17 insanely thrilling Lgbtq YA Fantasy Books every book Lover needs to read

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YOU ARE READING: 17 insanely thrilling Lgbtq YA Fantasy Books every book Lover needs to read – Notes By J AT PhebinhvanhocEN

Looking for lgbtq+ fantasy books yet? here’s a guide to the best lgbtq+ fantasy books to read now.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you.

I’m a sucker for a good YA Fantasy book. They offer the best escapism, fantastical worlds and are often fairly easy to binge read. And I truly think every fantasy fan should have some LGBTQ+ YA Fantasy books on their shelves. Whether you are looking for books with wlw or nonbinary representation – I’ve got you covered. I’ve compiled the absolute best LGBTQ+ YA Fantasy books.

You are reading: Lgbt ya fantasy books

what are the best lgbtq+ fantasy books yet?

These are the best lgbtq+ fantasy books that I really recommend.

the following list includes lgbtq+ fantasy books as you must read 🙂

1. a dark and hollow star by ashley shuttleworth

if you are a fan of crescent city

if you’re a fan of crescent city, you definitely need to read a dark and hollow star. this is one of my best books in 2021! a dark hollow star is an urban fantasy, with main characters fae, queer, and a wlw romance.

A series of gruesome murders threatens to expose the world of fairies to humans. Four gay teens, Nausicaä, Arlo, Vehan, and Aurelian, each have a piece of the truth. and they must track down the mysterious killer.

There are not one but two romances in this book. and the characters are what make them so perfect. I personally love arlo and nausicaä. nausicaä is a grumpy, chaotic and sarcastic lesbian. rlo and nausicaä have a perfect moody/slow-burn sunlight vibe.

listened to the audiobook version you can find on audible. features a full cast of narrators which made it really fascinating. vehan and nausicaä’s voices are so on point! and you can listen to it on audible with a free trial. or you can buy a physical copy on amazon – you can buy it here.

representation: lesbian, bisexual, questioning, pansexual. non-binary

buy a dark and hollow star on amazon

good read

2. we set fire to the dark by tehlor kay mejia

if you are looking for Latinx representation

This book features one of the best wlw haters for lover romances I’ve ever read!

we set fire to the darkness follows daniela vargas. she lives in a dystopian world where every man is entitled to 2 wives. a first and a second. the first is intelligent, calm and analytical. the second is the mother figure.

outside the wall, people go hungry. Dani started her life outside the wall. and she must use her wits to illegally survive in the capital. she is also married to one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.

The premise was intriguing. and the main character was instantly likeable. she also grows a lot through the book. but the romance is what makes it so perfect. two tough women who are married to a straight man but fall in love.

The world building is also excellent. and the book has such dark academic vibes. opens at a preparatory school for girls. but it does discuss so many important issues like immigration policy and forced marriage.

We Set Fire to the Dark features an intriguing dystopian premise and a strong-minded and sympathetic main character. this dystopian, lgbtq+ book explores immigration politics, toxic masculinity, and feminism.

representation: latinx, queer characters, wlw romance

read the summary of good reads

shop we set fire to darkness on amazon

3. six of crows by leigh bardugo

if you love a magical heist, the familiar found trope, and a twisted plot

There’s a lot to love about Six of Crows: magical family and super kinky pranks. but i also love lgbtq+ representation. Jesper is one of the best bisexual characters.

there are six teenagers who live in ketterdam. Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, is one of the teenagers. he is offered a deadly heist in exchange for a large reward.

but it is an impossible robbery. And Kaz will need all the help he can get to pull it off. so she rounds up five other teens to help him out.

six of crows is like a fantasy version of oceans eleven. If you are a fan of the friendship group in a court of mist and fury, you should read this. there were many jokes between the friendship group.

jesper is an excellent example of a bisexual character. and the romance develops nicely throughout the duology. the cast is also very diverse, which I really appreciated. features characters of different ethnicities, religions, and is inclusive of disabilities.

the magic is incorporated everywhere and it works very well. I really enjoyed reading about the unique magic system. you can conveniently get this on amazon, you can buy it here.

representation: bisexual character, mlm romance

amazon

good reads

4. the war of the town criers by nina varela

if you are looking for mystery, revenge and enemies for lovers of romance

the criers war is an epic urban fantasy novel with f/f romance. It is set in the kingdom of Rabu and follows Ayla.

