I prefer female protagonists and this series of posts is homage to some of the most formidable female main characters in science fiction novels or series. This is the last one I got material for at the moment but I am pretty sure there are some formidable female protagonists in a science fiction novel or series that need to be here. This is your last chance to add to my list before I have to close the list.

I added a list of all the characters so far at the end of this post. Please add more suggestions. 100 is a better number than 80.

Paula Myo – Intrepid Investigator (Peter F. Hamilton)
Sissy – High Priestess of Harmony (C. F. Bentley)
Paula Mendoza – Unconventional Negotiator (Cecelia Holland)
Casseia Majumdar – Scientific Revolutionary (Greg Bear)
Dirisha Zuri – the Matadora (Steve Perry)

Paula Myo – Intrepid Investigator

Books: Pandora’s Star (2004), Judas Unchained (2005)
Series: Commonwealth Saga
Author: Peter F. Hamilton
Genre: Space opera
Publisher: MacMillan UK, Del Rey, Pan

Paula Myo is only one of the characters in the Commonwealth saga. She is a famous investigator that realizes the Starflyer is real and a threat to humanity. It was a few years since I read these books and they are huge, not as huge as his Night’s Dawn trilogy but big enough. Good interesting space opera with multiple main characters.

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Sissy – High Priestess of Harmony

Books: Harmony (2008), Enigma (2009)
Series: Harmony
Author: C. F. Bentley (Irene Radford)
Genre: Military Science Fiction | Fantasy
Publisher: Daw

I just finished reading Harmony an liked it a lot; it is a mixture of military science fiction, space opera and romance. Sissy is born with the mark of all seven casts. Normally that would make here an outcast to be killed but she hides the marks with the help of her family. Their planet Harmony is becoming unstable and a catastrophic earthquake threatens to destroy the capital. But Sissy finds out she has the power to divert the power of the quake and save the city. The High Priestess is killed and the surviving High Priest sees an opportunity in using this young uneducated girl with real powers to strengthening his position on the ruling council. Thing is that Sissy have other ideas.

There is a lovely love story in there to you can check out my review.

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Paula Mendoza – Unconventional Negotiator

Books: Floating Wolds (1976)
Author: Cecelia Holland
Genre: Feminist Science Fiction
Publisher: Knopf, Gollancz, Pocket, Sphere, VGSF.

New to me both of them. According to Wikipedia “This novel is notable for its sexual content, its feminist theme, and its literary quality—all comparable to the mid-70s work of Joanna Russ and Ursula K. Le Guin.” that sounds like something I would like to read. This also goes on my to-read list.

When an aggressive race of mutants from Uranus and Saturn launch pirate raids on ships from Mars, the task of negotiating peace falls to the resourceful and unpredictable Paula Mendoza.

Though highly skeptical of her “anarchist” government, gutsy Paula Mendoza rises from the ranks of the unemployed Earthish to become its peace negotiator in the escalating war between the Middle Planets and the Gas Planets in this latest by Cecelia Holland (The Pillar of the Sky), whom the Chicago Tribune has compared to Arthur C. Clarke and Ursula Le Guin. Paula’s methods (which include sleeping with the enemy) are innovative, to say the least, and they land her in troubled waters in the startling and epic Floating Worlds

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Casseia Majumdar – Scientific Revolutionary

Books: Moving Mars (1993)
Series: Queen of Angels book 3
Author: Greg Bear
Genre: Coming of Age | Revolution
Publisher: Tor, Legend, Orb, The Easton Press, Brilliance Audio

This is a coming of age story about Casseia Majumdar at the backdrop of the brewing revolution. Sounds like a good book I have to read soon.

Mars is a colonial world governed by corporate interests on Earth. The citizens of Mars are hardworking, brave, and intelligent, but held back by their lack of access to the best education, and the desire of Earthly powers to keep the best inventions for themselves. The young Martians – the second and third generation born on Mars – have little loyalty to the Earth, and strong belief that their planet can be independent. The revolution begins slowly, but matures to its inevitable conclusion.

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Dirisha Zuri – The Matadora

Books: Matadora (1986)
Series: Matador
Author: Steve Perry
Genre: Military Science Fiction
Publisher: Ace , Sphere

Matadora is new to me while Steve Perry is not, I read Target Earth before and it was quite enjoyable. This book is part of a longer series all covering the Matador’s revolution.

On some worlds, the name of Khadaji is a prayer for resistance fighters…

Khadaji… master warrior, martyr, legend. The one-man resistance to the Confed on Greaves. Known as “The Man Who Never Missed,” he only let himself be taken when he’d done what he’d set out to do. With his death, Khadaji became the inspiration and idol of students of martial arts everhwere.

Matador Villa… the training center for the best fighters in the galaxy, disciples of the great Khadaji. A rigorous program of political tactics and psychological warfare, physical discipline and martial force. A mysterious school on the planet Renault… its ultimate motives unknown.

Dirisha Zuri… a dangerous drifter, a dark-skinned beauty, Khadaji’s colleague. A ronin, whose expertise in body control and knowledge of the fighting arts drew the attention of Matador Villa. The school wanted her talents… and the galaxy desperately needed her deadly skills.

