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In the entire huge world of queer fantasy books, there are such a lot of choices to select from. Not solely do you will have all of the deliciously totally different fantasy sub-genres there are on supply, you additionally get to expertise a variety of LGBTQ identities. From sapphic fantasy romance books to m/m historic fantasies and bisexual adventures, there’s a bit one thing for everybody. Personally, I really like a queernorm fantasy world the place gender and sexuality are by no means even questioned. However no matter your most well-liked queer fantasy sub-genre, these queer fantasy books have a narrative only for you.
Whereas I usually — and nonetheless often — have appeared to fanfiction to provide all of the queer identities I’m lacking from my favourite reveals and flicks, so many LGBTQ books are making their approach into the publishing world now that it’s straightforward to seek out mainstream queer fantasy books that make you’re feeling seen. Attending to see your self mirrored within the tales you like is a sense like no different. These tales inhabit worlds which can be a bit like ours or totally totally different, however they nonetheless heart the issues that matter most: household, pals, love, acceptance, feeling seen, and being true to your self. So, let’s take a journey collectively into the fantastic world of queer fantasy books to seek out your subsequent favourite learn.
The very best queer fantasy books
To Form a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
When a woman on a distant island discovers a dragon egg, her individuals rejoice and revere her as “Nampeshiweisit,” or an individual with a particular relationship with a dragon. However the Anglish colonizers of her land have totally different concepts about how a dragon ought to be raised and who ought to be elevating them. If Anequs can’t succeed on the mainland dragon academy they ship her to, they’ll kill her dragon. The Anglish need Anequs to assimilate, however that’s not going to occur. She could also be decided to succeed, however she’s going to do it her personal approach. She’s going to make her dragon and her individuals proud.

Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee
A pacifistic painter is blackmailed into working for the occupying authorities when their sister — a insurgent fighter — is threatened. The federal government has set their sights on Jebi. Now, as a way to preserve their sister protected, Jebi should use magical pigments to assist deliver the federal government’s battle machines to life. A mechanical dragon who has gone rogue earlier than is on the prime of their record to deliver beneath management. However as Jebi develops an unlikely relationship with each the dragon, Arazi, and the army’s grasp duelist, they have to determine who their allegiance really belongs to — and whether or not typically, even for a pacifist, it’s definitely worth the combat.
For the primary time Jebi should determine who their allegiance really belongs to.

A Style of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
A shy prince falls for his new bodyguard on this Ottoman-esque fantasy romance. After a humiliating incident at court docket, Prince Kadou should show his loyalty to his sister, the queen, by investigating a latest break-in on the guild. Alongside his newly appointed bodyguard, the standoffish Evemer, he discovers a counterfeit conspiracy that might break a nation that prides itself on its princes who can touch-taste valuable metals.

When the Angels Left the Outdated Nation by Sacha Lamb
In the event you’ve ever wished Aziraphale and Crowley from Good Omens have been really a confirmed couple, this attractive story of Jewish angels and demons is for you. Uriel and Ashmedai have lengthy been the one supernatural creatures of their shtetl. Collectively, they research torah and barely discover the centuries going by. However when a woman from their group goes lacking, their search to seek out her takes all of them the best way to America and introduces them to one of the best and worst the world has to supply. By way of all of it, it’s their friendship and love for one another that retains them going.

Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard
On this novella from the creator of The Pink Scholar’s Wake, a princess, returned to her mom’s court docket after years away as a international hostage, is torn between her emotions for a former flame, a need to show herself in politics, and a supernatural pressure that’s surrounded her for years. Her engagement to Eldris of Ephteria may present her with the facility and stability she longs for — however at a steep value. As she struggles to show her political savvy to her mom, the fires which have adopted her for years encourage her to reclaim herself — even when it means giving up the love she thought she wished.

