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Original poster

Books with a sword fighting heroine

30 replies

LivingChess · 08/11/2022 13:49

Looking for something for or my 10 year old DD. She's currently reading Percy Jackson. Absolutely not into romance, fashion, cute fairy stuff or friendship troubles.

Ideally I'd like to get her something with a sword fighting heroine. Detective type or adventure would also be a possibility, as would historical fiction.

OP posts:
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BlueChampagne · 11/11/2022 14:59

Blunt instrument wielding heroine? Tiffany Aching in Wee Free Men

BlueChampagne · 09/11/2022 14:24

The heroine of Goth Girl fences with an umbrella in one of the books, if that's any good! They are also beautiful books and will bear re-reading when she's older (to get all the jokes).
Second Dido Twite (Joan Aiken).
Nancy Blackett from Swallows and Amazons favours a bow and arrows ...

GrouchyKiwi · 09/11/2022 10:19

LivingChess · 09/11/2022 10:15

@GrouchyKiwi do you think it's the language/construction or content which makes it a 12? (English is not DD's native language, she only speaks it at home with me so won't have the vocab or exposure a 10 year old in a UK school would.)

@lucysnowe2 she's not really into horses but her two best friends are so she feigns an interest every now and again!

It's possibly the language (words like "amiable", according to DD).

I don't think the content is any more difficult than fairytales in general.

TeenDivided · 09/11/2022 10:18

Narnia books?

Original poster
LivingChess · 09/11/2022 10:17

@Accesscode That sounds perfect, thanks!

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Original poster
LivingChess · 09/11/2022 10:15

@GrouchyKiwi do you think it's the language/construction or content which makes it a 12? (English is not DD's native language, she only speaks it at home with me so won't have the vocab or exposure a 10 year old in a UK school would.)

@lucysnowe2 she's not really into horses but her two best friends are so she feigns an interest every now and again!

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Accesscode · 09/11/2022 10:13

On a different (non magical) note Sister to a star by Eloise Smith is written by an Olympic fencer and one of the characters is into fencing. Haven't read it but might fit the bill?

GrouchyKiwi · 09/11/2022 09:45

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M Valente.

My 10-year-old loves these books. Amazon says age 12 onwards, so might be worth checking.

lucysnowe2 · 09/11/2022 09:38

Yes I totally double the recommendation for Robin McKinley! The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown both have absolutely top notch sword wielding heroines. There is a bit of romance in both, but the main focus is on the protagonists' growth and struggles, as it should be. Also there is a fair amount of horsey stuff in both if your daughter's a fan. :)

Theunamedcat · 09/11/2022 08:04

Grimmalkin from the spooks series but it might be too scary? My daughter loved it at her age though still has the books now and dips in and out

Original poster
LivingChess · 09/11/2022 07:42

@bogoblin That sounds far too scary for her! I'll keep it for later, maybe try it on my goddaughter first!

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bogoblin · 08/11/2022 18:24

Lockwood & Co by Jonathan Stroud

Holdontowhat · 08/11/2022 18:17

I enjoyed 'the true confessions of Charlotte doyle' at around that age which isn't exactly what you're describing but does have a 13 year old girl as the heroine and is historical fiction from what I remember anyway!

SneakAttackDamage · 08/11/2022 18:14

Theresa Tomlinson writes historical fiction for young adults with bow or sword wielding female protagonists. I remember enjoying the Moon Riders (Ancient Troy) and the Forest Wife (Robin Hood) when I was younger.

SneakAttackDamage · 08/11/2022 18:00

Artemis Fowl? (Stay away from the film though - they changed everything) Protagonist is an elf, Holly Short - first female officer in their specialist police force, up against a 13 year old criminal mastermind. Modern fantasy with high tech elves, goblins, centaurs, etc.

FinallyHere · 08/11/2022 17:50

Another vote for the a mighty girl blog

InvincibleInvisibility · 08/11/2022 17:48

I second garth nix abhorsen series.

Also Jonathan Stroud: Scarlett and Browne outlaws (think there's 2 books). The girl kicks ass.

Plus the lockwood series - both boys and girls are the heroes/ghost fighters

Beamur · 08/11/2022 17:44

Morrigan Crow? Excellent female characters.
Polar Bear explorers club

ladymalfoy45 · 08/11/2022 17:44

Garth Nix . Old Kingdom Series.

MargaretThursday · 08/11/2022 17:42

You might find some of the Dido Twite set by Joan Aiken work well. i don't recall her sword fighting, but she's a feisty character!

Original poster
LivingChess · 08/11/2022 15:58

@HuntingoftheSnark oh DD hated that one! She liked the Princess Florizella ones though.

@froginawell @creideamhdóchasgrá Blue sword is in the basket!

@Quinque Ronja is a favourite, I think it was the first proper book DH read to her. Followed my LOTR Hmm

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HuntingoftheSnark · 08/11/2022 15:48

Far too young for her, but anyone with a younger child: The Paper Bag Princess.

froginawell · 08/11/2022 15:45

Hooray for Tamora Pearce!

There is Robin McKinley too (I still read the blue sword every now and again!)

DD loved Helen Moss books at that age. No sword fighting, but basically the famous five without the sexism and racism...

Quinque · 08/11/2022 15:38

Thanks for the link @creideamhdóchasgrá , there are several books there that my adventure loving 11 year old dgd will enjoy.
Can I add Ronia the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren to the list of suggestions.

RoseValleyRambles · 08/11/2022 15:28

Apparently now called the enchanted forest chronicles.

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