A war has ravaged the kingdom of Rabu. the automatons seized the properties of their owners and bent the human race to their will.

ayla is a human servant who is rising through the ranks in the sovereign’s house. she dreams of avenging the death of her family…by killing the sovereign’s daughter-the fair lady herald.

Now, Ayla, a human servant rising through the ranks in the sovereign’s household, dreams of avenging the death of her family… by killing the sovereign’s daughter, the lady crier. crier, who was made to be beautiful, to be perfect. and take over the father’s job from him.

crier was created to be beautiful, flawless and carry on her father’s legacy. But that was before her betrothal to the enigmatic Scyre Kinok, before she found out her father was not the benevolent king she once admired, and more importantly, before she met Ayla.

representation: lesbian protagonist, bisexual protagonist, romance wlw

good reads

buy screaming war on amazon

5. the raven boys by maggie stiefvater

if you like friendship, magic and unforgettable characters

the raven boys follow blue. Every year at the cemetery, Blue watches her psychic mother see those who will die that year. blue never sees them herself. until this year. her when she speaks directly to a boy.

his name is gansey and he is a student at aglionby school. the students there are known locally as the crow boys.

Many people recommended this book to me. And I’m glad it lived up to expectations! it has a lot of paranormal elements woven into the plot. and that makes it a truly autumnal read.

also has dark academic vibes. it is set in a local private school. Gansey is also obsessed with researching Welsh mythology. and even references Latin.

The characters are what make this book. on the surface, he seems like a quirky loner meeting rich guys. But it’s much more than that! all characters are fully fleshed out with developed (and tragic) backstories. the relationships between them are some of the best I’ve read in your fiction.

representation: mlm romance, bisexual characters

summary of good reads

amazon

6. the dark tide of alicia jasinska

if you’re looking for a curse, witches and doomed romance

the dark tide is a very underrated book. features a wlw romance, witches, and a curse on a city.

follow lina. she lives on a small island where the dark tide could cause her to sink. so, every year, the witch queen lures a child to her palace and sacrifices him on the full moon. and thus she prevents the island city from sinking.

lina is convinced that they are going to take her brother. She asks Thomas Lin for help. Thomas is the only person who survived the sacrifice. but they catch the attention of the queen. and instead she takes thomas.

lina offers herself in place of thomas. but the queen is nothing like what she eva expected. and must choose between saving the island or saving themselves.

This is such a heartbreaking, slow romance. Lina and Eva had an amazing grumpy/lonely dynamic. the setting made this story so tragically romantic. it’s also beautifully written with an atmospheric world that gave it a dark tone.

representation: romance wlw

good reads

amazon

7. spellhacker from m.k. England

if you’re looking for a fantasy heist with witty banter and a memorable friendship group

spellhacker is a fantastic heist fantasy book. It features a high-stakes heist, a criminal lead character, and a ton of jokes. the characters were also very diverse, including non-binary, queer, and poc characters.

is set in a world where magic (known as maz) was once freely available. but an earthquake unleashed a deadly plague. and now corn is an expensive and strictly controlled product.

We follow Diz, who runs an illegal corn mining business with his three best friends. She offers them one last massive heist that could change everything.

This was a well-written standalone version. the book opened with a bang and was pretty quick all the way through. it felt like a cross between ready, player one and six of crows. the world building around magic was also really excellent. you can buy spellhacker at book depository with free shipping worldwide.

representation: queer protagonist, non-binary character and love interest

book deposit

good reads

8. this poisonous heart of kalynn bayron

if you are looking for homemade sapphic, family secrets and magic

This poisonous heart follows briseis. she has a magical gift that allows her to turn small magical seeds into rich flowers with a single touch.

