Fantasy literature has long been a realm of magic, transformation, and rebellion—making it a perfect space for exploring queer identities. Witches and warlocks defy norms, magic bends reality, and chosen families replace rigid traditions. For LGBTQIA+ readers, fantasy offers a world where identity is fluid, love is boundless, and power comes from embracing one’s true self.
In recent years, LGBTQIA+ representation in fantasy has flourished, bringing us stories of queer sorcery that reimagine the genre’s possibilities. These books not only feature diverse characters but also explore magic as a metaphor for self-discovery, resistance, and belonging. From sapphic witches to nonbinary warlocks, these narratives challenge traditional fantasy tropes and celebrate new, inclusive visions of power.
This article delves into the world of queer fantasy magic, highlighting must-read books featuring witches, warlocks, and enchanting LGBTQIA+ characters. We’ll explore common themes, the significance of queer magic, and why these stories matter. Whether you’re a long-time fantasy reader or looking for your next spellbinding read, these recommendations will introduce you to a world where magic and identity intertwine in the most powerful ways.
The Magic of Queer Representation in Fantasy
Fantasy has always been a genre of transformation—where individuals discover hidden strengths, defy oppressive systems, and reshape the world around them. This makes it a natural home for LGBTQIA+ narratives, where identity, power, and self-acceptance often take center stage. Magic in these stories is not just a force to wield; it becomes a metaphor for personal evolution, resistance, and freedom.
Queerness and Magic: A Perfect Pairing
The experience of queerness often involves self-discovery, finding community, and challenging societal norms—concepts that align closely with the arc of many fantasy protagonists. Witches, warlocks, and magical beings frequently exist outside the mainstream, misunderstood or feared for their power. Similarly, queer individuals throughout history have been labeled as “other,” making fantasy the ideal space to reclaim and celebrate that otherness.
- Self-Discovery – Many LGBTQIA+ fantasy stories feature characters who uncover hidden abilities, mirroring real-world journeys of self-realization. Magic becomes a stand-in for personal growth, allowing characters to embrace their true nature without shame.
- Chosen Families – Unlike traditional fantasy narratives that focus on royal bloodlines or destiny, queer fantasy often emphasizes the importance of found families—groups bound not by heritage but by acceptance and love.
- Defying Societal Norms – Queer fantasy protagonists frequently challenge oppressive structures, whether it’s a patriarchal magical order, a kingdom that restricts identity, or a society that fears unconventional love. Magic grants them the ability to break these barriers and forge their own path.
The Evolution of LGBTQIA+ Representation in Fantasy
Historically, mainstream fantasy rarely featured openly queer characters. When they did appear, they were often villains, tragic figures, or background characters. Early fantasy literature reinforced heteronormative tropes, where love stories centered on cisgender, heterosexual relationships, and magic often came with rigid gender roles.
However, in recent decades, the genre has undergone a transformation. Queer authors and allies have pushed boundaries, creating rich, inclusive worlds where LGBTQIA+ identities are not just tolerated but celebrated. Books like When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore or The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon showcase powerful queer relationships, nonbinary protagonists, and diverse interpretations of magic. These stories challenge old tropes and introduce new, empowering narratives where identity is as fluid and limitless as magic itself.
The rise of LGBTQIA+ fantasy reflects a broader cultural shift toward inclusivity, proving that there is space in literature for all kinds of magic—and all kinds of love. In the next section, we’ll dive into must-read books that embody the enchanting intersection of queerness and sorcery.
Must-Read Books Featuring Queer Sorcery
LGBTQIA+ fantasy has given us unforgettable stories where magic and identity intertwine in powerful ways. Below are five must-read books that showcase queer sorcery, each offering a unique take on magic, self-discovery, and defying societal expectations.
