Have you not yet learned that it is easier to pull a star down from the heavens than to bend a woman to your will?

Have you not yet learned that it is easier to pull a star down from the heavens than to bend a woman to your will?

In the world of Deanna Raybourn's historical fiction novels, strong and independent women are a common theme. The quote, "Have you not yet learned that it is easier to pull a star down from the heavens than to bend a woman to your will?" perfectly encapsulates the spirit of many of Raybourn's female characters.

Throughout her novels, Raybourn creates complex and multi-dimensional female characters who defy societal expectations and refuse to be controlled by the men around them. These women are often intelligent, resourceful, and fiercely independent, making it nearly impossible for anyone to bend them to their will.

One such character is Veronica Speedwell, the protagonist of Raybourn's popular Lady Julia Grey series. Veronica is a fearless and unconventional woman who defies the expectations of Victorian society at every turn. She is a skilled lepidopterist, a profession typically reserved for men, and she refuses to conform to the traditional roles assigned to women of her time. Veronica is not easily swayed by the men who try to control her, and she consistently proves that she is more than capable of standing on her own two feet.

Another example of a strong female character in Raybourn's novels is Amity Doncaster from the standalone novel, "A Spear of Summer Grass." Amity is a bold and adventurous woman who travels to Africa in the 1920s to escape scandal and start a new life. Despite the challenges she faces in a foreign and dangerous land, Amity remains determined to live life on her own terms and refuses to be controlled by anyone.