Pride Month is here and so is summer reading time, so why not put yourself squarely in the middle of that venn diagram and grab some great queer reads to celebrate the system?
From the trio lovingly nicknamed “the sapphic trifecta” by BookTok to historical fantasy romance, to an agonizing cliffhanger that is so worth the pain, here are our picks for 9 queer fantasies everyone should check out this Pride Month.
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
The first of the aforementioned sapphic trifecta is this delicious queer historical fantasy set in 14th century China. And so you know, while this summary will lean hard into the historical part of its genre, there is a fisting scene within its pages. Zhu Chongba was destined for greatness, but after a bandit attack, his sister, who was initially destined for nothingness, is the one who survives. Assuming her brother’s identity, she enters a monastery and seeks to escape from her fate, whatever it takes.
(Bonus: The highly anticipated finale of this duology arrives later this summer.)
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Tasha Suri’s lush Burning Kingdoms trilogy begins with this impeccable tome. Priya is a maidservant, making the dangerous trek to the top of the Hirana, the ruins of an ancient temple, to clean the chambers of an imprisoned princess. That princess is Malini, whose brother rules their kingdom with a cruel hand while she sits in isolation, surviving out of spite and living in hope of one day watching her brother crumble. Though their paths have already crossed, it is not until Priya’s ancient magical power reveals itself in Malini’s presence that their lives become inescapably tangled.
FYI: Sequel The Oleander Sword hit shelves in 2022, while the final installment is reportedly arriving in 2024.
The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
If you want a fast-paced queer fantasy that gets your adrenaline going, this is the one! Touraine is being sent back to her homeland as part of the army she’s been raised to fight in since she was stolen away as a child. Luca is looking for someone that can help knock her uncle off the throne that should be hers. Rebellious fires alight in both of them as they fight for a new future.
FYI: Sequel The Faithless arrived earlier this year, with one book still to go in C.L. Clark’s Magic of the Lost trilogy.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
Aiden Thomas’ stellar Sunbearer duology begins with a mythological competition that will thrill and delight at every turn (and, if you’re like me, leave you screaming at the ending while waiting for book two). A
t the beginning of each decade, The Sunbearer Trials begin. Ten teen semidioses are selected by Sol to compete in a series of contests that will name a winner (who will carry light to all the temples) and a loser (who will be sacrificed and their body used as fuel). Teo, the trans son of Quetzal, rightly assumes that his friend (and sort of rival) Aurelio will be chosen for the Trials. But when Teo gets chosen as well, he’ll end up competing against a whole host of semidioses who seem much more prepared.
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
A grumpy gentleman and a semi-clueless baronet walk into a book…
Robin doesn’t know what he’s doing at his job, but to be fair that’s because an admin error placed him as a liaison to a secret magical society. Naturally, that aligns him with Edwin Courcey, who is working with him from the magical society and is not too convinced about Robert. It’s really delightful, along with its
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Cozy fantasy fans have been raving about Legends & Lattes since its release, and with truly impeccable vibes, it’s not hard to see why.
Viv is an orc, one who is trading in her life of battles and bloodshed for beans…coffee beans. That’s right, she’s going to open up a coffee shop, the first ever in her city, and not actually knowing what coffee is certainly isn’t going to stop her!
Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk
As a Chicagoland native and a lover of novellas and historical fantasy, it only makes sense that I adored this Windy City-set queer fantasy novella.
The White City Vampire is Chicago’s most notorious serial killer, and an exiled magical detective known as an auspex (whose soul remains sold after she made a deal to save her brother) has three days in which to track them down. Though she initially turned down the vampire chase, the offer that made her change her mind was one that promised her the chance to grow old with the woman she loves.
Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee
Gyen just got a job offer! And it’s a painting job, which is what they’ve wanted! Unfortunately, it is for the occupying government, as it would be to paint the sigils that animate their automatons.
So painting might need to take a backseat to stealing the dragon automaton, Arazi, and fighting back.
Bonus Pre-order Recommendation: Godly Heathens by H. E. Edgmon
This upcoming release might not be on shelves until this November, but my oh my is it worth the wait (picture being able to hold one of the stars in the night sky in your hand, that’s what it feels like to read this book).
You might think the strangest thing in Seminole teen Gem Echols’ life is the whole “being haunted by visions that feel all too real” thing. But right now it’s the fact that despite keeping the dreams a secret, the new girl in town, Willa Mae, knows all about them…and also getting attacked by someone claiming to be the Goddess of Death. Willa Mae has answers for that too–she and Gem are deities, reincarnated through the ages and lovers across their lifetimes. And lots of enemies are coming Gem’s way.
Godly Heathens hits shelves November 28, 2023
Rachel Strolle is a teen librarian and the communications director for YALLFest and YALLWEST. Her book roundups have been featured in Buzzfeed, Reader’s Digest, and Bitch Magazine.