Fantasy already asks readers to believe in impossible things. Dragons? Sure. Ancient magic? Obviously. A kingdom apparently being run by a 22-year-old with excellent cheekbones and terrible judgment? We’ve accepted worse.
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Add queer characters to the mix, and the genre gets even more fun.
The best LGBTQ fantasy books aren’t simply stories that happen to feature queer characters. They’re worlds where gay men can be heroes and romantics, where trans characters can wield magic, where sapphic love stories can unfold amid political chaos, and where identity is just one part of a much bigger adventure.
Whether you’re looking for a swoony gay romance, a dark magical quest or something cozy enough to read under a blanket, these 10 LGBTQ fantasy books offer plenty of ways to disappear into another world.
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Best Gay and MLM Fantasy Books
For readers who want their fantasy with a healthy dose of male-male romance, these books should be at the top of the list. Expect magic, danger, yearning and men making questionable decisions while looking extremely good doing it.
1. The Last Sun by K.D. Edwards
K.D. Edwards’ The Last Sun drops readers into an urban fantasy world filled with magic, political intrigue and supernatural families.
At the center is Rune Saint John, a gay protagonist whose complicated past follows him into an increasingly dangerous investigation. Along the way, the story delivers action, romance and a found family that becomes just as important as the fantasy itself.
It’s an especially good choice for readers who want gay fantasy where the romance isn’t the only thing happening.
2. A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
Political intrigue meets slow-burn romance in A Taste of Gold and Iron.
The story follows Prince Tadek, who finds himself entangled in a mystery while dealing with his own anxieties and responsibilities. His relationship with his bodyguard, Evemer, adds a romantic thread to a story packed with court politics and complicated loyalties.
For anyone who likes their gay romance accompanied by palace drama, personal angst and enough tension to make every meaningful glance feel like an event, this one delivers.
3. Black Wings Beating by Alex London
Black Wings Beating takes readers into an epic fantasy world where falconry, magic and political conflict collide.
The story follows twins Kylee and Brysen as they become caught up in a dangerous struggle involving powerful birds and even more dangerous people. Brysen is gay, giving the story an important queer perspective without making his sexuality the entirety of his character.
It’s a solid pick for readers who want queer representation inside a larger fantasy adventure, rather than a romance-first story.
4. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Linus Baker is used to following rules. Then he’s assigned to investigate an unusual orphanage and meets its mysterious caretaker, Arthur.
What follows is a warm fantasy about love, acceptance and found family, with a gay romance at its center.
It’s considerably softer than some of the other books on this list, making it perfect for the reader who would rather experience magical children and emotional healing than another 600-page battle for the throne.
Sometimes the fantasy we need is simply finding people who make us feel at home.
5. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Yadriel is determined to prove himself as a brujo, but his attempt at summoning a spirit doesn’t go quite as planned.
Instead, he summons Julian, a recently murdered boy who isn’t particularly interested in staying dead.
The supernatural mystery brings the two boys together, while Yadriel’s identity, family and cultural background remain important parts of the story. The result is a heartfelt combination of fantasy, romance and mystery.
It’s also one of the strongest choices here for readers looking for trans and gay representation alongside Latinx culture.
6. The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
Fantasy gets personal in The Witch King, which follows Wyatt, a trans witch who is forced to confront a past he would rather leave behind.
The story combines magic, political conflict, identity and romance, with Wyatt’s relationship with his fiancé, Emyr, at the heart of the emotional stakes.
For readers looking for a fantasy story with a trans male protagonist and gay romance, this is an easy addition to the reading pile.
Sapphic, Trans and Nonbinary Fantasy
A good LGBTQ fantasy shelf shouldn’t stop at gay men. These next picks broaden the lineup with sapphic, trans and nonbinary characters while bringing very different fantasy worlds to the table.
7. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
A princess imprisoned by her own brother. A servant with dangerous secrets. Forbidden magic. Political rebellion.
And, naturally, a complicated relationship between two women caught in the middle of it all.
The Jasmine Throne is a lush, darker fantasy inspired by South Asian history and mythology, with a sapphic romance woven into its larger story of power and rebellion.
If you like your romance accompanied by political maneuvering and supernatural danger, this one has plenty to offer.
8. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
After a lifetime of adventuring, an orc named Viv decides she has had enough. Her new plan? Open a coffee shop.
Of course, retirement from adventuring doesn’t mean she gets to avoid trouble entirely. Along the way, she builds a found family and develops a romance with Tandri.
Legends & Lattes is the cozy queer fantasy option on this list — perfect for anyone whose preferred magical quest involves coffee, baked goods and falling in love rather than fighting an ancient evil.
Fantasy With a Different Perspective
These final two books bring even more variety to the list, showing just how broad LGBTQ speculative storytelling can be.
9. Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee
Phoenix Extravagant follows Juno, a nonbinary artist who becomes caught up in a conflict involving an occupied country, magical technology and an unusual automaton.
The story combines fantasy, political intrigue and questions about art, power and resistance, while giving readers a nonbinary protagonist at the center of the action.
It’s a particularly good choice for anyone looking for Asian-inspired fantasy with nonbinary representation.
10. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
Elatsoe introduces readers to Ellie, a teenager with the ability to raise the ghosts of dead animals — a supernatural gift connected to her Lipan Apache heritage.
When tragedy strikes her family, Ellie begins investigating what really happened, leading her into a mystery filled with ghosts, magic and dangerous secrets.
With an Indigenous protagonist and asexual representation, Elatsoe brings a perspective that feels refreshingly different from the usual European-inspired fantasy kingdom.
Which LGBTQ Fantasy Book Should You Read First?
The answer depends on what kind of trouble you’d like to get yourself into.
For gay romance: Start with The Last Sun or A Taste of Gold and Iron.
For epic fantasy: Pick Black Wings Beating or The Jasmine Throne.
For something cozy: The House in the Cerulean Sea and Legends & Lattes have you covered.
For trans and gay representation: Try Cemetery Boys or The Witch King.
For nonbinary representation: Go with Phoenix Extravagant.
For Indigenous and asexual representation: Elatsoe is the standout.
The best part about LGBTQ fantasy is that queer characters don’t have to exist in one particular kind of story. They can be princes, witches, artists, necromancers, adventurers or people who simply decide they’d rather run a coffee shop.
Fantasy gives them entire worlds to explore — and thankfully, there are plenty of queer stories worth getting lost in.