Matadora The legend of the Man Who Never Missed becomes the incredible mission of a single woman… The Matadora.

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List

Alicia DeVries – Cadre and Fury (David Weber)
Terese Drajeske – Ex Field Commander & Mother (C. L. Andersen)
Mackensie Elizabeth Winifred Wright Connor Sol (Julie E. Czerneda)
Zoe Boutin Perry – Teenager & Holy Icon (John Scalzi)
Parrish Plessis - Postapocalyptic Bodyguard (Marianne de Pierres)
Benita Alvarez-Shipton – the Perfect House-wife (Sheri S. Tepper)
Kris Longknife – Princess & Officer (Mike Shepherd)
Tobin Kerr – Leading From Below (Tanya Huff)
Sassinak – Older Than Her Mother (Anne McCaffrey & Elizabeth Moon & Jody Lynn Nye)
Sharrow – Symbol of a Solar System (Ian M. Banks)
Heris Serrano – Civilian Warrior (Elizabeth Moon)
An – Transcending Egghead (Emily Devenport)
Adele Mundy – Sharpshooting Librarian (David Drake)
Michelle Henke – Unpolitical Stateswoman (David Weber)
Lenie Clarke – Meltdown Madonna (Peter Watts)
Ofelia Fulfarres - Nest Guardian (Elizabeth Moon)
Bella Lind – Icon at the End of Time (Alastair Reynolds)
Helva – The Ship Who Sang (Anne McCaffrey)
Nimue Alban – Mind of a Dead Starship Captain (David Weber)
Rowan – Steerswoman (Rosemary Kirstein)
Margaret Bain – Seven of One (Sheri S. Tepper)
Jenny Casey – Cyborg Pilot (Elizabeth Bear)
Nimisha Boynton-Rondymnse – First Family Castaway (Anne McCaffrey)
Freya Nakamachi-47 – Soulful Machine (Charles Stross)
Nausicaä – Ecological Princess (Hayao Miyazaki)
Sarah – Skinned Quester (Anne McCaffrey)
Elizabeth “Bet” Yeager – Stranded Veteran (C. J. Cherryh)
Morgan Roche – Agent of Change (Sean Williams & Shane Dix)
Honor Harrington – The Salamander (David Weber)
Captain Reverdy Jian – Sceptic Pilot (Melissa Scott)
Ariane Kedros – Killer of Worlds (Laura E. Reeve)
Chanur – Alien Trader (C. J. Cherryh)
Priscilla ‘Hutch’ Hutchins – Starship Pilot (Jack McDevitt)
Kylara Vatta – Fixing The Family (Elizabeth Moon)
Cirroco Jones – Captain & Wizard (John Varley)
Athena Hera Sinastra – Intrepid Rebel (Sarah A. Hoyt)
Nell – Mouse Queen (Neal Stephenson)
Nicole des Jardins Wakefield – Stowaway to the Stars (Arthur C. Clarke & Gentry Lee)
Sauscony ‘Soz’ Valdoria – Empath Commando (Catherine Asaro)
Festina Ramos – Expendable (James Alan Gardner)
Shan Frankland – Immortal Diplomat (Karen Traviss)
Acorna – Unicorn Girl (Anne McCaffrey, Margaret Ball, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough)
Moon – Clone Goddess (Joan D. Vinge)
Cordelia Naismith – Free Your Mind (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Catherine Li – Human Construct (Chris Moriarty)
Friday Jones – the Sometimes Single Cyborg (Robert A. Heinlein)
Esmay Suiza – Landsbride Officer (Elizabeth Moon)
Gloria VanDeen – Glorious Bureaucrat (C. J. Ryan)
Molly Millions – The Original Razor Girl (William Gibson)
Cassandra Blaine – Cyber Star (Wilhelmina Baird)
Cally O’Neal – Secret Assassin (John Ringo)
Angharad Gwyn – the Rowan (Anne McCaffrey)
Sira di Sarc – Welcome Stranger (Julie E. Czerneda)
Boss – Safety First (Kristien Kathryn Rusch)
Rebel Elizabeth Mudlark – Mind Recording (Michael Swanwick)´
Ariane Emory – I Made Me (C. J. Cherryh)
Claire Haskel – Super Razor (David J. Williams)
Ellen Ripley – Kick-ass Mother (Alan Dean Foster)
Sweetness Octave Glorious Honey-Bun Asiim Engineer 12th (Ian Mcdonald)
Thursday Next – Literary Operative (Jasper Fforde)
Mearana - The Harper (Michael Flynn)
Sparta – Venus Prime (Paul Preuss)
Briar Wilkes – Persistent Mother (Cherie Priest)
Caitlin Decter – Best Friend of the Web (Robert J. Sawyer)
Ilia Volyova – Triumvir Ultra (Alastair Reynolds)
Jennifer Government – Law woman (Max Barry)
Killashandra Ree – Crystal Singer (Anne McCaffrey)
Signy Mallory- Bloody-minded Commander (C. J. Cherryh)
Y.T. – Yours Truly (Neal Stephenson)
Deadpan Allie – Pathosfinder (Pat Cadigan)
Dakota Merrick – Machine Head (Gary Gibson)
Kivrin Engle – Temporal Historian (Connie Willis)
Rydra Wong – Poet Captain (Samuel R. Delany)
Miriam/Helge – Queen World Walker (Charles Stross)
Ruby Kubick – Agoraphobic Salvage Artist (Laura J. Mixon)
Paula Myo – Intrepid Investigator (Peter F. Hamilton)
Sissy – High Priestess of Harmony (C. F. Bentley)
Paula Mendoza – Unconventional Negotiator (Cecelia Holland)
Casseia Majumdar – Scientific Revolutionary (Greg Bear)
Dirisha Zuri – the Matadora (Steve Perry)

