I love fantasy books, but sometimes they can lack inclusion. It’s really important for books to feature a wide diversity of characters so that anyone that reads can feel included and represented in books.
You should read diverse books so that you may further your learning and be supportive of different people. Here are 8 fantasy book recommendations that have queer main characters.
1. Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
This is one of my favorite books. Hugo is the owner of a tea shop and is the kindest person. Hugo isn’t ordinary though. He helps spirits cross over after they die.
Wallace is a not-so-kind businessman who dies after a sudden heart attack. He then finds himself at Hugo’s tea shop where he is supposed to eventually cross over after coming to terms with his death.
Wallace learns a lot about himself and his life while staying with Hugo. Wallace and Hugo find that they are starting to have feelings for each other but with Wallace being a ghost and needing to cross over, how could they be together?
2. Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree is about an Orc named Viv who wants to settle down after having an exciting life full of adventures. Viv sets out to start her very own coffee shop.
Even though this is unheard of for orcs, Viv is determined to prove everyone wrong. She may want a simple life now but it still comes with its challenges. Viv finds herself falling for a girl along the way.
This book is super cozy and perfect for fantasy lovers looking for something the opposite of epic fantasy.
3. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Carry On is a gay enemies to lovers book set in a magic school. Simon Snow is the chosen one but he also happens to be really bad at magic.
It is his last year at magic school and his roommate, Baz, never shows up. This should be a great thing for Simon since he hates Baz but he actually starts to worry.
While Simon worries about Baz, even though he tells himself he is not worrying, there is an evil magic-sucking monster going around wearing the face of Simon Snow.
This book is so magical, mysterious, and fast paced and I absolutely loved the romance between Baz and Simon.
4. The Sun And The Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro
This book follows Nico di Angelo, the son of Hades, and his boyfriend, Will Solace, who is the son of Apollo. Nico hears a calling from Tartarus to help Bob, a Titan who Percy and Annabeth befriended during their time in Tartarus.
After hearing Rachel Dare’s prophecy, Nico has no choice but to go on a quest to save Bob. Of course Will won’t let Nico go by himself and insists on coming with.
Nico and Will face many challenges on this quest including the state of their relationship. This standalone book is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.
5. Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens
Rook may not have magic, but he does have a plan to regain access to the magical world he lost when his grandmother passed away. He is given an illegal magical detection device that he has to keep hidden from the Magical Consortium.
Along the way, Rook meets Sun who is grumpy and annoyingly cute. When the Consortium learns about the illegal device that Rook has, Rook goes to the only person he knows will help him: Sun. Rook and Sun have to work together before they lose their magic forever.
6. The Red Scrolls of Magic Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu
The Red Scrolls of Magic follows 2 iconic shadaowhunter characters, Magnus Bane and his boyfriend, Alec Lightwood. Magnus and Alec are finally going on a much needed vacation to Paris.
They can never seem to catch a break though because when they are in Paris, Magnus and Alec learn about a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand that needs to be stopped.
The catch is that Magnus apparently founded this cult a long time ago as a joke. Now he has to face the consequences as him and Alec put their vacation on pause to hunt down this group.
7. The Priory of The Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Queen Sabran has to conceive a daughter to save her realm from destruction. With assassins at her door, Ead, the lady in waiting who is apart of a secret mage society, is secretly protecting Sabran with forbidden magic.
The book also follows Tané who is a trained dragon rider. This book is an adventureous, and romantic epic fantasy.
8. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles follows Achilles and Patracolus as they fight in the Trojan war. It is an excellent retelling of the Iliad by Homer.
The story is written beautifully and is full of adventure. It also happens to be a tragic love story. Achilles and Patroclus know they love each other, but is society willing to accept that?
This gay romance is perfect for any fans of Greek mythology.