Her aunt dies and leaves her a dilapidated farm in rural New York. and it is there that she must discover her family’s heritage and secrets.

mythology was seamlessly woven into the plot of this book. opens in an urban setting before the characters move to a small town. and the pictures of the cabin are beautiful. I love the references to plants.

I love that Poison Heart has supportive same-sex parents. Often in your fantasy, the heroine has a tragic backstory with missing parents. so it was refreshing to read about supportive parents.

opens with several mysteries and they keep you intrigued until the end of the book.

representation: wlw romance, black queer main character, supportive same-sex parents

buy this poison heart on amazon

good reads

9. not your buddy for c.b. lee

if you are looking for a book with superheroes and a sapphic romance

not your sidekick is a superhero-themed novel featuring a bisexual Chinese-Vietnamese protagonist, a trans character, and an f/f romance. and is written by an author with his own voice.

follows jessica tran, a bisexual high school student who is resigned to a life without superpowers and decides to start an internship to improve her college applications. however, she quickly discovers that she is meant for a supervillain with her crush abby on her.

not your sidekick is another light, fluffy and fun read. it takes superhero tropes and gives a really refreshing take on a superhero story. I love how the history of superheroes and supervillains intertwines with modern day life.

also manages to tackle a lot of problems while still being fun. there’s a whole series of these and i’ve already added not your villain to my tbr list because i really loved the bells in not your sidekick.

representation: transgender character, bisexual main character, wlw romance

don’t buy your buddy here

read the summary of good reads

10. these witches don’t burn by isabel sterling

if you are looking for autumn readings with witches (set in salem)

I was sold on this book as soon as I heard the sapphic witches! is a fantasy book about witches that features f/f romance and takes place in the town of salem.

these witches don’t burn follow hannah. she is a witch who lives in salem. a dark blood ritual interrupts her bonfire at the end of the school. and investigates with his ex-girlfriend veronica. she also knows morgan. But trying to date in the midst of a supernatural crisis isn’t easy, and it will test Hannah’s limits.

This isone of my favorite duologies! I love all the magical and fantasy elements and really enjoyed the modern vibe in salem. the rendering is absolutely fantastic. and the pacing of the plot really kept me hooked.

buy these witches don’t burn here

read the summary of good reads

11. when we were magic by sarah gailey

if you like books with magic and romance wlw

when we were magic follow alexis. she has always been able to rely on her best friends and her magical powers. on prom night, accidental magic goes awry and someone ends up dead. Alexis and her friends have to try to fix a terrible mistake.

writing this book really made me laugh. I knew I would love a page and the opening was fantastic.

The relationships and friendships in this book were really powerful. Also, the parents in this book were very supportive, which I always appreciate.

representation: lesbian character, bisexual character, supportive same-sex parents

shop when we were magic here

read the summary of good reads

12. cinderella is dead by kalynn bayron

if you are looking for a new version of sapphic cinderella with a dystopian touch

a retelling of Cinderella with a sapphic romance. this is another twist on the classic story featuring bipoc characters and a wlw romance.

The premise is that teenage girls are now required to appear at an annual dance where men select wives. But Sophia wants to marry her childhood best friend, Erin. and she is not a fan of all the parade in front of the suitors.

She decides to run away and decides to finish off the king once and for all.

The premise of this book is unique. And I loved the dystopian twist on the classic Cinderella story. the romance is also adorable. it’s a bit insta-lovey, but it developed so well that it really interested me.

the plot really kept me hooked. and I really enjoyed the concept of women overthrowing a dystopian patriarchy. there are also many images of cabins and forests. And I think this is something that Kalynn Bayron writes exceptionally well. and she made me want to live in the woods.

if you’re looking for lgbtq+ books or romantic fantasy books, i highly recommend cinderella is dead.

representation: lesbian protagonist, romance wlw

summary of good reads

buy cinderella is dead

13. ash by malinda lo

if you’re looking for an lgbtq+ cinderella count

ash is a book that always tears me up. but I had to include it because I love the construction of the rural world in this sapphic narrative.

ash is a lesbian cinderella story. follows ash, who is dealing with the pain of losing her parents. she falls in love with the huntress of the king .

