19 (Most) Powerful Game of Thrones Women who Totally Slay It

I started this post with the idea of writing ‘the most powerful literary female characters’. But then there are so many literary heroines that I adore and admire and it is a Herculean task to choose just a few. Take for example the Harry Potter series, where all the female characters are strong and wilful – from Hermione Granger, Professor McGonagall, Luna Lovegood, Tonks, to the villains Bellatrix or Professor Umbridge, you cannot not say they play an important role in the series. So, you see, it was becoming really difficult. That is when I decided to pick one of my absolute favorite book series – the Game of Thrones.

Here are 19 Badass Female Characters from A Game of Thrones

19. Ros

One of the most beautiful prostitutes of a brothel in Winterfell, she found her way to King’s Landing. Intelligent and loyal, she went out of her way when beaten brutally on Cercei’s command after being mistaken to be Shae, Tyrion Lannister’s lover. She confided in Varys of all plans and plots of LittleFinger, exposing him.

18. Osha

A skilful wildling, Osha became loyal to Houe Stark and guardian to Bran and Rickon Stark. She kept them safe during their long journey beyond the wall. Her smartness and snappy remarks makes her all the more memorable.

17. Shae

The prostitute who found her way to becoming Sansa’s handmaiden, Shae always kept her head held high. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself and did what she did for her survival. Hell hath no fury like a woman who is scorned is apt to describe Shae.

16. Talisa Stark

A noblewoman, Talisa became a healer, a nurse after witnessing her brother being revived from nearly drowned to death. She decided to put her skills to save lives than dance and play pretty. She meets Robb Stark and gets married eventually playing a big part and blame for the Red Wedding. Talisa is not really mentioned in the books.

15. Melisandre

“Have you ever slaughtered a lamb?” – Melisandre

The Red Priestess is an enigma to all. You loathe her for the things she does to fulfill the prophecies – giving birth to a monstrous shadowy figure to slay her opponents, using leeches to suck the blood out of a bastard, burning men and bringing dead men back to life. This scary sorceror stands by her belief in her Lord of Light, come what may.

14. Yara Greyjoy

“We’d like you to help us murder an uncle or two, who don’t think a woman’s fit to rule.” – Yara Greyjoy

The proud Ironborn, Yara Greyjoy is a warrior. She loves her little brother Theon Greyjoy and risks her life to save him from Ramsay Bolton’s prison. She has pledged her loyalty to Danaerys in return for Iron Islands.

13. Lady Olenna

“Tell Cersei it was me. I want her to know it was me.” – Lady Olenna

When I think of her, I think about that badass woman who had the last laugh even when death was smiling down at her. She did all the unspeakable things only to keep her House safe. She would do anything to keep her grand daughter Queen Margaery from being miserable. An excellent advisor, she followed her heart and never gave two Fs about anyone- be it Cercei or even Danaerys.

12. Margaery Tyrell

“I want to be the queen.” – Margaery Tyrell

She is what they say looks can deceive. The kind, graceful, beautiful, religious queen is no fool and is a master of manipulation. Married to King Renly Baratheon, then to King Joffrey Baratheon and then to King Tommen Baratheon, she found her way to become the ultimate Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, with the help of her grandmother Lady Olenna. Incredibly clever, she is stark opposite to Cersei Lannister but is equally cunning until her very end.

11. Ellaria Sand

“It’s always changing, who we’re supposed to love and who we’re not. The only thing that stays the same is that we want who we want.” – Ellaria Sand

The beloved paramour of Prince Oberyn of House Dorne, Ellaria Sand is the mother of Sand daughters. The ruthless, revenge-seeking woman who is ready to murder innocent bystanders to settle a blood feud.

10. Missandei

A former slave girl from the island of Naath, Missandei was saved by Danearys Targarean. Incredibly smart, she knows nineteen languages and is now Danearys’ most trusted advisor and played a huge role in her rise to power. She helped her achieve the liberation of Slaver’s Bay. Missandei showed the world that it is okay to love a man even if he isn’t a complete package (you know what I mean!).

09. Catelyn Stark

“Show them how it feels to lose what they love.” – Catelyn Stark

Widow to Lord Eddard Stark and mother to Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Robb Stark, when you think of Catelyn Stark you think of her devotion to her family and her fierceness. She couldn’t mother Jon Snow, her husband’s supposed bastard son but still prayed for his well-being when was deathly sick. She was a great advisor to her husband and then her son. She knew politics and war tactics. Her character is still alive in the books and I can’t wait for George R.R. Martin to pen down and complete the book series.

