Hello everyone! We have been wanting to do some thing for Pride so here is our first post of a handful of recommendation posts we are planning throughout the month of June.
Today I’m sharing some YA series featuring LGBTQIA+ characters that I would love to get to this month.
Black Wings Beating by Alex London
Okay. I love books that feature people with animal companions and apparently this series features teens, magic and birds such as falcons and eagles. In this first novel in the trilogy, two twins go hunting for the infamous “ghost eagle.” I know reviews are mixed on this title
The Diviners by Libba Bray
I am actually mad at myself that I haven’t read the first book in this series yet. It’s just so long and so it feels like quite a commitment. Not to mention the mid series cover change that makes me hesitant to get invested in the series because then I’ll want the set and the mismatched covers would drive me crazy. However, I listened to a good few hours of the audiobook and loved it so I definitely hope to pick it back up soon.
Thesd Witches Don’t by by Isabel Sterling
This YA novel is all about queer witches and I am here for it. It had checked out from my library forever thanks to COVID and still did not pick it up. It just keeps getting pushed down my TBR Combing queer characters, magic and a bit of mystery this novel sounds so fun and up my alley. I am hoping to pick it up on my next bookstore trip.
Adaptation by Malinda Lo
Lo’s novel features a lot of things that I love in a good YA novel: a strange natural phenomenon that hints at some kind of apocolypse, a uncomfortably secretive government, and a teen at the center of it all who is the world’s only hope. Oh and there appears to be a solid f/f romance and I am here for it. I will definitely be tracking down a copy my next payday so if you have read and enjoyed this one let me know!
Pantomime by Laura Lam
Ever since Caraval I have developed a love of circuses that I don’t actively seek out but when I stumble across a novel about a circus it’s hard for me to resist. Pantomime by Laura Lam is such a book. It essentially sounds like Caraval but way darker and features a gender fluid protagonist who identities as both male and female. Running from the reality of her magic and a horrific betrayal by her parents, she joins the circus as an aerialist only for the past to catch up with her and to discover that the circus has secrets of it’s own.
Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran
Honestly what initially drew me to this titles was the gorgeous cover. This first book in a new fantasy features a queen who inherits her uncle’s bankrupt kingdom and the spymaster she brings into her inner circle. Full of political intrigue, plenty of secrets, and a slow burn romance this sounds especially good for those who have enjoyed the political intrigue of novels like Furyborn and An Ember in the Ashes.
Soul of Stars by Ashley Poston
This is the sequel to Hearts of Iron which adored and followed a diverse set of characters. The best way I have seen it described is Anastasia in space. The first book even ended on a major cliff hanger that gave me all the feels. While I don’t want to go too much into the plot, because spoilers, suffice it to say that Ana and her band of misfits are working together to save the kingdom and is full of Poston’s witty banter and unpredictable twists.
The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska
This dark fantasy sounds absolutely amazing and I have an ARC which I hope to get to very soon. Every year, a young man is sacrificed to the queen in order to preserve the island city another year. However this year, a young girl offers herself in exchange for the boy she loves. What she learns about the queen will leave her following in love with the hardened girl and put the island city that they both love in jeapordy.
The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski
In a world where only the wealthy are permitted to see the world in color or to enjoy the sweeter things in life, our protagonist will stop at nothing to overthrow the ruling class and bring equality to her world after she is beguiled by a beautiful, enigmatic stranger. Full of magic and romance, this novel- set in the same world as The Winner’s trilogy- sounds amazing.
We Unleash The Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia
I cannot believe I haven’t read this sequel to We Set The Dark on Fire. This duology is set in a world where noble men are given two wives, one to help them matters of diplomacy and business, and a second to meet their emotional needs and give them children. As you can imagine, this arrangement creates a plethora of problems and provides plenty of motivation for a rebellion. The first novel ended on a cliff hanger so I will be excited to see where things go in book two.
What About You?
Whar are you favorite series featuring LGBT characters? What do you think of our selections? Let us know in the comments!
These Witches Don’t Burn sounds good to me just for the girls being witches 🙂 You might check out the Feverwake series (duology) by Victoria Lee to include as LGBTQ+ YA books too.