7 Magical Books With Women as the Main Characters

In a world where male protagonists have dominated the literary scene for centuries, it's refreshing to see more stories featuring strong and powerful women taking centre stage. These books invite readers into enchanting worlds filled with magic, wonder, and adventure. From witches and warriors to sorceresses and saviours, this list highlights the strength, resilience, and power of women, and is a must-read for anyone looking to be inspired and enchanted.

1. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (The Carls #1) by Hank Green

A young woman by the name of April May, who is relatively inexperienced, comes upon a massive sculpture in New York City with her buddy Andy, films the sculpture, and then posts the footage to YouTube. The film is viewed millions of times, and April becomes well-known for being the first person to document the sculptures, which are referred to as Carls and have been spotted in cities all over the world. April is forced to deal with the repercussions of her overnight success as well as the intrigue that surrounds the Carl family.

Released: September 2018

Publisher: Dutton

2. Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

On the island where she lives, Tress has a quiet existence. That is, until the day her best friend Charlie's father forcefully takes him on a journey to find a wife. Tress manages to get herself aboard a ship and embarks on a journey to locate the Sorceress of the Midnight Sea. In order to survive and start a new life for herself, she has to find her way through the perilous seas that pirates and poisonous spores inhabit.

Released: April 2023

Publisher: Dragonsteel Entertainment

3. The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

The Skaa people have been enslaved for a thousand years by the Lord Ruler, who governs the Final Empire with absolute power and divine invincibility. The story follows the journey of Kelsier, a Mistborn - someone who possesses powerful Allomantic abilities that allow them to use metals to enhance their physical and mental capabilities. Kelsier recruits a crew of skilled and talented Allomancers, including a young Skaa girl named Vin, who possesses unique Allomantic abilities that Kelsier believes could be key to their freedom. As Vin learns to use her powers and becomes part of the crew, Kelsier works to rally the Skaa and lead a rebellion against the Lord Ruler.

Released: July 2006

Publisher: Tor Books

4. The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1) by S.A. Chakraborty

Nahri is a con artist who lives in Cairo during the 18th century, and uses the abilities she has developed to swindle people. But once she inadvertently conjures a djinn warrior and learns that magic exists, she is dragged into the mythological city of Daevabad, which is at the centre of an age-old conflict between various djinn clans. As Nahri manoeuvres through the treacherous realm of royal politics and power conflicts, she comes to the realisation that even the most clever strategies may have deadly consequences.

Released: November 2017

Publisher: Harper Voyager

5. The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin

The book is about a world where witches control the climate and their power is failing as the weather becomes more erratic. Clara is an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season. In Autumn, she wants nothing to do with her power, but in Winter, she accepts that she's the only one who can make a difference as the world is on the brink of disaster. In Spring, Clara falls in love with Sang, the witch training her, and as her magic and feelings grow, she fears losing him. In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and happiness and the duty to the people she loves, before losing Sang, her magic, and plunging the world into chaos.

Released: June 2021

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

6. Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits (Zoey Ashe #1) by David Wong

A young woman named Zoey Ashe, who lives a mundane life in a trailer park, suddenly finds herself inheriting her estranged father's fortune and position as the ruler of Tabula Ra$a, a city in the near future that is filled with advanced technology and eccentric super-powered individuals. However, she soon discovers that the inheritance is also accompanied by powerful enemies and a target on her back, which forces her to confront her fears and take on the challenges of her new position. Zoey, along with a group of eccentric bodyguards, must navigate the dangerous underworld and unravel the mysteries surrounding her father's legacy.

Released: October 2015

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

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