15 Cute YA WLW Fantasy Books That Are Impossible To Put Down

Recently updated on November 30th, 2024 at 12:45 pm

Searching for ya wlw fantasy books? Here are 15 Sapphic fantasy books with wlw romance that are 100% worth picking up!

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

I am a huge ya fantasy fan. They offer the best escapism, fantastical worlds and are often easy to binge read. And you can find tons of captivating ya wlw fantasy books.

From witches and fae to fairytale retellings. This post has got you covered! As a lesbian and huge fantasy fan, I’m recommending the absolute best ya wlw fantasy books.

Plus if you head to this page you can find all things LGBTQ+ Pride related including book recommendations, LGBTQ+ Bookmarks and free phone wallpapers.

This post is all about the best ya wlw fantasy books

ya wlw fantasy books

 1. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

A Dark and Hollow Star is one of the top ya wlw fantasy books. Crescent City fans need to read a Dark and Hollow Star.   This urban fantasy features fae, a compelling mystery and a badass main character. Sound familiar? Plus it has an adorable sapphic romance.

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.

The characters sell this book. 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. The full cast of narrators make itengrossing.

The voices of Vehan and Nausicaä are so spot on! And you can listen to it on Audible with a free trial. A great audiobook for escapism while you clean or relax before bedtime.

Good reads rating: 3.83

2. These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling

Sapphic witches in Salem – sold! This urban fantasy contains an intriguing mystery, a modern city setting and the found family trope.

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.

We seriously don’t have enough ya fantasy duologies. This is one of my favourites. An easy series to binge-read and finish.

 Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t hard hitting. But sometimes you need a warm, cozy read. The queer characters are well incorporated and just part of life.  This makes it such a comforting  ya wlw fantasy book.

3.Malice  by Heather Walter

Malice is one of my favourite YA Sapphic fantasy books. From dystopian worldbuilding and morally grey characters to grumpy/sunshine romance. This compelling duology retells the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty, from the perspective of the villain.

Malice is a Maleficent retelling. The book is set in a Kingdom called Briar. Once upon a time, a wicked fairy cursed a line of princesses to die. Only true love’s kiss can break the curse.

The book follows Alyce – the dark grace. She was left abandoned in Briar from a dark kingdom. The dark magic that runs in her veins abhors residents in Briar.

Except for Princess Aurora who accepts her. And she encourages Alyce to accept herself.

This book is almost a cross between Wicked and The Hunger Games. But with fae. The world building is darkly magical. And the residents of Briar reminded me of the residents of the Capitol. 

Searching for Sapphic fantasy books? Read this book! Filled with thrilling plot twists that leave you on the edge of your seat. And the grumpy/sunshine romance between Alyce and Aurora is absolutely adorable.

Good reads rating: 4.07

4. Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker

Searching for Sapphic cozy fantasy novels? Then you need to read Mooncakes. This lighthearted ya romance follows a witch and non-binary werewolf.

We follow 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 loved the illustrations of the magic and magical creatures living in the forest. The romance is also adorable.

The story isn’t fast-paced and action packed. We also don’t find out much about the characters background. But this is a cute, low-stakes book and quick to read story.

The graphic novel format is perfect for anyone trying to get back into reading. Or if you’re recovering from a reading slump. Perfect for anyone after light-hearted Sapphic Fantasy books. 

Good reads rating: 3.85

5. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

Kalynn Bayron writes incredible contemporary fantasy books! This Urban Fantasy book opens in the city before moving to a dilapedated mansion in a msall town. Plus, it has enchanting 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 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. 

The mythology is beautiful in this novel and woven seamlessly into the plot. It gives the book a magical twist. It also feature sa Black heroine, supportive same-sex parents and elemental magic. A great choice if you’re after Sapphic ya fantasy books.

Good reads rating: 4.20

6. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

When it comes to YA Fantasy, you should definitely read Girls of Paper and Fire. This dark fantasy  features magic, Asian worldbuilding and a dystopian society. Please read the content warnings before you pick this up.

