A Week of Women: T5W Female Character Extravaganza

Hi guys! Top 5 Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam@Thoughts on Tomes over on Goodreads. This week’s TW5 is a freebie and since it’s my week of women I decided to make this one all about the female characters I love. I picked three throwback themes to do – so buckle up, cause this is going to be a long one. And fair warning: lots of fangirling ahead.

1. Vasya Petrovna, The Bear and the Nightingale

When I first read about Vasya she stole my heart right along with those just baked honeycakes. She’s truly a free spirit, happiest when she’s doing the things a maiden’s not meant to, like roam the woods or ride horses bareback. She’s also headstrong and self-assured, fearless and resourceful, bold and a little wild.

2. Zuzana Nováková, Daughter of Smoke & Bone

Zuzana might not be the main character of this trilogy, but that doesn’t mean she’s any less memorable. Let’s just look at some of her awesome qualities:

1. She’s a talented artist. (Specially a puppeteer – how cool is that?)
2. She’s the queen of sarcasm and arched eyebrows.
3. She’s a fiercely loyal friend. (Who would totally pee in a balloon to throw it on your cheating ex.)

3. Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter

Like Zuzana, Luna is always on the sidelines – but never less memorable for it. Her presence is ethereal and strange, but despite her dreaminess – she’s often a source of clarity. But what I love the most about her is her kind heart and open mind.

4. Serafina Pekkala, His Dark Materials

Serafina’s a pretty minor character in the series, but she’s literally a witch queen, so of course she’s my favorite. There’s always an air of magic and mystery about her and she’s a wise and powerful leader.

5. Tiger Lily, Tiger Lily

I love Tiger Lily so much it hurts a little, this quote describes her best: “The longer I was around her, the more I could see the colors of her mind and the recesses of her heart. There was a beast in there. But there was also a girl who was afraid of being a beast, and who wondered if other people had beasts in their hearts too. There was strength, and there was also just the determination to look strong. She guarded herself like a secret.”

1. Little My, The Moomins

Little My is a strange little creature with a top bun and a big personality. She’s a friendly, bold and adventurous soul who loves trying new things and meeting new people. She also has a fiery temper and a stubborn streak, as do I.

2. Ronja, Ronia, The Robbers Daughter

Ronja’s the first character I remember reading about as a child and truly connecting with. She’s a bit of a wild child – she loves exploring the huge forrest surrounding her father’s castle and going on adventures by herself. Like her, I spent half my childhood playing in the woods. I also relate to her restlessness when being told she can’t do something and her pride when it comes to admitting fault, which isn’t my finest quality.

3. Nina Zenik, Six of Crows

If Little My and Ronja remind me of myself as a child, Nina’s the character I’ve related most to as an adult. She’s all about that self love: bold, loud and unapologetic. I also share her love for good desserts, baked goods and shameless flirting.

4. Iris, Wicked Like a Wildfire

Iris is a character I instantly felt a kinship with. She’s pretty rebellious, adventure-seeking and a little angry. But behind her hard exterior and sharp edges, she has a lot of depth. She loves deeply and is fiercely loyal to her friends and family.

5. Lola, Lola and the Boy Next Door

This is a pretty shallow connection, but I related so much to Lola’s fun and slightly outrageous fashion-sense. I might never have gone full out Marie-Antoinette, but I’ve worn everything from a ballet-tutu with a biker jacket to my grandmother’s vintage nightgowns with a pink faux fur to school. I also connected with Lola on a deeper level, as a daydreamer, with a tendency to romanticize.

 

1. Wing Jones, Wing Jones 

There are so many things to love about the wonderful Wing Jones. But the things I admire the most about her is her dedication, to her family, to her sport and to her goals, Wing Jones always gives it all she’s got.

2. Sunny, Akata Witch 

Sunny’s an American-born Nigerian girl, who happens to be albino. She’s also a powerful witch, talented soccer player and opinionated young feminist. Why wouldn’t I want to be more like her?

3. Hermione Granger,  Harry Potter

Who doesn’t want to be more like Hermione? She’s the brightest witch of her age! That’s obviously goals. So is her bravery, loyalty and compassion. But I could steal one trait from her – it’d be her discipline and work-ethic, which is truly inspiring.

4. Binti, Binti

Now that I think about it Binti is actually a lot like Hermione. She’s brilliant, brave, ambitious and disciplined. She also happens to be a mathematical genius and I happen to the complete opposite – so I’d love to learn some of Binti’s skills.

5. Jubilee Chase, This Shattered World 

Jubilee’s as unlike me as they come and not the sort of character I’m usually drawn to. She’s a tough and competent army captain who can kick some serious ass, and honestly – that’s not a life-skill I’d mind acquiring

 

That’s it for today guys! Hope you enjoyed fangirling about some amazing female characters with me. Who are your favorite female characters? Tell me in the comments, so we can fangirl some more together!