Who are the most memorable female leads in fantasy novels?

Lyra from 'His Dark Materials' is very memorable. She is a young girl who discovers a world full of secrets and has to make tough choices. Her journey from a somewhat naive child to a more aware and powerful individual is engaging. Another memorable one is Katniss from 'The Hunger Games'. Her survival skills and her will to fight against the oppressive regime make her stand out.

Archer from 'The Age of Innocence' is also a memorable male lead. He is caught between the strict social norms of his society and his love for Ellen. His struggle to reconcile his desires with what is expected of him makes him a fascinating character in the context of a romantic lead.

Mia Corvere from 'Nevernight' and 'Godsgrave' is a very memorable assassin character. She is trained in a school of assassins and has a strong will to avenge her family. Also, Azoth from 'The Way of Shadows' is a character that starts from a very low place and through his training becomes a feared assassin. These characters are often defined by their skills, their moral compasses (which can be quite gray in the assassin world), and their relationships with other characters in the story.

In 'The Lord of the Rings', Sauron is extremely memorable. His all - encompassing evil and the power he wields over Middle - earth make him stand out. Another is Voldemort from the 'Harry Potter' series. His snake - like appearance and his quest for pure - blood wizard supremacy are iconic. And in 'The Wheel of Time', Ishamael is a very memorable bad guy with his complex motives and long - standing battle against the forces of good.

Well, in Dickens' fantasy novels, there are quite a few memorable characters. For example, Tiny Tim from 'A Christmas Carol'. His small and frail figure, yet his big heart and positive attitude towards life, are very endearing. Then there is the Artful Dodger in 'Oliver Twist'. His cheeky and street - smart personality makes him stand out. And in some of Dickens' other fantasy works, the kind - hearted but often downtrodden characters like the Cratchit family in 'A Christmas Carol' also leave a strong impression on readers as they represent the common people struggling yet maintaining their humanity in a difficult world.

In 'A Song of Ice and Fire', Arya Stark is extremely memorable. She's a young girl who becomes a badass assassin. Her journey from a naive child to a skilled killer, learning the ways of the Faceless Men, is amazing. Another is Geralt from 'The Witcher' series. He's a monster hunter with his own code of ethics, and his battles against all kinds of terrifying creatures are badass. And in 'The Name of the Wind', Kvothe is unforgettable. His intelligence, his skills in magic and music, and his ability to get into and out of trouble are what make him such a great and badass character.

Malyen Oretsev is memorable too. His loyalty to Alina and his own skills as a tracker add to the story. Then there's Nikolai Lantsov. He's charming, intelligent, and has his own political ambitions. His character brings a lot of intrigue and humor to the novels.

In 'Harry Potter', Albus Dumbledore is extremely memorable. He's wise, powerful and has a great deal of mystery about him. In 'The Lord of the Rings', Gandalf stands out. He's a guiding force, a powerful wizard who helps the fellowship in their quest. And in 'The Magicians', Quentin Coldwater is a very relatable wizard, with all his flaws and growth throughout the story.

Nancy Drew is extremely memorable. She has been around for a long time and has solved countless mysteries with her intelligence and courage. She's a role model for many young readers.

Gollum is a character that stands out. His tortured existence, obsessed with the One Ring, makes him a complex and tragic figure. His dual personalities, Smeagol and Gollum, add depth to his character and his interactions with Frodo are both fascinating and somewhat disturbing.