Black Solar by Rebecca Roanhorse
The primary e-book in Rebecca Roanhorse’s sensible new fantasy collection follows a ship captain sure for the holy metropolis of Tova on the eve of a winter solstice celebration. However aboard her ship is a supposedly innocent younger man with a future to satisfy. Xiala is aware of sufficient about future and supposedly innocent younger males to know he’s actually something however. The collection is impressed by the pre-Columbian Americas and is filled with prophecies, intrigue, and magic.

The Home within the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
It’s simply one other day as a case employee for the Division in Cost Of Magical Youth when Linus Baker is assigned to go to Marsyas Island Orphanage and decide whether or not its six extremely harmful prices are more likely to deliver concerning the finish days. Contemplating one of many youngsters is the Antichrist, it may not be as unlikely as you’d assume. However regardless of the skilled detachment Linus has so fastidiously maintained all through his profession, he can’t assist however be drawn to those unusual youngsters and their magnetic caretaker, Arthur Parnassus. For the primary time, Linus finds himself asking who it’s he’s meant to assist: the federal government he works for or the kids he’s tasked with overseeing? The reply simply would possibly change his life for good.

The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
Decided to see her uncle dethroned, Luca is in quest of somebody prepared to betray their nation — for the fitting causes. Touraine was kidnapped as a toddler and skilled as a soldier. The one loyalty she is aware of is to her fellow conscripts. However when the empire sends her again to her homeland to assist quash a rebel, she finds her loyalty examined in methods she by no means knew potential. She is likely to be precisely the particular person Luca wants to assist her take again the nation.

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Impressed by Indian historical past and epics, the primary e-book on this new fantasy trilogy follows a captive princess and her maidservant in possession of forbidden magic as they set out on a journey to take down the princess’s traitorous brother. When Malini inadvertently witnesses Priya’s magical talents one evening, she is aware of that collectively the 2 can change every part. Malini desires to take again her kingdom. Priya simply desires to seek out her household. However collectively, they are going to change the destiny of their world.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
Cozy fantasy meets all of your espresso store fanfiction goals on this breakout hit from Travis Baldree. Drained after years of adventuring, Viv decides to create a brand new life for herself within the metropolis of Thune. Step one: opening up town’s first ever espresso store. However contemplating most individuals right here have by no means even heard of espresso, that is likely to be more difficult than she initially anticipated. With the assistance of some shocking new pals, Viv’s dream begins to return to life. Sadly, some unhealthy gamers from her earlier life — and extortionists within the metropolis — are hellbent on destroying every part Viv has labored so onerous to create.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
A queen determined to conceive a toddler, however beset by assassins; a loyal lady-in-waiting utilizing illicit magic to guard her queen; and a dragonrider dwelling throughout the ocean and compelled to choose that can change her life eternally. The tales of those ladies intertwine as they every face the specter of the dragon often called the Anonymous One. If the East and West can’t stand collectively and put aside their differing opinions over dragons, the Anonymous One will return, and it’ll destroy every part.

Silver within the Wooden by Emily Tesh
Rumors concerning the “wild man” within the Greenhollow wooden have lengthy stored individuals away. That’s simply high quality with Tobias, who has lengthy since accepted his destiny tethered to the timber. However when Greenhollow Corridor’s curious new proprietor takes a liking to him, Tobias’s life is totally modified. What does it imply to be a person outdoors of time when a person on this time appears to like you? What does it imply to be a person of the wooden when the woods lastly allow you to go?

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
A former pirate is compelled again into her outdated life when she’s blackmailed by a lady whose granddaughter has been kidnapped by a person dabbling within the supernatural. Amina Al-Sirafi would do something for her daughter. She gave up a lifetime of piracy for her, and now she’ll take it again up once more, all to maintain her beloved daughter protected. And if she enjoys her life again on the ocean? Nicely, she nonetheless misses her daughter, so let’s go away it at that. However her daughter isn’t the one purpose she left her outdated life behind. When a harmful determine from her previous — a person she thought she had killed — returns, she should decide who amongst her pals and crew will settle for the reality of all that occurred of their previous.

