Happy Galentine's Day! In honor of the holiday, we're looking at some of our favorite fictional female friendships.
As always, don't forget to click the fanart images to be directed to the artists' pages and show them a little support!
AELIN + LYSANDRA [THRONE OF GLASS]
These two got along about as well as oil and water when they first met, and I honestly enjoyed seeing them bicker and fight over attention from Arobynn and Sam. But seeing them team up to collect the blood debts owed to them was so satisfying. After this, the two start seeing more eye-to-eye and even become close friends.
Lysandra can empathize with Aelin and the pains that come with great power. While she started off seeming like a spoiled bitch, we get to see just how selfless Lysandra can be when she takes on Evangeline's debts in order to save the poor girl from her own fate— even though she was THIS close to finally having her own freedom. We see it again when she willingly keeps Aelin's secrets and helps carry out her plans of trickery, even if it will cost her the love she has finally found.
“You and I are nothing but wild beasts wearing human skins.”
FEYRE + MORRIGAN [A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES]
One of my all-time favorite friendship scenes is the moment where Feyre realizes what a friend really is by noting the differences in Ianthe and Morrigan and how they treat her. It's such a beautiful moment, and my heart simultaneously ached and leapt for her.
I had never had a female friend before. Ianthe ... she had not been one. Not in the way that mattered, I realized.
...but looking at Mor, I couldn’t explain it, couldn’t understand it, but...I felt it. Like I could indeed go to dinner with her. Talk to her.
As the person to literally pick Feyre off the floor and carry her to safety when Feyre's overcome with a trauma-induced panic attack, telling her not that she's safe but that she's FREE, Morrigan is one of the first people to show Feyre true care and understanding. She gives Feyre all the space she needs on her healing journey and eventually shares her own stories with Feyre . . . one of which she has yet to share with anyone else.
“I want them to hear your story. And know that there is a special strength..." As I spoke I realized I needed to hear it, know it, too. "A special strength in enduring such dark trials and hardships... And still remaining warm, and kind. Still willing to trust—and reach out.”
The way they witness and hold each other through their struggles without a hint of judgement is absolutely breathtaking.
BRYCE + DANIKA + LEHABAH [CRESCENT CITY: HOUSE OF EARTH AND BLOOD]
Can you tell I'm a fan of SJM friendships? There's a reason! Each one is beautiful, painful, and full of powerful themes. This one (two?) in particular will require a case of Kleenex, as it's all about friendship and love that lasts beyond death.
Bryce loses her best friend, Danika, and ends up on the investigation when a series of identical murders begin cropping up years after the "killer" is jailed. As the story progresses, Bryce begins to wonder how much she truly knew Danika, until the mystery is solved and she/the reader realizes that EVERYTHING Danika did was to protect Bryce and her secrets.
And soul to soul with the friend whom she had not forgotten, the friend who had not forgotten her, even in death, Bryce made the Drop.
Then we have Lehabah, an exiled fire sprite who lives in the depths of the secret library beneath the antique shop Bryce works at. After Danika's murder, Lehabah is one of the only "people" who stick around for Bryce, helping her constantly along the way. Because I don't want to ruin any spoilers for you, I'll just say Lele is one hell of a sprite who puts her loved ones first.
I am not afraid. My friends are behind me, and I will protect them.
SAFIYA + ISEULT
To be honest, I was kind of shipping Safi and Iseult during the first book. After Iseult saved Safi's life when the two were only ten years old, they became inseparable Threadsisters— a bond that cannot be broken.
With their yin/yang balancing of the other, ability to communicate and fight together without speaking, and intense dedication to the other, Safi and Iseult make a hell of a power couple, platonic or not.
“I hate this. Both the storm and the plan. Why does it have to be ‘we’? Why not just me?"
“Because ‘just me’ isn’t who we are,” Iseult hollered back. “I’ll always follow you, Safi, and you’ll always follow me. Threadsisters to the end.”
I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens to them next in Dennard's next installment, Witchshadow, out this summer!
INEJ + NINA [SIX OF CROWS]
In a club dominated by boys, girls have got to stick together. As the only two girls in the Crow Club, Inej and Nina often have only each other to talk to, empathize with, and care for. Because they both have a history of working in the Ketterdam brothels and with the Dregs, they can understand each other on very deep levels.
“Nina is everything you say. It’s too much.”
“Mmm,” Inej murmured, taking a sip from her mug. “Maybe you’re just not enough.”
They're both strong, badass women who can be incredibly selfless, putting themselves on the line again and again for the ones they love. Because of this, they take turns nursing each other back to health throughout the duology, adding to the amount of trust and comfort in their relationship.
“Nina Zenik, as soon as I figure out where you’ve put my knives, we’re going to have words.”
“The first ones had better be Thank you, oh great Nina, for dedicating every waking moment of this miserable journey to saving my sorry life.”
CINDER + IKO / SCARLET + WINTER [LUNAR CHRONICLES]
How can you not love Cinder and Iko? Cinder is a no-nonsense and blunt cyborg while Iko is a cinnamon drop of ecstatic energy (and an android who's not supposed to even feel!)—but the two would die for one another or anyone else they care about. They're both self-sacrificing and caring, even if Iko is much more exuberant about it. Hey, she's a hugger!
"I can't believe this is happening. I can't fight like this, or start a revolution, or be a queen. I can't do anything like this. I'm broken. I'm literally broken."
Iko settled a hand on Cinder's shoulder. "Yeah, but broken isn't the same as unfixable."
Meanwhile, Scarlet and Winter are another odd pairing that somehow works. When Scarlet first meets Winter, she's cold and judgmental, believing Winter to be just like the other manipulative Lunars. Even while Winter is nurturing Scarlet back to health when Scarlet is a prisoner, Scarlet is distrusting.
“What did you bring me today?” Scarlet asked. “Delusional mutterings with a side of crazy? Or is this one of your good days?”
It's not until Winter assists Scarlet in escaping (and Scarlet learns how much mental damage refusing to use her powers has caused Winter) that Scarlet finally begins to care for the mistreated princess. Snarky as she is about it, Scarlet's protective side leaps out around Winter, and she essentially takes the girl under her wing. It's an adorable big-sisterly relationship, made even more meaningful by the fact that Scarlet hasn't really warmed up to anyone.
Enjoy reading about some of our favorite fictional female friendships? Celebrate with us by dropping yours in the comments below!