Gentle Heroines in Fantasy Perfect for Gentle Souls: Novels with Soft Female Main Characters You’ll Adore
We’re all used to the badass assassins and warrior women in fantasy (and we love them!), but sometimes, it’s nice to read about a female main character who isn’t the typical arrogant, snarky protagonist who’s somehow perfect at wielding a sword with no training. On my booktok review of The City of Stardust, someone left a comment asking for recommendations of other soft FMCs like Violet, the FMC in that book. So I filmed a quick reply with some recs, but then I thought, this would also make a great post on the BAMTP blog. Whether you love gentle, empathetic protagonists or are just looking for a break from the more intense warrior-like leads, the books below offer a perfect blend of softness and strength. And that’s another important thing I’d like to emphasize: just because these characters are ‘soft’ doesn’t mean they aren’t incredibly strong. In fact, some of these FMCs are some of the strongest characters I know. They just have a different means of getting there. In this list I’ve curated eight fantasy novels with soft, compassionate female main characters who show a quiet resilience, emotional depth, and inner courage that could rival any assassin. From nature-connected heroines to the magically afflicted, these characters embody the beauty of gentleness while navigating enchanting, sometimes dangerous, fantasy worlds. If you’re ready to dive into these heartwarming stories, keep reading to discover your next favorite soft heroine in fantasy. And don’t forget to drop any of your favorite reads with soft female main characters in the comments below—I’d love to add them to my TBR.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Not only does this duology have some of the most beautiful prose, Iris is such an incredible main character. Watching her fall in love through writing is the most beautiful experience. If you love the idea of fantasy reading like a WWI historical fiction with magical typewriters and the most beautiful, romantic love story, this is the duology you should read next.
*It’s currently available in Kindle Unlimited to read for free!
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
A recent five star read for me, and ____ is such a fantastic soft FMC. If you love Regency, Pride and Prejudice, and traditional fairies, you will absolutely love this book.
The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden (The Bear and the Nightingale, The Girl in the Tower, The Winter of the Witch)
Book two is my favorite in this series, and I’ll be super honest, when I first started reading book one, I couldn’t understand the hype. It was slow and boring, but I promise it gets so good! And Vasya, is such a gentle soul who deeply connects with nature and the spirits of her Russian-inspired village.
The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers
This is actually the book that spurred the idea for this blog post, as someone asked for recs similar to Violet, our FMC in this gorgeous non-linear standalone. I love how she’s soft and yet shows resilience and strength throughout this book.
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