Best Queer Fantasy Books

49

Gideon the Ninth

By Tamsyn Muir

Rated 4.18 out of 5 stars, based on 188,004 reviews. 4.18 · 188,004 reviews

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir blends science fantasy, horror, and mystery in a locked-house contest among necromancers in a crumbling galactic empire. Gideon Nav, an irreverent swordswoman raised in the bleak Ninth House, wants only to escape a fut…

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir blends science fantasy, horror, and mystery in a locked-house contest among necromancers in a crumbling galactic empire. Gideon Nav, an irreverent swordswoman raised in the bleak Ninth House, wants only to escape a future tied to bones and corpses. Instead she is forced into service as cavalier to her lifelong antagonist, Harrowhark Nonagesimus, a brilliant necromancer summoned to compete in lethal trials for power and immortality. As the heirs of the Emperor’s Houses explore a haunted facility and contestants begin to die, the novel unfolds as a queer, darkly humorous investigation of loyalty, ambition, and survival.

Book 1 of The Locked Tomb series

Magic Science Fiction LGBTQ Queer Horror Lesbian Sword and Sorcery Female Protagonist Necromancer

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50

The Last Sun

By K.D. Edwards

Rated 4.18 out of 5 stars, based on 13,118 reviews. 4.18 · 13,118 reviews

The Last Sun (The Tarot Sequence, #1) by K.D. Edwards follows Rune Saint John, the final heir of the fallen Sun Court, as he searches for Lady Judgment’s missing son, Addam, in the island city of New Atlantis. Accompanied by his bodyguard Brand, Rune…

The Last Sun (The Tarot Sequence, #1) by K.D. Edwards follows Rune Saint John, the final heir of the fallen Sun Court, as he searches for Lady Judgment’s missing son, Addam, in the island city of New Atlantis. Accompanied by his bodyguard Brand, Rune navigates the complex social and political landscape of Atlantean nobility while uncovering a deeper mystery involving a legendary creature tied to his family’s tragic past. This urban fantasy blends elements of magic, mystery, and queer romance within a richly imagined setting.

Book 1 of The Tarot Sequence series

Magic Romance Gods Monsters Urban Fantasy Mystery War LGBTQ Queer Mythology Ruling Class Gay Political Intrigue Male Protagonist

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51

Black Sun

By Rebecca Roanhorse

Rated 4.18 out of 5 stars, based on 55,479 reviews. 4.18 · 55,479 reviews

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse opens a sweeping fantasy trilogy rooted in the cultures and cosmologies of pre-Columbian America. In the holy city of Tova, a winter solstice celebration is overshadowed by a forbidden solar eclipse, threatening religio…

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse opens a sweeping fantasy trilogy rooted in the cultures and cosmologies of pre-Columbian America. In the holy city of Tova, a winter solstice celebration is overshadowed by a forbidden solar eclipse, threatening religious balance and political stability. As factions maneuver for power, the Teek sea captain Xiala sails toward Tova with Serapio, a blind and scarred young man shaped by prophecy and dangerous ritual. Blending high fantasy with Indigenous-inspired worldbuilding, queer representation, and rising tensions between faith, magic, and empire, the novel follows intersecting destinies on the brink of upheaval.

Book 1 of Between Earth and Sky series

Fantasy Magic Gods LGBTQ Queer Political Intrigue Male Protagonist

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52

Tournament of Losers

By Megan Derr

Rated 4.17 out of 5 stars, based on 5,263 reviews. 4.17 · 5,263 reviews

Tournament of Losers by Megan Derr follows Rath, a commoner who wants nothing more than an uneventful life in a vaguely historical fantasy kingdom. His plans collapse when his father's gambling debts put him at the mercy of a local crime lord, leavin…

Tournament of Losers by Megan Derr follows Rath, a commoner who wants nothing more than an uneventful life in a vaguely historical fantasy kingdom. His plans collapse when his father's gambling debts put him at the mercy of a local crime lord, leaving Rath only days to find an impossible sum. A friend suggests an unlikely solution: enter the rare Tournament of Losers, where ordinary citizens compete for the chance to marry into noble or royal families, receiving living funds during the contest. As Rath navigates trials, court politics, and unexpected romantic possibilities with other men, this queer M/M fantasy romance explores class, obligation, and the cost of survival.

