The 17 Absolute Best LGBTQ+ Fantasy Books for Adults

Recently updated on May 8th, 2024 at 09:24 am

You always hear about LGBTQ+ YA Fantasy books. But what about queer adult fantasy books? Here are the top LGBTQ+ Fantasy books for adults. You need to add these to your TBR list!

This post contains affiliate links. That said, I won’t ever recommend a book I haven’t read and loved myself.

I’m a huge fantasy lover. And I often read YA Fantasy books. Why? Many YA Fantasy books feature LGBTQ+ characters.

But there’s a catch….for some reason finding  LGBTQ+ Fantasy Books for adults is infuriatingly difficult.

And the problem is, when the YA writing style bores me, I crave an adult writing style. 

Thankfully, while many LGBTQ+ Fantasy books are aimed at a younger audience, there are some awesome options for adults.

Whether you’re looking for dark fantasy, spicy romance or just a more adult writing style, I’ve got you covered.

Read on to discover the absolute LGBTQ+ Fantasy Books for Adults

The Best LGBTQ+ Fantasy Books for Adults

I browsed the r/suggestabook subreddit, Facebook groups and polled Instagram users. 

After aggregating the results, I’ve rounded up a list of the absolute best LGBTQ+ Fantasy books for Adults. 

For each book I’ve included a rating, a summary, positives & negatives and the representation it features.

1. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

No queer adult fantasy list would be complete without included Priory of The Orange Tree. The size may be frightening, but this is one of the most popular queer fantasy books.And I couldn’t write a post on LGBTQ+ Fantasy books for adults without mentioning it.

Queen Sabran the Ninth is still unwed but must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction.

But assassins are closing in on her.  Ead is an outsider who has risen to the position of lady in waiting.

Ead is loyal to a hidden society of mages and keeps a close eye on Sabran. She protects her using forbidden magic.

Across the sea, Tané has trained to be a dragonrider. She is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.

Fantasy readers will love the epic battles, incredible world-building and amazing love story. And on top of that – dragons!

2. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

A secret magical society, mlm romance and a mystery to solve. A Marvellous Light is a fun historical fantasy with serious dark academia vibes. Spicy romance while solving a mystery in old houses.

We follow Robin Blyth, an administrative error names him liaison to a secret magical society. He must with magic’s dangers and a deadly curse. All while he searches for his missing predecessor.

To do this, he’ll need the help of Edwin Courcey. His prickly magical society counterpart.

The problem is Edwin Courcey clearly wishes Robin were anyone else.

The secret society of magicians and dark academia make this such a fun read. The author builds the world beautifully without it taking away from the plot. The gay romance in an Edwardian setting sets this apart from other fantasy books. The yearning for another man in an Edwardian setting added a level of nuance to the book.

The mystery is intriguing and balanced perfectly with spicy romance. The characters learnt from each other and the grumpy/sunshine trope was perfectly executed.

Fans of dark academia or historical fantasy will adore A Marvellous Light. Highly recommend.

 3. Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Chances are, if you go on BookTok then someone will mention A Song of Achilles. In fact, any search for LGBTQ+ fantasy books, you’re likely to come across this fantasy romance.

I couldn’t write a post on queer fantasy books for adults without it.

The problem is I wasn’t personally a fan.

You must be wondering – how can I  dislike such a popular book? But the pace drags in the middle. And Achilles didn’t have much characterisation. The result? It was boring.

This Greek Mythology retelling focuses on the heartbreaking romance between Achilles and Patroclus. The ending will devastate you.

The book follows Achilles and Patroclus. Handsome and strong Achilles charms everyone who meets him.

While Patroclus is an awkward young prince exiled from his homeland.

The Centaur Chiron trains them in the arts of war and medicine.  But when Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, all heroes are called to siege Troy.

Achilles joins their cause. And Patroclus follows.

But the years that follow will test everything.

Song of Achilles has over 1 million reviews on Good Reads and it’s still rated 4.4 stars. I’m clearly in the minority, as many fans of fantasy fiction love this historical romance.

4. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

Are you a beginner to fantasy books? I would avoid The Jasmine Throne. The Jasmine Throne is an enchanting sapphic fantasy about forbidden magic, a curse and a captive princess. But the worldbuilding is heavy.

Malini has been imprisoned by her dictator brother and spends her days isolated in Hirana, an ancient temple.

Priya is a maidservant who makes the treacherous journey to the top of Hirana every night to clean Malini’s chambers. She is thrilled to be anonymous if it keeps her dangerous secret safe.

But Malini accidentally witnesses Priya’s true nature. And their destinies become irrevocably tangled.

This book is full of epic worldbuilding, magic and morally grey lesbians.  If you like an enemies to lovers fantasy book with LGBT Characters then you should pick this one up.

5. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Lesbian necromancers in space! Gideon the Ninth is more sci-fi compared to other books on this list. But this queer fantasy book for adults is unique and gripping.

We follow Gideon, brought up by unfriendly nuns she is ready to abandon a life of servitude. She packs up her sword and prepares to launch her daring escape.

