Looking for Bookrecs

[rogin]

Lately I've been revisting a lot of the stories (books, movies, comics, shows) that I liked as a teenager. I really loved women swordfighters and there were always so precious few of them.

I loved Tamora Pierce books and there are also a few other examples. "Priviledge of the Sword" by Ellen Kushner. A french comic series called "The seven lives of the falcon". On the (these days) more well known side I loved Arya and Brienne on GoT.

So if this makes you think of anything, let me know. I am desperately looking for recs.

Comments

[shadowkat]

Well, I saw a review recently of a book that you might like? It's called "The Princess will Save You" - The Princess Will Save You due to be released this month. Basically a feminist retelling of the Princess Bride. The Princess' one true love, her stable boy, is kidnapped, so she goes off to rescue him, sword in hand.

Another sword book? The Kate Daniels - Magic Bites urban fantasy series, written by Illona Andrews is good. Will warn you - there's a shape-shifter alpha male lion as the romantic lead, but Daniels is badass and a sword fighter. Also the writers blend Eastern European Mythology with Babylonian/Mespotamian/Jewish mythology. The lead character is the daughter of the Egyptian God/Mespotamian God Ismal. And the shapeshifters? Interesting. Vampires? Not like you've ever seen before.

It is by far the most innovative of the urban fantasy series. But I don't know if you'll like the style? Very sardonic. Maybe try a sample or the first book and see?

[rogin]

Thanks for the recs. I will look into it. :)

[lirazel]

Robin McKinley is for you! Specifically the Damar books! Aerin and Harry (who is a girl) are both wielders of the blue sword and are both wonderful! Marian in Outlaws of Sherwood is great with a bow, and if you're flexible on which specific weaponry your badass ladies use.

I've never read Mercedes Lackey, but I understand she has one called, I think, By the Sword? I have also heard good things about the A Trial of Blood and Steel series.

The Winternight trilogy is a bit darker and more adult and there isn't a ton of sword fighting, but there is some and Vasya is a favorite protagonist of mine. Inej in the Six of Crows books uses knives, not swords but she's AMAZING.

You might like the Sarah Tolerance series, too. I read the first one and liked it but didn't love it, but it seems pretty squarely in the realm of what you're looking for.

[rogin]

Those do sound right up my alley, I got the first of the Damar books and the first in the Sarah Tolerance series. Thank you! :)