Girls of Paper and Fire follows Lei. She is a member of the Paper Caste. And the people of Ikhara persecute her.

 She sees the royal guards take her mother. Afterwards, Lei suffers with trauma. But the guards return and try to take Lei. She has to learn skills fitting of a King’s Consort. But she falls in love.

The worldbuilding in this book is seriously beautiful. Natasha Ngan was inspired by her own experiences growing up in Malaysia – a country with a mix of cultures. And Ikhara was heavily inspired by this. 

The character development is  excellent. I loved the wlw romance in the book. The grumpy/sunshine trope was executed perfectly. The plot of the book is quite dark but it was handled sensitively

The pacing did lapse a bit in the middle for me. But the character development was so good that I still enjoyed reading it. If you’re after Sapphic Ya Fantasy books then you’ll love this!

Good reads rating: 3.82

7. The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska

Maybe it’s the witches, maybe it’s the rugged coastel worldbuilding or maybe it’s the curse. But something about the Dark Tide compells you to read it. This underrated fantasy book features a cursed Sapphic romance.

We follow Lina. She lives on a small island where the dark tide could cause it to sink. So, every year the Witch Queen lures a boy back to her palace and sacrifices her on the full moon. And so keeps the island city from sinking.

Lina is convinced her brother is going to be taken. She asks Thomas Lin to help. Thomas is the only person to survive the sacrifice. But they draw the Queen’s attention. And instead, Thomas is taken.

Lina offers herself instead of Thomas. But the queen is nothing like Eva expected. And they must choose between saving the island or themselves.

The premise of this book hooked me in straight away. A girl goes to save a guy but instead falls for the ‘villain’.  Looking for an enemies to lovers romance with a morally grey love interest? Then this is the book for you. 

It was such an angsty slow bur romance. And Lina and Eva had an amazing grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The cursed romance setup was so well executed and made the book so tragically romantic.

 The worldbuilding is dark, moody and atmospheric. A beautifully written sea wild tale. Full of bitter witches, sea, salt, blood and sacrifice.

Good reads rating: 3.83

8. Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

Not Your Sidekick deserves more hype. This sapphic fantasy gives superhero tropes a modern twist. It also features a bisexual Chinese-Vietnamese protagonist, a trans character and a wlw romance.

We follow 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 another light, fluffy and fun read. It takes superhero tropes and gives a refreshing take on a superhero story. I love how the superheroes and supervillians storyline is woven into modern, everyday life.

It also manages to tackle a lot of issues while still staying fun. There is a whole series of these and I’ve already added Not Your Villain to my TBR list as I loved Bells in Not Your Sidekick.

9. Ruinsong by Julia Ember

Ruinsong is an enchanting fantasy novel with Phantom of the Opera vibes. Set in a dystopian world, it features lush world-building, a twisty plot and feisty main characters.

In this world, singers have magic powers when they sing certain songs. And they are able to heal, cause pain and heat people.

Cadence is an incredibly strong mage. She was born in poverty in an orphanage and rises to success. But she works for the evil Queen Elene. And Elene forces Cadence to use her power to torture others.

  But when she is reunited with her childhood friend she must make a choice. Does she take a stand or follow the queen.

This book is like a dystopian and queer phantom of the opera. The world building is unique. Full of strong willed women wearing beautiful ball gowns taking down evil. In this dark fantasy girls take down their enemies while wearing beautiful pink ballgowns. 

It also has one of the most unique magic systems with singing as a vehicle for magic.  It was well developed. And the magic system and characters hook you into this story.

Good reads rating: 3.54

10. Cinderella is dead by Kalynn Bayron

This Sapphic Cinderella retelling gives a twist on the classic fairytale. This compelling standalone fantasy follows queer characters taking down the patriarchy. And it features features BIPOC characters and a wlw romance.

The premise is that teen girls are now required to appear at an annual ball where men select wives. But Sophia wants to marry her childhood best friend Erin. And isn’t a fan of the whole parade in front of suitors thing.