Book 1 of Legacy of Charlet series

Fantasy Romance LGBTQ Queer Low Fantasy Ruling Class Gay Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist

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53

The Engineered Throne

By Megan Derr

Rated 4.17 out of 5 stars, based on 1,849 reviews. 4.17 · 1,849 reviews

The Engineered Throne by Megan Derr follows Lord Vellem, a gifted military engineer whose talent for roads and bridges offers only partial escape from a brutal upbringing and a family broken by addiction and neglect. When his brother arranges a polit…

The Engineered Throne by Megan Derr follows Lord Vellem, a gifted military engineer whose talent for roads and bridges offers only partial escape from a brutal upbringing and a family broken by addiction and neglect. When his brother arranges a political marriage to a prince from their nation’s oldest rival, Vellem is drawn into a fragile peace that depends on both his technical expertise and his willingness to trust unfamiliar allies. Set in a secondary-world fantasy with royal courts, military structures, and the looming presence of war, the novel blends m/m romance with questions of loyalty, duty, and reconstruction after loss. As tragedy disrupts his new life, Vellem must confront whether he can rebuild not only shattered infrastructure but also the damaged bonds between families and kingdoms.

Book 1 of Unbreakable Soldiers series

Romance Dragons War Military Fiction LGBTQ Queer Drama Ruling Class Gay Political Intrigue Male Protagonist

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54

The Legend of Nightfall

By Mickey Zucker Reichert

Rated 4.17 out of 5 stars, based on 2,493 reviews. 4.17 · 2,493 reviews

The Legend of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert follows a notorious thief and assassin whose many identities have made him both legend and rumor, perhaps even a demon in human form. Captured by a king who understands the danger he represents, Night…

The Legend of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert follows a notorious thief and assassin whose many identities have made him both legend and rumor, perhaps even a demon in human form. Captured by a king who understands the danger he represents, Nightfall is bound by magic and sworn duty to protect an idealistic young prince on a perilous quest. As they navigate hostile realms, political schemes, and sorcerous threats, Nightfall must balance his lethal skills with his reluctant role as guardian. Blending epic and high fantasy with sword-and-sorcery action, the novel centers on a morally complex male protagonist whose past crimes collide with his enforced loyalty to the crown.

Book 1 of Nightfall series

Fantasy Adventure Magic Demons Adult Science Fiction Epic Fantasy High Fantasy Queer Sword and Sorcery Political Intrigue Assassins Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist

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55

Foundryside

By Robert Jackson Bennett

Rated 4.17 out of 5 stars, based on 56,320 reviews. 4.17 · 56,320 reviews

Foundryside (The Founders Trilogy, #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett follows Sancia Grado, a skilled thief in the city of Tevanne, who steals a powerful artifact linked to the magical technology of scriving. This technology allows objects to be imbued wi…

Foundryside (The Founders Trilogy, #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett follows Sancia Grado, a skilled thief in the city of Tevanne, who steals a powerful artifact linked to the magical technology of scriving. This technology allows objects to be imbued with sentience through coded commands and has been exploited by the ruling Merchant Houses to enforce a rigid capitalist order. As Sancia becomes entangled in a conflict over control of the artifact, she must navigate political intrigue and harness its power to survive. The novel explores themes of magic, technology, and transformation within a high fantasy setting that includes queer and LGBT elements.

Book 1 of The Founders Trilogy series

Fantasy Magic Gods Epic Fantasy Monsters War LGBTQ Queer Thriller Lesbian Low Fantasy Rebellion Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Female Protagonist

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56

A Rival Most Vial: Potioneering for Love and Profit

By R.K. Ashwick

Rated 4.16 out of 5 stars, based on 2,871 reviews. 4.16 · 2,871 reviews

A Rival Most Vial: Potioneering for Love and Profit by R.K. Ashwick follows Ambrose Beake, a reserved half-elf renowned for running the only potion shop in his small fantasy city, until Eli, a charming newcomer, opens a rival store directly across th…

A Rival Most Vial: Potioneering for Love and Profit by R.K. Ashwick follows Ambrose Beake, a reserved half-elf renowned for running the only potion shop in his small fantasy city, until Eli, a charming newcomer, opens a rival store directly across the street. Their escalating competition over prices, customers, and magical products turns the quiet town into a battleground of potioneering skill and charisma. When the mayor orders them to collaborate on a single, high-stakes commission, Ambrose and Eli are forced into close quarters where professional tension begins to blur into romantic attraction. Blending cozy fantasy, comedy, and queer enemies-to-lovers romance, the novel focuses on character dynamics, magical craftsmanship, and the slow shift from rivalry to partnership.

