i don’t want to read lgbtq fiction i want to read genre fiction with lgbtq protags
alright friends i was thinking about this earlier and so i put together a list of some good genre fiction with lgbt main characters:
LESBIAN
the abyss surrounds us by emily skrutskie (sci fi/dystopian, woc protag)
ascension by jacqueline koyanagi (sci fi/space opera, disabled woc protag)
serenity rose by aaron alexovich (paranormal graphic novel)
everything leads to you by nina lacour (contemporary, but not “about” lgbt issues/coming out/anything like that)
afterworlds by scott westerfeld (contemporary/paranormal, woc protag)
beauty queens by libba bray (not sure on the genre; not sure how good this is, haven’t read it myself)
sword of the guardian by merry shannon (fantasy; warning for attempted rape scene)
huntress by malinda lo (fantasy, woc protag)
the dark wife by sarah diemer (fantasy)
seven by jennifer diemer (fantasy/fairy tale retelling)
bleeding earth by kaitlin ward (horror/fantasy; haven’t read this either, not sure how it is)
GAY
proxy by alex london (dystopian, moc protag)
more than this by patrick ness (dystopian i guess? not sure how to describe the genre tbh)
the star host by ft lukens (sci fi, haven’t read)
hero by perry moore (superhero)
BISEXUAL
god’s war by kameron hurley (post-apocalyptic/sci fi, bi woc protag)
coda by emma trevayne (dystopian, bi guy protag)
adaptation by malinda lo (sci fi, bi girl protag)
beauty queens by libba bray (see above, major bi characters)
ash by malinda lo (fantasy/fairy tale retelling, bi girl protag)
the young elites by marie lu (fantasy, lots of bi characters all around)
the scorpion rules by erin bow (dystopian, bi girl protag, haven’t read but i hear it’s awesome)
TRANS
beauty queens by libba bray (see above, major trans woman characters (i think))
the left hand of darkness by ursula k le guin (fantasy; haven’t read this either, not sure how it is)
love in the time of global warming by libba bray (dystopian; haven’t read this one either yikes)
that’s all i’ve got right now! i’m a lesbian so the lesbian section has the most books in it lol, but if anyone else wants to add some more books for gbt people (especially trans because Yikes that section is small), that would be awesome!
hello i volunteer as tribute
GAY
swordspoint by ellen kushner (fantasy; assassins! mostly just one assassin)
one for sorrow by christopher barzak (haven’t read; paranormal; bad ending)
i haven’t read these and i refuse to take responsibility for their quality, but they’re all fantasy: dragon slayer, fire dragon, luck in the shadows, kastor chronicles
TRANS
the errant prince by sasha l. miller (haven’t read; also gay; fantasy, with knights and everything)
to summon nightmares by j.k. pendragon (haven’t read; also gay; modern fantasy)
nevada by imogen binnie (haven’t read; also lesbian; road trip is a genre, right?)
bc it’s hard to find trans books at all: here is a goodreads list of trans ya fic & non-fic, one of trans books by trans authors, and one of books about gay trans men. these are just lists i came across while looking around.
that is all i have off the top of my goodreads list that u haven’t already listed
i only have one rec but it’s fucking massive and super worth it: the god eaters (read for free here, you can also buy it in paperback form in various spots online if you’re committed) is possibly the best standalone fantasy book i’ve read in ages and it’s super super gay (also super super triggery so hmu if you need warnings).
oh and as someone who has read the kastor chronicles i can definitely vouch for quality. that shit is choice. (both of these are by the same author btw lol)
ETA: NO. 6. NO. FUCKING 6. also fucking massive, also super triggery, also feel free to hit me up for details, but you can read the english translation FOR FREE here.
Some o'my all-time faves that are missing here:
- Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey (SF near-future dystopia with mutants, female protagonists)
- the Middle Kingdoms books by Diane Duane (epic fantasy but the books aren’t epic length, everyone is poly-ish [that’s not the queer bit that’s just a content note], starts off with two guys who are like totes in love & adds a few more until it culminates in a giant poly wedding, just roll with it, roll with it) (STILL NOT FINISHED but the lack of a fourth book isn’t too dire) (there is a genderqueer character in these but they are an alien, basically; I am not genderqueer so I don’t know if genderqueer people would enjoy this portrayal or not)
- the Elemental Logic books by Laurie Marks (fantasy, lesbians!!!)
- Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold (SF, a little dated now probably but I still find it charming, dude protagonists)
N.K. Jemisin: The Inheritance Trilogy (She just won a Hugo for Fifth Season.
R. S. Belcher: Golgotha (Weird west with multiple LGBTQ characters.
Queers Destroy Science Fiction and Queers Destroy Fantasy
Chris Morarity: The Spin Series
Brit Mandelo (editor): Beyond Binary: Genderqueer and Sexually Fluid Science Fiction
Jaym Gates and Erica Holtz (editors): Broken Time Blues
Villarreal: Terra Nova: An Anthology of Contemporary Spanish Science Fiction
I don’t think anyone has yet mentioned -
Gay - The Still (by David Feintuch) fantasy, bratty prince has love affair with his mentor/babysitter. This also has a sequel. - Luck in the Shadows (by Lynn Flewelling) fantasy, young apprentice falls for his dashing spy/thief master. First novel in a series.
Lesbian The Glass Republic by Tom Pollock, urban fantasy, lesbian Muslim protagonist. Middle book in a trilogy (the whole trilogy is excellent).
Bi and non-binary Babylon Steel by Gaie Sebold, fantasy. Pro-sex, pro-sex work, pro-polyamory, and the series also includes nb characters in plot-critical roles. Babylon runs a brothel, and also does a little bodyguard work on the side. There’s a sequel. Gaie’s work is really excellent so check out her other work as well.