She decides to flee and decided to take down the king once and for all.

The dystopian twist on the classic Cinderella story makes this book so unique. The romance is a bit insta-lovey but still well developed and engaging. 

The plot will keep you hooked throughout.  Women overthrowing a dystopian patriarchy. The captivating woodland imagery compells you to live in the forest.

I also LOVE that it’s a standalone. Standalone ya fantasy books are hard to find. Let alone with lesbian representation. If you’re looking for a ya lesbian fantasy book then I highly recommend Cinderella is Dead.

Good reads rating: 3.73

11. When we were magic by Sarah Gailey

When We Were Magic has one of the best openings in a book. The first page makes you laugh out loud. This urban fantasy is set in a high school. And it feels much more like a contemporary.

We follow 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.

Looking for a fantasywith the feel of a contemporary? Then you should pick this up. It has fantasy elements to it but it feels much more like a YA Contemporary book. 

The writing in this book made me laugh. But I absolutely adored the friendship group in this book. The group was supportive of each other. I also adored the supportive parents. Something missing from many ya fantasy books.

My only complaint is that the romance felt quite under developed. But overall, this light-hearted fantasy is easy to read in one sitting.

Good reads rating: 3.67

12. Ash by Malinda Lo

Ash is a book I’m always torn about. It hasn’t got the most character development. And the romance is a bit insta-lovey.  But I had to include it because I love the cottagey world building in this Sapphic retelling.

Ash is a lesbian Cinderella retelling. We follow Ash who is dealing with the grief of losing her parents. She falls in love with the king’s huntress.

The world-building in this book is beautiful. I loved the descriptions of the woods and the fae. The lore around the fae was also excellent. Searching for cottagecore worldbuilding? Then this is an excellent choice.

I instantly loved the King’s Huntess. But I wish the romance was better developed. The focus was definitely on the mental health and the fae. The romance is more of a side-plot rather than the main focus of the book. But I wish a bit more time had been spent on the romance.

However, I love that it focuses on Ash recovering from grief. Mental health is a strong theme throughout and the romance feels secondary. This cosy read offers great escapism. A quick, short book you can read in one sitting.

Good reads rating: 3.63

13. Princess Princess Ever After by Kay O’Neill

This is more middle grade rather than Young Adult. But this cozy graphic novel is so adorable that I had to include it. You can enjoy this fairytale at any age.

Princes Princess ever after is about two princesses who fall in love. We follow Sadie who is locked in a tower. She is rescued by another princess -Amira. Also, Amira rides a pink unicorn.  The story is just as queer and lovely as it sounds.

This is such a comforting book to read. It deals with important topics such as feminism, equality and abusive relationships. But it does it in such a lighthearted way.

Good reads rating: 4.08

14. We set the dark on fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

One of the best sapphic enemies to lovers romances! This queer ya dystopian novel is ideal for fans of the Handmaid’s Tale as it plays on the concept of wives. Plus it features excellent Latinx representation.

We Set The Dark On Fire follows  Daniela Vargas. She lives in a dystopian world where each man is entitled to 2 wives. A Primera and a Segunda. The Primera is intelligent, calm and analytical. The Segunda is the mother figure.

Outside the wall, the people go hungry. Dani started life outside of the wall. And she must use her wits to survive illegally in the capital. She is also married to one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.

The premise was intriguing. And the main character was instantly likeable. She also grows a lot through the book. But the romance is what makes this so perfect. Two badass women who are married to a Straight man but fall in love with each other.

The world-building is also excellent. And the book has such dark academia vibes. It opens in a prep school for girls. But it discusses so many important issues such as immigration politics and forced marriage.

 We set the Dark on Fire features an intriguing dystopian premise and a likeable, strong-minded main character. This YA  LGBTQ+ Dystopian book explores immigration politics, toxic masculinity and feminism.

We Set the Dark on Fire has one of the most compelling wlw enemies to lovers romances! Fan of wlw enemies to lovers books? Then you’re in luck. I have a whole post dedicated to wlw enemies to lovers books – you can check it out here.