Book 1 of Side Quest Row series

Fantasy Magic Comedy Romance Cozy LGBTQ Queer Enemies To Lovers Male Protagonist Small Town

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57

The Door Into Fire

By Diane Duane

Rated 4.16 out of 5 stars, based on 964 reviews. 4.16 · 964 reviews

The Door Into Fire by Diane Duane follows Herewiss, Prince of the Brightwood, the first man in ages to bear the dangerous Power of the Flame yet remain unable to wield it. Torn between loyalty and self-mastery, he aids his closest friend, the disposs…

The Door Into Fire by Diane Duane follows Herewiss, Prince of the Brightwood, the first man in ages to bear the dangerous Power of the Flame yet remain unable to wield it. Torn between loyalty and self-mastery, he aids his closest friend, the dispossessed prince Freelorn, using learned sorcery and the help of Sunspark, a mysterious, gender-shifting fire-being, to break a siege. As Freelorn struggles to reclaim his throne, Herewiss must decide whether to commit fully to a human war or seek an ancient castle whose gateways to other worlds may finally unlock his magic. Blending epic fantasy, queer romance, and mythic adventure, the novel explores power, identity, and chosen bonds amid looming conflict.

Book 1 of The Tale of the Five series

Adventure Magic Romance Dragons Epic Fantasy Monsters War LGBTQ Queer Mythology Sword and Sorcery Ruling Class Gay Political Intrigue Male Protagonist

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58

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

By Becky Chambers

Rated 4.16 out of 5 stars, based on 189,512 reviews. 4.16 · 189,512 reviews

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers follows Rosemary Harper, a reserved young clerk who signs on to the aging tunneling ship Wayfarer to escape her past and see more of the galaxy. Among a small, eccentric crew that includes alien…

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers follows Rosemary Harper, a reserved young clerk who signs on to the aging tunneling ship Wayfarer to escape her past and see more of the galaxy. Among a small, eccentric crew that includes alien species, queer relationships, and a strong female captain, she gradually learns to navigate both interspecies politics and intimate personal bonds. When the Wayfarer accepts a lucrative contract to create a wormhole link to a distant, volatile region of space, routine travel turns into a series of risky encounters that test their ethics as much as their survival skills. This character-focused space opera blends adventure with quiet, adult reflections on chosen family, identity, and belonging.

Book 1 of Wayfarers series

Fantasy Adventure Adult Science Fiction Space Opera LGBTQ Queer Female Protagonist

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59

The Priory of the Orange Tree

By Samantha Shannon

Rated 4.16 out of 5 stars, based on 286,709 reviews. 4.16 · 286,709 reviews

The Priory of the Orange Tree (The Roots of Chaos, #1) by Samantha Shannon is a fantasy novel set in a world where the House of Berethnet has ruled the queendom of Inys for a millennium. Queen Sabran the Ninth faces pressure to produce an heir amid t…

The Priory of the Orange Tree (The Roots of Chaos, #1) by Samantha Shannon is a fantasy novel set in a world where the House of Berethnet has ruled the queendom of Inys for a millennium. Queen Sabran the Ninth faces pressure to produce an heir amid threats from assassins, while her lady-in-waiting Ead Duryan secretly protects her using forbidden magic. Across the sea, Tané trains to become a dragonrider but confronts a pivotal choice that could change her fate. The story explores political tension between East and West as ancient forces of chaos begin to stir.

Book 1 of The Roots of Chaos series

Fantasy Magic Adult Romance Dragons Epic Fantasy Monsters High Fantasy War Medieval LGBTQ Queer Lesbian Mythology Sword and Sorcery Ruling Class Political Intrigue Assassins Strong Protagonist Female Protagonist

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60

Spectred Isle

By K.J. Charles

Rated 4.16 out of 5 stars, based on 4,359 reviews. 4.16 · 4,359 reviews

Spectred Isle by K.J. Charles is a queer historical fantasy romance set in the uneasy aftermath of the First World War. Disgraced archaeologist Saul Lazenby, reduced to working for an occult-obsessed patron he does not take seriously, is forced to re…

Spectred Isle by K.J. Charles is a queer historical fantasy romance set in the uneasy aftermath of the First World War. Disgraced archaeologist Saul Lazenby, reduced to working for an occult-obsessed patron he does not take seriously, is forced to reconsider his skepticism when his assignments lead to genuinely uncanny and dangerous events. His path keeps crossing that of Randolph Glyde, a reserved and sharp-tongued practitioner of arcane arts burdened with the obligations of an old magical lineage. As Saul and Randolph confront escalating paranormal disturbances in a war-scarred England, suspicion and mistrust give way to reluctant partnership and a slow-building attraction that entwines personal stakes with the fate of Saul’s life and soul.

