an ongoing master list of gay novels that I've read on my quest to find books that *are* a M/M love story but romance isn't the main genre/there's other plot happening and it's well-written...... in order of my rating out of 5 stars
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez (5)
You've never read a book like this before. Two young warriors in a fantasy world escort the goddess of the moon on an epic journey to save the world. Gorgeous in every way.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (5)
It's at the top of every list ever because it really is that good. Shout out to one of my other favorite books of all-time, Circe by Madeline Miller — it doesn't get enough love in the shadow of Achilles.
Dayspring by Anthony Oliveira (5)
The love story of Jesus and his disciple John, told through anachronistic poems (but is still technically a novel). Jarring, beautiful, genuinely moving. Very explicit.
The God Eaters by Jesse Hajicek (5)
Fantasy western where a gun-slinging outlaw and nerdy rebel fall in love when imprisoned for their magical abilities. Lots of action, romance, and survival. Who knew a self-published book from 2006 would turn out to be one of my all-time favorites?
The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap (4.5)
Delightful! Two surgical students in 19th century Edinburgh snatch bodies from graveyards and also snatch each other's hearts. It's sooo much fun but also not for the squeamish.
The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley (4.5)
Modern retelling of Beowulf. Incredible prose. Please also read her translation of the original epic poem, it rocks so hard.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio (4.5)
Desperate to be The Secret History and falls short (of course) but still a great read, especially if you like Shakespeare and dark academia. Could've been much more explicitly gay imo! But I can't knock a book that made me sob on my bathroom floor at 2 am.
The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones by Lex Croucher (4)
Nonbinary protag (so not m/m but w/e) gets a job at the magical school that their estranged childhood best friend left home for. Dark academia with Croucher's trademark wit. Violent, dark, but also really funny.
Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner (4)
Described as a "fantasy of manners" about the trials and tribulations of a master swordsman and his boyfriend. There's also a disaster bisexual noble. Lots of political scheming. Very fun.
Nightrunner Series 1 & 2 (Luck in the Shadows and Stalking Darkness) (4)
Classic fantasy adventure with lots of (sometimes overwhelming) world building! The fae spymaster and his young recruit fall in love. There are seven books in the series but the first two act as a duology.
Also: if I had a nickel for every time one of the characters in a pre-2000s fantasy book featuring a canon gay relationship was named Alec, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but weird that it happened twice!!
The Wolf and His King by Finn Longman (4)
Retelling of the medieval poem Bisclavret, about a wannabe knight who struggles with lycanthropy (and gay thoughts) and the king who wants him crazy bad. Fantastic prose.
The Nico di Angelo Adventures by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro (3.5)
Wasn't sure whether to include this or not but it fits the bill! If you enjoyed any of the Percy Jackson books, these are a great time, and, despite being YA, have mature lessons to take away about what it means to be in a relationship and overcoming trauma.
All of Us Murderers by K.J. Charles (3.5)
Feels like a Knives Out story! A terrible, rich family is summoned to the gothic manor of a distant cousin so he can decide who inherits his fortune. The protagonist (who is decidedly not terrible) arrives to find his ex working at the house as a secretary. Took me a while to get into but by the end I couldn't put it down!
The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen (2.5)
Written in the style of the 19th century gothic novel about a man who must journey to prevent an evil Buddhist death cult from ending the world. Romance isn't the main focus, but the protagonist is as married as one can be in that era to a man. The story and writing didn't quite do it for me.
Less by Andrew Sean Greer (2)
I've been trying to read all the Pulitzer prize fiction winners and this is by far the worst one I've read yet. It's not bad, per say, just boring. Feels undeserving of the accolades. But it is gay.
These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever (1, DNF)
I love a toxic relationship, but this book made me realize I most like when Circumstances™️ lead characters to make toxic decisions and be on opposing sides of some struggle (including internal struggles). The relationship in this book just felt abusive and at a certain point became extremely repetitive. Wasn't for me.