08. Princess Shireen

The little girl with a tender soul who believed knowledge is everything. After being loathed and abandaned by her mother, she took refuge in reading books and later helped the Onion Knight and Gilly read.

07. Brienne of Tarth

“All my life men like you’ve sneered at me, and all my life I’ve been knocking men like you into the dust.” —Brienne of Tarth

The tall, manly woman is a woman fighter. Noble, skilled and dedicated, Brienne doesn’t like to be known as a Lady but use her skills to watch over Catelyn Starks daughters – Arya and Sansa Stark. She is fearless and it brings joy to watch her fight. With every swing of her sword, The Oathkeeper, she breaks gender stereotypes.

06. Ygritte

“Why would a girl see blood and collapse? … Girls see more blood than boys! —Ygritte

A wildling aka free folk, she showed Jon what it was to live life on one’s own terms. A member of Mance Rayder’s army – the King beyond the Wall, Ygritte was a fierce warrior. Hers and Jon’s was a forbidden love and she was torn between her loyalty towards her people and Jon. Her snarky remarks “You know nothing, Jon Snow’ and wits make her endearing all the more.

05. Lyanna Mormont

“I might be small, Lord Glover, and I might be a girl. But I am every bit as much a Northerner as you. I won’t be knitting by the fire while I have men fight for me. And I don’t need your permission to defend the North.” ” —Lyanna Mormont

All good things come in small packages. Named after Lyanna Stark, this Lady of the Bear Island is one of the proudest, adorable and intelligent characters of the series. There wasn’t a time when I couldn’t stop smiling at her fierceness even though she has an innocent face. I wish all little girls were like her. Is that too much to ask?

04. Cersei Lannister

“I am a lioness. I will not cringe for them.” – Cersei Lannister

Power hungry and ruthless, Queen Cersei Lannister is a fierce mother. She is a shrewd politician and a vengeful queen. Though hateful and cold-hearted, by the end of the day, she is a strong, badass woman who is not afraid to play any card. Her determination and loyalty to her family are what one would truly admire.

03. Sansa Stark

“I am Sansa Stark of Winterfell. This is my home. And you can’t frighten me.” – Sansa Stark

When I began Game of Thrones (both reading and watching), I loathed Sansa Stark. The little brat, whiny, ‘Joffrey is my King’ romantic, Arya’s annoying elder sister, Sansa wasn’t my favorite Stark. At all. But things changed and her life turned upside down. From being forced to marry the Imp, to being accused of murdering King Joffrey, to being married to and abused by Lord Ramsay Bolton, to having LittleFinger by her side always – from being the naive little girl who dreamt of gowns and princes, to being the most powerful, tactful leader – Lady of the North, Sansa Stark is a true survivor.

02. Daenerys Targarean

“All men must die, but we are not men.”
“I will take what is mine with fire and blood.” —Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys Targarean – The First of Her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, Mhysa, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons!

From a young girl all of thirteen, being sold to marriage to the Savage King – Khal Drogo by her brother, she has emerged to be a fearless leader. One of the prime contenders of the Iron Throne, it is a treat to watch her order her Dragons to slay her opponents – Dracarys! She is unfazed by strong men and her courage and goodness of heart have earned her respect and a huge army to boast of. There is a reason why she is a symbol of women empowerment.

01. Arya Stark

“Leave one wolf alive and the sheep are never safe. When people ask you what happened here, tell them the North remembers. Tell them winter came for House Frey.” – Arya Stark

It was ridiculously difficult to pick my top favorite because all the top five are close to my heart. However, this small yet strong girl is the one I root for with all my heart. Always preferring swords and bows and arrows over dresses and being lady-like, Arya Stark is a badass. With a list of men to kill, she has almost crossed them all of with the use of her little sword – the one gifted by one of her favorite person in the world, Jon Snow and the sword rightly named Needle. She is a merciless assassin who is fiercely loyal to her loved ones and she is the Wolf that the Starks truly represent. Why fit in when you can stand out!

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My theme for the A to Z Challenge this year is ‘Celebrating the Bibliophile in me’, where I would share the books, authors and fictional characters that I love, loathe and tolerate.
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