Book 1 of Green Men series

Magic Romance Mystery War Supernatural LGBTQ Queer Gay Male Protagonist

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61

Impromptu Match

By Lily Mayne

Rated 4.16 out of 5 stars, based on 6,285 reviews. 4.16 · 6,285 reviews

Impromptu Match by Lily Mayne follows Taylor Hough, a self-described ordinary office worker whose monotonous corporate life is upended by a mistaken identity. Drawn into a secret professional wrestling league hidden beneath his workplace, Taylor slow…

Impromptu Match by Lily Mayne follows Taylor Hough, a self-described ordinary office worker whose monotonous corporate life is upended by a mistaken identity. Drawn into a secret professional wrestling league hidden beneath his workplace, Taylor slowly realizes that the wrestlers, staff, and audience are not simply eccentric but genuinely otherworldly. At the center of this paranormal urban fantasy setting is Holt Hector, the enigmatic and striking owner whose interest in Taylor pulls him deeper into a queer monster romance he never expected. As Taylor navigates this strange new reality and his growing attraction to Holt, the novel blends humor, fantasy, and gay romance in a world where the line between performance and monstrous truth has vanished.

Book 1 of Goliaths of Wrestling series

Comedy Romance Monsters Supernatural LGBTQ Queer Sports Contemporary Gay Male Protagonist

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62

Dark Rise

By C.S. Pacat

Rated 4.16 out of 5 stars, based on 41,927 reviews. 4.16 · 41,927 reviews

Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat is a young adult historical fantasy set in an alternate London where the remnants of an ancient magical war are stirring back to life. Sixteen-year-old Will, a dock worker hunted by the people who murdered his mother, is drawn…

Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat is a young adult historical fantasy set in an alternate London where the remnants of an ancient magical war are stirring back to life. Sixteen-year-old Will, a dock worker hunted by the people who murdered his mother, is drawn into the secretive order of the Stewards, guardians who have waited centuries for the Dark King’s return. As Will trains in magic and uncovers his connection to a forgotten conflict between Light and Dark, old loyalties and rivalries resurface among those reborn into their former roles. The novel blends queer romance, moral ambiguity, and rising tension as Will and his allies struggle to stop a catastrophic history from repeating itself.

Book 1 of Dark Rise series

Magic Romance Epic Fantasy Young Adult War LGBTQ Queer Male Protagonist

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63

To Shape a Dragon's Breath

By Moniquill Blackgoose

Rated 4.13 out of 5 stars, based on 13,223 reviews. 4.13 · 13,223 reviews

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose follows Anequs, a fifteen-year-old Indigenous girl whose discovery of a dragon egg on the island of Masquapaug upends both her life and the fragile balance with the Anglish colonizers. Revered at hom…

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose follows Anequs, a fifteen-year-old Indigenous girl whose discovery of a dragon egg on the island of Masquapaug upends both her life and the fragile balance with the Anglish colonizers. Revered at home for her bond with the hatchling yet distrusted by the ruling power, she is forced into an Anglish dragon academy where failure means her dragon’s death. Navigating rigid expectations, cultural erasure, and a hostile curriculum, Anequs must reconcile her community’s traditions with the empire’s rules while refusing to abandon her own values. This young adult fantasy blends dragons, boarding-school politics, queer coming-of-age, and anti-colonial resistance in a setting that reads like alternate historical fiction.