Miss anyone?

Read part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | index | afterword

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Title: Harmony
Series: Harmony 1
Author: C. F. Bentley (Irene Radford)
Genre: Military Science Fiction | Fantasy
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Daw 2008

Order from: Daw | Amazon US | UK | B&N | sfbok

The launch of a brand new series that blends the best elements of science fiction and fantasy.

The world of Harmony, along with its close-knit colony planets, long ago isolated itself from the rest of the universe. But in a universe where the human-based Confederate Star System fleet finds itself hard-pressed to stand against ever-increasing attacks by the alien Marillon Empire, the Harmonic Empire cannot be left alone. For if the CSS cannot win an alliance with Harmony, the Marils will surely find a way to invade the planet and seize control of the unique and invaluable metal, which only the Harmonites can produce.

Yet invasion is far from the only threat the people of Harmony face. The gulf between rich and poor, rulers and ruled continues to widen, threatening to destroy the very structure of their society—while the planet itself is becoming increasingly unstable. In this time of crisis, one young woman

Information

The book is dedicated to Father Richard Toll and there is an excerpt from the sequel Enigma at the end of the book.

This is a book about a historical conspiracy and the pressure of change that will rip any static society apart.

The protagonists are Jake, a spy sent by mainstream humanity to obtain the secret of the Badger Metal and Sissy born with the mark of all seven castes, soon to become High Priestess of Harmony.

The Author

C. F. Bentley is a pseudonym Irene Radford uses for her science fiction novels. Harmony is the first novel by her I ever read but I think I will read more. From what it looks like she has written a number of fantasy books. The theme seems to be dragons and Merlin. More information on Irene’s homepage www.ireneradford.com.

World building

The Confederated Star System is at war with the alien Marillon Empire and they both need Badger Metal for their starships. Harmony is the only supplier which is why Jake is sent there to find out the secret on how to make it. Harmony is a seven world pocket empire that was founded by an earth cult. It closed its borders fifty years ago and they have had no outside contact ever since including no export of Badger Metal.

Harmony with its rigid cast society is like an onion of deception where we see layer after layer being stripped off. Marriages between casts are forbidden and when you are born into a cast (carry the cast mark) you are there for life.

The world is consistent, interesting and realistic even if it borders on on the absurd at times. There is a slight resemblance in feel from some Harry Harrison novels even if the world is much more complex here.

Plot

Jake used to be a fighter pilot before he screwed up and was saved by a secret intelligence organization that takes on space opera manners. There is sex very early in the novel but not very descriptive. He is first sent to The Lost Colony of Harmony (they broke of communication with their mother world and formed a new casteless society) to try to obtain an alternative to Badger Metal but it fails so he is sent to Harmony undercover as one of the Military Cast and he eventually end up as Sissy’s bodyguard.

Harmony is going through an unstable period with freaky weather and earthquakes which the cultists see as the planet being upset. Sissy is a mutant, born and raised by Worker parents but with all seven cast markings, usually that would make her an outcast of society to be eventually exterminated in one of their concentration camps/asylum but she hides it with cosmetics. During a catastrophic earthquake she discovers that she can channel its energy and commune with Harmony saving the city from destruction. The High Priest finds her and makes her the new High Priestess against the wishes of the former’s family who have had that title for generations. The High Priest thinks she will be easy to manipulate with her simple upbringing. He couldn’t be more wrong as she starts to put things right.

What follows is political intrigue, assassination attempts, deception but also revelation of the truth about their pasts. It is fast paced with unexpected twists and a lovely love story just like I like it.

Characterization

Jake is well developed with his doubt about the mission and the moral dilemma he faces. He is also appalled by the rigid caste society and the way the high casts manipulate the lower.

Sissy grows from ignorant worker to a formidable leader of her people. She is a strong believer in family and the high castes ways disgust her. You root for her from the beginning as she is so easy to love.

My View

There is a quite a bit of social commentary in this story and the characters, which makes it more than just a good rump. I like Harmony, it mixes military with space opera and romance in a fast flowing easy to read experience. It was also a damn fun book to read. I had to laugh out loud in delight at some of the twists the story took to the amusement of my dear ones. In conclusion Harmony is not great literature but it is a fun read which should please both readers of military science fiction, space opera and romance.

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