In honor of Women’s History Month, we're shining a spotlight on the remarkable women of IGN and their favorite female authors. Last year, we shared our top picks in games, movies, and TV; this year, we're delving into the world of literature. The women of IGN were asked about their favorite women authors, and the responses painted a vibrant picture of diverse genres and styles. Let's explore the authors and comic artists they admire as we celebrate both the women of IGN and their cherished female authors!
Her stories beautifully capture the complexities of love, grief, and human imperfection. –Marhyan Franzen
Notable works: Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird
Sharon Creech### Walk Two Moons
Kelly Sue DeConnick has been a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of comics. Her contributions to Marvel, particularly bringing the Captain Marvel title to Carol Danvers, have left a lasting impact, even extending to her consultancy role in the MCU. Beyond the mainstream, her work in indie comics like Pretty Deadly and Bitch Planet showcases her versatility, blending mystical western themes with sci-fi dystopian feminism. Her ongoing project, FML, from Dark Horse Comics, delves into the supernatural. If you haven't experienced her work, you're missing out on an exceptional writer and an inspiring individual. –Chelsea Reed
Notable works: Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman Historia, Pretty Deadly, Bitch Planet, FML
Kelly Sue DeConnick### Captain Marvel
Sarah Rose Etter's novels are a blend of the surreal and the deeply relatable, perfect for those who appreciate unconventional storytelling. With only two novels to her name so far, both have been standout reads. The Book of X explores the life of a woman born into a family of meat farmers, while Ripe delves into the unsettling world of a San Francisco startup. Her unique voice and storytelling promise many more captivating reads in the future. –Leanne Butkovic
Notable works: Ripe, The Book of X
Sarah Rose Etter### Ripe: A Novel
The anticipation for the film adaptation of this feminist medieval tale is high, especially with Charli XCX set to portray Rosa! –Kelly Pham
Notable works: The 100 Nights of Hero
Isabel Greenberg### The One Hundred Nights of Hero
N.K. Jemisin's The Broken Earth Trilogy is a must-read, though her other works are equally compelling. Her storytelling, characters, and innovative magic system in The Broken Earth Trilogy, particularly in The Obelisk Gate, are exceptional. The Fifth Season's unique narrative structure may be challenging at first, but the payoff is well worth it. Follow Essun as she seeks justice and survival in a world on the brink of cataclysm. –Miranda Sanchez
Notable works: The Broken Earth Trilogy (The Fifth Season), The City We Became
N.K Jemisin### The Broken Earth Trilogy: The Fifth Season, The Obelisk Gate, The Stone Sky
T. Kingfisher's prolific output is a delight for fans of adventure and dark fantasy. Her retellings of classic tales and horror stories are both thrilling and thought-provoking. From the gothic horror of "What Moves the Dead" to the romantic fantasy of the Saint of Steel series, her work balances heavy themes with humor and well-crafted characters. –MS
Notable works: Nettle & Bone, What Moves the Dead, Paladin's Grace
T. Kingfisher### What Moves the Dead
Han Kang, the recent Nobel Prize winner for Literature, is a must-read. Her novel The Vegetarian, which explores a housewife's descent into self-starvation, is both mesmerizing and disturbing. Her subsequent works, including Greek Lessons and Human Acts, continue to showcase her genius and fearless storytelling. –LB
Notable works: We Do Not Part, The Vegetarian, Human Acts, Greek Lessons
Han Kang### The Vegetarian
Yume Kitasei's imaginative sci-fi novels are quickly making a name for themselves. Her debut, The Deep Sky, is a gripping murder mystery set in space, while The Stardust Grail offers an adventurous quest for an ancient artifact. Her concise world-building and fast-paced narratives are a refreshing take on the genre. –MS
Notable works: The Deep Sky, Stardust Grail
Yume Kitasei### The Deep Sky
Gail Carson Levine's work is perfect for young readers venturing into fantasy. –MF
Notable works: Ella Enchanted
Gail Carson Levine### Ella Enchanted
Sarah J. Maas is a powerhouse in fantasy romance, known for her intricate world-building and compelling narratives. Her A Court of Thorns and Roses series, set in a magical realm of the Fae, is a standout, as are her Throne of Glass and Crescent City series. Maas's ability to weave romance with epic fantasy is unparalleled. –Jessie Wade
Notable works: A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, Crescent City
Sarah J. Maas### A Court of Thorns and Roses
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's versatility across genres is impressive. From historical romance with a touch of fantasy in The Beautiful Ones to dark vampire tales in Certain Dark Things, her work is consistently captivating. Her focus on dark historical fantasy, often set in Mexico, brings a fresh perspective to the genre. –MS
Notable works: Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow, Silver Nitrate
Silvia Moreno-Garcia### Mexican Gothic
Erin Morgenstern's novels, The Night Circus and The Starless Sea, are enchanting dreamscapes. Her lush prose and immersive storytelling make her books instant favorites. The Night Circus, a historical fantasy romance, is a perfect escape, while The Starless Sea delves into the magic of stories themselves. –MS
Notable works: The Night Circus, The Starless Sea
Erin Morgenstern### The Night Circus
Helen Oyeyemi's novels are a unique blend of fantasy and literary fiction, often inspired by folktales but with a modern twist. Her work, described as a fever dream, challenges the norms of storytelling. From Gingerbread to Mr. Fox, Oyeyemi's voice is truly singular. –LB
Notable works: Parasol Against the Axe, Gingerbread, Boy Snow Bird, Mr. Fox
Helen Oyeyemi### Mr. Fox
Leomi Sadler's Tummy Bugs is a vibrant collection of her work, filled with bright colors and dark humor. –KP
Notable works: Tummy Bugs
Leomi Sadler### Tummy Bugs
For fans of high fantasy, Samantha Shannon's The Roots of Chaos series, starting with The Priory of the Orange Tree, is a must-read. With rich characters, dragons, and a compelling plot, this series is perfect for those seeking a new epic to dive into. –CR
Notable works: The Roots of Chaos series (The Priory of the Orange Tree), The Bone Season series
Samantha Shannon### The Priory of the Orange Tree (The Roots of Chaos)
Gail Simone's contributions to comics, including her groundbreaking work on Uncanny X-Men, showcase her talent for capturing the quieter, yet powerful moments in superheroes' lives. Her work is truly remarkable. –MF
Notable works: Uncanny X-Men. You can pre-order the next release (August 5) on Amazon now.
Gail Simone### (Kindle Only) Uncanny X-Men
Sue Lynn Tan's Celestial Kingdom Duology, starting with Daughter of the Moon Goddess, is a stunning reimagining of Chinese mythology. The series follows Xingyin's quest to free her mother, blending romance and action seamlessly. –MS
Notable works: The Celestial Kingdom Duology (Daughter of the Moon Goddess), Immortal
Sue Lynn Tan### (Book 1 of 3) Daughter of the Moon Goddess
Morgan Vogel's work is both visually striking and emotionally resonant, capturing the essence of feeling lost in the digital age. –KP
Notable works: Nightcore Energy, Valle
Morgan Vogel### Nightcore Energy
Jacqueline Wilson's young adult novels tackle challenging topics like grief, substance abuse, and bullying. Her relatable characters and honest storytelling have earned her numerous awards, including a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. –Meg Koepp
Notable works: "Girls" series, Think Again, The Illustrated Mum
Jacqueline Wilson### The Illustrated Mum
Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series is a gripping adult fantasy romance centered around a war college for dragon riders. The series masterfully balances violence with character development and world-building, weaving romance into the narrative seamlessly. –JW
Notable works: Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
Rebecca Yarros### (3 Book Set) Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm)
1Immerse yourself in this captivating fantasy series with three stunning books: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm, by #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.$91.29 See it at AmazonFor more, also check out Humble Bundle's great deals and specials this month for gamers and readers. Humble is partnering with CARE for Women’s History Month. When you purchase a Humble Choice membership this March, 5% of proceeds will support CARE’s programs.
Celebrate Women's History Month### Humble Heroines Bundle
0Take charge as powerful protagonists including Seelah from Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition, Jesse Faden from Control: Ultimate Edition, and Fury from Darksiders 3!See it at Humble Bundle