The Sci-fi and Fantasy genre has long been a powerful platform for diverse voices and in a world where diversity and representation matter more than ever, we’ve pulled together a fantastic list of LGBTQ+ stories all deserving of a place on your bookshelf. Stories that bring a fresh perspective on the human – and non-human – experience, blending diverse identities with thrilling adventures.
So whether you’re seeking relatable heroes, epic world-building, or simply a good read that reflects the richness of the LGBTQ+ experience, this list has something for you.
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker
Told from the perspective of two black teenagers, Blood Debts is a YA fantasy story that deals with issues of sexuality, love, intergenerational trauma, and white privilege all amongst the chaos of a world filled with magic.
New Orleans twins, Cristina and Clement, barely speak after their mother fell sick, their father died by a magic spell one of them cast and their family was ex-communicated from the magic council they once ruled. The legacy of a woman murdered, a lynched family, and a magic massacre remains, too. Discovering that their mother is not sick but cursed, and that the curse will come after them soon, Cristina and Clement must trust one another to save their family, and New Orleans itself.
A heartfelt social commentary with a diverse cast of characters, Blood Debts is a must-read.
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Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco
Silver Under Nightfall takes well-loved vampire tropes and refreshes them with an East Asian setting and a queer romance.
Remy Pendergast is a walking contradiction: he is a bounty-hunter and a vampire-slayer . . . who is half-vampire himself. When he hears of a new, mutating kind of vampire, he prepares to find and defeat them. On his quest, however, he meets sweet and kind vampire heiress Xiaodan Song and her irritating fiancé, vampire lord Zidan Malekh who can help him destroy these creatures.
As the three work together, Remy is surprised by the intensity of his feelings for the couple, and begins to reconsider everything he thought he knew about vampires and the kingdom he’s spent his life defending.
Thrilling, dark, and wonderfully queer, Silver Under Nightfall is not one to miss.
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The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski
The first in an epic LGBT+ YA fantasy romance duology, The Midnight Lie is about learning to free ourselves from the lies others tell us – and the lies we tell ourselves.
Life in the Ward is grim and punishing, and society's pleasures are only reserved for the High Kith. You either follow the rules or pay a tithe and suffer the consequences. Nirrim keeps her head down and a dangerous secret close to her chest . . .
When Nirrim encounters a rakish traveller, who whispers rumours that the High Kith possesses magic, Sid tempts Nirrim to seek that magic for herself. But to do that, Nirrim must surrender her old life. She must place her trust in this sly stranger who asks, above all, not to be trusted.
This duology from NYT bestselling author, Marie Rutkoski, has everything she's known for - brilliant characters, exceptional worldbuilding and a fiery romance.
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A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
Featuring a central relationship between a human and an AI who takes on a female form, A Closed and Common Orbit explores issues of identity, gender fluidity and self-discovery.
Lovelace was once merely a ship's artificial intelligence. When she wakes up following a total system shut-down and reboot, she has to start over in a synthetic body, in a world where her kind are illegal. She's never felt so alone.
Pepper, one of the engineers who risked life and limb to reinstall Lovelace, is determined to help her adjust to her new world. Because Pepper knows a thing or two about starting over.
Together, they will discover that, huge as the galaxy may be, it's anything but empty.
A Closed and Common Orbit is a standalone sequel to the award-winning The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. Featuring the same brilliant writing, fantastic worldbuilding and exceptional characters, Becky Chambers has the beautiful skill of creating stories that speak straight to your heart.
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The Extraordinaries by T. J. Klune
The Extraordinaries is a brilliant YA queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves.
In Nova City, there are extraordinary people, capable of feats that defy the imagination, Shadow Star manipulates darkness, while Pyro Storm has power over fire. And then there's Nick who is . . . the most popular fanfiction writer in the Extraordinaries fandom.
Instead of fighting crime, Nick contends with a new year at school, a father who doesn't trust him, and a best friend named Seth, who may or may not be the love of Nick's short, uneventful life.
