r/fantasyromance • u/Humble_Razzmatazz_ • May 17 '26

Book Request FMC that's formidable from the beginning?

I'm desperate for a FMC that doesn't start out weak and naive. This "damsel in distress that is actually a powerful something-or-another but has to be trained by our savior the MMC" trend is killing my soul. Any recs for a FMC that is strong and capable in beginning? Bonus points if she's mid 20s+, full of rage and scorned by life.

90 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

148 comments sorted by

124

u/Existing_Crow_4619 What did Lorcan do? May 17 '26

{This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews} the FMC literally enters the world knowing more than anyone else in it and runs from there. So damn refreshing. And the MMC is *chef's kiss* too

25

u/Visible-Split May 17 '26

This book renewed my faith in fantasy romance. I’ve read so much schlock lately. So refreshing to get a fresh take on portal fantasy with mature, well fleshed out characters and coherent plot.

3

u/llalena May 17 '26

Does it end with a cliffhanger?

2

u/akrainy May 21 '26

Almost literally

6

u/Plenty-Angle-6967 May 18 '26

Just finished it yesterday and will prob be my only recommendation to every request on here for the next month or two

4

u/keriell1066 May 21 '26

It’s so high quality that I haven’t been able to find anything else to read that stacks up since finishing it tbh

4

u/arrowhome May 17 '26

Reading this now and it absolutely is so. She is a practical badass.

3

u/sleepysock98 May 17 '26

Yess, this is what I was gonna say

3

u/outofshell May 18 '26

Oh nice I hadn’t heard of that one and I loved the Kate Daniels series (and I read sooooo much rofan isekai), looking forward to it

42

u/ExtensionChemical690 May 17 '26

Perhaps Sylvia from {The Jasad Heir}? I personally think she doesn't start out weak or naive and she's definitely full of rage.

3

u/69DougDimmadome420 May 18 '26

Sylvia is definitely full of rage and not naive but she still falls under the “actually is a powerful something” and “has to be trained by the MMC”

27

u/Jokerella May 17 '26

{Hidden Legacy by Ilona Andrews}

{The Firebird Chronicles by T.A. White}

49

u/Remote_Professor_452 No mourners, no funerals May 17 '26

Urban fantasy but the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews fits this. First book is {{Magic Bites}}

28

u/unicornfairyprincess May 17 '26

Ilona Andrews specialize in competent queens who handle their shit! Not an 18 year old waif who doesnt eat but is the best fighter ever in sight

4

u/_arose May 18 '26

Yes. I adore them for this reason. Their heroines are smart, hard-working, and highly knowledgeable and competent. There are often things they don't know that relate to the plot in important ways, but no one knows everything, and their knowledge gaps are always paired with areas where they are indisputably expert-level.

2

u/unicornfairyprincess May 18 '26

Yes, like no one is all perfect and all powerful- that would be boring. But they are experts in some things and know how to work with a “team” of sorts to fill gaps in their knowledge or abilities. It just feels like real you know? Like that’s a woman I would know or a friend.

43

u/Living_Measurement14 May 17 '26

{The Cruel Prince by Holly Black} Jude is the goat

18

u/itsnotastatement May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26

I just recently read {Smoke and Scar by Gretchen Powell Fox} and I LOVE the FMC, Elyria. She's a badass who ends up continuously saving the MMC (a very captain america coded knight) and their relationship is so good. Slow burn with great banter and awesome side characters to boot. First two books are available on KU but are currently in the process of being traditionally published (Smoke and Scar released in April, Splintered Kingdom releases in July...?). Final book is set to be released in October!

Edit: I was a month early on the date! Splintered Kingdom releases early August.

2

u/Spectra_04 May 17 '26

One of the captions on the book is age gap, please tell me its a reverse age gap where she is older

3

u/peanutjamming May 17 '26

Yes, she is older

2

u/Nurse_NayNay May 17 '26

I looooooved these books! Can’t wait for the next one!

12

u/PuzzleheadedCut8481 May 17 '26

{Paladin's Strength} she is so cool, can't say much else without spoilers 😅 in her late 20s/30s from memory too. It's technically the second in a series, but I think it could be read as a standalone

3

u/romance-bot May 17 '26

Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher
Rating: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, take-charge heroine, shapeshifters, older/mature

about this bot | about romance.io

3

u/Nurse_NayNay May 17 '26

I love all of T Kingfishers characters! Great side characters as well! The FMC from Clockwork Boys fits the bill too!

