Reviews of LGBTQIA+ Fantasy Books

The Best LGBTQIA+ Fantasy Novels with Complex Polyamorous Relationships

The Best LGBTQIA+ Fantasy Novels with Complex Polyamorous Relationships

Polyamory, the practice or acceptance of engaging in multiple consensual and ethical romantic relationships, is an important aspect of many LGBTQIA+ narratives. It challenges mononormative assumptions and offers space for expansive, fluid understandings of love, connection, and commitment. In literature—especially fantasy—polyamorous dynamics are not just romantic subplots but windows into how characters build trust, navigate …

Reincarnation, Destiny & LGBTQIA+ Romance in Fantasy Novels

Reincarnation, Destiny & LGBTQIA+ Romance in Fantasy Novels

Fantasy literature has always been a realm of endless possibility—where magic bends the rules of reality and love can outlast even death. Among its most compelling themes are reincarnation, destiny, and LGBTQIA+ romance—elements that, when woven together, create some of the most emotionally resonant stories in modern fiction. These themes speak to something deeply human: …

Queer Shapeshifters and the Fluidity of Identity in Fantasy

Queer Shapeshifters and the Fluidity of Identity in Fantasy

The power of transformation has always been at the heart of fantasy—but what happens when shapeshifting becomes a metaphor for queerness and self-discovery? Fantasy literature thrives on change. From characters who cross realms to those who gain magical powers, the genre is built around metamorphosis—of the self, the world, and everything in between. Shapeshifting, in …

The Best LGBTQIA+ Urban Fantasy Books Blending Magic and Modernity

The Best LGBTQIA+ Urban Fantasy Books Blending Magic and Modernity

Urban fantasy is a subgenre of speculative fiction where magical elements exist within a contemporary, often gritty, real-world setting. Think spellcasters navigating subway systems, shapeshifters working office jobs, or portals to other realms hidden in back alleys. Its appeal lies in the intersection of the familiar and the fantastical — the idea that magic might …

Fantasy Books with LGBTQIA+ Rebels Fighting Oppressive Empires

Fantasy Books with LGBTQIA+ Rebels Fighting Oppressive Empires

Rebellion has always been a cornerstone of fantasy literature. From ancient legends of heroic uprisings to modern tales of empires brought to their knees, stories of resistance offer readers both catharsis and inspiration. These narratives often center on underdogs—those who dare to defy powerful regimes, question oppressive traditions, and fight for a better future. In …

From Oracles to Outcasts: The Best LGBTQIA+ Seers & Mystics in Fantasy

From Oracles to Outcasts: The Best LGBTQIA+ Seers & Mystics in Fantasy

Seers and mystics have always held a special place in fantasy storytelling. As figures who stand between the known and the unknown, they embody mystery, wisdom, and the often perilous burden of foresight. Their role transcends the boundaries of hero and villain, offering insight that can alter destinies and reshape worlds. In many fantasy traditions, …

LGBTQIA+ Fantasy Novels That Subvert Fairy Tale Tropes

LGBTQIA+ Fantasy Novels That Subvert Fairy Tale Tropes

Fairy tales have long shaped the foundations of fantasy storytelling, passed down through generations in familiar patterns: a damsel in distress, a valiant prince, a wicked stepmother, and the inevitable triumph of heteronormative “true love.” These narratives, while iconic, often reflect rigid social norms—particularly around gender roles, sexuality, and moral binaries. But fantasy has always …

Queer Love and Curses – Fantasy Books Where Magic Comes with a Price

Queer Love and Curses – Fantasy Books Where Magic Comes with a Price

There’s something timeless about the way magic and love intersect in fantasy stories—but when that love is queer, and the magic comes with a price, the result is often uniquely powerful and emotionally resonant. Stories where spells and curses threaten to tear people apart—or test their commitment—tap into a rich tradition of metaphor and meaning, …

The Best LGBTQIA+ Fantasy Novels Featuring Nonbinary and Genderfluid Characters

The Best LGBTQIA+ Fantasy Novels Featuring Nonbinary and Genderfluid Characters

The power of fantasy lies in its ability to imagine new worlds—and new ways of being. Within its pages, dragons soar, magic pulses beneath the surface of everyday life, and characters defy not only gravity but social expectations. In recent years, fantasy literature has become an increasingly inclusive space, offering readers the chance to see …

From Betrayal to Devotion: LGBTQIA+ Fantasy Novels with Rivals-to-Lovers Tropes

From Betrayal to Devotion: LGBTQIA+ Fantasy Novels with Rivals-to-Lovers Tropes

The rivals-to-lovers trope is one of the most beloved dynamics in fantasy fiction, known for its electrifying tension, complex character arcs, and deeply satisfying emotional payoff. It thrives on conflict—two characters pitted against each other, whether as warriors, political adversaries, or ideological foes—only to have their hatred give way to something deeper: understanding, respect, and …