Nothing offers better escapism than a good fantasy book. And there is something so captivating about a fantasy book set in a city. But good urban fantasy books with lgbtq+ characters are hard to find.
This post contains affiliate links. That said, I won’t ever recommend a book I haven’t read and loved myself.
The urban fantasy genre is full of mythical creatures, action packed plots and magic. And sometimes it’s good to read an lgbtq+ urban fantasy book. But it can be difficult to find books with good lgbtq+ representation.
If you’re also looking for urban fantasy books with lgbtq+ characters you’re in luck. As a huge fan of urban fantasy books, I’m going to share some of best urban fantasy books.
Let's find out the best urban fantasy books with lgbtq+ characters
Best urban fantasy books with lgbtq+ characters
1. Spellhacker by M.K. England
If you looking for a book about magic or a dystopian book then you should read Spellhacker. It has so many great elements – a diverse cast of characters, a high stakes heist, criminal mastermind main character and plenty of banter.
In this world magic is a commodity and we follow a group of friends who run an illegal business siphoning it. It also features a non-binary representation and chronic illness representation.
It’s set in a world where magic ( known as maz) was once freely available. But an earthquake unleashed a deadly plague. And now maz is a tightly controlled and expensive commodity.
We follow Diz who runs an illegal maz siphoning business with her three best friends. They get offered one last massive heist that could change everything.
This book opened with such a bang. And the opening had me hooked instantly. It was fairly fast-paced throughout. It's a quick read that you could binge read pretty quickly.
If you're looking for a standalone then you should read Spellhacker. This was a well written standalone. It felt like a cross between Ready, Player One and Six of Crows. And if you're looking for urban fantasy books with lgbtq+ characters this is perfect.
2. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Legendborn
I couldn't pass up an opportunity to recommend Legendborn. While Legendborn doesn't have a main character who is lgbtq+ - it does have a fantasy non-binary side character. It also has a diverse cast with several queer characters.
Legendborn is a fast paced ya fantasy book with an action packed plot and plenty of twists and turns. It follows Bree Mathews. After the death of her mother, she wants to avoid family memories. So, she joins a residential program for gifted high school students.
But then she witnesses a magical attack on her first night. A flying demon feeding on human energy. A Mage tries to wipe her memory. But he fails. And instead Bree unlocks new memories of her mother’s death.
If you're looking for a mysterious, dark haired and morally grey main character then this is a great choice. It also has a diverse cast, an amazing female lead and dark academia vibes. It also features great commentary on slavery and racism.
3. Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker
This is such a cosy read! If you're looking for cozy fantasy books then this is a great choice. It's a LGBTQ+ YA graphic novel with a lighthearted romance between a witch and a non-binary werewolf.
It follows teen witch Nova. She works at her Nana's magical bookshop. And she helps them loan out spell books. But she also investigates supernatural occurrences in her local town.
One day, she is tasked to investigate reports of a white wolf in a nearby forest. She then discovers her childhood best friend, Tam, fighting a demon werewolf. Together they investigate the demon and rekindle their feelings towards each other.
This is such a comfort read. The artwork is insanely beautiful. I really loved the illustrations of the magic and magical creatures living in the forest. The romance is also really adorable.
The story isn't fast-paced and action packed. We also don't find out much about the characters background. But it's such a quick, cute and light-hearted read that I don't think it matters.
The graphic novel format is perfect for anyone trying to get back into reading. Or if you're recovering from a reading slump. I have a ton of recommendations for LGBTQ+ graphic novels - you can check them out here.
4. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
A Dark and Hollow Star is one of the top lgbtq+ urban fantasy books to read! If you’re a fan of Crescent City you definitely need to read a Dark and Hollow Star. There are so many similarities. It's an urban fantasy with fae, queer main characters and an enticing mystery. It also has a seriously adorable wlw romance.
The cover is perfect if you're looking for lgbt books with discreet covers. The image of Nausicaä holding a sword looks like any other fantasy book.
A series of gruesome murders threatens to expose the faerie world to humans. Four queer teens – Nausicaä, Arlo, Vehan, and Aurelian – each hold a piece of the truth. And they must track down the mysterious killer.
There are not one but two romances in this book. And the characters are what make them so perfect. Arlo and Nausicaä have such amazing chemistry. Nausicaä is a grumpy, chaotic and sarcastic lesbian. Arlo and Nausicaä have a perfect grumpy/sunshine slow-burn vibe.
I listened to the audiobook version which you can find on audible. It features a full cast of narrators which made it really engrossing.
The voices of Vehan and Nausicaä are so spot on! And you can listen to it on Audible with a free trial. It's a great audiobook to put on if you're looking for some escapism while you're cleaning or relaxing before bedtime.
5. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
Kalynn Bayron writes some of the best contemporary fantasy books out there! This Poison Heart is an Urban Fantasy book. It opens in the city before the main characters move to a small town. There is also strong plant and cottagecore imagery throughout.
This Poison Heart follows Briseis. She has a magic gift where she can magic tiny seeds grow into rich blooms with a single touch.
