Kick Ass Heroines: Part #3
March 16th, 2011 | by Beth Barany
Henrietta The Dragon Slayer by Beth Barany, on Amazon and the Nook
Wednesdays I devote the blog conversation to what I love about my genre, fantasy, and what I think y’all love about it, too.
I write YA fantasy and my debut novel is now out! Check out Henrietta The Dragon Slayer on Amazon US | Amazon UK and B&N. I’ve got an excerpt here and cool reviews here.
I talked earlier about the Bad Girl Archetype: We Love Her, We Hate Her, We Want to Be Her and Characteristics of a Kick-Ass Heroine Archetype. You could call them Part 1 and 2, if you want!
Today I continue my exploration of these Kick Ass Heroines that I love in books, movies and TV shows. Hence, part #3!
Why?
Because we women need, want, crave role models — women we can look up too!
I’ve switched my focus from Bad Ass to Kick Ass, an slight shift to focus away from the “bad” and all that word can mean and toward the “kick” part.
A Kick Ass heroine and archetype is one who takes action, kicks butt, and is fearless, bold, and often needs to be in charge.
Here’s some more of mine! I’d love to hear who your favorite kick ass heroines are!
I have recently really enjoyed Alice in the Resident Evil movies. Maybe it has something to do with the actress Milla Jovovich. (I actually love all the kick ass roles she plays!) I love the theme of girl vs. the evil corporation and the quest for an Eden-like place in a world of zombies and very few humans.
Temperance Brennan in the TV Show Bones played by Emily Deschanel
I’m addicted to the TV show Bones, and just love it for a lot of reasons, including the portrayal of the lead character, Temperance Brennan, or Bones, played by the brilliant and talented actress, Emily Deschanel. That she’s the lead, and brilliant and doesn’t hesitant to defend herself — for all these reasons I love her, and I identify with her. I love that Bones is the star of the show, and that she works with a brilliant team, including the sexy FBI agent, Seely Booth, played beautifully by David Boreanz.
Sarah Connor played by Linda Hamilton
One of my early idols is Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton, in the Terminator movies, especially the second one, Terminator: Judgment Day. What biceps and attitude! She’s also a great example of kick ass heroine as mother. Her single-mindedness and willingness to do what it takes shines through. I admire her for that!
Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn
On to a few books! I’ve mentioned this book in an earlier post, but I need to mention it again within the contest of kick ass heroines. It’s Sharon Shinn’s Mystic and Rider. The heroine, the mystic Senneth, is mysterious, regal and powerful. She doesn’t hesitate to use her fire power for good yet is also burdened by her responsibilities to the kind. I admire her determination and how she allows herself to evolve. But I don’t want to tell you how. You’ll have to read the book!
Fearless Girls, Wise Women and Beloved Sisters by Kathleen Ragan
Lastly, today, I’ll mention a book I dip into occasionally: Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World by Kathleen Ragan. As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, I love fairy tales. I’m deeply inspired by the ones I heard and read in my childhood. In fact, I was inspired to write my novel, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, because I didn’t see enough fearless girls in the tales of my childhood. Enjoy the extraordinary stories! And may more stories about fearless women and girls be shared with the world!
Who are your favorite kick ass heroines? And why do you love them?!
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March 16th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Right on Beth! I read & write YA fantasy also and there’s nothing like a strong female character.
One of my all-time favs is Morgaine from The Mists of Avalon. I’ve read it five times and mainly because I just want to spend more time with Morgaine!!!!
March 16th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
First off, congrats on your new release! Sounds fantastic *pom pom swish*
My favorite heroines are Ripley from Aliens, Clarice from Silence of the Lambs, Cat Crawfield from Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series, and Rachel Morgan from the Morgan series.
March 16th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Megg, Good one! I’d forgotten about her. Now I want to read The Mists of Avalon again; it’s been quite a while. I’ll check out your books too!
March 16th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Nancy, thank you! I’m so proud of my new release! Thanks for your list of heroines. Some I know and others are new to me, like Rachel Morgan. Fun — more books for my TBR pile!
March 16th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Ok, I have to say it. One of my favorites is Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. What guts!
March 16th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Oh yes! Wonderful one! How could we forget Hermione! Thanks Kim!
March 16th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
I hated the alien movie, but loved Ripley in Alien two, when she gets her girl on when she fights the Alien Queen. “Get away from her, you bitch.”
I love a kick ass heroine!
Janice~
March 17th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Janice: I’m with you. I can’t handle scary films like Aliens, but love Ripley! Rock on! Beth ~
May 6th, 2011 at 8:10 am
[...] But I haven’t always had such wonderful role models. (I share some of my favorites on my blog here: http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/2011/03/16/kick-ass-heroines-part-3/) [...]
May 6th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
We love Kick Ass heroines! Like Henrietta The Dragon Slayer!