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Can I just say that I love the way that all the women are strong - physically and mentally.

I love the fact that Magnus and Celimus' picture of Valentyna is based upon one interaction which she also took to heart and became who she is. The almost traditional picture of a simpering, spoilt little brat it slashed to shreads, and some of the traits are thrown into Celimus.

Ylena is one who is also very strong mentally. I mean, after Alyd whom she obviously loved very much, she still manages to trust 'Romen' this 'stranger' who is sent to look after her on the dying wish of her brother. Mind you, I'm sure Knave has a lot to do with Romen's impression upon Ylena.

Myrren honestly speaks for herself. She obviously had a strong power within her. And her mental strength to survive the torture is astounding. Wyl was the only gentleman in that room of hungry men.

Arlyn. She was in it briefly but she was an eye-opener to Romen's past. Bring her back. I dare you.

Elspyth is just cool. The way that she just takes everything into her stride, and manages to fall in love with a 'barbarian from the North' is amazing.

I haven't finished it yet, but those are my observations so far. I like it that women aren't just decorations for men to wear like jewlery.

There's my two cents for tonight! On with Book 2!

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I'm pleased to hear this. I think as a man - in other words, when I start writing a novel I'll always gravitate towards the male characters. I'm not sure if this is because I'm a woman who likes to fall in love with her lead, or because I'm a tomboy at heart or whatever. Anyway, I surfaced from book one and realised as you have that there are a lot of women in this tale and all quite determined and special in their own way. There's a couple of others coming at you in book 2 whom you'll appreciate too and when the trilogy is done, remind me to tell you about the 30,000 words we cut from Blood and Memory which had two very strong women in it! Keep enjoying it - thanks for giving Myrren and go and for joining the board. Welcome! F

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If Kiki doesn't remind you about the 30k taken from Blood and Memory...? 'I' will ">

I've noticed that all of my favourite fantasy and science fiction authors (and screen writers) depict strong women. Particularly in the fantasy genre, this sets them apart (Yes you included Fiona "> ) from the those I call 'just talented'.

Myrren's Gift (can't remember the author) - Kiki said it well, but I won't go further in case Kiki returns and sees a spoiler ">

The Abyss (Orson Scott Card) - Linsey is a match for any man she comes across, yet she is still very much a woman.

Too many Drow books to list (R.A. Salvatore) - Cattie brie, such a central tower. The male character's lean on her in hard times as their moral compass. Yet I doubt any would call her a delicate flower and expect to live long ">

LOTR (Tolkein) - Galadriel, with her terrible power. The shield maiden; Eowyn, is every bit the equal of any man in the last book, defeating the witch king.

Just my 2 cents worth (hey I know I never post short comments. Call it inflation!)

Tfa (Terame)

"These are endless galaxies which are yours. You can travel to infinity though the endless passages of the cosmos. Even better this belongs to you. This is your mind."
Joe Hunt

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*grins* I finished it. Couldn't stop laughing. Lovely twist to finish. Excellent.

*nods* Actually now that you've laid it out like that it does make sense. There are a lot of strong female characters in books...I guess they stood out more in MG.

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Gotta agree with you Terame, all of my top fantasy authors have strong female characters too...
Anne Bishop's lead women characters are frighteningly strong whether they are the psychotic Dothorea or Janelle's coven and their deep emotional ties to the men and their lands.
Steven King's women in The Dark Tower (I haven't as yet read any of his other stuff yet so bear with me here) Odetta Holmes is one of the strongest characters King has introduced yet and Detta Walker is just plain scary.
I can't quite remember the author's name but she wrote the Trinity trilogy and The Quickening if that helps anyone, didn't find a single female character that wasn't tough in at least 6 different ways.

There are more but those are the top three that spring to mind...

I suffer from a very sexy learning disorder, what do I call it Kif?

*sigh* Sexlexia

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I've been dead for a while now, so far I don't like it...

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I think its great that there has been such a turn around with women in books, they are no longer the ones who need help, they are the one who wade in and kick some butt. Yet they dont seem to loose the fact that they are women which is nice too.

I agree with you LTW, Anne does write some great female characters.

Aslo Terry Goodkinds Women in red, they are fantastic, very vunrable yet able to stand there ground and fight till the death. Yet they have humour and as a reader you are able to see that.

"I was almost at the door when I realized I was wearing nothing but my nightgown. A gun, but no robe. I had my priorities in order."

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Hey... um, im gonna sound ignorant here, but, umm.. i gots a question...

these trinity books and Myrrens Something books... could someone (if anyone here has heard of them, they're obscure i know!) could they please let us poor sods know?
thankyou