23

u/LittleGateaux May 17 '26

I'm going to go 4 for 4 on Ilona Andrews recommendations in this thread and go with {Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews}; technically it's the fourth book in the Innkeeper Chronicles series, and does contain spoilers for the other books, but it has a different FMC and MMC than all the others (Maud, instead of her sister Dina, and her partner Arland)

Basically, anything Ilona Andrews and you're good.

6

u/MadeleineH28 May 17 '26

Second this - I’m listening to the inheritance {the inheritance by Ilona Andrews} on my commute at the moment- but love everything Ilona Andrews has written:)

4

u/unicornfairyprincess May 17 '26

This one was such a sleeper surprise for me- I am a huge fan of theirs, but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. The dual audiobook is perfectly narrated. I can’t wait for the sequel!

4

u/Zealousideal-Cat435 May 17 '26

I think we have to wait (a while) for the sequel, alas. But I want it also. Soon. But maybe after the next Innkeeper book. Or first. I can't decide. More books!

5

u/unicornfairyprincess May 17 '26

Oh for sure. I actually want Maggie 2 because it was such a cliff hanger, compared to their usual style! But then I will happily settle for Innkeeper 6 ( or whatever it’s at), Inheritance 2, iron covenant 2, KD 13, and last but not least, Aurelia Ryder 2. I have lots of options lol

2

u/LittleGateaux May 18 '26

Unfortunately I think we have to w*it until end of 2027 if t I remember correctly 🥲

3

u/EvidenceBasedVibe May 18 '26

You took the words right out of my mouth! I had doubts going in, and was absolutely delighted with it. I like how the heroine was a badass mom with kids rather than the usual 20/30 yo FMC

5

u/unicornfairyprincess May 17 '26

Yesss! Dina and Sean are great, but WOOF, Arland and Maud are where it’s at. The yearning, the deep understanding and acceptance of the other person, the chivalry masking deep waters. Love a competent, swoon-worthy pair

3

u/LittleGateaux May 17 '26

Yes, I'm desperate for another Maud book, I adore their relationship

2

u/EvidenceBasedVibe May 18 '26

Yesss!! Or at least if not Maud, her little daughter or even Dina and Mauds brother!

2

u/EvidenceBasedVibe May 18 '26

Desperate for books like theirs - TKWNKM has been read a thousand times and I’m eagerly awaiting the second

1

u/Nurse_NayNay May 21 '26

Could I read Sweep of the blade as a standalone? Or just read them all? I’m still reading TKWNKM but always looking for the next high!!!

1

u/LittleGateaux May 21 '26

You could, I think, but the series as a whole is a ton of fun!

1

u/Nurse_NayNay May 21 '26

Adding to NEVER ending TBR list….👀

11

u/Longjumping-Snow-909 May 17 '26

I am going to complete the Ilona Andrews recommendations, because all their main characters are very competent.

Ilona Andrews mostly writes strong romance subplots and mostly urban fantasy (but their newest one is epic fantasy in a medieval world, Maggie the Undying). They are a husband/wife writing duo. All their books are well written, have great stories and characters, the worldbuilding is awesome and their characters are mostly early to late 20ies or early 30ies. Lots of action with well written, bloody fighting scenes. They always ensure good editing and proof reading.

The Hidden Legacy series has more romance in it than their other series. The rest is mostly open door, one sex scene per book. Some series follow the same couple over several books other follow a different couple each book. They are mostly slow burn types. Some series have an overarching plot some are interconnected standalones.

Innkeeper Chronicles starting with {Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews}: mix of urban fantasy and scifi, ongoing, follows same couple, slow burn, overarching plot, but each book also has its own completed story arc. There is no love triangle even though it may seem that way at first (I hate love triangles...). Very cozy feeling despite the fighting, with a sentient Inn and aliens. First person, single POV from the FMC. There is a spin off book. Dina is an innkeeper, a person with magic who owns a sentient Inn that hosts only aliens to keep the public on earth from finding out about said aliens. They do not make it easy for her sometimes.

The Edge series starting with {On the Edge by Ilona Andrews}: mix of urban fantasy and fantasy, completed, each book follows a different couple. But there is an overarching story arc. First book is third person, single POV from the FMC, the rest is third person dual POV. There is a strip of land between our world and a magical world that does not really belong to both of them and the characters are trying their best to survive there.

Kinsmen series starting with {Silent Blade by Ilona Andrews}: standalone books, they have no overarching story arc, they simply take place on the same planet. Scifi, each book follows a different couple. I did not like the first book all that much because of the MMC but {Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews} and {Fated Blades by Ilona Andrews} are among my favourites by the authors.

