Top 5 Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books with LGBTQ+ Characters

Are you a fan of fantasy and sci-fi books? Do you enjoy reading stories that feature LGBTQ+ characters and themes? If you answered yes to both questions, then you are in for a treat. We have compiled a list of some of the best books that celebrate diversity, inclusion, and representation in these genres. These books will take you on amazing journeys, from a world of magic and dragons to a haunted palace in space, to a remote island with magical children, to a galaxy full of wormholes, to a cemetery with ghosts. And along the way, you will meet some wonderful characters who will make you laugh, cry, and swoon. Here are our top 5 picks of fantasy and sci-fi books with LGBTQ+ characters:

1. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

This book is not for the faint of heart. It is a huge and epic fantasy novel that spans over 800 pages. But trust us, it is worth every page. It is set in a world where an ancient evil is about to awaken, and four people have to stop it: Ead, a secret mage who protects the queen; Tané, a dragon rider who dreams of glory; Loth, a nobleman who goes on a perilous quest; and Niclays, an alchemist who seeks redemption. Among them, Ead and Tané are both queer women who have to hide their true selves from their societies. Their stories are full of politics, intrigue, action, and romance, as they face their enemies and their own hearts.

The Priory of the Orange Tree is a stunning standalone fantasy novel that explores themes of identity, loyalty, faith, and love. It features a diverse cast of characters, including people of color, different cultures, and different sexual orientations. It also has a rich and complex world-building that draws inspiration from various myths and legends. If you love dragons, magic, and queer women kicking ass, this book is for you.

You can find more information about this book here.

2. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

This book is the first in a trilogy that has been described as “lesbian necromancers in space”. And yes, it is as awesome as it sounds. It follows the adventures of Gideon Nav, a swordswoman who wants to escape from the dreary Ninth House, where she serves as a cavalier to Harrowhark Nonagesimus, the bone witch who rules the house. Harrow is Gideon’s nemesis and tormentor since childhood, but she also needs Gideon’s help to become a Lyctor, a powerful immortal servant of the Emperor. To do so, they have to compete with eight other pairs of necromancers and cavaliers from different houses in a deadly trial that takes place in a haunted palace.

Gideon the Ninth is a hilarious and horrifying sci-fi horror novel that combines necromancy, sword fighting, mystery, and sarcasm. It has a unique and original magic system that involves manipulating bones and corpses. It also has a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance between Gideon and Harrow, who are both snarky and stubborn. The book is full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.

You can find more information about this book here.

3. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

This book is a heartwarming and whimsical fantasy novel that will make you smile and cry. It tells the story of Linus Baker, a caseworker who works for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY), where he inspects orphanages for magical children. He is assigned to investigate an orphanage on a remote island, where he meets Arthur Parnassus, the charming and mysterious caretaker of six extraordinary children: Lucy, a six-year-old Antichrist; Talia, a garden gnome; Chauncey, an octopus-like creature who wants to be a bellhop; Sal, a shapeshifter; Theodore, a wyvern; and Phee, a forest sprite. As Linus spends time with them, he begins to question his life and his role in DICOMY.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a beautiful and uplifting fantasy novel that explores themes of family, acceptance, courage, and change. It features a sweet and slow-burn romance between Linus and Arthur, who are both gay men in their forties. It also has adorable and hilarious interactions between Linus and the children, who are all lovable and endearing. This book is like a warm hug that will make you feel good.

You can find more information about this book here.

4. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

This book is the first in a series that follows the lives and relationships of the crew of the Wayfarer, a spaceship that builds wormholes across the galaxy. The crew consists of a diverse and quirky group of characters, including Rosemary, a human who joins the crew as a clerk; Sissix, an alien pilot who belongs to a reptilian species; Kizzy and Jenks, two engineers who are best friends; Dr. Chef, a multi-armed alien who serves as the cook and the medic; Ohan, a navigator who is part of a symbiotic species; Corbin, a grumpy algaeist who provides fuel for the ship; and Ashby, the captain who is in a secret relationship with an alien ambassador. Together, they embark on a long and dangerous journey to a small, angry planet that is at the center of a galactic conflict.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is a sci-fi space opera novel that focuses on the character development and the interpersonal dynamics of the crew. It explores various topics such as culture, identity, gender, sexuality, family, and friendship. It also showcases a variety of alien species and cultures that are imaginative and fascinating. It has a lot of humor, heart, and adventure that will make you fall in love with the characters and their stories.

You can find more information about this book here.

5. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

This book is a paranormal fantasy novel that follows Yadriel, a trans boy who wants to prove himself as a brujo (a male practitioner of magic) to his conservative Latinx family. He decides to perform a ritual to summon the spirit of his cousin Miguel, who died under mysterious circumstances. However, he accidentally summons the ghost of Julian Diaz, the bad boy of his school, who refuses to leave Yadriel’s side until he finds out what happened to him. As they work together to solve the mystery, they also develop feelings for each other.

Cemetery Boys is a fun and spooky fantasy novel that features a diverse and inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. It has a cute and swoony romance between Yadriel and Julian, who are both gay. It also has a rich and vibrant portrayal of the Brujx culture and the Dia de los Muertos tradition. It is a book that celebrates identity, love, and family.

You can find more information about this book here.

Hope you enjoyed this list and found some new books to read. If you have any other suggestions or comments, feel free to share them with us in the comment section below.