But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

The Emperor invites the heirs of each of his loyal Houses into a deadly trial. And Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House, is summoned into action.

 If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection. But no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier.

Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

6. Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh

Silver in the Wood is an enchanting cozy fantasy book about a magical forest guardian. It also has the perfect grumpy/sunshine romance. And it references mythological creatures such as dryads and faeries.

We follow forest guardian Tobias. One day Henry Silver moves into Greenhollow Hall. And everything changes.

Silver starts to dig up old secrets. Secrets best left forgotten.

Are you a fan of cottagecore? Or maybe forest imagery? Then you’ll enjoy this book. The enchanting magical forest imagery makes you want to move too a cabin in the forest. The depiction of slow living in the forest enchants the reader.

Likewise, this is also super a short and easy read. I listened to the audiobook. And the whole duology is only 5 hours. You can easily binge read this in one setting.

If you have a long journey this would also be the perfect audiobook to listen to because you can finish it in 5 hours.

7. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldtree

The ultimate cute, cozy fantasy read. And the perfect adult fantasy to read in Fall. Especially for coffee-addicts. This slice of life fantasy features an adorable sapphic romance and a happy ending.

We follow Viv – an orc barbarian.  She leaves her life as a warrior and opens the first coffee shop in Thune. 

Cosy imagery, a wlw romance and the found family trope. Everything I love in a book. And as if that’s not enough, Legends and Latte’s has a compelling mystery to solve. 

The hype for this book is insane. And for good reason. It’s the bookish equivalent of a steaming hot mug of coffee. The perfect book to curl up on the sofa with in Autumn or Winter.

Fans of low-stakes, cosy fantasy books will love this book. The way it depicts a slower lifestyle is captivating. The main character escapes a warrior life to live a slow life doing what she loves. Something I think many adults will relate to this book.

If you enjoy cosy fantasy books – I have a whole article full of recommendations. You can check out my post on cosy fantasy books here.

8. The Lightning Struck Heart by TJ Klune

The Lightning Struck Heart is hilarious. Fans of smutty humour and spice will love this romantasy. The writing is easy to read, the main character is hilarious and it features a gay unicorn named Gary.

We follow Sam.  One day, in an alleyway in the slums if a city, he turns a group of teenagers into stone completely by accident.

Of course, this catches the attention of a higher power, and Sam’s pulled from the only world he knows to become an apprentice to the King’s Wizard, Morgan of Shadows.

With compelling characters and hilarious banter, this book will make you laugh out loud.

Sam is friends with a gay unicorn called Gary and a half-giant. Chaotic Sam blurts out things randomly. Making many funny moments.

From the very beginning, this book is openly and unashamedly LGBTQ+.  From gay unicorns to jokes about twinks.

Fans of sarcastic, dry humour will love this book. Similarly, it’s great if you love a low-stakes fantasy.

9. The Unbroken by C.L Clark

I first heard of The Unbroken from TikTok where it  was recommended over and over again.  It’s a North African inspired fantasy. And it deals a lot with the brutal impact of colonisation. 

It follows Touraine and Luca. Touraine is a soldier. She was stolen as a child and raised to kill for the empire.

Touraine’s only loyalty is to her fellow conscripts. 

She’s sent back to her homeland to stop and rebellion. But the ties of blood might be stronger than she thought.

Luca is the princess and heir to this empire. And Luca needs a turncoat.

Someone desperate enough to commit treason.

Someone who can sway the rebels towards peace.

While Luca focuses on what matters: getting her uncle off her throne. Through assassinations and massacres, in bedrooms and war rooms, Touraine and Luca will haggle over the price of a nation. But some things aren’t for sale.

10. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

With over 11 million mentions on TikTok, at one point you couldn’t go on Booktok without seeing a recommendation for The Atlas Six. And yet, I somehow didn’t realise this book has queer representation.

The Atlas Six is about a secret society of academics known as The Alexandrian Society. Their members  look after lost knowledge. And they secure a life of wealth, power and prestige. 

Each decade, the world’s six most talented magicians are selected for initiation. 

 The Atlas Six follows six different characters competing for entry into the society – Libby Rhodes, Nicolás Ferrer de Varona, Reina Mori, Parisa Kamali, Tristan Caine and Callum Nova.

Are you a fan of dark academia worldbuilding? Then you will fall in love with his book. It’s full of academic references – from lectures and classes to academic theories. Honestly, it got a bit much for me. And I would have preferred more focus on the plot.

Several characters identify as LGBTQ+  with one openly bisexual/pansexual character.

There are also several ambiguous relationships in the book. That being said, I’ve only read the first book in this series.

11. Under the whispering door by T.J. Klune

Under the Whispering Door is a feel good fantasy romance. This light-hearted romance is ideal for beginners to fantasy as it reads more like a contemporary. The writing is also easy-to-read with limited purple prose.

We follow Wallace Price. A reaper comes to collect him from his own funeral.

 But instead of taking him directly to the afterlife, leads him to a tea shop in a small village.

Hugo runs the teashop and is also the ferryman to souls crossing over.

 But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. 