Book 1 of Nampeshiweisit series

Fantasy Dragons Young Adult Historical Fiction LGBTQ Queer Coming Of Age Rebellion Political Intrigue Female Protagonist Academy

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64

The High King's Golden Tongue

By Megan Derr

Rated 4.11 out of 5 stars, based on 6,216 reviews. 4.11 · 6,216 reviews

The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr is a queer fantasy romance set in an empire strained by war and politics. Prince Allen, raised to emulate his powerful mother and trained as a diplomatic consort, arrives at court prepared to serve the High…

The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr is a queer fantasy romance set in an empire strained by war and politics. Prince Allen, raised to emulate his powerful mother and trained as a diplomatic consort, arrives at court prepared to serve the High King, only to be dismissed as ornamental and irrelevant. High King Sarrica, still grieving his late warrior consort and consumed by military strategy, rejects Allen as unsuitable while his realm edges toward greater conflict. As political pressures mount and royal expectations collide, the story traces how a refined statesman and a battle-hardened ruler confront prejudice, duty, and unexpected attraction within a royal court.

Book 1 of Tales of the High Court series

Romance War LGBTQ Queer Enemies To Lovers Drama Ruling Class Gay Political Intrigue Male Protagonist

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65

Luck in the Shadows

By Lynn Flewelling

Rated 4.11 out of 5 stars, based on 23,453 reviews. 4.11 · 23,453 reviews

Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling introduces Alec of Kerry, a young man wrongly imprisoned and facing execution, whose fate changes when he meets his enigmatic cellmate, Seregil of Rhiminee. Seregil, a noble-born spy and thief, recruits Alec as…

Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling introduces Alec of Kerry, a young man wrongly imprisoned and facing execution, whose fate changes when he meets his enigmatic cellmate, Seregil of Rhiminee. Seregil, a noble-born spy and thief, recruits Alec as his apprentice, drawing him into a world of clandestine missions, political intrigue, and hidden magic. As they travel across a richly imagined high fantasy realm, the two men uncover a dangerous conspiracy tied to an impending war, forcing them to confront enemies both seen and unseen. Blending adventure, slow-burn queer romance, and espionage, the novel follows their evolving partnership as they risk everything to unravel a plot that threatens their lives and their world.

Book 1 of Nightrunner series

Fantasy Magic Romance War LGBTQ Queer Gay Political Intrigue Male Protagonist

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66

The Bone Doll's Twin

By Lynn Flewelling

Rated 4.10 out of 5 stars, based on 13,324 reviews. 4.10 · 13,324 reviews

The Bone Doll's Twin by Lynn Flewelling opens a dark fantasy saga set in Skala, a kingdom unraveling under a usurper king whose fear of prophecy turns royal daughters into targets. To preserve the prophesied heir, a princess is transformed by forbidd…

The Bone Doll's Twin by Lynn Flewelling opens a dark fantasy saga set in Skala, a kingdom unraveling under a usurper king whose fear of prophecy turns royal daughters into targets. To preserve the prophesied heir, a princess is transformed by forbidden magic into Tobin, a boy raised in secrecy and shadowed by restless spirits and political suspicion. As plague, war, and religious unrest spread, Tobin’s guarded upbringing among wizards, outcasts, and a haunted household steadily reveals the cost of survival in a violently patriarchal court. Blending epic and high fantasy with queer and gender-bent themes, the novel follows Tobin’s uneasy path toward an identity that threatens both the throne and the fragile balance of Skala.

Book 1 of Tamír Triad series

Magic Epic Fantasy War LGBTQ Queer Political Intrigue Transgender

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67

The Jasmine Throne

By Tasha Suri

Rated 4.10 out of 5 stars, based on 39,295 reviews. 4.10 · 39,295 reviews

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri opens a new epic fantasy trilogy set in an Indian history–inspired empire on the brink of upheaval. Malini, a princess confined by her tyrant brother to a crumbling temple once famed for its deathless waters, plots re…

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri opens a new epic fantasy trilogy set in an Indian history–inspired empire on the brink of upheaval. Malini, a princess confined by her tyrant brother to a crumbling temple once famed for its deathless waters, plots revenge from enforced seclusion. Priya, a maidservant who secretly wields forbidden magic and carries the past of a lost priestess, climbs to Malini’s chambers each night hoping to remain unnoticed. When Malini discovers Priya’s hidden power, the two women form a fraught alliance that blends political rebellion, slow-burn queer romance, and dark magic as they challenge an empire’s foundations.