A Marvellous Mild by Freya Marske
This attractive historic fantasy novel, alongside its sequel companion novels A Stressed Reality and A Energy Unbound, depicts an alternate Edwardian England the place magic lurks simply beneath the floor. When an administrative error lands baronet Robin Blythe as the most recent liaison to this magical group, his whole life is flipped the wrong way up. Inside the course of a day, he learns magic exists, meets the world’s most unpleasant coworker, and is cursed by a band of errant magicians. Now, as a way to undo the curse, he’ll must work alongside the unbearable Edwin Courcey. However after they unearth a harmful plot affecting all of Britain’s magical inhabitants, they understand their quest goes far past curses and Robin himself.

The Invisible Lifetime of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
A determined cope with a satan saves Adeline from an undesirable marriage, however curses her to a life with out anybody by her aspect. With nobody from her previous, current, or future capable of bear in mind her, Addie quickly finds on the market are fates worse than a horrible marriage and even dying. Dying can be a aid. However centuries of going unremembered have taught Addie tips on how to make one of the best of issues — till she meets a person who remembers her. They’re every the reply the opposite has been trying to find. However the purpose Henry can see her can also be the rationale their love story will finish in heartbreak, as soon as once more.

Mild from Unusual Stars by Ryka Aoki
A famend violin teacher paying off a cope with the satan finds her good closing sacrifice: a runaway trans music prodigy. However as her fondness for her new protegee grows, she additionally meets a household of alien refugees operating from an intergalactic battle. Quickly, she’s questioning what sacrifices she’s prepared to make to guard the individuals — and the life — she’s rising to like. Mild from Unusual Stars is a beautiful story of discovered household not like every other.

The Deep by Rivers Solomon with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes
Impressed by a music of the identical identify, The Deep explores the underwater world of the descendants of pregnant ladies who drowned in the course of the trans-Atlantic Slave Commerce. To guard everybody from the horrors of their collective previous, Yetu holds the reminiscences of her individuals. However the burden is destroying her. Fleeing to the floor is her solely escape. However what she discovers there — a world her individuals have by no means recognized — teaches her way more concerning the previous and way forward for her individuals than she ever may’ve imagined.

A Grasp of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
The primary full-length novel in Clark’s Useless Djinn Universe follows a younger detective with the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. When somebody murders all of the members of a secret society devoted to al-Jahiz, the person who lifted the veil between the pure and supernatural world, Fatma el-Sha’arawi is on the case. Solely the assassin is claiming he’s al-Jahiz, returned to sentence social injustice within the trendy age. And his harmful magical talents threaten to trigger unrest on a world scale. Can Agent Fatma, alongside her fellow ministry staff and her intelligent girlfriend, resolve who this man is earlier than it’s too late? Or will their investigations as an alternative show that he’s precisely who he claims to be?

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
A secret society of magical teachers often called the Alexandrian Society take into account solely the six most gifted magicians on the earth to hitch their ranks. This opportunity comes round solely as soon as a decade. The six latest recruits are given entry to every part within the Society’s archives as a way to show themselves worthy. 5 can be initiated. One can be eradicated. And with solely themselves, their magic, and their wits to rely on, it is going to be a lethal magical contest to the very finish.

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
When Jess strikes again to Malaysia together with her mother and father, the stress of the transfer has her listening to voices. Or not less than, that’s what she assumes. However the presence of her useless Ah Ma quickly makes itself recognized. It’s not voices Jess has been listening to; it’s spirits. Jess’s Ah Ma isn’t fascinated about serving to her granddaughter succeed, although. No, the outdated lady made a cope with a harmful deity — and now she desires Jess to complete out the phrases of their settlement, no matter the associated fee.

