Interesting thread....odd I missed it originally although I tend more to SciFi than fantasy. But, thanks to all, I've gotten some suggestions here.

That said, along the lines of the thread, Nicola Griffith's cross into historical fiction, Hild has been released. It is getting great reviews and has had me up too late at night reading.

Griffith's primary characters are always strong women and, apparently, Hild fits the bill.