Book 1 of The Burning Kingdoms series

Magic Romance Epic Fantasy LGBTQ Queer Lesbian Rebellion Political Intrigue Female Protagonist

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68

Crier's War

By Nina Varela

Rated 4.10 out of 5 stars, based on 54,360 reviews. 4.10 · 54,360 reviews

Crier's War (Crier's War, #1) by Nina Varela is set in the kingdom of Rabu, where the Automae—artificial beings once created as royal playthings—have seized control from humans following the War of Kinds. The story follows Ayla, a human servant deter…

Crier's War (Crier's War, #1) by Nina Varela is set in the kingdom of Rabu, where the Automae—artificial beings once created as royal playthings—have seized control from humans following the War of Kinds. The story follows Ayla, a human servant determined to avenge her family by targeting Lady Crier, the Sovereign’s daughter who was engineered for perfection and poised to inherit power. As Crier navigates her arranged engagement to Scyre Kinok and uncovers unsettling truths about her father’s rule, her path intersects with Ayla’s in a complex exploration of loyalty and identity within a vividly constructed fantasy world.

Book 1 of Crier's War series

Fantasy Magic Romance Young Adult War Medieval LGBTQ Queer Lesbian Survival Enemies To Lovers Ruling Class Reincarnation Revenge Rebellion Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Non-human Protagonist Female Protagonist

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69

Lord of the White Hell, Book 1

By Ginn Hale

Rated 4.10 out of 5 stars, based on 5,776 reviews. 4.10 · 5,776 reviews

Lord of the White Hell, Book 1 by Ginn Hale introduces Kiram Kir-Zaki, a gifted young mechanist whose admission to the elite Sagrada Academy makes him both an outsider and a target. As the first Haldiim student in a rigid Cadeleonian institution, he…

Lord of the White Hell, Book 1 by Ginn Hale introduces Kiram Kir-Zaki, a gifted young mechanist whose admission to the elite Sagrada Academy makes him both an outsider and a target. As the first Haldiim student in a rigid Cadeleonian institution, he faces prejudice that escalates from hostility to violence. His uneasy alliance with Javier Tornesal, a charismatic duelist and heir to a dukedom rumored to be cursed by the White Hell, draws him into dangerous political and magical intrigues. Blending school drama, slow-burn queer romance, and arcane forces with a touch of steampunk technology, this fantasy novel follows two young men whose secrets and loyalties could cost them their lives.

Book 1 of The Cadeleonian Series series

Fantasy Magic Romance LGBTQ Queer Gay Political Intrigue Academy Male Protagonist

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70

A Taste of Gold and Iron

By Alexandra Rowland

Rated 4.08 out of 5 stars, based on 13,479 reviews. 4.08 · 13,479 reviews

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland is an adult fantasy romance set in Arasht, a kingdom inspired by Ottoman-era courts and intricate palace politics. After a public clash with a powerful ambassador leaves shy prince Kadou disgraced, he is…

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland is an adult fantasy romance set in Arasht, a kingdom inspired by Ottoman-era courts and intricate palace politics. After a public clash with a powerful ambassador leaves shy prince Kadou disgraced, he is tasked with investigating a break-in at a royal guild to prove his loyalty to his sister, the queen. Assigned to protect him is Evemer, a disciplined and distant bodyguard whose initial disdain complicates their growing connection. As they uncover a conspiracy involving heretical counterfeiting in a world where some royals can taste the truth of precious metals with their fingertips, the investigation threatens both the realm’s financial stability and Kadou’s already precarious standing, blending queer romance with political intrigue.

Book 1 of Mahisti Dynasty series

Fantasy Magic Romance LGBTQ Queer Gay Political Intrigue Male Protagonist

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71

The Traitor Baru Cormorant

By Seth Dickinson

Rated 4.06 out of 5 stars, based on 26,014 reviews. 4.06 · 26,014 reviews

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson follows a brilliant young woman whose island home is absorbed by the expansionist Empire of Masks, which erases local customs and destroys her family. Determined to dismantle this power from within, Baru s…

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson follows a brilliant young woman whose island home is absorbed by the expansionist Empire of Masks, which erases local customs and destroys her family. Determined to dismantle this power from within, Baru suppresses her anger, excels in imperial service, and is assigned to govern Aurdwynn, a volatile province riddled with rebellion and intrigue. As she navigates treacherous alliances among dukes, spies, and insurgents, she must also hide her growing attraction to Duchess Tain Hu in a regime hostile to queer relationships. This adult fantasy blends political maneuvering, economic control, and personal sacrifice into a grim study of empire, loyalty, and the costs of resistance.

