The 11 Best Books with Post-Apocalyptic Heroines
Best Post Apocalyptic Books → The 11 Best Books with Post-Apocalyptic Heroines
We all know the best post-apocalyptic books always have kickass heroines.
We've compiled our favourite strong female leads into a single list. Whether they're fighting for their own survival or changing the world to their image, these badass women are sure to keep you entertained throughout the apocalypse.
So grab your favorite book and settle in for some good old-fashioned post-apocalyptic feminist fun.
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison
In the wake of a deadly pandemic that has wiped out most of the world’s population—and made childbirth a regularly fatal affair—a lone midwife attempts to ply her trade, helping women give birth and keep their babies safe in a world where almost everyone is infertile. But this midwife is guiding more than childbirth: the fate of civilisation is at stake.
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife has many parallels to The Road by Cormac McCarthy, albeit with an obvious (and very welcome) feminist twist to the tale. The book has been praised for its depiction of female characters who are strong and capable, as well as compassionate.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
In post-apocalyptic Chicago, society is divided into five factions: Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will dedicate the rest of their lives.
But when a young girl, Beatrice Prior, takes the aptitude test that is supposed to tell her which faction she belongs in, she scores equal marks in all five categories - something that is supposed to be impossible. She is told that she is Divergent, and a threat to the established order of things. As she tries to figure out what being Divergent means, she becomes involved in a conflict that could destroy her world as she knows it.
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
Move over, post-apocalyptic male leads! In Margaret Atwood's The Year of the Flood, it's the women who take center stage. The novel follows two strong female protagonists as they navigate a world that has been ravaged by disease and environmental disaster. While much of the novel is spent exploring the harsh reality of life in a post-apocalyptic world, Atwood also infuses the story with hope, showing how even in the darkest of times, human connection and compassion can still thrive.
If you're looking for an engrossing post-apocalyptic read with a rich, interwoven plot, prescient commentary on climate change, and complex and relatable female characters, pick up a copy of The Year of the Flood. You won't be disappointed.
Feed by Mira Grant
In Feed, the post-apocalyptic world is full of ravenous zombies... not to mention the fact that the main characters have to deal with the machinations of the government, religious fanatics, and self-serving corporations. The female lead, Georgia, is a skilled zombie killer who is determined to protect her younger brother from the dangers of the world. When they are attacked by a horde of zombies, Georgia must use all her skills to keep her brother safe.
Despite the challenges they face, the women of Feed are determined to make their world a better place. They are brave and resourceful, and they never give up hope; and as a result, the book is full of action, suspense, and dark humor. Georgia is a strong and likable heroine, and the book is sure to please fans of post-apocalyptic fiction.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower is a post-apocalyptic novel with a strong female lead. The story is set in the year 2025, in a world that has been ravaged by climate change, disease, and violence. Lauren Olamina is a young woman who has the ability to "hyper- feel," which means she feels other people's pain as if it were her own. When her family is killed and her home is destroyed, Lauren sets out on a journey to find a new place to live.
Along the way, she attracts a small group of followers who believe in her vision of a better future. But as they travel across the country, they must deal with cannibals, raiders, and other dangers. Despite all the challenges, Lauren never loses hope that she can create a better world. Parable of the Sower is an exciting and thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell
The protagonist of The Reapers Are the Angels, Temple, is a teenager who has grown up in a world where the dead always come back to life as zombies. In order to survive, she has had to learn how to fight and kill.
However, Temple is not your typical post-apocalyptic hero. She is small and delicate-featured, with long black hair that she often wears in braids. Despite her size and appearance, she is an incredibly skilled fighter who is more than capable of taking care of herself. The Reapers Are the Angels is an action-packed novel with plenty of twists and turns. It's an excellent choice for readers who are looking for something different in the post-apocalyptic genre.
Daughters of the North by Sarah Hall
In Sarah Hall's post-apocalyptic novel Daughters of the North, England has succumbed to environmental disaster and economic decline, and for women, the right to give birth has become a privilege granted only by a random lottery.
The book follows the journey of one woman, defiantly known only as "She," as she flees an unwanted marriage and makes her way north, in search of a safe haven. Along the way, she meets other women who are also struggling to survive in this new world. Together, they must contend with dangers both man-made and natural, while trying to maintain their humanity in a landscape that is increasingly brutal. With its strong female leads and gripping story line, Daughters of the North is a novel that will leave you both devastated and inspired.
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Life as We Knew It is the first book in Susan Beth Pfeffer's post-apocalyptic young adult novel series. The novel centers around 16-year-old Miranda, who lives in small-town Pennsylvania with her parents and younger brother. When a massive asteroid hits the moon, it sets off a series of catastrophic events that threaten human civilization. As food and water become scarce, Miranda must find a way to survive in a world that is quickly crumbling around her.
Told through Miranda's diary of their day-to-day life, documenting both the ordinary moments and the extraordinary events that occur over the course of a year, Life as We Knew It is a beautiful, poignant tale that will leave you wondering how you would fare in a post-apocalyptic world.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Station Eleven follows the lives of a group of a wandering troupe of actors who are--through their art and compassion--trying to rebuild civilization in the wake of a global (and deadly) flu pandemic. The story is told through the eyes of various characters, all of whom are connected in some way to a famous actor named Arthur Leander. The novel jumps back and forth in time, from the pre-apocalyptic world to the post-apocalyptic one, showing how different people deal with the same problem in different ways.
The book is an understated, thoughtful look at the end of the world, and one in which strong female leads play a huge role. Station Eleven is an engaging and thought-provoking read that will leave you questioning what is truly important in life.
The Girl with All the Gifts by M R Carey
The Girl with All the Gifts is a post-apocalyptic novel with a twist - the female lead is a little girl. The story is set in a world where a fungal infection has turned most of humanity into zombies, and the few remaining humans are struggling to survive.
The Girl with All the Gifts follows the journey of Melanie, a young girl who is infected with the fungus but still retains her human intelligence. She is kept imprisoned by the military, who hope to use her as a weapon against the zombies. However, Melanie is not content to be a lab rat, and she escapes with the help of a kindly teacher. Together, they must find a way to survive in a world that is filled with danger at every turn. The Girl with All the Gifts is a fast-paced, thrilling novel that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Uglies by Scott Westerfield
People aren't born pretty. They have to be engineered that way. And before they can turn sixteen and receive the surgery that will make them beautiful, they have to go through a year of being ugly, which is junior high all over again but way more intense. So when Tally's best friend Shay secretly runs away rather than go through with the surgery, Tally has to decide what's really important in life--whether to keep up appearances or be her own person.
Uglies is a post-apocalyptic YA novel with a strong female lead who bucks societal norms, and it's sure to appeal to anyone who's ever felt like an outsider. Westerfield expertly tackles issues of identity, beauty, and self-acceptance, making Uglies a necessary read for teens and adults alike.
Whether you’re looking for a post-apocalyptic world with a badass female protagonist or just some good, old-fashioned feminist fiction, these books have you covered. So what are you waiting for? Pick your favourite and start reading!