The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk
- Queer Representation: Bisexual protagonist
- Why It Stands Out: A Regency-era fantasy where women’s magical potential is stifled by patriarchal traditions, The Midnight Bargain follows Beatrice Clayborn, a sorceress who must choose between marriage and magic. When she meets a wealthy family with similar ideals—and falls for their enigmatic daughter—she must risk everything to claim her power. Polk blends romance, rebellion, and intricate worldbuilding to craft a spellbinding story about agency, love, and defying expectations.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
- Queer Representation: Sapphic romance, morally complex queer characters
- Why It Stands Out: Set in a lush, Indian-inspired world, this epic fantasy follows Malini, a dethroned princess imprisoned by her own brother, and Priya, a maidservant with a dangerous secret—she possesses forbidden magical abilities. As their paths entwine, their simmering attraction and political ambitions collide, making The Jasmine Throne a powerful tale of resilience, love, and vengeance. Suri’s evocative prose and morally gray characters make this an essential read for fans of intricate worldbuilding and slow-burn queer romance.
Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
- Queer Representation: Gay romance, queer magical beings
- Why It Stands Out: A beautifully crafted folkloric fantasy, Silver in the Wood is a quiet yet deeply emotional tale about Henry Silver, a scholar fascinated by the myths of Greenhollow Forest, and Tobias, a mysterious guardian bound to the woods. As Henry digs deeper into the secrets of the land, a tender romance develops between them, blending folklore, longing, and the supernatural. Tesh’s novella is perfect for readers who love atmospheric storytelling with a touch of eerie magic.
When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
- Queer Representation: Trans protagonist, queer romance
- Why It Stands Out: A lyrical and deeply intimate story, When the Moon Was Ours follows Miel, a girl who grows roses from her wrist, and Sam, a boy with a hidden truth. Set in a world of magical realism, their love story unfolds against the backdrop of whispered legends, water towers, and the power of transformation. McLemore masterfully weaves themes of gender identity, love, and cultural heritage into a poetic narrative that feels like a dream.
The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang
- Queer Representation: Nonbinary protagonist, queer relationships
- Why It Stands Out: This silkpunk novella introduces a world where children choose their gender when they come of age. Twins Mokoya and Akeha, born into a powerful political family, find themselves on opposing sides of a rebellion. With stunning worldbuilding, telepathic magic, and a deeply personal exploration of gender and destiny, The Black Tides of Heaven is a bold and innovative take on fantasy, perfect for those seeking queer-centered stories with revolutionary themes.
These books not only captivate with their magical worlds but also offer meaningful explorations of identity, power, and love. In the next section, we’ll delve into the recurring themes and tropes that make queer fantasy magic so compelling.
Themes and Tropes in Queer Fantasy Magic
Queer fantasy often reimagines traditional magical narratives, breaking rigid conventions and offering fresh perspectives on power, identity, and belonging. The following themes and tropes frequently appear in LGBTQIA+ fantasy, making these stories not only compelling but also deeply resonant for queer readers.
Breaking Magical Norms
Many traditional fantasy stories reinforce hierarchical power structures—whether through bloodlines, prophecy, or rigid magical laws. Queer fantasy, however, frequently subverts these norms, presenting magic as fluid, personal, and independent of societal expectations.
In The Midnight Bargain, magic is controlled by patriarchal systems that force women to suppress their abilities. The protagonist challenges this by seeking power on her own terms. Similarly, The Black Tides of Heaven rejects binary notions of destiny, portraying magic as something shaped by personal choices rather than predetermined fate. These narratives break away from traditional ideas of who “deserves” power and instead embrace magic as a force of self-determination.
Found Family & Coven Bonds
In many queer fantasy stories, biological families reject or misunderstand their LGBTQIA+ children, leading protagonists to seek acceptance elsewhere. Magic often facilitates these chosen families, whether through covens, mentor relationships, or supernatural kinships.
The Jasmine Throne features women who find strength in each other, forming a bond that defies the oppressive empire that seeks to control them. Silver in the Wood presents a deep, magical connection between two outsiders who ultimately find solace in one another. These stories highlight the importance of community, showing that true family is built through love, trust, and shared purpose rather than blood ties.
Transformation & Identity
Magic in queer fantasy frequently serves as a metaphor for self-discovery, particularly regarding gender identity and fluidity. Transformation, shapeshifting, and hidden identities are common motifs that parallel real-world experiences of coming out and embracing one’s true self.
In When the Moon Was Ours, Sam’s journey as a trans boy is interwoven with magical realism, using moonlight and water as symbols of change and rebirth. The novel’s dreamlike magic reflects the fluidity of identity and the beauty of self-acceptance. Likewise, The Black Tides of Heaven presents a society where children are not assigned a gender at birth but choose it later in life, reinforcing the idea that identity is something to be explored rather than imposed.
