Top Ten Tuesday (2): Kick Ass Heroines

I feel wrong beginning any post without mentioning my city, Boston, and all that has happened there in the last twenty-four hours. I will come back to that on Thursday for my Thursday's Children post. I feel like it's too soon to blog on that subject. For now, my thoughts and prayers are with those who have experienced hurt or grief or fear today.

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Tuesday Rewind: Top Ten Kick Ass Heroines

10. Delaney Maxwell--Fracture by Megan Miranda
A little biased because I absolutely adore Megan as a person, but I had yet to meet her when I read Fracture. I love how Delaney fights for what she believes but isn't afraid to ask for help if she needs it.

9. Cinder--Cinder by Marissa Meyer
As someone who couldn't be paid enough to perform an oil change, I have instant respect for this gadget girl. I was pulling for her right away. Looking forward to reading Scarlet soon.

8. Scout Finch--To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I love how Lee shows Jean Louise's growth throughout the story. She is so authentic and tangible, funny, and strong.

7. Tris Prior--Divergent series by Veronica Roth
I originally had Tris in the number one spot but changed my mind. There's no question Tris kicks ass, both literally and figuratively, but there were times in Insurgent when her martyrdom got to be too much for me. I reserve the right to change my mind back after reading the infuriatingly still unnamed Book 3. :)

6. America Singer--The Selection by Kiera Cass
I love that she chooses herself above boys and stands her ground. Really looking forward to getting my paws on the sequel this month!

5. Karou--Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Beyond loving Karou's story, I adore how she refuses to accept societal rules and pressures about who she should love and respect. Another series I am dying to finish already!


4. Katniss Everdeen--The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Katniss is the ultimate kickass heroine. She is humble, fierce, and loyal, and she insists on thinking critically rather than accepting things on blind faith. She has just the right amount of self-loathing and lack-of-awareness that makes her a great heroine for teen readers.


3. Amy--Across the Universe series by Beth Revis
I don't think Amy is a typical kickass heroine but I love her anyway. And I love that Amy is a girl and yet is the strongest character in the series. Her growth throughout from victim to heroine is what made her story so wonderful and real to read.

2. Hermione Granger--Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
Beyond the fact that her name *looks* like heroine, I don't think there's any argument that Hermione kicks some serious fictional ass, even if she isn't the MC. True to her Gryffindor status, she stands up to trolls and Death Eaters, packs some hardcore wand heat (though she is an insufferable know-it-all), and isn't afraid to fight for what she believes in, even if it puts her on the opposite side of the line from her very best friends.

1. Hazel Grace Lancaster--The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I love Hazel's authentic and refreshing attitude toward her experience with cancer. I love how she falls for Augustus "the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once." It's so rare to see a female character as strong as her in Contemporary YA. Hazel NEVER forgets to be awesome!!

Who are your favorite YA Heroines?