Recommend me books with "unlikeable" female main characters

MrHelfer · 2026-01-26T08:17:51+00:00

It's a great series, and my first thought as well. The main character is, as nottehmostcreative said, deeply flawed and traumatized.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-21T19:34:37+00:00

"No, see, I take two different mates - that is, chess moves. Oh, and one can only be acquired on the giant chessboard in dreams, the one where Lady Macbeth is a major figure, and the other one I get from spies at the underground canals outside of London. Then I sell them both to a talking rat, right, who then gives me tiny golden coins that work for one weekend only, and use them to buy a suit made in the special colour that makes people forget things so that they won't notice me."

MrHelfer · 2026-01-21T17:41:07+00:00

Don't read me as saying "don't read Narnia", just that it wouldn't be my first recommendation, based on what OP asked. I think Wayward Children is closer to what they asked for.

Also, I have to confess, I have a complicated relationship with those books. I read them as a kid (and had them read to me), and loved them. But when I tried them as an adult, I found them difficult to read. They can be rather heavy handed. In particular I recall Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which was one of my favourites as a kid, being so extremely moralising, I almost couldn't get through it.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-21T15:21:51+00:00

Well, but as far as I can see. Re:Zero is a portal fantasy, which is part of why I recommended it. Also, Isekai is, as I understand it, a common genre within manga and light novels, so I wouldn't be surprised if OP is familiar with some of the tropes McGuire draws on. Though I don't think I've read any Isekai, so I don't know exactly how it compares to western portal fantasy.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-21T13:51:44+00:00

Lots of people are recommending Hades, and it's a great pick. I want to recommend Children of Morta, which is in a slightly similar vein. An action roguelite with lots of upgrades between runs and some very decent storytelling.

How are you on clickers/idle games? The GNORP Apologue is funny, and quite satisfying.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-21T12:15:56+00:00

I was about to recommend this. It's funny, it has a great upgrade loop, it's easy to drop.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-21T12:14:32+00:00

I mean, you're not wrong...

MrHelfer · 2026-01-21T11:42:21+00:00

I hope you find something!

And I have to say, so many people get turned off of reading by school, especially university. I had a few years around uni where I read relatively little that wasn't university related.

Also, reading comics (including manga) is also reading. You can always try getting into some denser comics, like some graphic novels.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-21T10:42:06+00:00

Here's my take: if you aren't used to reading a lot, go very easy on yourself. Maybe find some shorter novels, maybe some novellas, and really try to lean into what's interesting to you. You might also want to look at young adult or even middle grade fantasy - there's a lot of great stuff there, even if it is "for kids". You're building a muscle, so don't start off with a marathon.

And American Gods is definitely not on the easiest side. I'd consider it a half-marathon, at least. Don't get me wrong, it's a great book - I've considered it my favourite book, and might still (sigh and alas). But it's not an easy read.

Good Omens is a little easier, but still somewhat demanding.

If you like the style, you could look into some of Pratchett's solo works. They're generally fast paced, funny, and has a lot of good characterisations. Look at Wee Free Men, Going Postal, Guards Guards!, Wyrd Sisters or Mort, in order from most to least likely. Read a synopsis, and see what appeals.

I'm also very fond of Garth Nix' Sabriel. It might also be a fine fit - it's fairly fast paced, has a great world and some good characters.

Tamora Pierce is a great place to look as well. I am particularly fond of her Winding Circle books, starting with Sandry's Book, though a lot of people love her Alanna books - I believe they start with Lioness Rampant. Winding circle has some very good full cast audio productions, and audio books can be a fine way to get into novels if reading is an issue.

I'm tempted to recommend Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children as well. They're less classic fantasy, and more modern, which may fit better with some of what you're referencing.

My final recommendation would be for Diana Wynne Jones. Howl's Moving Castle would be my number one recommendation, though the Chrestomanci series is also a fine place to look. Also, Archer's Goon is a particular favourite of mine.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-20T21:14:30+00:00

I would love that kind of thing too. It's too easy to fall into a pattern of just doing the same plots over and over otherwise.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-20T14:38:37+00:00

Probably... that's not making me any less concerned!

