30 Days of Female Characters: Day 13

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I started off eating fruit and yogurt with a fork, which was fine until I ran out of fruit and was left with just yogurt. *facepalm* Yeah, there's no easy way to eat yogurt with a fork.

Day Thirteen: Favourite female character in a book

Oh, dear. Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice? Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables? Lucy Pevensie, The Chronicles of Narnia? June Woo, The Joy Luck Club? Hermione Granger, Harry Potter? There are so many wonderful female characters to choose from.

But in the end, I have to pick Keladry of Mindelan, from tammypierce/Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small series. *points to icon* This is a personal choice: Kel's books have been a true comfort read for me for going on 12 years, ever since they were published. I'm not saying Kel is the best written female character around, the most nuanced or most revolutionary, but she is admirable, a role model for young girls. I can relate to her much better than any of Pierce's other heroines (and I don't think I'm the only one).

Which is not to say I'm anything like Kel, except in some small ways; however, she has many qualities I respect and wish I had. A natural leader and warrior, Kel is stoic, chivalrous, clear-headed, and practical. She's a feminist in quiet, patient, and subversive ways. What she chooses to wear at any given time is a subtle jab at patriarchy, from mud-spattered trousers to neat dresses, from armour to hair ribbons. She hates bullying and will physically and verbally defend and protect those who need it, and starts a revolution amongst her fellow pages. I love that she struggles with the old ways of nobility and privilege, and the rising middle classes and rights of commoners. She's a girl, with no special powers, who does extraordinary things simply because she works so. damn. hard.

I can't wait until my nieces are old enough to read these books. :)



Keladry of Mindelan, Protect of the Small series


Day 1: Favourite lead female character: Buffy Summers, BtVS
Day 2: Favourite supporting female character: Faith, Angel/BtVS
Day 3: A female character you hated but grew to love: None!
Day 4: A female character you relate to: Dawn Summers and Tara Maclay (BtVS), JJ (Criminal Minds), Keladry (Tamora Pierce)
Day 5: Favourite female character on a male-driven show: Sam Carter, SG-1/SGA
Day 6: Favourite female-driven show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Day 7: A female character that needs more screen time: Nyota Uhura (STXI) and Ashley Seaver (CM)
Day 8: Favourite female character in a comedy show: Kate Beckett, Castle
Day 9: Favourite female character in a drama show: CJ Cregg, The West Wing
Day 10: Favourite female character in a scifi/supernatural show: Kira Nerys, Star Trek: DS9
Day 11: Favourite female character in a children's show: She-Ra, She-Ra: Princess of Power
Day 12: Favourite female character in a movie: Olive Penderghast, Easy A, and Lucy Moderatz, While You Were Sleeping
Day 13: Favourite female character in a book: Keladry of Mindelan, Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small series
Day 14: Favourite older female character
Day 15: Favourite female character growth arc
Day 16: Favourite mother character
Day 17: Favourite warrior female character
Day 18: Favourite non-warrior female character
Day 19: Favourite non-human female character
Day 20: Favourite female antagonist
Day 21: Favourite female character screwed over by canon
Day 22: Favourite female character you love but everyone else hates
Day 23: Favourite female platonic relationship
Day 24: Favourite female romantic relationship
Day 25: Favourite mother/daughter and/or sister relationship
Day 26: Favourite classical female character
Day 27: A female character you have extensive personal canon for
Day 28: Favourite female writer (television, books, movies, etc.)
Day 29: A female-centric fic rec
Day 30: Whatever you'd like!

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