Rainbow colored puffy clouds.

LGBTQ Fantasy Reads

| Maple Shade Library

The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren
When Yoshiki’s best friend since childhood, Hikaru, returns from the forest he went missing in for several weeks, he can’t help but realize something is…off. What came back may look, speak and even have the memories of his friend, but whatever it is, it isn’t human. This supernatural manga asks readers the question: How far would you go to hold onto someone you love?

No. 6 Omnibus by Atsuko Asano and Hinoki Kino
Shion is a student at an elite university housed within the city of No. 6, a place designed to perfection. When he one day stumbles upon another boy who’s only known by the name of “Rat” and considered a fugitive, the secrets of their perfect society begin to reveal themselves. This edition houses volume 1-3 of the manga.

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
This YA horror fantasy is perfect for fans of Jane Eyre or The Haunting of Bly Manor. After a failed attempt to escape an arranged marriage, young trans teen Silas is diagnosed with Veil sickness – a mysterious disease sending psychic women into madness – and shipped away to Braxton’s Sanitorium and Finishing School. When the ghosts of missing students start begging Silas for help, he decides to reach into Braxton’s innards and expose its rotten guts to the world – as long as the school doesn’t break him first.

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Young trans girl Jam lives in a society that claims to have gotten rid of all monsters, a perfect place that fought for hard-won peace. So, what happens when a monster-finding creature comes to life from one of her mother’s paintings, enlisting Jam to see what everyone around her says doesn’t exist?

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
Bitter is thrilled to have been chosen to attend Eucalyptus, a special school where she can focus on her painting surrounded by other creative teens. But outside this haven, the streets are filled with protests against the deep injustices that grip the town of Lucille. Pulled between old friendships, her creative passion and a new romance, Bitter isn't sure where she belongs – in the art studio or in the streets. And if she does find a way to help the revolution while being true to who she is, she must also ask: at what cost?

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
Real life isn't a fairytale. But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It's hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn't even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he's going through? Is there a way to tell them he's gay? This beautifully illustrated story follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales.

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
Heartstopper meets A Knight’s Tale in this queer medieval rom-com YA debut about love, friendship, and being brave enough to change the course of history.

Venom and Vow by Anna Marie and Elliot McLemore
Cade McKenna is a transgender prince who’s doubling for his brother. Valencia Palafox is a young dama attending the future queen of Eliana. Gael Palma is the infamous boy assassin Cade has vowed to protect. Patrick McKenna is the reluctant heir to a kingdom, and the prince Gael has vowed to destroy. This fantasy is perfect for lovers of political intrigue and danger on every page. 

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Tomas
Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him. When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo by summoning a ghost. However, the ghost he summons isn’t who Yadriel had in mind. The undead former resident bad boy of his high school, Julian, has plans of his own. And the longer Yadriel spends helping Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.

The Final Strife by Sara el Aarfi
Three girls battling for freedom amidst a brutal magical class-system find amongst themselves the power to fuel a revolution. This queer fantasy inspired by Ghanian mythology is perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and R.F. Kuang.

The Lost Girls: A Vampire Revenge Story by Sonia Hartl
Holly Liddell has been stuck with crimped hair since 1987 when she agreed to let her boyfriend, Elton, turn her into a vampire. But when he ditches her at a gas station a few decades into their eternity together, she realizes that being young forever actually means working graveyard shifts at Taco Bell, sleeping in seedy motels, and being supernaturally compelled to follow your ex from town to town. When Holly meets Elton's other exes, they invite her to join them in their quest to kill Elton before he can trick another girl into eternal adolescence. There’s just one complication; Holly has fallen for his latest would-be conquest.

Audience: Emerging Adult, Young Adult, Teens
Category:
Reading Lists