15. The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl

You need to read this underrated fantasy. The Grimrose Girls is a dark academia novel retelling fairytales. But the dark versions of those stories. It features a diverse cast, plenty of fairy tale references and dark academia world-building. 

The Grimrose Girls is a modern take on classic fairytales such as The Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

The heroines of the stories are re-imagined as friends attending an elite boarding school. After their friend dies, the police rule the death as suicide. But they decide to investigate to find out what really happened.

Grimrose Girls is a unique concept and fantasy retelling. The mystery was gripping and well-paced. And the story keeps mentioning tantalizing details that keep you engaged.

The story also uses the darker versions of the fairy tales. And this added to the dark academia, mysterious tone of the book. Some reviews do mention the lack of world-building, but I personally preferred this because it kept the plot fast-paced.

Good reads rating: 3.68

16. Criers War by Nina Varela

Crier’s War is an epic urban fantasy novel. This romantasy features a true enemies to lovers romance. This is more modern and sci-fi than other books on this list. But I’ve included it as Crier’s War is one of the most popular ya sapphic fantasy books.

Set in the Kingdom of Rabu and follows Ayla. A War has ravaged the kingdom of Rabu. The Automae took over the estates of their owners and bent the human race to their will.

Ayla is a human servant rising the ranks at the House of Soverign. She dreams of avenging the death of her family… by killing the Sovereign’s daughter – the beautiful Lady Crier.

Now, Ayla, a human servant rising the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging the death of her family… by killing the Sovereign’s daughter, Lady Crier. Crier was Made to be beautiful, to be flawless. And to take over the work of her father.

 But that was before her betrothal to the enigmatic Scyre Kinok, before she discovered her father isn’t the benevolent king she once admired, and most importantly, before she met Ayla

Criers War is an incredible wlw ya fantasy book.

 It features a dual pov. The plot focuses on the battle between humans and automae. And the book benefits from the dual pov. Reading from both perspectives gives you a unique insight and adds to the plot.

The start of the book does feature a chunk of world-building. Something typical of fantasy books. But after the initial worldbuilding, the plot is engaging and the writing style is easy to read.

Searching for ya wlw books? Then you need to read this fantasy romance.

Good reads Rating: 4.17

17. Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn

An intriguing mystery set in an old castle. Bitterthorn is a beautiful dark fantasy with a sapphic romance. A curse, an eerie mystery and a witch – everything about this book hooks you in. And the fast pace makes this an easy binge-read.

Bitterthorn is set in Blumwald, a town overshadowed by an ancient curse. In a sinister castle in the depths of the wild wood lives a witch. Once a generation, she claims a companion. Never to be seen again.

We follow Mina, daughter of the Duke. Grieving and lonely, she has lost all hope for any future. So when the Witch demands her next companion, Mina volunteers.

Stranded with her darkly alluring captor, the mystery of what happened to the previous companions draws Mina into the heart of a terrifying secret that could save her life, or end it

This compelling fantasy book has the most stunning, gothic worldbuilding. An old, crumbling castle, wild woods and a small town. The result is a haunting tale of two lost souls finding each other.

Good Reads Rating: 3.95

18. Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

A Sapphic retelling based on the fairytale Sleeping Beauty.  The enchanting worldbuilding draws on Persian Mythology for inspiration. 

We follow Soraya.  A cursed princess is poisonous to the touch. Soraya is only safe in her garden. Hidden away and apart from her family.

As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon holding the knowledge she craves.  The answer to her freedom.

And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison. Soraya thought she knew her place in the world. But when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming.

Fan of Cinderella is Dead or This Poison Heart? Then you’ll love this! Searching for Sapphic retellings or a unique ya fantasy? Then you need to read this book. 

This post was all about ya wlw fantasy books

Other posts you might like…

 23 Heartwarming wlw books you definitely need to read

The absolute best wlw enemies to lovers books

These 27 LGBTQ+ YA Books belong on your TBR List

LGBTQ+ YA Fantasy books every book lover needs to read