I loved the descriptions of the world, like the forest and the fairies. and instantly I really loved the king’s huntress. but, I wish the romance had been a little better fleshed out.

however i love that it focuses on ash recovering from pain. mental health is a strong theme throughout and romance feels secondary. this is a really cozy read and offers great escapism. it’s quite short and you could easily read it in one sitting.

representation: main character queer, romance wlw

good reads

amazon

14. julia ember ruinsong

if you are looking for a unique magic system in a dystopian world

ruinsong is a wlw book set in a dystopian world. it has lush world-building, a twisted plot, and energetic main characters.

In this world, singers have magical powers when they sing certain songs. and they are capable of healing, causing pain and heating people.

cadence is an incredibly strong mage. she was born into poverty in an orphanage and rises to success. but she works for evil queen elene. and Elene forces Cadence to use her power to torture others. But when she is reunited with her childhood friend, she must make a decision. Does she take a stand or does she follow the queen?

This book reminds me of a queer, dystopian Phantom of the Opera. strong-willed women, wearing beautiful ball gowns and striking down evil. if you’re a fan of katniss or johanna, you’ll love this understated gem.

representation: romance wlw

buy ruinsong here

read the description of good reads

15. fire and paper girls by natasha ngan

if you are looking for a wlw fantasy book

I’ve seen fire and paper girls everywhere online! first of all the cover art is absolutely stunning and i’m kinda in love with it.

follow lei. she is a member of the paper caste. and the people of ikhara chase after her. she sees the royal guards take her mother away. Later, Lei suffers a trauma. they come back and try to take lei.

She has to learn skills befitting a king’s consort. but she falls in love. an excellent fantasy book. the plot is quite dark but it also features f/f romance.

performance: romance wlw, main and secondary asian characters

buy paper and fire girls here

read the description of good reads here

16. silver on wood by emily tesh

if you are looking for a queer love story in a magical forest

silver in the wood is a queer love story and forest fairy tale starring fairies. refers to mythological creatures such as dryads and fairies. but the magic is much more subtle compared to other books on this list.

This book follows a forest guardian. he has the task of taking care of the forest. a man moves into the house in the woods. and they fall in love.

From the beginning, the writing was beautiful. and the images in the forest are whimsical and charming.

If you’re into home aesthetics, you’ll probably really enjoy this book. I listened to the audiobook on audible. and the duology is only 5 hours long, so it’s a very quick listen on audible – check it out here.

representation: mlm romance

good reads

listen silver in the forest on audible

17. malice of heather walter

if you are looking for a dystopian narrative with an anti-villain protagonist

malice is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I loved this book from start to finish. And if you’re a fan of short stories, dystopian books, or fairy books, then you should read this book!

malice is an evil count. The book is set in a kingdom called Heather. Once upon a time, an evil fairy cursed a line of princesses to death. Only true love’s kiss can break the curse.

the book follows alyce – the dark grace. she was left abandoned in the heather of a dark realm. The dark magic that runs through her veins abhors the residents of heather.

except princess aurora who accepts it. and she encourages alyce to accept herself.

This book is almost a cross between evil and the hunger games. but with fairies world building is darkly magical. and the briar residents reminded me of the capitol residents. He is quite critical of greed and consumerism throughout the book. Alice’s character was also very well developed. and it grows a lot throughout the novel.

representation: romance wlw

buy malice on amazon

good reads

those were my picks for lgbtq+ fantasy books already

There are so many amazing lgbtq+ fantasy books out there already. and this post really is just the tip of the iceberg.

everyone should have lgbtq+ books on their shelves. diversity makes books better.

what are your already favorite lgbtq+ fantasy books?

this post was about lgbtq+ fantasy books already

good reading lists you might like

best fantasy books with bisexual protagonists

f/f fantasy books

characters aro and ace in fantasy books

fantasy books with homosexual protagonists