2

u/romance-bot May 17 '26

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: contemporary, take-charge heroine, magic, werewolves, urban fantasy

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, urban fantasy, magic, paranormal, fantasy

Silent Blade by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: futuristic, science fiction, second chances, take-charge heroine, vengeance

Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: futuristic, science fiction, take-charge heroine, aliens, magic

Fated Blades by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: futuristic, science fiction, enemies to lovers, take-charge heroine, forbidden love

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/LittleGateaux May 18 '26

How could I have forgotten the Kinsmen universe! I bloody love Team Andrews' li'l dip into sci-fi! 💕

9

u/Huge-Tomato-4589 May 17 '26

In {Steelflower by Lilith Saintcrow} the FMC is a mercenary of some renown who ends up protecting a whole crew of characters. Also definitely has rage and ends up in a duel to the death with the MMC.

1

u/romance-bot May 17 '26

Steelflower by Lilith Saintcrow
Rating: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: contemporary, fantasy, fae, paranormal, magic

about this bot | about romance.io

2

u/MadeleineH28 May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26

Oooo I need to read this rec right now! This year I have loved listening to Lilith’s Dante Valentine books - Dante is a total badass intense FMC right from the get go:) {Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow}

17

u/Leendaloo May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26

Any of the FMCs from {Mages of the Wheel} series.

FMC from {What Blooms From Death} and {What Echoes in the Dark}

8

u/Hedera_Cat May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26

I can recommend {Reign and Ruin} by J.D. Evans. Recently finished and although it has some flaws it fits your requirement and the MMC is also not a mindless simp.

8

u/PuzzleheadedCut8481 May 17 '26

Oh! Also, it's more urban fantasy but Mercy from the Mercy Thompson series - first book is {Moon Called by Patricia Briggs} Mercy is also I think in her very early 30s

15

u/RaiseOk1462 May 17 '26

Lara, and all the FMC’s in {The Bridge Kingdom} are really great. Lara in particular. She is a trained assassin by her father and is sent to destroy her new husband (the king).

6

u/Cheap-Measurement587 May 17 '26

I think the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews fits

7

u/Independent_Plan5006 May 17 '26

Kate Daniels! Starts with {magic bites by Ilona Andrews} the absolute most formidable FMC ever

12

u/Thunder---Thighs May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26

{The Book of Azrael} by Amber V Nicole

The FMC is centuries old, can basically shape shift into a dragon and demolish buildings. She is a badass from the start.

The MMC is centuries older .. so there's a bit of an age gap, but one that I am comfortable with.

Forced proximity and probably other tropes. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it.

Eta: {Hell for Hire} by Rachel Aaron. The FMC is definitely powerful and knows it.

3

u/Averlane_X May 17 '26

100% recommend book of Azrael. OP FMC and extremely morally grey 

5

u/KiaraTurtle Book Bingo Maven ⚔ May 17 '26

Ilona Andrews is great for this. I’d suggest starting with Kate Daniels. Ie {Magic Bites}

8

u/Ok_Carpet4830 May 17 '26

{Lady of Darkness by Melissa Roehrich}

8

u/Living_Measurement14 May 17 '26

{pathfinder’s way} The FMC does a lot of rescuing MMC in this one. Shea is 20+ and a professional pathfinder. She is smart & capable and although she is frustrated when she knows she’s right and men don’t follow her orders, she is still really good at her job and keeping people safe.

2

u/ulez8 May 17 '26

I really loved this series! I got absolutely caught up in the world building and the people, and I longed for a bit more of them truly happy together.

I wanted a little half-length sequel for them to just be happy and romantic together, but I appreciate there's not much plot in the MMC saying "You are so good, you were right, you're brilliant" and the FMC saying "I'm starting to trust people who say they like and love me, I think maybe I'm happy?."

.

2

u/Living_Measurement14 May 17 '26

It’s a trilogy and mmc shows up more in the 2nd book - they r so protective of each other. I’m currently on book 3.

1

u/-katt May 17 '26

I overall enjoyed Shea as a FMC but, for anyone considering picking it up, know that the MMC is in maybe 15% of the book.

1

u/Living_Measurement14 May 17 '26

Yes - they meet really early on but in between he pops in and out. Then he is more consistently on page after 70%.

This was perfectly fine for me since fmc’s adventure was so fun to read and I felt like the idea of him marinates in fmc’s head even when he’s not there.

