Badass fantasy female MCs who don’t “learn to fight” as part of their character arcs and use their internal strength to create change

Jacqueline Carey

Regular sized hardcover edition of Kushiel's Dart. This is not the tall hardcover edition.

Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

Florida

A nation born of angels, vast and intricate and surrounded by danger... a woman born to servitude, unknowingly given access to the secrets of the realm... Born with a scarlet mote in her left eye, Phédre nó Delaunay is sold into indentured servitude as a child. When her bond is purchased by an enigmatic nobleman, she is trained in history, theology, politics, foreign languages, the arts of pleasure. And above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Exquisite courtesan, talented spy... and unlikely heroine. But when Phédre stumbles upon a plot that threatens her homeland, Terre d'Ange, she has no choice. Betrayed into captivity in the barbarous northland of Skaldia and accompanied only by a disdainful young warrior-priest, Phédre makes a harrowing escape and an even more harrowing journey to return to her people and deliver a warning of the impending invasion. And that proves only the first step in a quest that will take her to the edge of despair and beyond. Phédre nó Delaunay is the woman who holds the keys to her realm's deadly secrets, and whose courage will decide the very future of her world. Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel's Dart-a massive tale about the violent death of an old age and the birth of a new. It is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. A world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, deposed rulers and a besieged Queen, a warrior-priest, the Prince of Travelers, barbarian warlords, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess... all seen through the unflinching eyes of an unforgettable heroine.

Kushiel's Dart

5af3f4d9-bee0-4951-9a62-aa59ad8fd106-1

Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

Arizona

In the sequel to Kushiel's Dart, PhFdre n= Delaunay, now ruler of her people, faces new challenges, including court intrigues, factions out to remove her from her throne, the return of the ruthless Melisande Sharizai, and a horrific conspiracy that could destroy all humankind. Reprint.

Kushiel's Chosen

a97ec162-33f7-49bf-9908-d96ae71c91c5-1

What I note is a nagic marker dot bottom outside, some staining top outside, and some dust jacket wear in photos. 
Copyright 2003 Tor Books Published by Tom Doherty Associates. 
I believe this is the 2nd printing.
Otherwise no writing or tears found. 
Very tight binding. 

Heavy Hardcover (2 to 4 lbs)

Tennessee

Phedre, accompanied by protector swordsman Joscelin, journeys down a fabled river in order to rescue a childhood friend.

Shelves by Carolyn Day

Carolyn Day

A Different Type of Heroine

Browse by categories

Shelves by Carolyn Day

Carolyn Day

A Different Type of Heroine