When I went through my rebellious phase, Newford was one of the two fictional, magical cities I desperately wanted to run away to.

I disagree about cute conversations in grocery stores. ^^;

Yes, but. . .if a female character has agency but is otherwise a flat character, is that better than a well-developed and drawn out female character without agency?

I love how, when she fights Alex, Alanna completely obeys the rules of chivalry until Alex breaks them. At that point, anything goes, and she promptly kills him.