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If there’s one genre/subgenre getting a lot of attention right now, it’s romantasy. So, of course, I’m going to put together a list of queer romantasy books! This is far from a complete list, especially because the definition of this subgenre is pretty blurry, but here are five to get you started, including some to preorder now!
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Queer Romantasy Books to Read and Preorder Now
What is romantasy? The obvious answer is that it’s a mix of fantasy and romance, but that’s still confusing: fantasy romance has been around for a long time, as has romantic fantasy.
To me, the difference between those and romantasy is a fairly even balance of both genres, instead of a romantic subplot in a fantasy novel or magical elements in a romance novel. I also usually see the term associated with steamier books, but that’s not a requirement!
The following five books — some that are already out and some that are available for preorder — seem to strike that balance between both genres. Let me know if I’ve missed any of your favorite queer romantasy books!
A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding #1) by Freya Marske
Before the term “romantasy” took off, A Marvellous Light was already a hit. This historical fantasy follows Robin, who accidentally gets the job of liaison to a magical society — which is when he discovers the existence of magic. His new coworker, Edwin, is annoyed by his ignorance, but they’ll have to work together to solve a magical mystery that threatens both their worlds…and along the way, this rivalry turns into something else. Bonus: the second book in the series is F/F, so you get multiple kinds of queer representation in the same series!
Witchmark (The Kingston Cycle #1) by C. L. Polk
Historical fantasy is a common romantasy subgenre (subsubgenre?), so here’s another! This one is set in a version of Edwardian England, where Miles has to hide his magic to keep himself safe. When working as a doctor, though, he is forced to make his magic known in order to save the patient’s life. Now, he’ll have to rely on the kindness of a handsome stranger to escape — and to find out who poisoned his patient. C. L. Polk has another historical romantasy book, too: Even Though I Knew the End, which is a sapphic noir romantasy novel.
Remedial Magic (A Course in Magic #1) by Melissa Marr (February 20, 2024)
Because romantasy has really taken off recently, my next picks are all upcoming releases. Place your preorders and library holds now! This one is about Ellie, a librarian who falls for a witch, Prospero — and then Ellie learns she has magic, too. She goes to a magical community college to learn how to manage her new powers. Meanwhile, Prospero is sure Ellie is the witch a prophecy foretold would be the key to saving her dying homeland.
The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang (March 26, 2024)
This one sounds incredibly romantic! It’s about two men reincarnated time after time — in 4 BCE, 1740, and present day, to name a few — and in locations across the world. Wherever and whenever they are, they are drawn to each other. The description says, “As their many lives intertwine, they begin to realize the power of their undying love — a power that transcends time itself...but one that might consume them both.” Talk about an epic love story!
Blood on the Tide (Crimson Sails) by Katee Robert (May 24, 2024)
This romantasy duology begins with a breakup: when Lizzie the vampire and Evelyn the witch end their relationship, Evelyn decides to take a parting gift by stealing Lizzie’s family heirlooms, and Lizzie will stop at nothing to recover them. In the first book, Hunt On Dark Waters (out now), Evelyn escapes through a portal and falls for a pirate captain. In this companion novel, which can be read in any order, Lizzie saves a selkie, Maeve, to help her track down Evelyn. Despite Evelyn’s bloodthirstiness (in more than one sense), Maeve can’t help but be attracted to Lizzie.
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Queer Bookish Goodies
Since we’re talking about fantasy novels, these vinyl stickers celebrate real-life queer magic! $4
That's it for me! Until next time, you can find me at my sapphic book blog, the Lesbrary. You can also hear me on All the Books, or you can read my Book Riot posts.
Happy reading!
Danika