Swords, dragons and adventure - few books transport you to another world in the same way fantasy does. But mlm fantasy books seem quite hard to find. Especially good mlm books and not just poorly written books with a stock photo of a shirtless man on the cover.
This post contains affiliate links. That said, I won’t ever recommend a book I haven’t read and loved myself.
A diverse cast, a great fantasy adventure and an mlm romance. These are all surprisingly difficult to find in a fantasy book. So I’ve searched the internet, social media and of course my own bookshelves to find the absolute best mlm fantasy books.
Below you'll find fantasy books with mlm romance, a captivating fantasy world and a thrilling adventure. Whether you're looking for a historical or urban fantasy - I've got you covered.
If you’re looking for mlm books hold up just a minute. I have a whole post on mlm books you might want to check out. I surveyed book lovers and compiled the best mlm book recommendations. You can check out my article on mlm books here.
What are the best mlm fantasy books?
1. Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Song of Achilles is one of those books that always seems to get recommended when people mention LGBTQ+ Books on social media. And I couldn't write a post on mlm fantasy books without mentioning it.
Song of Achilles is a Greek Mythology retelling. It focuses on the romance between Achilles and Patroclus. It has one of the most adorable but also the most heartbreaking mlm romances.
The book follows Achilles and Patroclus. Achilles is handsome, strong and irristable to all who meet him. While Patroclus is an awkward young prince exiled from his homeland.
They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine. But they discover that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. All the heroes are called upon to lay siege to Troy. Achilles joins their cause. And Patroclus follows. But the years that follow will test everything.
Song of Achilles has had almost 700,000 thousand reviews on Good Reads and it's still rated 4.4 stars. The ending is absolutely devastating. Even if you have a knowledge of Greek mythology and know what's going to happen. The way Madeline Miller depicts the strong and passionate romance between Achilles and Patroclus is incredible. The writing is beautiful and will have you sobbing like a child.
2. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
There is so much to love about A Marvellous Light. It's an mlm romance about magic, a mystery to solve and a secret magical society. And it also has serious dark academia vibes.
It follows Robin Blyth. Due to an administrative error, he is named liaison to a secret magical society. So, he is forced to contend with magic's dangers and a deadly curse while he searches for his missing predecessor.
To do this, he'll need the help of Edwin Courcey. Edwin Courcey is his prickly magical society counterpart but he clearly wishes Robin were anyone else.
I love the secret society of magicians. And the Edwardian setting and mlm romance sets it apart from other books including secret magical societies.
If you like historical fiction or dark academia then you need to read this one. It's fantastic to read about gay men in an Edwardian setting.
3. Under the whispering door by T.J. Klune
Umder the Whispering door is no exception. It follows 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 but is also the ferryman to souls who need to cross over. But Wallace isn't ready to abandon the life he barely lived.
This book would be perfect for someone new to the fantasy genre. The writing is easy-to-read and while it includes fantasy elements, this book reads as more of a YA Contemporary.
This book deals with so many heavy topics such as death, grief and loss. But 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 LGBTQ+ Fantasy books you should definitely pick up some of T.J Klune's work. For even more LGBTQ+ Fantasy recommendations - you can check out this blog post for even more LGBTQ+ Recommendations.
4. Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
I debated whether to include Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom in this post because the mlm romance isn't the focus of the storyline. However, Six of Crows includes multiple LGBTQ+ characters and there is a prominent mlm romance in Crooked Kingdom.
Six of Crows follows six teenagers living in Ketterdam. Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, is one of the teens. He is offered a deadly heist for a huge payout.
But it’s an impossible heist. And Kaz will need all the help he can get to pull it off. So, he assembles five other teens to help him.
There is so much to love about Six of Crows – magic found family and super sassy banter. But I also love the LGBTQ+ representation. Jesper is one of the best bisexual characters
In the Grishaverse universe, being LGBTQ+ is also portrayed as something completely normal. In an interview with Ya Pride, Leigh Bardugo writes that her goal was to present queer relationships as completely normal.
Her goal was to present a positive, happy couple. You can read the author interview with Leigh Bardugo where she discusses queer relationships in Six of Crows on YA Pride - you can check it out here.
5. Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
If you're looking for fantasy books with mlm romance - then you should definitely read Silver in the Wood. It's a fantasy book set in a magical forest.
Silver in the Woods has an insanely cute grumpy/sunshine friends to lovers mlm romance. Plus it references mythological creatures such as dryads and faeries.
It follows Tobias who is a forest guardian. He is tasked to look after the forest. One day Henry Silver moves into Greenhollow Hall and everything changes.
Silver starts to dig up old secrets that are best left forgotten. Plus they have an adorable mlm romance.
If you like the cottagecore aesthetic then you'll enjoy this book. The forest imagery is absolute gorgeous and definitely made me want to live in a cottage in the woods. It's really whimsical and enchanting.
This is also such a short and easy read. I listened to the audiobook. And the whole duology is only 5 hours. So 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.
6. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
This was another series I debated whether to include or not. The mlm romance in this ya fantasy series is a slow burn romance that doesn't happen until later in the series. But it's such an incredible series with a really satisfying romance.
The Raven Boys follows Blue. Each year in the churchyard, Blue watches her psychic mother see those who are going to die that year. Blue never actually sees them herself. Until this year. When she speaks directly to a boy.
He is called Gansey and is a student at Aglionby school. The students there are known locally as Raven Boys.
Raven Boys has such dark academia vibes. It’s set in a local private school. Gansey is also obsessed with researching Welsh mythology. And it even references Latin.
The characters are what make this book. On the surface, it seems like a quirky loner meeting rich boys. But it’s so much more than that! The characters are all fully developed with fleshed-out (and tragic) backstories. The relationships between them are some of the best I’ve read in YA Fiction.
7. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
A fantasy graphic novel recommendation now. This is a quick read that is perfect if you're in a reading slump. It's an adorable mlm fantasy graphic novels with dragons, shape-shifters and brilliant characters.
It follows Nimona and Lord Ballister Blackheart. Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter who becomes a sidekick to Lord Blackheart. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. Their mission is to prove that Sir Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.
There is so much to love about this! The storyline kept me hooked and I binge read this in one sitting. The plot is action-packed and full of twists. The humour was excellent. And the banter between the characters is genuinely very funny.
If you enjoy reading books about villains or morally grey characters then you need to pick this up. Nimona is so delightfully evil in such a charming way. The artwork is beautiful and makes this easy to read in one sitting.
I'm a huge fan of graphic novels! They're easy to read and you can often binge read them in one sitting. The graphics also makes reading them a completely different format. If you're looking for more lgbtq+ graphic novels then I have a whole book list for you. You can check out my article on lgbtq graphic novels here.
8. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Cemetery Boys is a great pick if you're looking for an urban fantasy or a book with fall vibes. It features a cute romance and a transgender main character.
Cemetery Boys follows Yadriel whose traditional Latine family has problems accepting his true gender.
Yadriel is determined to prove himself. So he performs a ritual to become a Brujo. He performs a ritual. And then he sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin.
But he actually summons Julian Diaz. The school’s resident bad boy. And he won’t go quietly. But the longer Julian stays, the less Yadriel wants him to leave.
This book is a really unique – it’s a great mix of mystery and magic. The mystery initially sells the book. But the characters are what really sells this book.
9. Alpha's Son by Penny Jessup
It follows Max, a werewolf. Werewolves typically have mates. But Max couldn't care less about finding his mate.
All this is about to change at the Blue Moon Festival —a summer camp where Elite Pack wolves go to find their mates. And this year the Alpha's son, Jasper Apollo, is attending.
When Max finds himself inexplicably linked with the exceptionally handsome but totally jerk-faced heir, he’s forced to grapple with the unexpected feelings clawing at his soul.
This is a quick and easy read with a cute mlm romance. It is quite cheesy but if you're looking for a fun, LGBTQ+ book with werewolves then it's worth checking out.
10. The Lightning Struck Heart by TJ Klune
I absolutely had to include another mlm fantasy book by TJ Klune. I knew I would love this book from the first few pages. The romance is incredible and the banter is really funny.
It follows 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.
The characters in this book are incredible and the banter is hilarious. Sam is friends with a gay unicorn called Gary and a half giant. Sam is chaotic and tends to blurt out things randomly which makes for many funny moments.
There is no coming out but the book is openly and unashamedly LGBTQ+ from the very beginning of the book. If you're a fan of a low stakes, cosy fantasy book then you will absolutely love 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.
11. Peter Darling by Austin Chant
Peter Darling is the most perfect Peter Pan retelling. It's an mlm fantasy book where Peter is a queer and transgender. He returns to Neverland as an adult and falls in love with Captain Hook.
The Lost Boys say Peter went back to England because of Wendy Darling. But Wendy is an old life he left behind.
Neverland is his real home.
Peter returns to Neverland ten years later. And he's surprised to find a Neverland that no longer needs him. The only person who truly missed Peter is Captain Hook, who is delighted to have his old rival back
You can't beat a good enemies to lovers romance and this is absolutely perfect. There's angst, pining and a slow burn.
Peter Pan's backstory in the book is really interesting and intelligent. It makes an excellent addition to the book and gives Pan depth. And it makes this Peter Pan retelling a thought provoking story about identity.
12. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
I first came across The Sunbearer Trials when browsing for book recommendations on BookTok. And I'm obsessed! It's an urban fantasy book featuring a transgender main character and Mexican worldbuilding. It also has some serious Hunger Games vibes.
It's set in a world where the Mexican Gods and Goddesses are real. They had children who are semidioses.
As each new decade begins, the Sun's power must be replenished to that Sol can keep travelling along the sky and keep the Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses aged between thirteen and eighteen are chosen as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials.
The winner will carry light to all the temples of Reino del Sol. The loser is sacrificed to Sol. And their body is used to fuel the sun stones.
Teo is a Jade Semidiós and the trans son of Quetzal - the goddess of birds. As a Jade, he's unlikely to be chosen.
But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses who isn’t a Gold. Teo must compete against semidióses who have spent their life training for the sunbearer trials.
This was such an addictive read. The writing style was really easy to read. There was enough worldbuilding to hook me in, without it feeling like a big chunk. The pace also kept me hooked.
If you're looking for urban fantasy books with lgbtq+ characters you should definitely read this. Especially if you enjoyed the Percy Jackson or Hunger Games books.
13. The Backstagers by James Tynion IV and Rian Sigh
Okay, this is such a wholesome LGBTQ+ graphic novel. If you're a fan of Heartstopper, The Tea Dragon Society or the LumberJanes then you'll probably enjoy this one. It's a graphic novel featuring a mlm romance and the found family trope.
It follows Jory. He transfers to an all-boys private high school. But at first he's not happy at the school. Until he's taken in by the only ones who don't treat him like a new kid - the lowly stage crew known as the Backstagers.
The backstagers are a group of students who help backstage at plays. He makes great, lifetime friends. But he is also introduced to an entire magical world that lives beyond the curtain.
This is such a light-hearted, easy read. It's fairly short and the graphic style makes it easy to read pretty quickly. The romance was a bit insta-lovey. But it's such a wholesome read that it doesn't really matter. If you have a train journey this would be the perfect length read.
This post was all about mlm fantasy books