After a chance encounter with Shadow Star, Nova City's mightiest hero (and Nick's biggest crush), Nick sets out to make himself extraordinary. And he'll do it with or without Seth's reluctant help …
The Extraordinaries, first in an explosive trilogy, is a gorgeous, diverse and laugh out loud story that we just know you’ll fall in love with.
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Fated Winds and Promising Seas by Rose Black
Fated Winds and Promising Seas is a refreshing queer, light adult fantasy with lots of feelings and heart.
Lucky is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. In a strange occurrence he is freed from his prison and cast out to the ocean where he is rescued by magical ship The Dreamer. Aboard the ship is Gabriel, whom Lucky remembers, and starts to think there is more than fate drawing them together. They must traverse the ocean in a great adventure for Lucky’s quest to be proven innocent and finally gain his freedom.
This heartfelt queer romance is delightful – but watch out for the Leviathan!
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Frontier by Grace Curtis
A sprawling, character-driven novel, Frontier is a heartfelt queer romance in a high noon standoff with Earth's uncertain future, full of love, loss, and laser guns.
In the distant future, climate change has reduced Earth to a hard-scrabble wasteland. Saints and sinners, lawmakers and sheriffs, gunslingers and horse thieves abound. Folk are as diverse and divided as they've ever been – except in their shared suspicions when a stranger comes to town.
One night a ship falls from the sky, bringing the planet's first visitor in three hundred years. She's armed, she's scared . . . and she's looking for someone.
Told in taut episodes, Frontier comes from incredible fresh new voice, Grace Curtis, and is perfect for fans of Becky Chambers and Firefly. A novel for the spacefaring readers, because who doesn't love a queer space western?
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Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan
A stunning YA fantasy debut, inspired by East Asian mythology and folk tales with ferocious action, rich magic, and a captivating slow-burn romance collide.
In an empire on the brink of war . . .
Ahn is no one, with no past and no family.
Altan is a lost heir, his future stolen away as a child.
When they meet, Altan sees in Ahn a path to reclaiming the throne. Ahn sees a way to finally unlock her past and understand her lethal magical abilities. But they may have to pay a far deadlier price than either could have imagined.
Featuring an all-POC cast of characters and queer romance, Jade Fire Gold is drawn from the author's own struggles with traditional beliefs in Chinese culture and Confucian.
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Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland
A dark academia, queer YA fantasy, Court of the Undying Seasons has a pitch perfect modern take on classic vampire tropes.
When Fin takes her secret lover's place in the village's Finding, she's whisked away to Castle Courtsheart, a notorious vampire school, where human students either become powerful vampires or, if they survive, spend the rest of their lives as a lowly human. But Fin has no intention of becoming a vampire - she intends to kill them.
Quickly swept up in her new world and its inhabitants – particularly Gavron, her handsome and hostile vampire maker, she uncovers a string of murders and a deadly ritual that threatens both vampires and humans. Fin must find the killer before she loses her life or betrays her heart!
Deliciously dark and romantic, Court of the Undying Seasons is unmissable.
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The First Sister by Linden A. Lewis
The First Sister in the first book in an epic, gender-queer space opera, following a comfort woman as she claims her agency, a soldier questioning his allegiances, and a non-binary hero out to save the solar system.
The First Sister has no name, and no voice. Forced to travel the stars alongside the Gean soldiers of Earth and Mars with no control over her own destiny. Until her eyes are opened to a dangerous new path.
Lito Val Lucius has no faith, and no loyalty. An elite Icarii soldier of Venus, thrown into disgrace after the sudden disappearance of his partner, Hiro. When Hiro is discovered alive, and a traitor, Lito is offered redemption: but only if he hunts down and kills his former partner.
As a war between the Geans and the Icarii reaches a head, Lito and the First Sister must decide what – and whom – they are willing to sacrifice in the name of duty, or for love.
Perfect for fans of Red Rising, and anyone crying out for a more diverse future.