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NPR's top 100 SciFi/Fantasy books...

Just a quick link today:

http://www.box.com/shared/static/a6omcl2la0ivlxsn3o8m.jpg 


How many have you read? What should you be reading next?


Must admit I had far too much fun trolling through the possibilities. Also found it quite surprising the number of scifi books I’ve read, as fantasy tends to be more my thing.


However, I apparently ought to be rereading some Anne McCaffrey. Dragon Flight was my selected choice. It does seem rather a fitting tribute as this world lost her earlier in the week.  So, Dragon's of Pern? Yes, please.    

Mirror, Mirror...

Helen, Dido, Isolde, Ariadne, Morgan Le Fay, Galadriel, Arwen, Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, feel free to carry on...

These are just a few of the women who populate heroic stories, each one plays a role either in her own tale or as a supportive character in one of his. Depending on which girl we’re discussing, she may be: active, passive (in SB’s case, very!) powerful, terrifying, clever, or any number of things.  While some things may vary, there is, however, one thing she must always be – Beautiful.   

So, it would seem that not only must female heroes fight the overwhelming presence of his story, but she must be beautiful (presumably whilst doing all this fighting).   

While I would (and will!) argue that in terms of stories, this isn’t so much the case now; take another look at the books I talked about in my last post:

There’s something slightly different, isn’t there.  Here’s the previous image, to remind:

Publishers have a great deal of say in covers, we must remember.  And, with an eye to what sells, their opinions are about profit and marketability (ie what they believe appeals, therefore will sell).  Apparently, in their eyes, girls still, at times, need to be beautiful... in order to sell.   

However, if you read the books (that is what we're talking about after all), Alanna is short and stocky, and after years of pretending to be a boy, she lacks the classic markers of femininity.  Daine is attractive, but her ability to shape-shift and her association with animals troubles that beauty.  Kel is a ‘big girl,’ constantly growing.  She’s 'thick waisted' and keeps her brown hair cut short, a bit like a helmet (a style Alanna also favours).  Aly (Alanna’s daughter) allows herself to be bruised and broken (allows her beauty to be marred) after she’s captured by slavers in order to protect herself from slave owner who might like a pretty little thing. 

All a bit different from what that first set of covers seems to suggest, isn’t it? 

Pierce-ing the Bubble...

I honestly can’t remember how old I was when I first came across Tamora Pierce's Tortall Books, but from the first reading, I was hooked.  Strong female heroes, magic, battles, enemies worth hating… what more could a girl want?

Now, I also know that they’re THE go-to-books when referencing strong female characters in Young Adult Fantasy.  A Google search for heroines in YA fantasy: Pierce.  A scan of goodreads lists: Pierce.  When people are talking about heroines in YA fantasy: Pierce.  Tamora Pierce's books inevitably come up, and with good reason.  

Pierce started writing these in the 80’s (before it was fashionable to do such things) and has been writing them ever since.  With 17 novels set in Tortall and a further 10 set in an alternate universe, she’s prolific.  She creates well-rounded heroines who achieve great things, who break the rules and who even, sometimes, (gasp) fail.

Alanna disguises herself as a boy in order to become a knight.  Daine learns to use her unique bond with animals to shape-shift. Kel is the first known girl in over a century to try for her shield. Aly plots and brings about the downfall of a government.  

Alanna also breaks the rules. Daine thinks she’s going mad the first time her shape-shifting begins. Kel, well, Kell doesn’t make that many mistakes. Her Yamani training works to prevent that, though to her, mistakes abound – like trying to keep her temper in check.  Aly, to her folly, is tricked, by the tricksters she emulates. 

These girls aren’t perfect, but they’re making their own way...

It's his story... or is it?

An idea made her jaw drop:

If she's a legend, and a hero,

then anyone could be a hero.

                     Tamora Pierce, Wild Magic (61)