Veronica Mars is the rare existential heroine... that very first episode was so awesome because they stripped her of everything and left her facing the world broken and alone... Few writer/creators would dare to create anyone as edgy as Veronica... but one did:

Have you read 'Hunger Games'? Because Katniss is the same kind of tough 'they will not get me down' female protagonist (I just inhaled those books). But of course if you are studying then this is not the time! lol