We all know and love the typical fantasy heroine. She’s feisty, strong, quick-witted, and probably has a dark past. At any given moment, she’s likely to go on a murderous rampage. But where are the soft heroines?
Where are the women who choose gentleness and solitude? Who hold on to their femininity? Who are just as strong and brave as the typical heroine, just in different ways? A character praised for their kindness is surely not hard to find.
Here are seven book recommendations with just that:
1. Beth Pickering: The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love, India Holton
Beth Pickering is the perfect example of a soft heroine. As an Oxford professor, she’s most likely to be found deep beneath a pile of research papers in her tiny office — that is, when she isn’t busy following her associate Hippolyta Spiffington-Quirm (real name) around the world to study birds. This is a heroine who can find happiness reading a good book with a strong cup of tea.
Beth is all politeness. She wouldn’t know a faux pas if one hit her in the face! And she certainly wouldn’t say boo to a goose (unless that was the standard procedure for capturing one.)
She’s so kind, endearing, and unwilling to hurt others’ feelings — even if she herself is hurt in the process — that it’s hard not to be moved by her boldness and mental strength when she finally does stand up for herself.
“Soft-hearted heroines offer us an insight into the kind of strength and courage that the spirit of kindness so often requires in the face of challenges such as bullies, dangerous magic, and being asked to share one’s seat on the train. Sometimes a smile or gentle word is wielded with as much fortitude as a sword.”
India Holton
Beth’s story certainly isn’t boring. Alongside the daring competition that takes her up and down the country in search of a rare bird, a bunch of scheming rival ornithologists who will stop at nothing to win, and helicopter parasols, there’s also a swoon-worthy love interest, Devon Lockley, who happens to be her professional rival she’s forced to team up with.
2. Evangeline Fox: Once Upon a Broken Heart, Stephanie Garber
“We are all fools in love” — I don’t think a phrase has ever been more apt for a character like Miss Evangeline Fox.
When a book opens to the main character actively making a deal with a dangerous force to save her one true love, you know she will be a lovable, hopeless romantic willing to risk death to find her happily ever after. Iconic.
Sure, she’s impulsive! And sure, she’ll have you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for her to get caught in another entanglement! She’s not physically strong, but she’s certainly strong-willed.
Her character is also incredibly loyal, almost to a fault. She’s kind, she’s selfless, and she’s generous. Of course, you can be those things and still be the typical heroine, but Evangeline Fox is definitely a soft heroine. I can’t think of anyone less averse to killing her enemies, even when they deserve it.
3. Marlinchen: Juniper & Thorn, Ava Reid
I’m going to try really hard to avoid spoiling this book. But in an attempt to appease those who have read it and disagree with me including Marlinchen because of…reasons, let me say that Marlinchen is probably the hardest soft heroine here.
According to the not-very-helpful and frankly disturbing view of a soft heroine (*ahem* I’m looking at you, dark “romance” readers), Marlinchen is indeed portrayed as naive, sheltered, and submissive. Separate from the cliche “she’s just misunderstood,” I have to say that she is quite literally misunderstood until you’ve read the book.
And yet she’s also very kind and quiet and tries to see the good in everyone. That is, before the world reveals its ugliness to her, and she’s left to face new challenges that threaten her life.
This is a heavy, dark fantasy that is brilliantly and beautifully written. But I couldn’t recommend it to anyone without first telling them to please check the content warnings.
4. Emily Wilde: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Heather Fawcett
Is Emily Wilde a sweet, kind-hearted, whimsical Disney princess who sings with birds and dotes on children? Absolutely not.
She’s a serious and solitary academic professor who, quite frankly, doesn’t have the time for social politeness and niceties. But she’s on this list because she’s not the type of heroine to seek revenge or kill anything that threatens her. That job is for her devilishly handsome academic rival, who really shouldn’t be allowed out of the house without a lead. She’s a lot more likely to suffer in silence and get on with her research.
Emily starts off as a no-nonsense workaholic, keeping largely to herself. But she truly has the most beautiful character development. She isn’t as cold-hearted as she’d have you believe, and she’s beloved by those around her.
She’s all hard edges, but deep down, she’s as soft heroine as they come.
5. Isabella Trent: A Natural History of Dragons, Marie Brennan
I’m finding a common theme because here we meet another academic soft heroine.
Lady Isabella Trent is a wonder to behold. She is intelligent and bold and doesn’t let her position in the world (the “unfortunate” fact that she was born a girl) stop her from embarking on a dangerous exhibition far away from everything she’s known to research dragons!
A small ode to any girl who’s had the misfortune of being interrogated by a man about something they love, Isabella often delights in shocking such men with her extensive knowledge of dragons. She then delights in shocking them even more by telling them how she procured such knowledge (dissecting, pickling, and other such activities reserved for the male species.)
Isabella is outspoken and knows what she’s capable of — what I would give to read more heroines like her.
6. Iris Winnow: Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross
If you were one of the many who chose Fourth Wing over Divine Rivals, let me tell you what you missed.
The Gods are at war again. With Iris’ brother missing on the frontlines, her mother has turned to alcohol, leaving Iris with no one. No one except the mysterious recipient of her typewritten letters that were supposed to reach her brother.
Burying herself into her work to win the columnist promotion, she doesn’t have time to verbally spar with her arrogant and brilliantly-minded colleague, Roman Kitt. The same Roman Kitt who has been anonymously responding to her letters.
When Iris finds herself on the frontlines, she is only thinking about the whereabouts of her brother, the future of mankind, and the unexpected connection she has with Roman.
Never abandoning her selflessness, Iris Winnow may be in the middle of a raging war, but she still holds her position as a soft heroine. She remains kind and true throughout the perils life throws at her.
7. Ophelia: A Winter’s Promise, Christelle Dabos
Ophelia is perhaps not the best example if I’m trying to steer away from doormats — she’s extremely sheltered. But she’s married off to a blond byronic hero, very much against both of their wills. Oh, and everyone tries to kill her. So I think we can give her a break.
Somewhat the ‘black sheep’ of her family, Ophelia would quite happily have spent the rest of her life quietly single, working in the depths of the archives, and hiding under her scarf and gloves.
Instead, she’s promptly thrust into a marriage of inconvenience far, far away — and with only her controlling aunt to ‘console’ her. Despite having to hide her identity (ideal if you’d rather your existence go unacknowledged by everyone), she still manages to be a very easy target for anyone who has a reason to want her gone.
It’s safe to say Ophelia’s life isn’t perfect. But despite all adversities, she finds her voice, learns to live without the protection of her scarf (eventually,) and develops a bit of a backbone, if I’m being honest.
Advocating the Advocate
Liking the quieter, kinder feminine characters I’ve listed above doesn’t make you a bad feminist. Nor does preferring the stronger, deadlier, and brutal female characters make you a better feminist.
It’s okay to love the softer, gentler, and kinder characters. Kind does not mean weak. These characters are just as inspiring and fearless as the bold and brash heroines we see everywhere else.
And just because who doesn’t need more book talk??? Check out the following articles below:
