It is International Women’s Day and in honor of that I thought of listing 7 of my favorite leading ladies written by some of my favorite female authors across recent SFF! These characters are all different examples of womanhood and inspiring in their own respective ways.
Andrea Stewart
Eleni’s Top Reads of 2024
I’ve decided to do something a little different than my usual top five for this year’s top reads given that, while I may not have totaled an awful lot of books over the past year, the majority were pretty dang great. So, I figured I’d treat you to a longer list and the ensuing cover extravaganza! As always, if I’ve reviewed these here, I’ll link that to the book title so you can have some fun with my longer rambles, if you so wish.
With a solid mix of various subgenres, you will find highly anticipated sequels, standalones, or brand-new series openers that hold onto you from beginning till the end.
Review: The Gods Below (The Hollow Covenant #1) by Andrea Stewart
The Gods Below is a grand start to a series which promises even more twists, intrigues, feels, romance, political machinations, and magic! Nailing the psychology of different kinds of trauma, cultish manipulation, the weight of familial expectations, and the forced shouldering of responsibilities that you are ill prepared for or didn’t deserve, Stewart presents readers with a story full of heart and drive and stubbornness.
TBRCon2024 Highlight: Writing Non-Human Characters (with Travis Baldree, Andrea Stewart & More)
Every Friday, we’re highlighting a panel from the TBRCon2024 all-virtual SF/F/H convention, looking back on the incredible variety of discussions that we had the honor of hosting.
This week, join moderator/author Dani Finn and authors Travis Baldree, Andrea Stewart, Michael R. Miller, J. Zachary Pike and N. C. Scrimgeour for a TBRCon2024 panel on “Writing Non-Human Characters.”
TBRCon2023 Highlight: Querying, Agents & Traditional Publishing (Panel)
Every week, we are highlighting a panel from TBRCon2023, looking back on the amazing variety of panels that we had the honor of hosting.
This week, join moderator/author Andrea Stewart and authors Kevin Hearne, Rebecca Roanhorse, Sebastien de Castell, Alexander Darwin and Moses Ose Utomi for a TBRCon2023 author panel on “Querying, Agents & Traditional Publishing.”
SFF Addicts Ep. 50: Animal Companions with Andrea Stewart (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Animal Companions with fantasy author Andrea Stewart. During the episode, Andrea explores the furry foundations of animal companions, including why they’re so well suited for SFF, using real animals vs. creating new creatures, what animal companions can bring to a story and its characters, writing from the POV of animals, anthropomorphism, empathy and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 49: Andrea Stewart talks The Bone Shard War, Querying, Parenthood & More
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with fantasy author Andrea Stewart about her new book The Bone Shard War, wrapping up The Drowning Empire series, finding a balance between writing and family, struggling in the querying trenches, her new series The Gods Below, why she loves trilogies, the validation of getting an agent, giant ground sloths and much more.
TBRCon2023 Highlight: How to Write a Kick-Ass Battle (Panel)
Every week, we are highlighting a panel from TBRCon2023, looking back on the amazing variety of panels that we had the honor of hosting.
This week, join moderator/author Evan Winter and authors Andrea Stewart, RJ Barker, Christian “Miles” Cameron, Anna Smith Spark and Nick Martell for a TBRCon2023 author panel on “How to Write a Kick-Ass Battle.”
SFF Addicts Ep. 31: Nautical Fantasy (with Andrea Stewart, RJ Barker & Joshua Phillip Johnson)
Join host Adrian M. Gibson and authors Andrea Stewart, RJ Barker and Joshua Phillip Johnson as they sail the high seas of nautical fantasy. During the panel they discuss why the ocean is so captivating (and terrifying), why it blends well with fantasy stories, nautical worldbuilding, character development, maritime battles, magic systems, deep sea creatures and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 24:One-Year Anniversary Extravaganza!
Join host Adrian M. Gibson for a special SFF Addicts one-year anniversary extravaganza (streamed live on YouTube), where he reminisces on the past year of podcasting, chats with friends and catches up with past guest authors like Kevin Hearne, Delilah S. Dawson, Anthony Ryan, K.S. Villoso, Andrea Stewart, Dyrk Ashton, Michael R. Fletcher, Krystle Matar, Ryan Cahill, Matt Kressel and more. Plus, three LIVE READINGS, from authors Connor M. Caplan, Tori Gross and Adrian M. Gibson himself.
SFF Addicts Ep. 17: Writing Sequels (with Gareth L. Powell, Andrea Stewart, Dan Fitzgerald & E. G. Radcliff)
Join host Adrian M. Gibson and authors Gareth L. Powell, Andrea Stewart, Dan Fitzgerald and E. G. Radcliff as they crack open the mysteries of writing sequels. During the panel they discuss what sequels can offer a story and its characters, what goes into planning a series, misconceptions about the dreaded “sophomore slump,” series-related pitfalls, transitioning from one series to another and much more.
Review: The Bone Shard Emperor (The Drowning Empire #2) by Andrea Stewart
hooked. The vibrant world, imagining an empire of seasonal, migrating islands, and the relatable cast of characters had me fully invested to the end. But it was the richness of her prose and worldbuilding, and the gut-punch weight of the book’s many twists that left me aching for more.
Thankfully, Stewart’s sophomore effort and the sequel to The Bone Shard Daughter does not disappoint. In fact, The Bone Shard Emperor swiftly ups the ante, dealing with the fallout of its predecessor and building political and emotional pressure in captivating ways. With morally grey characters (in a morally grey world) that I can truly root for and a world with a deep, mysterious history I want to know more about, The Drowning Empire series just keeps getting better.