The Premature Undeath of Imogen Madrigal by Grayson Daly
On the Sisterhood of Good Dying, a convent shepherding misplaced souls on to the afterlife, dying is only a every day ritual. However when a well-known poet returns not in spirit however within the flesh, she recruits Maeve’s assist in acquiring justice for her wrongful dying. Bored of her quiet life, Maeve agrees to assist, and shortly the 2 are absolutely enmeshed within the Poet’s Court docket, the place heretics and hedonists run amok.

The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia
Within the queernormative, Persian-inspired world of Qilwa, a younger nonbinary healer works in a free clinic, serving to refugees and hiding the origins of their very own magic. As a practitioner of blood magic, Firuz may face persecution — or worse — of their new residence of the Free Democratic Metropolis-State of Qilwa. They know this all too nicely, having fled slaughter of their homeland. However now a terrifying new plague is sweeping throughout town — one which it’s clear to Firuz has its origins in blood magic. Can they proceed to heal others and uncover the supply of this new an infection with out sacrificing their very own security?

The Guide Eaters by Sunyi Dean
Because the daughter of an outdated e-book eater household, Devon has realized all too nicely her place in life — and within the Household. When her son is born with an urge for food for brains, not books, she makes a deal to avoid wasting his life that might lure her inside her household for good. However Devon isn’t the one one dissatisfied with the e-book eater lifestyle. When she meets one other e-book eater on the outs with the Household and trying to find a approach out, she would possibly lastly have the ultimate piece in her plan to flee from her fellow e-book eaters for good.

The Ruthless Girl’s Information to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner
A tough-drinking thief talks her approach right into a workforce of feminine bodyguards being employed to guard a younger woman from assassination makes an attempt. When a collection of assaults takes place, Delly realizes the dangers have been in no way exaggerated. Quickly, she’s falling for a fellow bodyguard, and the 2 search for solutions a few magical enemy with an unsettling variety of allies.

The Metropolis We Grew to become by N.Ok. Jemisin
When cities attain a sure degree of fable within the public consciousness, they will evolve. Into what? Nicely, that’s what the newly woke up avatars of New York Metropolis — represented by the 5 boroughs — try to determine. The extremely various group must discover one another and determine some strategy to work collectively first, although. Even as soon as they do, the evil forces that stored New Orleans and different nice cities from evolving are doing every part of their energy to destroy town earlier than it will probably come into its personal.

The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
Two younger ladies from very totally different backgrounds battle for the rights of ladies — and their use of elemental magic — on this Egyptian-inspired fantasy novel. A waterweaver compelled into marriage to settle her father’s crushing money owed and an earthweaving bookseller with no prospects discover solace in one another and a gaggle of radical ladies’s rights activists combating for ladies to get a say in their very own lives. However whilst they combat for rights of their residence nation, battle with a neighboring nation looms on the horizon — and this nation desires to wipe out elemental magic and people who use it totally.

Mortal Follies by Alexis Corridor
Prolific creator of wonderful queer tales Alexis Corridor is right here with a Nineteenth-century fantasy novel filled with fairies, sorcerers, and younger girls hindered by bothersome curses. Miss Maelys Mitchelmore is doing her finest to enter excessive society when a curse begins to break her life and all her possibilities of maintaining her fame intact. As a way to free herself from the curse’s more and more harmful clutches, she’ll must look to unsavory sources. Sources just like the notorious Girl Georgianna Landrake, rumored to have murdered her father and brothers and be some form of enchantress. However with Girl Landrake’s help into issues of the magical and otherworldly, it’s extra than simply Maelys’ life and fame at stake — it’s additionally her coronary heart.

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang (August 22, 2023)
On this novel impressed by a martial arts basic, a band of ruthless outlaws who defy expectations and gender norms are ready to remake historical past in an empire who views them as harmful outsiders. Betrayed and disgraced, the Emperor’s former arms teacher is recruited by the Bandits of Liangshan, a gaggle of mountain outlaws who refuse to just accept the Empire’s hierarchical class construction, even when it means turning into criminals and murderers. The Empire would destroy them — however provided that they don’t destroy the Empire first.