Murderous Mommies Mothers in Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books We Love
By: Alyssa Aspiotis
Happy Mother’s Day to all of our favorite murderous mommies we love to read about! Whether it’s mothers out for revenge for their children, mothers murdering anyone in their way, or just mothers being the badass women they are, we love them all! Here are 8 of our favorite murderous mommies in fantasy/sci-fi books to read for Mother’s Day.
Orka — The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
The Shadow of the Gods is a compelling Norse-mythology inspired epic saga that worked its way into my heart. It also has one of my favorite characters ever, Orka. Orka is such a badass, inspiring main character who will do anything for her family, especially her son, Brecca. This book follows Orka as she is on a path for revenge and vengeance to find the people who kidnapped her son. She will do anything and kill anyone to get him back. The love she has for Brecca is unmatched, and you will fall in love with Orka’s journey!
Essun — The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
The Fifth Season is a scifi/fantasy blend that is in a league of its own. This book will grip you from the first page, and will not let you go even when you get to the end! One of the main characters is Essun, a mother of two children who is on a mission to find her husband after he brutally murders her son and kidnaps her daughter. She is out for revenge, but she also must venture through a deadly, dying land to find her husband. This book is a masterpiece, and Essun is such an incredible main character!
Misaki — The Sword of Kaigen by M. L. Wang
The Sword of Kaigen is often pitched as having The Poppy War’s darkness meets Avatar: The Last Airbender’s elemental magic, but it is also a Japanese military story that will stick with you for a long time. One of the main characters is Misaki, a retired warrior who must unsheath her blade again to protect her family and her village, as they are on the brink of war. Misaki is the definition of a badass mother, because she has some of the most EPIC fighting scenes I’ve ever read. This book deserves all the hype and more!
Kaikeyi — Kaikeyi by Vishnavi Patel
Kaikeyi tells the story of one of the women the Hindu epic, The Ramayana, forgot to give a voice to. This book follows Kaikeyi, the forgotten evil queen in the epic, who is determined to leave her mark in a world full of gods and men. What I love about this book is the portrayal of motherhood and how the decisions of a mother are never easy, even if they are not your biological children. Kaikeyi is a powerful stepmother who adores her children immensely, but also wants nothing but the best for the women in her kingdom, even if that means going against the children she loves.
Angroboda — The Witch’s Heart by Genevive Gornichec
The Witch's Heart is a Norse-mythology inspired tale about Angroboda, a banished witch who falls in love with a trickster. She gives birth to three very unusual children that all have secret destinies, and she is determined to keep them safe from prying eyes. But when Angroboda slowly uncovers her prophetic powers and the Gods find out about the children, Angroboda must decide what’s best for her family, and for her future. This book is so underrated and one of my all time favorites! If you love any mythology retellings, like Circe or Kaikeyi, you have to check this one out!
Tunuva — A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
A Day of Fallen Night is the prequel story to Priory of the Orange Tree, but can be read as a standalone as well! One of the main characters in this book is Tunuva, a sister of the Priory who has been trained to slain wyrms, but there has been none for many years, until a pivotal event happens that could change the world. Tunuva is such an interesting character, she is the non-biological mother to Siyu who she will do anything for, but she is also a mother to a child she never knew. I loved the emphasis and the themes of motherhood in this book. Tunuva stole my heart and I will be thinking about her for a long time.
Ambessa — Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolf by C. L. Clark
Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolf is a novel inspired by the TV series, Arcane. This follows the Medarda family, specifically the story of Ambessa Medarda, and her rise to power over her clan and eventually the whole empire. I loved this book because it focuses on the parental relationships between Mel (her daughter) and Ambessa, and how much one is willing to sacrifice for their child, even if it hurts them in the end. Ambessa is a ruthless, bloodthirsty, power-hungry main character, but she will also do ANYTHING to protect the ones that she loves.
Gormflaith — The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is a historical fantasy that features Irish mythology intertwined with real-life history. One of my favorite characters of all time is Gormflaith, whose main objectives are to keep her son alive, to aid him in his endeavors, and to murder anyone that stands in her way. Gormflaith is everything I love to read about in fantasy books, and the emphasis on a mother’s undying love for her son was such a great part of this story. If you want to read about a mother who will go through extraordinary measures for her child, you absolutely need to pick this one up!
Happy Mother’s Day!
These characters in fantasy/sci-fi books offer a glimpse into the mind of mothers who will do anything for their children. These mothers are all so badass, bloodthirsty, ruthless, but they also have a soft spot for their children that will never go away. If you haven’t met these amazing murderous mommies yet, this is your sign to read about them and their experiences this Mother’s Day!