I couldn’t resist the Braveheart homage in the title. So sorry to hit you with bad puns on a holiday Friday. I’ll make it up to you with a fun mix of books which promote rebellion against tyranny, murderous mutiny, and much use of uprising to promote the plot. Enjoy!
July 5th favorites is: Books about rebellion/freedom
1. Redwall & Mossflower, Brian Jacques
Think ‘Game of Thrones’, but with cute animals like mice, rabbits, moles, squirrels, shrews, and badgers. It sounds crazy, but these are fantastic Middle Grade/YA reads stuffed full of quests, feasting, fighting, revenge, true love, miracles and heroic battles. I thought I would be more mature than to cry over fictional rabbit heroes and yet. Here I am.
2. The Hunger Games Trilogy, Suzanne Collins
First of all, fuck President Snow. Second, I’m still salty about Finnick. You deserved better, Finnick.
3. The Trickster’s Duet, Tamora Pierce
Where do I even start with this glorious ode to female power? From spymasters and mages, to sassy cooks and badass warriors, and on to a literal prophesied Queen, ladies rule this universe and their oppressors learn to move out the way or get trampled.
4. The Sword of Shannara series, Terry Brooks
Okay so most of the rebelling happens in later books against a truly evil government. To be strictly honest, The Sword of Shannara is a Tolkien love letter with massive battles and worldbuilding. STILL. Classic fantasy at its best and there is healthy dose of defending freedom to be found in Terry Brooks’ fantasy world. Let me tell you, it is damn satisfying when the hero can whip out a glowing sword to prove some bureaucrats wrong.
5. Prince Caspian, CS Lewis
The traditional tropes are done so well here. Murdery uncles who usurp the kingdom from their young nephew, the True Heir coming back to take his own, traitors and spies, a little magical help, dramatic single combat, it’s all in here and I love every minute of it.