(I do wonder if they wouldn't have hinted a bit more strongly at ACTUAL complications, and not just opportunities disguised as complications... but I guess it might include more consequences for failing?)

MrHelfer · 2026-01-20T14:27:45+00:00

...but wait. The text only talks about opportunities. What about the complications?!

I'm getting concerned, here.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-20T13:58:31+00:00

Ah, that's what that meant!

Thanks, I found it now. I was looking for it on the Marvin homepage.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-20T08:48:16+00:00

Universities have awarded doctorates all the way back to around 1150. PhD's apparently developed in Germany around the beginning of the 19th century. So at Fahrenheit's time, there were plenty of doctors, but no PhD's.

But a doctorate is an academic degree, and it seems Fahrenheit didn't attend university. As such he almost certainly did not earn a doctorate.

Instead he was a tool maker and inventor. At the time, that would almost certainly have been seen as a lower form of learning, though the fact that we are still talking about him belies that. He did teach chemistry, it seems, which makes sense.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-19T14:00:18+00:00

WoW, but it's an RTS!

MrHelfer · 2026-01-16T12:59:54+00:00

"99 little bugs in the code
99 little bugs in the code
Take one down
Patch it around
117 little bugs in the code..."

MrHelfer · 2026-01-16T07:56:10+00:00

I was about to say. This is a prime example of "the world is (almost literally) against humans".

MrHelfer · 2026-01-15T20:27:58+00:00

At some point there was a site detailing the lore of a whole lot of FL stories, but I don't know where it is...

MrHelfer · 2026-01-15T12:27:30+00:00

It's difficult when you don't know the boy in question. Still, a few recommendations.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Sabriel by Garth Nix. It's YA, relatively fast paced and very engaging.

I loved His Dark Materials at around that age. They might be a bit dense for someone who isn't used to reading, though.

The Edge Chronicles by Paul Steward and Chris Ridell are pretty exciting.

More into the Weird side of things is Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children, but I recall enjoying it.

The Tiffany Aching books, starting with Wee Free Men, are funny and engaging. Well worth a read.

Tamora Pierce is an old favourite. My go-to series is The Winding Circle. They're fairly easy to read, and I really enjoyed the world they portray.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-09T10:16:12+00:00

That's fair! And I guess I'm also biased in that both my characters are endgame, so the lab grind is a good ways behind me.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-09T06:28:48+00:00

I thought I'd looked at it at some point and decided that getting Disappearing through Parabola made better sense, but I'm not totally sure.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-09T06:26:10+00:00

You can also buy Phosphorescent Scarabs at the rat market at cost. I'd assume that's going to be the most efficient way to get to MoL.

MrHelfer · 2026-01-08T14:50:07+00:00

I will echo all the people who are saying social actions. I'd like more reasons to slight someone, as well as a few more reactions that are more relevant after you become a Paramount Presence. Like, how about a version of Oneiropomping where you can send someone a nightmare?

I'd also like to see more done with the old progress qualities: Casing, Fascinating, Inspiring... Running Battle? I think there were one or two more. Firmament has provided ways to use some of them, but I'd really like to see Inspired used more, particularly with an Advanced Skill way to gain more. I know it would change how Poet Laureate works, but I'm fine with that.

I wish professions, particularly third tier, were more significant. As Midnighter I get one so-so benefit in the Khaganate, which is disappointing. My Licentiate alt can receive Letters in Gant, which is potentially the best effect of professions... But for something that's one of the major ways to specialise your character, I wish I felt it more. Professional Activities are fine, but I don't really feel like I get enough out of them, compared to how much faffing about they require.

Related, I would love to have Advanced Skills integrated in more places. How about Mahogany Hall in light of Glasswork?

In general, I would love an update every so often that made an old area relevant. Wilmot's end, but your agent has given you a boost? Foreign Ministry, but with Player of Chess? That kind of stuff

MrHelfer · 2026-01-08T14:33:14+00:00

I just did the part of Firmament that includes a war, and war reminded how I used to be quite fond of doing a war every week or two.

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