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Kick-Ass Female Characters: The Best Books With Women Who Know How to Get Things Done

Updated: Mar 28


Strong female characters have been increasingly featured in books over the last few decades and today, there’s an abundance of amazing, kick-ass female characters that you can find in literature. From female warriors and spies, to female rebels and revolutionaries, these characters are sure to inspire, entertain and empower readers. Here’s a list of the top 10 best books featuring some of the most kick-ass female characters that everyone should read.



1. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins


The Hunger Games trilogy is one of the most popular books in recent years, and it features a strong female protagonist in Katniss Everdeen in a dystopian world. She’s a courageous and determined girl who stands up to the oppressive Capitol and leads a rebellion to restore freedom and justice for all.








2. The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood


The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel with a kick-ass female character at its center. Offred is a handmaid who is forced into servitude, but she still manages to find ways to resist and fight back against the oppressive regime.








3. Divergent – Veronica Roth


Divergent is a young adult novel that features a strong female protagonist named Tris. She’s a brave and rebellious young woman who fights against her oppressive dystopian society and discovers her true strength and potential in the process.








4. A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle


A Wrinkle in Time is a science-fiction classic featuring a brave and adventurous female protagonist. Meg Murry is a young girl who embarks on an epic journey to save her father and finds strength, courage and intelligence within herself.








5. The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern


The Night Circus is a magical and enchanting novel with a kick-ass female character at its center. Celia Bowen is a talented young woman who is determined to prove her worth and strength in a magical and mysterious circus.








6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson


The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a thrilling mystery novel with a female protagonist who is sure to captivate readers. Lisbeth Salander is a brilliant and fearless computer hacker who helps a journalist uncover a sinister and dark secret.








7. The Color Purple – Alice Walker


The Color Purple is an acclaimed novel that features a strong and determined female protagonist. Celie is an African American woman who overcomes incredible odds to find love, happiness and a sense of self-worth.








8. The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan


The Joy Luck Club is a beautiful and moving novel that features four kick-ass female characters. These women are Chinese American immigrants who come together to form a close-knit bond and teach each other invaluable lessons about life and love.








9. Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn


Gone Girl is a psychological thriller with a female protagonist who is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Amy Dunne is a complex and enigmatic woman who uses her intelligence and wit to manipulate and outsmart her enemies.








10. The Girl on the Train – Paula Hawkins


The Girl on the Train is a suspenseful novel with a female protagonist who is determined to uncover the truth. Rachel Watson is an alcoholic who sets out to find out what happened to a missing woman and discovers her own strength and courage in the process.






No matter the genre, these books feature some of the most remarkable and kick-ass female characters in literature. Each of these characters is sure to inspire, entertain and empower readers of all ages. Check out our list of books with mindboggling twists.

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