -- guys who don't mind reading books with complex female protagonists will enjoy the books on this list too.

I do note that this list has become somewhat controversial over the past couple of years (I've had several women post long essays on the comment section "critiquing" my selections as completely sexist) mainly due to the mere fact that I've even suggested there may be a difference between what females and males prefer.

So let me reiterate my intent for this list: it recommends books with VERY strong female protagonists, strong (and realistic) romance, and characters you can emotionally connect with.

If you ladies want to read fantasy books with shoddy female characters, books with strong male protagonists, and books where females are treated like crap, then feel free to check out the Top 25 Fantasy Books list -- there are some books like that there. Or if you don't give a damn, then look at any lists on the site -- there are plenty of good books with both male and female protagonists authored by men and women.

There's a lot of good stuff there that both men and women will enjoy, but this specific list just has some particular books that you may connect with on an emotional level.