There’s almost nothing more satisfying than a book with a strong villain. Except, perhaps, a strong villainess.
And, with the recent release of Snow White (whatever you think about the film, you can’t deny that its good-and-evil debate has spilled off the screen into something deeper), this is a better time than ever to dive into a book with a compelling villainess.
If you’re not sure where to start looking for badass female villains, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got answers.
Here are our ten best villainesses in literature.
10. Hekat in Empress by Karen Miller
Other books in the series:
- The Riven Kingdom
- Hammer of God
In Empress, we are thrust into a world where poverty runs rampant and slave trading is common.
Hekat, however, rejects her fate and vows to rise above the oppression of her society. Her drive, however, soon leads her to become the oppressor, making her a bloodthirsty and complex villainess.
Why we recommend it: I loved that the protagonist in this story was ultimately the bad guy. Hekat is truly evil and unforgettable, making her a compelling villainess in this story.
9. Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
Made into a hit film whose performances have inspired the likes of Mikey Madison, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest features one of the most terrifying villainesses in literature: Nurse Rached.
Aggressive, stubborn, and tyrannical, she will stop at nothing to keep the patients on the ward in line.
Why we recommend it: Nurse Rached is a truly great villainess because of how real she is. There’s no magic, no alternative reality, only a power-hungry nurse determined to assert her dominance.
Related10 Iconic Fantasy Books Villains Readers Love to Hate
8. Annie Wilkes in Misery by Stephen King
This atmospheric masterpiece by Stephen King features one of the most chilling villainesses I’ve ever encountered in a book.
It tells the story of writer Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a near-fatal accident by an obsessive fan named Annie Wilkes.
This seems like good news until Paul realizes that Annie’s obsession is her sole motivation for keeping him alive. Being bedbound, Paul depends on her for everything. Can he placate her long enough to escape?
Why we recommend it: I love how desperately chilling this novel is. Annie is the evil here, and her unhinged and unwell character is terrifyingly unpredictable.
7. The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Wicked fans, get ready: publicity and fan spottings are already swirling around the sequel.
But before Wicked, there was simply The Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum’s timeless tale The Wizard of Oz.
The Wicked Witch is evil incarnate: she’s spiteful, she’s persistent, and she has an army of flying monkeys to do her bidding. In a simple world of good versus evil, she’s the perfect villainess to Dorothy’s innocence and kindness.
Why we recommend it: This book is way darker than the film adaptation, and The Wicked Witch’s character is shrouded in even deeper and creepier mystery.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter6. Lady Macbeth in Macbeth by William Shakespeare
While you might have read this in school, if not, it’s time. Lady Macbeth, the wife of the titular character in Shakespeare’s play, is one of the best villainesses in literature.
She’s ambitious, ruthless, and very possibly sociopathic. Her character arc is arguably the best in the play, making her a strong female villain for our list.
Why we recommend it: Lady Macbeth’s soliloquies and speeches are some of the best in English literature. Given that Macbeth is a stage play, it’s a short read, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a scary villainess.
RelatedThe Rise of the Antihero: Why Traditional Villains Don’t Cut It Anymore
5. Masako in Out by Natsuo Kirino
One of our favorite international mystery books, Out is the story of a group of women who are covering up a murder, making it a satisfying villainess tale.
Their unlikely ringleader, Masako, is soon revealed to be more than the mother hen she seems. But her storied past is no match for that of the killer on her trail…
Why we recommend it: I loved the moral ambiguity in this book, where all of the characters were deeply flawed–even the ones I ultimately rooted for.
4. Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Mrs. Danvers has to be one of the spookiest, most awful villainesses in any book, ever.
With unclear motivations, her only goal seems to be to make the narrator of Rebecca as unhappy as possible. Mrs. Danvers taunts her, sabotages her, and gaslights her. But why? And for how long?
Why we recommend it: This book is the perfect choice for anyone seeking a good old-fashioned ghost story, fans of gothic literature, or anyone who loves a powerful villainess.
Related10 Dark Fantasy Books Where The Villain Steals The Spotlight
3. Ayoola in My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
This villainess novel follows the lives of two sisters: one, a serial killer (go figure), and the sister who is tiring of covering for her.
Will Ayoola stop killing men before her sister Korede has had enough?
Why we recommend it: This villainess thriller is a perfect choice for fans of Gone Girl. Its dark humor and annoying-sister dynamic were absolutely enthralling.
2. Rebecca in Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
A stunning debut, Eileen is the story of a young woman who is desperately bored with her small-town life.
This is normal enough, until an obsession with Rebecca, the prison psychiatrist at her job, leads Eileen down a dark path that will change her life forever.
Why we recommend it: I loved how all of the female characters in this book were villainesses. Part farce, part psychological thriller, Eileen is full of female villains.
1. Cathy in East of Eden by John Steinbeck
An absolute sociopath, East of Eden‘s Cathy is the best villainess in literature.
Driven by greed, vanity, and sadism, she will do everything in her power to get her way, no matter who gets hurt.
Why we recommend it: This classic of American literature is gorgeously written, and Cathy’s complexity and backstory make her a fascinating villainess.
These are the ten best villainesses in literature. Who would you nominate? Do you have any recommendations to share? Leave a comment and let us know.
As always, happy reading!