TJ Klune writes lighthearted fantasy romance books perfectly. This fantasy is set in a progressive world. It deals with some heavy topics such as death, grief and loss. But this is offset by the cute teashop and dry humour.

Despite such heavy topics this is such a light-hearted, comforting read. T.J. Klune uses laughter,  emotions and romance to it. 

If you’re looking for mlm Fantasy books then pick up some of T.J Klune’s work.  Check out this blog post for even more mlm fantasy books.

12. She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

She Who Became The Sun is an epic historical fantasy. Originally pitched as Mulan meets Song of Achilles. But it’s much more than that.

A quick warning, this is light on the fantasy elements. While many recommend this as an adult fantasy novel, this focuses heavily on history and politics. And the fantasy elements are light.

Set in a famine-stricken village in China in the year 1345.  Two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness…

The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter is only as expected.

But then a bandit attack orphans the children. And Zhu Chongba dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother’s identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice

13. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a beautifully written queer fantasy, unlike any other. This short book is easy to binge read. The author introduces you to a unique and enchanting world.

The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a series of novellas about a monk recording different people’s stories. Each novella follows a different story. While they are short, each novella feels fully realised. But, you can easily read these in one sitting due to the short length.

A young royal from the far north is sent south for a political marriage in an empire reminiscent of imperial China. Her brothers are dead, her armies and their war mammoths long defeated and caged behind their borders. Alone and sometimes reviled, she must choose her allies carefully.

Politics, history and cultural traditions paired with a critique of patriarchy. The stunning writing tells the story through wit and imagery. The result is a moving book steeped in culture with a queer cast of characters.

14. Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves

Searching for an adult fae romance? Then you need to read Prince of the Sorrows and Lord of Silver Ashes. This queer fantasy duology features an enemies-to-lovers mlm romance. This is a new adult romance, a genre of fiction similar to ya but for an older audience.

We follow Saffron. Without an academic endorsement, Saffron will be sent back to the human world. The place he was traded from as a changeling-baby, and a place he is terrified of. The problem is, Saffron is self-taught using stolen books.

But, mistaken identity leads Saffron to learning the true name of self-centred high-fey Prince Cylvan. And what begins as a risk of losing his life (or his tongue) becomes an opportunity to earn the future he wants.

In exchange for an endorsement, he and Cylvan form a geis where Saffron agrees to find a spell to strip power from Cylvan’s true name. While Prince Cylvan doesn’t know Saffron can barely read, Saffron is determined to meet his end of the deal to remain in Alfidel—or, maybe, just to remain by Cylvan’s side.

This is an incredible duology. It pairs fae romance with dark academia. A unique combination making it an enticing read. The mythology woven into the novel was captivating.

The romance is incredible. Enemies-to-lovers and grumpy/sunshine. Plus, this is definitely a slow burn romance – no insta-love here!

15. The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

The Bone Shard Daughter is the first book in the Drowning Empire trilogy. This enchanting debut novel features an original magic system, beautiful world-building and excellent characters.

The emperor’s reign has lasted for decades, his mastery of bone-shard magic powering the animal-like constructs that maintain law and order. But now his rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empire’s many islands.

We follow Lin, emperor’s daughter. She spends her days trapped in a palace of locked doors and dark secrets. When her father refuses to recognise her as heir to the throne, she vows to prove her worth by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic.

Yet such power carries a great cost, and when the revolution reaches the gates of the palace, Lin must decide how far she is willing to go to claim her birthright – and save her people.

This book was told in four different POVS. I sometimes struggle to read books with multiple POVS, but this was done seamlessly. Each character was well developed and the unique concept hooked me in.

16. The Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhouse

The Black Sun is the first book in the Between Earth and Sky Trilogy. The Pre-Colombian Americas inspired the captivating worldbuilding in this book. This is paired with magic and political intrigue.

In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.

Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.

Slow burn romance, epic high-fantasy, sea captains and villains. This book has everything. Plus the novel is full of casually queer characters woven into the storyline, from bisexual to transgender characters. Highly recommend picking up this LGBTQ+ fantasy book.

17. A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

Mystery, political intrigue and magic. Fans of historical fantasy romance will adore this queer fantasy book. This is a beautifully written novel with a moving slow-burn romance.

We follow Velasin vin Aaron, he never planned to marry. But he is due to marry a girl from neighbouring Tihetha for a diplomatic union. The problem is a confrontation reveals his preference for men. And his family is ready to disown him.

But the Tithenai envoy has different plans. For Vel to marry his former intended’s brother instead.

Caethari Aeduria always knew he might end up in a political marriage, but his sudden betrothal to a man from Ralia, where such relationships are forbidden, comes as a shock.

With an unknown faction willing to kill to end their new alliance, Vel and Cae have no choice but to trust each other. Survival is one thing, but love―as both will learn―is quite another.

This story is full of court drama, political intrigue, and assassination plots. The worldbuilding is stunning but doesn’t feel overwhelming. The characters are exceptional with fully fleshed-out backstories. An addictive LGBTQ+ fantasy book for adults

This post was all about LGBTQ+ Fantasy books for adults

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