Book Recs: Queer Lit, pt. II (fantasy)
Here is part II of my lgbtqia+ book recs. Unfortunately, some of these books aren’t exclusively gay, but feature a main or very important side character who isn’t straight. We need more gay fantasy books!
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Trilogy by Rick Riordan
Magnus is a homeless teenager who’s been living on the streets of Boston ever since his mom died. His only living relative, Uncle Randolph, is the man his mother always warned him about- and so Magnus makes sure to stay away from him. But when a maneuver to avoid his uncle goes wrong, Magnus falls right into his Uncle’s hand. Soon, Magnus has to find out that his life is about to get even more tangled up… with Norse Gods, wolves and a bunch of the strangest people he’s ever met.
I love Rick Riordan’s books A LOT. The Magnus Series is not only written in a way that will keep you invested in the disaster that is Magnus Chase’s life, but also super diverse. There’s several POC characters, muslim characters (hijabi, too), a deaf character, pansexual, gay and genderfluid characters. Magnus himself is a sweetheart, and his friends (and his love interest! ♥) are witty, funny and smart. The books are more on the middle-grade side of the spectrum, but they aren’t childish at all.
Trials of Apollo Series by Rick Riordan
Another Riordan one. I just love his books.
Apollo- god of music, healing and lots of other fun stuff- has angered his father, Zeus. It’s not like it’s the first time that has happened- but this time, Zeus has enough and casts Apollo down from Olympus. Apollo, now a lanky teenage boy with a face full of zits- lands in New York, where he has to survive on his own, trying to find people who can help him to regain his father’s favour and be allowed back into Olympus.
It’s like every time Riordan writes another series, it gets gayer. Apollo is VERY bisexual- and it’s not just, like, mentioned in passing; no, it’s explained, and he keeps checking out guys the same way he checks out girls. And he isn’t just the only queer character in the series.
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One to ever have been chosen. But if he won’t fight the Insidious Humdrum, the monster who leaves holes in the magical athmosphere, who else will?
At least Simon has his know-it-all best friend Penny, and his girlfriend Agatha… even if she seems to grow more and more interested in Simon’s arch enemy Baz lately… Speaking of Baz, why hasn’t he shown up at the start of the school year?
So, this basically reads like fanfic. But high quality, slow burn fanfic. It’s Rainbow Rowell’s take on the “Chosen One” trope- leaning especially heavy on Harry Potter. Simon is just… relateable as fuck, and the story is funny, magical and, in parts, heart-wrenching. Highly recommended.
Wolfsong (Green Creek Series) by TJ Klune
Ox Matheson’s dad left when Ox was twelve. What Ox remembers best about him was one lesson his father taught him: Ox isn’t worth anything, and people will never understand him.
Ox lives his life with that in mind- until he meets a strange boy on the way home- a boy with a lot to talk about, a stone statue of a wolf, and a family who is unlike other families.
Okay so. The story is very unconventional in its set-up. The writing isn’t the most perfect I’ve ever read, but it’s fine. Some stuff in the book is a little cliché, and some things made me cringe a bit. But all in all, it’s a very entertaining book- what came to my mind when I had finished it was “basically the good parts of Twilight, just gayer”.
Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat
(Okay, I know some people have issues with this series- and I do understand why these issues exist. There is going to be a seperate post about this trilogy, so please don’t hate on me for including it.)
Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos. But when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave. His new master, beautiful, manipulative prince Laurent has to deal with his own country’s tangle of politics and intrigues, and soon, the two have to work together more than either of them would like to.
Well. The writing, characterization and world-building is preeeeeetty good. If you’re okay with a story that is problematic in a lot of areas, and if you occasionally enjoy a bit of, well, trashy smut, this is the perfect trilogy for you. I read it in the summer, on vacation, which it was perfect for.
The Raven Cycle Series by Maggie Stiefvater
Her whole life, Blue Sargent- the girl who lives with a family of psychics and likes to make her own clothes- has been told that her true love will die when she kisses him.
His whole life, Richard Campbell Gansey III -the boy who wears boat shoes and whose mom is a republican senator- has been searching for a dead welsh king who saved his life.
Then there’s Gansey’s friends Ronan and Adam, one sharp like a knife, the other one trying hard not to give up, and Noah, the boy with the smudged face. And it seems like their fates are tangled, in one way or another.
AAAAAAAA!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!, is all I can say. Must read. I don’t want to say too much, but, like… no-one in this series is truly straight, I’m convinced.
The Rest of Us just live Here by Patrick Ness
Ghosts, zombies, aliens- Mikey’s high school has seen it all. And of course, there’s always those kids who end up fighting the monsters. But what about the kids who are not? What about the ones who just want to graduate in peace? The ones who are just trying to live their lives?
Another unconventional take on a popular trope- the teenage hero. Mikey is NOT a hero- he’s just a normal guy with OCD.
Diversity is very high in this book: neurodiversity, racial diversity, sexuality. However, I have to mention that it’s not one of the books with a gay main character.
Shades of Magic Series by V.E. Schwab
In four worlds with four different Londons- one black and dead, one white and dying, one red and alive, and one grey and unsuspecting- there once lived plenty of Antari- magicians who are able to change between those four worlds, those four Londons. But now, only two are left: Kell, who comes from Red London and is tired of being nothing but an ambassador, and Holland, who comes from white London and is tired of the ever-changing string of queens and kings trying to rule his world.
Again, another one in which the main character isn’t queer- but as the story goes on, it becomes more and more gay via side characters who get their own POV. The writing is beautiful and has a great flow to it, and the story and worldbuilding is A+.
blakekathryn
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