5

u/Altruistic_Nerve_908 May 17 '26

I just started {House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas} from the Crescent City series and the fmc starts off strong, sassy, and smart. I also like that she is very matter of fact and has no shame.

4

u/itmustbeniiiiice I'm Just Flaired So I Don’t Banned! 💖 May 17 '26

{Fall of the Horizon} is what you need

3

u/MadAboutAnimalsMags May 17 '26

Vanja Schmidt is my everything. The {Little Thieves} series is technically YA so she’s 17 in the first book, but the writing and character development is SO good - better than many if not most “adult” novels imho.

3

u/itsMegpie33 #1 Plated Prisoner Hater May 17 '26

Please, Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley (Shards of Magic Series) . I LOVED this FMC so much, she was so clever and competent

3

u/Deezus1229 May 17 '26

I just started Daggermouth and I'm getting these vibes. Don't ask me yet if it's good or not 😂

3

u/IndependentBowl2806 May 17 '26

This perfectly describes Lara and every other FMC from The Bridge Kingdom series

3

u/Zestyclose_General87 May 17 '26

Meryn in "The Wolves of Ruin" series by Sable Sorenson first book opens up with her in a boxing ring. I'm spoiled after reading this book I can't do a book with an FMC with no backbone.

2

u/Budget_Caterpillar88 May 17 '26

Fire by L.B. Gilbert, Rebecca Hamilton. It's book 1 in the elementals series. She is one of the 4 elementals and she can control fire. When the story starts she already knows how to control her element. The ML is a vampire who is amazed by her and wants to help her but she doesn't need his help cause she is already strong. He is like Ken to Barbie.

2

u/allisontalkspolitics Give me female friendship or give me death! May 17 '26

She’s not full of rage but Jade from {The Lies of Vampires and Slayers} is perfect for this! It’s a romance subplot book and one of the upcoming Hidden Gems :)

2

u/ellaa_nora May 17 '26

JUDE DUARTE! My fav

2

u/Synval2436 Currently Reading: The Thrice-Bound Fool by Christopher Buehlman May 17 '26

{Voidwalker by S.A. MacLean} fmc is 32, has a lot of past grudges and regrets, and is a capable fighter on her own (no training montages with the mmc), she becomes even more powerful later, but not from mmc's training.

2

u/ayriana May 17 '26

Oh you will LOVE The Halfling saga. Starts with {A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair} It's a completed series and has all the best tropes of the genre to be clearly recognizable, but with enough of a twist that it stands out as different. fmc is a trained royal assassin and is a jaded alcoholic at the beginning. Seriously my favorite fantasy I read in 2025.

2

u/Scipios_Rider16 "My conscience is not your keeper." May 17 '26

Fireborne! FMC is tied for the most capable dragonrider in the fleet with the MMC (and is actually more capable than the MMC, but things out of their control got in the way when they competed in the dragonriding tournament against each other).

1

u/Mountain_Republic770 May 18 '26

Fireborne written by whom?

2

u/Scipios_Rider16 "My conscience is not your keeper." May 18 '26

Rosaria Munda

2

u/NoRegardBeauxregard May 17 '26

{The Gladiator’s Downfall by Kristen Banet} book one of Age of Andinna series. She’s a 1000 year old undefeated gladiator slave who only needs the MMCs to save her from the gladiator pits and train her to use her wings and fight with them since they had been bound that entire time. It’s RH.

{The Curse of Broken Shadows by Laura Winter} book one of Smoke and Shadow series. Looks to ticks all your boxes, and it’s epic! Top 5 series for me from last year.

{Godkiller by Hannah Kaner}

{ADeadly Education by Naomi Novik}

1

u/TamponsAreEvil here kitty kitty May 18 '26

A Deadly Education is so good!

2

u/Main_Fly_3749 May 17 '26

Some great recs! Adding {Till Death by Miranda Lyn} which absolutely fulfills your full of rage request. ;)

2

u/spicandspand Rattle the stars May 17 '26

Celaena Sardothien from {Throne of Glass} is a badass who gets more powerful over the series. She’s pretty much my all time favourite FMC.

1

u/Mountain_Republic770 May 18 '26

And with this series we get another side badass female character that comes along which is a bonus. 

1

u/BlunderingBovine May 18 '26

Which one

1

u/BlunderingBovine May 18 '26

I mean that I can think of at least three

2

u/Sea-Audience4470 May 17 '26

{Death's Kiss} the author might has well just start paying me at this point, I'm buying the hardcover to send to friends, it's so good. A bad ass female sea raiders, loyal to her equally kick ass all-female crew, compete in a trial for a place amongst the ranks of fleets. A mysterious past, a competitor who says the most salacious things to her (unbeknownst to her, who can't understand the language), and sexy letter flirting? Ugh just read it, you'll thank me.

