Pride Month Book Recommendations Part Two: People of Color (POC) Main Characters
Happy Pride Month! This year, I’m celebrating by recommending books with LGBTQ+ main characters. The first three weeks will each highlight a different intersectional subcategory, and the fourth week will be for general recommendations.
This week, I’m talking about books featuring POC (people of color) main characters. Like my other recommendations this month, these are all books I’ve read and enjoyed that feature happy endings. Feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments and reblogs!
Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
I don’t normally like YA or Teen romance. I especially don’t like contemporary realistic fiction Teen romance with a male/female pairing. So when I say that this is one of my favorite books, I want you to understand my full meaning. Partly it’s because I found Viola so relatable and I appreciated how, for once, the author was on the side of the hyper-competent no-nonsense girl, and showed how someone like that can still be a thoughtful and kind person while giving attitude to those who deserve it. Partly it’s because I love a story that spends so much time in fandom spaces—we get tabletop RPGs, online gaming, a Renaissance Fair, and a science fiction convention! But mostly… it’s just a really good story. This is easily my favorite Twelfth Night retelling and my favorite Teen romance novel.
Siren Queen by Nghi Vo
This book is really good, and quite chilling at times. I struggled with it at first because I couldn’t tell how much of the magic system was metaphorical versus literal, but don’t worry—there are definitely powerful entities making magical bargains here, no fantasy-baiting. It’s actually fascinating how seamlessly Hollywood history and the lore of the fae courts can be blended together to build this world. I like the friendships in this story and how most of the triumphs depend on people advising or supporting each other. I absolutely did not see the ending coming, and it is perfect.
Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta & Cory McCarthy
It’s a King Arthur retelling in space with an LGBTQ+ cast of characters and Star Wars vibes. Plenty of action and several surprising twists. I definitely enjoyed reading it, and the sequel, Sword in the Stars.
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
I can’t decide if it’s my favorite book by this author (One Last Stop and I Kissed Shara Wheeler are both about as good) but I think it resonates the most because it’s about star-crossed secret lovers and the struggle to make a world where people don’t have to hide—a struggle that, unfortunately, we’re still facing. The supporting cast of female characters is my favorite part—the computer genius best friend, the aspiring journalist sister, the openly trans secret service agent, the badass Chief of Staff, the President mom with her line about murder plots and plausible deniability, the princess threatening to bash in her homophobic brother’s head with a guitar—and I will never forgive the movie for dialing them down and/or cutting them completely. The humor is a bit cruder than I prefer, and I don’t like how the characters show affection by being mean to each other, but I still really enjoyed this book.
I should also note that The Sunbearer Trials, Light from Uncommon Stars, Cemetery Boys, and The Wicked Bargain from last week all belong on this list as well.
What are your favorite books (or other media) that feature POC main characters? I’m always looking for more stories!
Links to other Pride Month Recommendations:
Part 1: Trans and Nonbinary Main Characters
Part 3: Neurodivergent Main Characters
Part 4: General Recommendations