Book 1 of The Masquerade series

Epic Fantasy LGBTQ Queer Lesbian Ruling Class Rebellion Political Intrigue Female Protagonist

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72

The Magpie Lord

By K.J. Charles

Rated 4.05 out of 5 stars, based on 25,076 reviews. 4.05 · 25,076 reviews

The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles blends historical fantasy, mystery, and queer romance in Victorian England. Lucien Vaudrey, newly and unwillingly returned from long exile in China, finds himself the unexpected earl and the target of lethal, possibly…

The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles blends historical fantasy, mystery, and queer romance in Victorian England. Lucien Vaudrey, newly and unwillingly returned from long exile in China, finds himself the unexpected earl and the target of lethal, possibly magical, hostility. To survive, he hires Stephen Day, a working magician whose family suffered under the previous lords of the estate and who has every reason to despise Crane’s name. As Stephen investigates the malignant forces infesting Crane’s ancestral home, professional duty collides with an intense and risky attraction, while layered conspiracies and paranormal threats close in on them both.

Book 1 of A Charm of Magpies series

Magic Romance Mystery Supernatural LGBTQ Queer Gay Political Intrigue Male Protagonist

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73

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

By Foz Meadows

Rated 4.05 out of 5 stars, based on 11,771 reviews. 4.05 · 11,771 reviews

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows follows Velasin vin Aaro, a nobleman whose arranged marriage collapses when his attraction to men is exposed, forcing a sudden betrothal instead to his former fiancée’s brother. His new partner, Caethar…

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows follows Velasin vin Aaro, a nobleman whose arranged marriage collapses when his attraction to men is exposed, forcing a sudden betrothal instead to his former fiancée’s brother. His new partner, Caethari Aeduria, is a Tithenai lord accustomed to political duty but unprepared for a husband from a country that condemns same-sex relationships. As the two men navigate an uneasy alliance, they must contend with assassination attempts and court intrigue that threaten both their lives and the fragile peace between their nations. This adult fantasy romance foregrounds queer identity, consent, and healing as Velasin and Caethari slowly build trust amid dangerous power struggles.

Book 1 of The Tithenai Chronicles series

Fantasy Romance LGBTQ Queer Gay Political Intrigue Strong Protagonist Male Protagonist

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74

Ashes of the Sun

By Django Wexler

Rated 4.04 out of 5 stars, based on 5,810 reviews. 4.04 · 5,810 reviews

Ashes of the Sun (Burningblade & Silvereye, #1) by Django Wexler is set in a world reshaped by a devastating magical war that toppled an empire. The story follows siblings Gyre and Maya, separated for twelve years after their parents sold Maya to the…

Ashes of the Sun (Burningblade & Silvereye, #1) by Django Wexler is set in a world reshaped by a devastating magical war that toppled an empire. The story follows siblings Gyre and Maya, separated for twelve years after their parents sold Maya to the enigmatic Twilight Order. Gyre seeks revenge and power to destroy the Order, while Maya has become a warrior using magic to serve its cause. As civil war threatens their world, their opposing loyalties force them into conflict despite their familial bond. This novel opens a new epic fantasy trilogy exploring themes of loyalty, power, and division.

Book 1 of Burningblade & Silvereye series

Magic Epic Fantasy Monsters War Military Fiction LGBTQ Queer Lesbian Survival Ruling Class Revenge Rebellion Political Intrigue Female Protagonist Male Protagonist

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75

Legends & Lattes

By Travis Baldree

Rated 4.03 out of 5 stars, based on 339,402 reviews. 4.03 · 339,402 reviews

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree follows Viv, a battle-worn orc who leaves behind a life of violence to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Set in a fantasy world where coffee is unfamiliar, Viv faces challenges from both old enemies a…

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree follows Viv, a battle-worn orc who leaves behind a life of violence to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Set in a fantasy world where coffee is unfamiliar, Viv faces challenges from both old enemies and new obstacles. The story explores themes of community and connection as Viv forms unexpected relationships that extend beyond friendship. This cozy fantasy blends elements of romance and queer identity within an adult setting.

