Silmaril Awards 2020 Voting – Top 5 Heroines

Whew, I don’t think I’ve ever seen more heroines in one place! You guys really went all out in your nominations last week. Thanks to you, I am currently housing exactly 148 epic women of all ages at my place. Yes, you read that right. ONE HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHT.

It’s inspiring. It’s intimidating. (I think I need to take up swordplay or dragonriding and go save the world once or twice if I want to fit in here.)

And it’s also… crowded.

Between the various assassins and warrioresses practicing all manner of swordplay and archery in the backyard, a baker or two overtaking my kitchen, the more bookishly inclined heroines raiding my shelves for reading material, and the storytellers keeping all of us awake far past midnight with their tales… it’s been a long and eventful week! And that’s not even covering the lightning storm a particular siren called in last night, or the various (and sometimes disastrous) spells some of our magical friends have been conjuring.

Needless to say, it was a tough race between all 148 heroines to see who would emerge as the top five. But after muttering to myself for the better part of an afternoon as I tallied up all the nominations, I present to you…

This year’s TOP FIVE EPIC HEROINES!

Lady Cordelia Beaumont

Afterverse books by Kyle Robert Schultz

Lady Cordelia Beaumont, daughter of English nobility, is a petite young woman with a practical nature. One might almost mistake her for a youthful Mary Poppins at first glance, until, that is, she demonstrates her remarkable skill in spellcasting. This skill certainly comes in handy when she and her friends go up against dastardly villains—like her own father.

Moderately eccentric and slightly snarky, Cordelia has also been known to throw dinner rolls at offending hats. And draw diagrams with chalk.

“Look, Mr. Beasley, there are some things you don’t know. Quite a few, in fact.”

The Beast of Talesend, Kyle Robert Schultz

Leeli Wingfeather

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

As the youngest Wingfeather sibling, Leeli keeps up with her two older brothers just fine, despite a disability that requires walking with a crutch. She’s musically talented, and her skill with the whistleharp turns out to be surprisingly helpful on her adventures. Fond of dogs, she’s often seen with little Nugget, a small black pup—and later she gathers a whole slew of hounds.

Sweet and innocent yet wise beyond her years, Leeli won’t hesitate to speak up for others or stand up to foes far, far larger than herself.

If she couldn’t go with her brothers into the heart of darkness, she would defend the Hollows. She would play. Her song was all she had, and she would send it skyward as long as she had breath to do so.

The Warden and the Wolf King, Andrew Peterson

Dame Imraldera

Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Once the cursed and enslaved Maid Starflower, Imraldera’s story is fraught with bravery in the face of brokenness. Though she may be silenced by her people, she uses the strongest voice she has—the voice of love and mercy—in a mighty way.

Nowadays, we know her better as Dame Imraldera, a Lady of the Haven. There she keeps such a vast library of histories and prophecies that it has become legendary. She has a way of weaving in and out of others’ tales, particularly that of a beloved bard named Eanrin.

“I am called Imraldera… and I am not silent.”

Moonblood, Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Hermione Granger

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

A Muggle-born student sorted into House Gryffindor, Hermione is known for… well, knowing it all. Studious and informed and maybe just a tad too eager to prove her repertoire of knowledge, Hermione is nevertheless one of the first to go to bat for her friends. Even if it means breaking a few rules along the way.

She’s headstrong, frizzy-haired, and resourceful. When she gets on board with a cause, there’s no stopping this passionate firebrand.

“Are you sure that’s a real spell? Well, it’s not very good, is it? I’ve tried a few simple spells just for practice and it’s all worked for me. I’ve learned all our course books by heart, of course.”

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone // J.K. Rowling

Sophie Hatter

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

The eldest of three sisters living in the kingdom of Ingary, Sophie is a talented hat-maker. When she’s cursed into becoming an old woman, she bravely seeks out the infamous Wizard Howl to change her back. Though of course, we all know that anything concerning Howl will entail many misadventures.

Sophie is dutiful, kind, and considerate—but she’s also stubborn and knows how to stand up for herself. It takes someone with Sophie’s backbone to put Howl into place, after all.

“You can’t be fussy when you’re off to seek your fortune.”

Howl’s Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones

And now, my friends, I shall leave this exceedingly difficult choice in your hands. Who do YOU say is the most epic heroine of them all?

Cast your votes in the voting form below! But before you do, you just might want to make the rounds and read more about the contestants in the other nine categories. (Keep in mind that you only have to visit the voting form ONCE, though. It’s just nice to know who all the characters are so you don’t jump in half-blind. And besides, I have a feeling you’ll want to read all these amazing posts!)

• Most Epic Hero // Zachary Totah
• Most Epic Heroine // You are here!
• Wisest Counselor // DJ Edwardson
• Most Faithful Friend // Jenelle Schmidt
• Most Silver Tongue // Kyle Robert Schultz
• Most Mischievous Imp // Christine Smith
• Strangest Character // Madeline J. Rose
• Least Competent Henchman // E.E. Rawls
• Most Nefarious Villain // Kenzie Keene
• Most Magnificent Dragon // Sarah Pennington

Good luck to all contestants! May the worthiest characters win!

VOTING IS CLOSED

Now tell me… which heroine do you hope takes away the silmaril this year?