I just finished reading Mistborn and was completely blown away. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find anything similar to it.
Here are my requirements ( what I like ):
- Preferably medieval fantasy
- female protagonist ( I'm ok with multiple perspectives, but I prefer the female to be the main character )
- I prefer thieves and noble-lady main characters over straight up warrior/bodyguard main characters.
- protagonist can be at least somewhat feminine. ( Vin in "Mistborn" seems to be extremely unique in that regard )
- There CAN be romance in the story but it should NOT be central to the plot ( like in "Mistborn" )
- I'm fine with the main character being good at what she does, but she doesn't have to be "the chosen one"
- I strongly dislike books with a plot about a lost queen "claiming her birth rite". ( this is more common than you think )
- I love court politics, factions, spying . . .
- I LOVE LOVE LOVE political intrigue.
Types of Books I would love if you think of one with a female protag:
- Way of Shadows
- Assassins' Apprentice
- Way of Kings
- Eragon ( Kinda )
Just so you know my general taste, my favorite book of all time is "Daughter of The Empire", "Mistborn" slightly reminds me of it.
by Yanna3River
7 Comments
The Founders Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett is so good! I never see it recommended here. Foundryside is the first book.
The Mask of Mirrors by MA Carrick, the Rook and Rose trilogy.
MC is an aspiring con artist trying to ingratiate herself into a noble family as a long-lost cousin to try to embezzle some funds for her and her adopted sister. Her con has her cross paths with a local crime boss and a local Zorro as she learns her home city has some weird stuff going on.
*she does learn about her lost heritage as she goes as her mom died when she was young but I swear on my honor she’s not a Queen. Her city actually operates with a city council.
If you don’t mind YA Song of the Lioness was one of my favorite series growing up, sounds like you would like it
The movie “Mythica A Quest For Heroes” one of few fantasy genre stories with a true female protaganist.
And there’s the old Red Sonja film from the 1980s.
The book “Seven Eves” by Neal Stephenson is about seven women who lay a genetic foundation for the future of the human race. Its more scifi than fantasy but there aren’t that many good stories with female protaganists so worth a mention.
You might like Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. I also second the person who said Mask of Mirrors!! And if you liked the desolate apocalyptic world aspect and magic system of Mistborn, I highly recommend The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin.
Six of Crows is also a magic low fantasy heist with a charismatic male protagonist and a cunning, survivor girl who is an assassin. Incredibly good novel, and exactly like Mistborn (both are my favorite books)
Its an old one, but if I recall correctly the main character is female. Bonus points it was written by a woman. Dragons of Pern by Anne Mccaffrey