Her aunt dies and wills her a dilapidated estate in rural New York. And it’s there she must uncover her family’s heritage and secrets.
This is a quick, fast-paced and easy read. You could easily pick this up and binge read it in one setting. Kalynn Bayron writes plant imagery beautifully. And I absolutely adored the plant and forest imagery.
My only complaint with this book is that the romance was very insta-lovey. And I found it difficult to be invested in the romance.
If you're looking for fantasy books with LGBT characters then you HAVE to read this book. The way mythology is woven into the plot . It also feature a Black heroine, supportive same-sex parents and elemental magic.
6. Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee
Not Your Sidekick is a queer middle grade novel about superheroes. It features a bisexual Chinese-Vietnamese protagonist, a trans character and a wlw enemies to lovers romance. And it’s written by an own voices author.
It follows Jessica Tran, a bisexual high school student who is resigned to a life without superpowers and decides to start an internship to improve her college applications. However, she quickly discovers it’s for a supervillain with her crush Abby.
Not Your Sidekick is a light, fluffy and fun read. It takes superhero tropes and gives a really refreshing take on a superhero story. If you enjoy urban fantasy books or ya contemporary then you should definitely read this one. The superhero storyline is woven seamlessly into modern everyday life.
It also manages to tackle a lot of issues while still staying fun. Perfect if you're looking for fantasy books with trans & non-binary characters.
It also features an excellent bisexual main character. If you're interested in books with bisexual representation then I have a whole blog post full of recommendations. You can check out my post on bisexual books here.
7. On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
If you like the found family trope then you need to read this graphic novel. It executes the found family trope so perfectly! It also features beautiful artwork and an emotional storyline. It also has a fantastic non-binary side character.
It follows Mia. She joins a team in the deepest reaches of space who rebuild broken-down structures. As a new member, she gets to know her team. It also flashes back to her pivotal year in boarding school, where she fell in love with a mysterious new student.
This has such a creative concept and world. The graphic novel format worked so perfectly and really helped to bring it to life. The storyline is non-linear. Flashbacks of Mia's experience at boarding school are woven into the plot. Non-linear storylines are quite hit and miss for me. But it worked perfectly . And it merged together really well at the end.
If you're looking for a more emotional storyline then this graphic novel is 100% worth picking up. The story is deeply emotional. And will have you in tears by the end.
8. These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling
I was sold on this book as soon as I heard Sapphic witches! These Witches Don't Burn contains lesbian witches, a mystery to solve and a the found family trope. Plus it's an urban fantasy book set in Salem.
These Witches Don’t Burn follows Hannah. She is a witch living in Salem. A dark blood ritual interrupts her end of school bonfire. And she investigates with her ex-girlfriend Veronica.
She also meets Morgan. But trying to date in the middle of a supernatural crisis is not easy and will test Hannah’s limits.
This is one of my favourite ya fantasy duologies. There are seriously not enough ya fantasy duologies. So this is an easy series to binge read and finish.
Don't get me wrong - it's not hard hitting. But I'm a simple girl and sometimes I want a warm, cozy lesbian book to read.
The LGBTQ+ characters are so well incorporated that they are just part of life. This makes it such a comforting urban fantasy book with lgbtq+ characters.
9. 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.
10. Under the whispering door by T.J. Klune
TJ Klune writes mlm fantasy books incredibly well. They are always feel good fantasy books set in a progressive world. And the romance is always really well developed.
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 mlm Fantasy books you should definitely pick up some of T.J Klune's work. For even more mlm Fantasy recommendations - you can check out this blog post for even more mlm fantasy books.
11. When we were magic by Sarah Gailey
When We Were Magic is perfect if you're looking for books with a touch of fantasy. It's another book that reads more as a Contemporary ya romance but includes some fantasy elements.
When We Were Magic follows Alexis. She has always been able to rely on her best friends and magic powers. On prom night, accidental magic goes wrong and someone ends up dead. Alexis and her friends have to try and fix a terrible wrong.
The writing in this book really made me laugh. I knew I would love it one page in and the opening was fantastic.
The relationships and friendships in this book were really powerful. Also, the parents in this book were really supportive which I always appreciate
My only issue with this book, is that the romance definitely needed more development. It was cute and lighthearted. But I didn't read many interactions between Alexis and her love interest. So I wasn't 100% convinced.
12. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
The Atlas Six with Olivie Blake
The Atlas Six is about a secret society of academics known as The Alexandrian Society. Their members are caretakers of lost knowledge and their members secure a life of wealth, power and prestige. Each decade, the world's six most uniquely talented magicians are selected for initiation.
The Atlas Six follows six different characters who are competiting for entry into the society - Libby Rhodes, Nicolás Ferrer de Varona, Reina Mori, Parisa Kamali, Tristan Caine and Callum Nova.
If you like dark academia worldbuilding then you'll really enjoy this book. It's set in a library with lots of academic references - lectures, classes and academic theories.
There are several LGBTQ+ characters in this book with one character who is opening bisexual/pansexual. There are also several ambiguous relationships in the book. That being said, I've only read the first book in this series.
This post was all about urban fantasy books with lgbtq+ characters
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