The Villain and the Outcast
Throughout history, witches and warlocks have often been depicted as villains or outcasts—figures who defy the norms of society. Many queer fantasy stories reclaim this narrative, transforming the feared outsider into a hero or, at the very least, a complex, sympathetic figure.
Instead of presenting “forbidden magic” as inherently evil, books like The Jasmine Throne and The Midnight Bargain frame it as a means of survival and resistance against oppressive forces. Even characters who exist in morally gray areas, like Malini from The Jasmine Throne, are given depth, showing that power, like identity, is rarely black and white.
By reimagining the role of the outcast, queer fantasy literature sends a powerful message: those who are different are not inherently dangerous or wrong—they are simply powerful in ways society may not yet understand.
These themes and tropes make queer fantasy a rich, transformative genre that resonates deeply with readers. By challenging conventions, embracing fluidity, and celebrating found families, these stories redefine what it means to be magical.
Next, we’ll explore why these narratives matter—not just within fantasy literature, but in the broader landscape of LGBTQIA+ representation.
Why These Stories Matter
Queer fantasy is more than just a subgenre—it’s a vital space where LGBTQIA+ identities are explored, celebrated, and given the depth they deserve. Seeing queer characters in magical settings does more than diversify the fantasy landscape; it affirms that LGBTQIA+ people belong in every kind of story, including those filled with adventure, power, and wonder.
The Power of Representation in Fantasy
Fantasy has traditionally been dominated by heteronormative narratives, where heroes follow predetermined paths and relationships fit into conventional molds. When queer characters are introduced as complex protagonists, magic itself becomes a reflection of their identities.
For LGBTQIA+ readers, seeing themselves represented in fantasy worlds can be transformative. Stories like When the Moon Was Ours offer nuanced portrayals of trans identity, while The Black Tides of Heaven presents nonbinary characters in a society that respects gender fluidity. These narratives send a powerful message: queerness is not an anomaly but an integral part of the human—and magical—experience.
A New Perspective on Storytelling
Queer fantasy often breaks away from rigid storytelling formulas. By challenging traditional notions of power, love, and destiny, these books expand what fantasy can be. Themes of found family, personal transformation, and defying societal norms bring fresh emotional depth to magical narratives.
Books like The Jasmine Throne introduce morally complex queer characters who navigate power in ways rarely seen in mainstream fantasy. Others, like The Midnight Bargain, reimagine historical settings to question gender roles in magic. By embracing these narratives, readers gain new ways of understanding identity, resilience, and self-determination.
Supporting Diverse Voices in Fantasy Literature
The rise of LGBTQIA+ fantasy is not accidental—it’s the result of years of work by queer authors fighting for visibility in a historically exclusive genre. Supporting these books means amplifying diverse voices, ensuring that future generations of readers have access to stories where they feel seen.
By reading, recommending, and celebrating queer fantasy, we contribute to a literary world where magic belongs to everyone. These stories matter because they remind us that identity is powerful, love is limitless, and every reader deserves to find themselves in the pages of a book.
Conclusion
Queer fantasy redefines the boundaries of magic, identity, and storytelling. By centering LGBTQIA+ characters in worlds of sorcery and adventure, these books challenge outdated conventions and create spaces where self-discovery, love, and power are fluid and boundless.
The presence of queer witches, warlocks, and magical beings in fantasy is more than just representation—it’s a reclamation of narratives that have historically cast outsiders as villains or anomalies. These stories celebrate the strength of those who embrace their true selves, the beauty of chosen families, and the radical act of defying societal norms through magic.
As readers, supporting these books means not only expanding our understanding of fantasy but also uplifting diverse voices in literature. Whether through the lush epic of The Jasmine Throne, the poetic magic of When the Moon Was Ours, or the transformative journeys found in The Black Tides of Heaven, queer sorcery continues to enchant and inspire.
Fantasy has always been about imagining new possibilities. By embracing queer magic, we open doors to a future where every kind of reader can see themselves as the hero of the story—wielding power, finding love, and casting their own spells of change.