Book 1 of Legends & Lattes series

Fantasy Magic Romance Monsters Slice Of Life Cozy LGBTQ Queer Lesbian Low Fantasy Orcs Female Protagonist

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76

Iron Widow

By Xiran Jay Zhao

Rated 4.03 out of 5 stars, based on 111,428 reviews. 4.03 · 111,428 reviews

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao blends science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian elements in a reimagined, futuristic Huaxia where giant mecha called Chrysalises are powered by psychic pairs of male and female pilots. Eighteen-year-old Zetian volunteers a…

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao blends science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian elements in a reimagined, futuristic Huaxia where giant mecha called Chrysalises are powered by psychic pairs of male and female pilots. Eighteen-year-old Zetian volunteers as a concubine-pilot not for glory, but to kill the celebrated pilot who caused her sister’s death, and survives the psychic bond that should have killed her. Branded an “Iron Widow,” she is forced into partnership with notorious pilot Li Shimin, turning their unwanted alliance into a weapon against a system that treats girls as expendable fuel. As Zetian confronts military power, entrenched misogyny, and the secrets behind the pilot program, the novel develops a sharp, queer young adult narrative focused on rage, autonomy, and systemic injustice.

Book 1 of Iron Widow series

Romance Science Fiction Dystopia War LGBTQ Queer Rebellion Political Intrigue Female Protagonist

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77

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

By Mackenzi Lee

Rated 4.02 out of 5 stars, based on 146,375 reviews. 4.02 · 146,375 reviews

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee follows Henry “Monty” Montague, a young bisexual aristocrat whose love of gambling, alcohol, and romantic entanglements clashes with his father’s rigid expectations. Sent on a Grand Tour of Eur…

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee follows Henry “Monty” Montague, a young bisexual aristocrat whose love of gambling, alcohol, and romantic entanglements clashes with his father’s rigid expectations. Sent on a Grand Tour of Europe before he is forced into managing the family estate, Monty travels with his best friend Percy, on whom he has a secret and complicated crush, and his sharp-minded sister Felicity. What begins as a last indulgent escape turns into a dangerous adventure across eighteenth-century Europe after one reckless choice draws them into a wider political and personal crisis. Blending historical fiction, queer romance, and fast-paced adventure, the novel traces Monty’s struggle to reconcile desire, duty, and identity.

Book 1 of Montague Siblings series

Adventure Romance Young Adult Historical Fiction LGBTQ Queer Drama Male Protagonist

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78

Silver in the Wood

By Emily Tesh

Rated 4.01 out of 5 stars, based on 24,249 reviews. 4.01 · 24,249 reviews

Silver in the Wood (The Greenhollow Duology, #1) by Emily Tesh follows Tobias, a solitary figure bound to the forest of Greenhollow, where he lives quietly with his cat and dryads. The arrival of Henry Silver, the new owner of Greenhollow Hall, disru…

Silver in the Wood (The Greenhollow Duology, #1) by Emily Tesh follows Tobias, a solitary figure bound to the forest of Greenhollow, where he lives quietly with his cat and dryads. The arrival of Henry Silver, the new owner of Greenhollow Hall, disrupts this calm as hidden secrets tied to the forest’s ancient magic resurface. The story explores themes of nature, identity, and the consequences of confronting a past intertwined with mysterious and dark forces.

Book 1 of The Greenhollow Duology series

Magic Romance Monsters Supernatural LGBTQ Queer Fae Mythology Coming Of Age Low Fantasy Male Protagonist Gothic

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79

A Marvellous Light

By Freya Marske

Rated 3.93 out of 5 stars, based on 51,987 reviews. 3.93 · 51,987 reviews

A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding, #1) by Freya Marske is set in an alternate Edwardian England where magic exists alongside societal expectations. The story follows young baronet Robin Blyth, who unexpectedly becomes the parliamentary liaison to…

A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding, #1) by Freya Marske is set in an alternate Edwardian England where magic exists alongside societal expectations. The story follows young baronet Robin Blyth, who unexpectedly becomes the parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society. As Robin confronts curses and visions linked to his missing predecessor, he reluctantly teams up with Edwin Courcey, a fellow magician with whom he shares a tense relationship. Their investigation uncovers a dangerous conspiracy that endangers magicians across Britain, blending elements of fantasy, mystery, and queer romance within a historical setting.

Book 1 of The Last Binding series

Magic Comedy Romance Young Adult Mystery Supernatural LGBTQ Queer Alternate History Ruling Class Political Intrigue Male Protagonist

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Iron Widow

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A Marvellous Light