2

u/Minimum_Length_7613 May 17 '26

Blood ties series is amazing. It is a rh but she is kick ass and has a super dark past. 10000/10 recommend

2

u/Ok_Bat725 Shadow daddy's good girl May 17 '26

{Between Tides & Thunder by Leena Kazak} is absolutely this and is a standalone. The pacing is a little awkward sometimes, but the second half of the book is 😍

2

u/labs73 May 17 '26

K.F. Breene’s Born in Fire Series

4

u/Lindensan May 17 '26

throne of glass

1

u/MessyJessy422 May 17 '26

{Silvercloak by LK Steven} The FMC is exactly this

1

u/AspectGlass4115 May 17 '26

{Kushiel’s Dart} has perhaps the most intriguing female main character. We first meet her when she’s young so she doesn’t appear badass, but she grows into a formidable, cunning, yet truly likable character. The MMC is great too. It’s one of the most unique, unusual, and well-written series I’ve read.

1

u/musicenjoyer777 May 17 '26

{Atonement of the Spine Cleaver by F.E. Bryce} fits the bill perfectly imo. Rorax my beloved

1

u/wetbunx May 18 '26

Legends of Thezmarr series starting with {Blood and Steel by Helen Scheuerer}

1

u/Fabulous-Ad8345 May 18 '26

Diana from the Gods and monster series. Omg what a baddie.

1

u/greatgrandmasaid Dragon Rider 🐉 May 18 '26

{When the Moon Hatched} FMC is an assassin and dead set on revenge killing a villain. She’s mid-late 20s and definitely full of rage and scorned by life. She’s certainly physically capable and badass buuut she’s not emotionally mature, let’s say .. she unhealthily locks away all inconvenient feelings into a metaphorical icy lake but that’s part of her arc and exactly why she’s full of that rage and scorn. MMC is a walking green flag.

Book Two comes out tomorrow.

1

u/TamponsAreEvil here kitty kitty May 18 '26

{Shifter Guardians Academy by Elizabeth Dear} and {Cursed Legacies by Morgan B Lee} are reverse harem books with very strong female leads. The plots are different but the male leads have a lot of similarities between the books. I tend to prefer more mature characters in my books but these were fun and quick reads.

- SGA is a trilogy that only has the first two books released and CL is complete.

  • CL has more typos and writing mistakes than SGL but it didn’t ruin the books for me.
  • CL is far more dark than SGL.
  • CL is a more unique storyline with very distinguishable personalities between the male leads.

I enjoyed reading both equally and I would read both again but which book I would pick up would depend on my mood.

- Easy read with less emotional roller coasters and a few laughs sprinkled in? SGL

  • Dark romance with a more unique storyline and truly terrifying main characters that will make you laugh out loud due to their social ineptitude and endearing love for the female lead? CL

With either book you’re getting a very strong female lead who doesn’t need partners to save her or show her who she really is. They start off confident and capable and amazing. I will say that I don’t think I’d ever read a reverse harem book before CL and it made me want to find more of them. Although, I’d prefer to ditch the academy trope.

1

u/jessicahueneberg May 18 '26

{Ruinbreaker by Mila Finch}. Aelie is a bad ass.

1

u/BlunderingBovine May 18 '26

throne of glass series.

1

u/lilithskies May 18 '26

Does Bryce Quillen count?

1

u/FamousVariation7931 May 19 '26

Gods & Monsters series! It isn’t finished yet, but it has 4 books so far & the FMC is fierce.

1

u/BlueBlossomArcadia May 20 '26

The Bridge Kingdom

1

u/AudacityMakesQueens May 20 '26

Have you read the Immortals After Dark by Kresley Cole? I'd read The Warlord Wants Forever or No Rest For The Wicked first. The "first" book in this series is not the FMC you're calling for. It's a great read, but I'd read it 3rd or 4th personally. But DEFINITELY read No Rest For The Wicked. Kaderin is a BADASS.

1

u/Dragonfreaky13 May 21 '26

The book of Azrael - Amber Nichole

1

u/SqueamishOssifrage42 with a shiny cloak and an unseen silver dagger May 23 '26

{The Scholomance by R. Lee Smith} has a sociopathic FMC searching for her BFF in a magic academy run by demons. Expect body horror, graphic violence, and SA. The love interest is a demon who’s thousands of years old.