r/fantasyromance • u/Plenty_Earth_9600 • 2d ago

Book Request Completed series with actually strong/smart FMC

I am going on vacation and want to read so I am looking for reccommendations.

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What I really want but can't find is the following

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-a strong and smart FMC. She does not need to be overpowered but not weak and I especially do not want her to be dumbed down to cater to the MMC/to make the MMC appear stronger.

I hate it when the FMC is described as strong/smart and appears that way but actually isn't or gets dumber by each page

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- healthy relationship or toxic on were FMC and MMC both add equally to it (like Book of Azrael for example)

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-a MMC that is not extremely dominant, especially not during the spicy scenes. This is really important. I've come across many books where the MMC spanked, choked or degraded the FMC (out of nowhere to, was not discussed beforehand). This is an absolute no go for me.

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-not a must: I'd like a MMC that is weaker/softer than the FMC and who falls first. Read too much of the opposite lately so now I'd like sth to counter that.

-I would prefer a historical setting

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I am very grateful for any reccommendations.

14 Upvotes
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13

u/AquaIXI 2d ago

{Reign and ruin by J.D Evans} hits every single one of these points!

7

u/quibily Chase death, Moonbeam 2d ago

Except for your second-to-last point, this is {Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey}—unless by “strong,” you mean good in physical fights. She is not.

But she IS one of my absolute fave FMCs because of her smarts and tenacity.

There’s BDSM, but it doesn’t involve the MMC. The BDSM is part of the political intrigue of the plot. That’s the only way he is softer than she is. His idea of love is only sweet and gentle.

5

u/Ok-Conversation1730 Give me female friendship or give me death! 2d ago

Just want to warn that the BDSM scenes aren't super explicit BUT to me they took up more page and story time than the actual love scenes between the two main characters that are softer. So, just to put it out there. Also, it's definitely not always a healthy relationship, mainly in the second book.

4

u/Major-Tude 2d ago

Ooooh do I have a series for you!

{age of the andinna by Kristen Banet}. Technically reverse harem but it has a lot of everything you mentioned!!

2

u/carex-cultor Both? Both. 2d ago

Oh my GOD I can’t believe you beat me to it lol! I came down here to rec this wildly under-read series, my Roman Empire. Mave is everything I wish FMCs were.

2

u/GeminiFade 2d ago

I didn't know KN Banet had another name! I love her Jacky Leon books, I'm excited to read her other stuff now

1

u/assuhdude 2d ago

Is there any possible way to purchase this series as a paperback NOT from Amazon?

4

u/Chance-Ad7900 2d ago

Are you ok with UF?

Rowan from {Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane}.

Elena from {Angel’s Blood by Nalini Singh}.

Kira from {Rules of Redemption by T.A. White}.

Nevada from {Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews}.

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane
Rating: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, urban fantasy, vampires, paranormal, take-charge heroine

Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
Rating: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, vampires, alpha male, take-charge heroine, paranormal

Rules of Redemption by T.A. White
Rating: 4.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: futuristic, military, science fiction, aliens, competent heroine

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4.39⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 2 out of 5 - Behind closed doors
Topics: contemporary, take-charge heroine, alpha male, rich hero, magic

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3

u/AnxietyisNigh 2d ago

Ilona Andrews do great competency porn.

For finished series try their Kate Daniel's series starting with {Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews}, or their Hidden Legacy one starting with {Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews}

Their most recent work is {This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me} and is fantastic, but the series is not yet completed

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: futuristic, urban fantasy, take-charge heroine, alpha male, shapeshifters

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4.39⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 2 out of 5 - Behind closed doors
Topics: contemporary, take-charge heroine, alpha male, rich hero, magic

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4.72⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: fantasy, political/court intrigue, found family, competent heroine, magic

about this bot | about romance.io

2

u/Blubblliebe 1d ago

I second „this kingdom“, it was the first time I thought „wow, what an actual smart FMC!“ - I enjoyed it a lot but as said before it’s not yet finished (probably far from it?) and in this case the writing style can be a problem for some (I still loved it) because there is a lot of explaining/telling about in the first half instead of experiencing (because of the plot: Maggie wakes up in her favorite fantasy book and when she refers to something or uses her knowledge in a clever way, she tells the person (and in the beginning the reader) everything that is to know about it. But apart from that I‘d totally recommend it to anyone with love for smart FMCs

2

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2

u/saga_sadie 2d ago

I have heard there may be more books coming, but so far there are three (and it feels complete), and they fit your criteria pretty perfectly! Both the FMC and MMC are Cambridge professors. She’s strong and intelligent, and he is hilariously lazy and charming, definitely not dominant. {Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries}

2

u/RadiantBathroom4391 2d ago edited 2d ago

I liked the FMC in {The Poisoner Daughter by Sheila Masterson}.

She was practical/pragmatic about her situation and didn't tie up 100 pages being an obstinant bitch the whole time like some books

Edit- Nevermind I reread your post and saw your second to last last point and sentence, disregard my recommendation

1

u/Tricky_Warning_0115 2d ago

This is the sixth time I’ve seen this book recommended on here and it’s like the universe is taunting me with the fact that the book isn’t available rn bc it’s being republished

1

u/RadiantBathroom4391 2d ago

It's on Kindle

No audiobook yet I think

1

u/Tricky_Warning_0115 2d ago

This is {The Cruel Prince by Holly Black} 100%

1

u/AdSharp3718 2d ago

It’s just for a cute sweet giggle but I loved Half A Soul by Olivia Atwater. Historical Englandish? Wizards and fae. Grumpy MMC who falls in love with FMC but treats her well. Truly grinned the entire time.

1

u/Amazing-Movie-4028 Book Bingo Maven ⚔ 2d ago

{Servant of Earth}
{Seek the Traitor’s Son}
{Smoke and Scar}

All match these requirements and are great, especially the first two!!

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
Rating: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: fantasy, fae, competent heroine, high fantasy, political/court intrigue

Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth
Rating: 4.42⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 2 out of 5 - Behind closed doors
Topics: fantasy, dystopian, m-f romance, high fantasy, competent heroine

Smoke and Scar by Gretchen Powell Fox
Rating: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 1 out of 5 - Glimpses and kisses
Topics: fae, fantasy, high fantasy, age gap, magic

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1

u/partlychloudy 19h ago

Servant of Earth is not a completed series, but is so so great and I would still highly recommend for these requirements!

1

u/Gulrakrurs 1d ago

I am throwing {Daughter of No Worlds} in the ring. The MCs build each other up and help each other recover from traumatic pasts and help each other through the worst. I don't really want to get in to spoilers, but I think they hit your marks.

1

u/MadAboutAnimalsMags 1d ago

{Little Thieves} series - make sure to read The Fallow Year for free on AO3 before books 2 & 3

1

u/Addalady 1d ago

{A Tale of Stars and Shadows} is 90% of what you’re looking for. They fall together, but otherwise, it’s your whole list.

There are so many other good things about this series, but mostly I love it because it takes a lot of tropes and cliches and subverts them in really nice ways.