As a librarian I try to be widely read, sampling a little from column A, a little from column B. But like many readers, I have a literary home, a place that I come back to when I need support, or rest, or inspiration. And that place has always been books about kick-ass girls. It started when I was about ten years old and discovered Alanna, Tamora Pierce's cross-dressing heroine. Alanna, the daughter of landed gentry, is relegated to learning sorcery after being told that girls cannot become knights. Never one to follow the rules, Alanna switches places with her twin brother Thom, and dresses up as a boy to train as a page at the castle. Alanna must keep her true identity a secret while she struggles to match the bigger boys in her fighting arts classes. Eventually, Alanna learns to use her small stature to her advantage and becomes a formidable opponent with the sword. These books are amazing and inspirational for any reader.
Ever since Alanna, I have followed many kick-ass girls with a slave-like devotion: Daine and Kel (also characters created by Tamora Pierce), Kristin Cashore's Katsa, Susanne Collins' Katniss and Maggie Stiefvater's Blue. Caught by a cool cover, I recently discovered a new heroine to follow, Kaya, from Heather Brewer's newest series The Legacy of Tril.
In a world ruled by Barrons, magically gifted fighters, and their soulbound Healers, Kaya grew up in a small unskilled village. The daughter of two Barrons-in-hiding, as Barrons are not meant to marry each other, Kaya knows nothing of the hierarchy of Barrons and Healers that keep the countryside safe from Graplars (large dragon-like creatures) until one attacks at the village fair, killing her best friend. By killing the beast, her father draws attention to the family and Kaya is forced to attend Shadow Academy to become a healer. But what Kaya is really determined to do is learn how to fight, so that no one will ever die because she was unprepared ever again. Protocol keeps Healers from learning to use a katana, but Kaya has never been one to follow protocol. The story is pretty formulaic and the writing is pretty juvenile at times, but the plot is fast moving, and the characters are interesting. Don't look for a well crafted work (like Nix's Sabriel) but expect to have a fun ride with this book! Looking for more books about girls who could kill you? Try this list!