The 11 Absolute Best LGBTQ+ Fantasy Books for Adults (2024)

You always hear about LGBTQ+ YA Fantasy books. Here are the top LGBTQ+ Fantasy books for adults. You need to add these to your TBR list!

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

I’m a huge fantasy lover. And I often read YA Fantasy books.So many YA Fantasy books feature LGBTQ+ characters.

But there’s a catch….for some reason finding LGBTQ+ Fantasy Books for adults is infuriatingly difficult.

And the problem is, when the YA writing style bores me, I crave an adult writing style.

Thankfully, while many LGBTQ+ Fantasy books are aimed at a younger audience, there are some awesome options for adults.

So whether you’re looking for dark fantasy, spicy romance or just a more adult writing style, I’ve got you covered.

Read on to discover the absolute LGBTQ+ Fantasy Books for Adults

The Best LGBTQ+ Fantasy Books for Adults

I browsed ther/suggestabooksubreddit, Facebook groups and polled Instagram users.

After aggregating the results, I’ve rounded up a list of the absolute best LGBTQ+ Fantasy books for Adults.

For each book I’ve included a rating, a summary, positives & negatives and the representation it features.

1. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

I wasn’t sure whether to include The Priory of the Orange Tree in this post.

I personally found this difficult to get into. And the size is frightening.

But without a doubt, it’s one of the most popular queer Fantasy books. And I couldn’t write a post on LGBTQ+ Fantasy books for adults without mentioning it.

Queen Sabran the Ninth is still unwed but must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction.

But assassins are closing in on her. Ead is an outsider who has risen to the position of lady in waiting.

Ead is loyal to a hidden society of mages and keeps a close eye on Sabran. She protects her using forbidden magic.

Across the sea, Tané has trained to be a dragonrider. She is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.

Fantasy readers will love the epic battles, incredible world-building and amazing love story. And on top of that – dragons!

2. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

There is so much to love about A Marvellous Light. It’s an mlm romance about magic, a mystery to solve and a secret magical society.

And as if that’s not enough, it also has serious dark academia vibes.

It follows Robin Blyth. An administrative error names him liaison to a secret magical society.

He must with magic’s dangers and a deadly curse. All while he searches for his missing predecessor.

To do this, he’ll need the help of Edwin Courcey. His prickly magical society counterpart.

Problem is Edwin Courcey clearly wishes Robin were anyone else.

I love the secret society of magicians. The Edwardian setting and mlm romance set it apart from other books including secret magical societies.

If you like historical fiction or dark academia then you need to read this one. Reading about gay men in an Edwardian setting is fantastic.

3. Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Song of Achilles is always recommended. It’s one of those books. Chances are, if you go on BookTok then someone will mention this book.

So I couldn’t write a post on queer fantasy books for adults without it.

But here’s the thing….I wasn’t personally a fan. Please don’t hate me!

You must be wondering – how can I dislike such a popular book. But the pace drags in the middle.

Song of Achilles is a Greek Mythology retelling. It focuses on the adorable mlm romance between Achilles and Patroclus. It’s also heartbreaking. And the ending will devastate you.

The book follows Achilles and Patroclus. Handsome and strong Achilles charms everyone who meets him.

While Patroclus is an awkward young prince exiled from his homeland.

The Centaur Chiron trains them in the arts of war and medicine. But when Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, all heroes are called to siege Troy.

Achilles joins their cause. And Patroclus follows.

But the years that follow will test everything.

Song of Achilles has almost 700,000 thousand reviews on Good Reads and it’s still rated 4.4 stars.

4. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

This is another book that wasn’t for me. But it’s such a popular fantasy book. So no surprise, it was constantly recommended for LGBTQ+ Fantasy books for adults.

It features a captive princess, forbidden magic and a sapphic love story.

Malini has been imprisoned by her dictator brother and spends her days isolated in Hirana, an ancient temple.

Priya is a maidservant who makes the treacherous journey to the top of Hirana every night to clean Malini’s chambers. She is thrilled to be anonymous if it keeps her dangerous secret safe.

But Malini accidentally witnesses Priya’s true nature. And their destinies become irrevocably tangled.

This book is full of epic worldbuilding, magic and morally grey lesbians. If you like an enemies to lovers fantasy book with LGBT Characters then you should pick this one up.

5. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

I was so thrilled to see Gideon the Ninth get voted onto this list. This queer Fantasy book for adults features necromancers in space.

It follows Gideon. She has been brought up by unfriendly nuns and is ready to abandon a life of servitude. She packs up her sword and prepares to launch her daring escape.

But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

The Emperor invites the heirs of each of his loyal Houses into a deadly trial. And Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House, is summoned into action.

If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection. But no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier.

Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

6. Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh

Looking for mlm fantasy books? Then you need to read Silver in the Wood. It’s a fantasy book set in a magical forest.

Silver in the Woods has an insanely cute mlm romance. It’s the perfect grumpy/sunshine romance.

And on top of that, it references mythological creatures such as dryads and faeries.

It follows Tobias, a forest guardian tasked to look after the forest. One day Henry Silver moves into Greenhollow Hall. And everything changes.

Silver starts to dig up old secrets. Secrets best left forgotten.

Oh and the mlm romance is adorable.

If you like the cottagecore aesthetic then you’ll enjoy this book. The forest imagery is whimsical and enchanting. And makes you want to live in a cottage in the woods

Likewise, this is also super a short and easy read. I listened to the audiobook. And the whole duology is only 5 hours. So you can easily binge read this in one setting.

If you have a long journey this would also be the perfect audiobook to listen to because you can finish it in 5 hours.

7. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldtree

Legends & Lattes is the most perfect cosy fantasy book. And it also features an adorable wlw romance.

This is the cosiest low stakes, slice of life fantasy book. And you can’t beat an LGBTQ+ book with a happy ending.

Legends & Lattes follows Viv – an orc barbarian. She leaves her life as a warrior and opens the first coffee shop in Thune.

Cosy imagery, a wlw romance and the found family trope. Everything I love in a book. And as if that’s not enough, Legends and Latte’s has a compelling mystery to solve.

The hype for this book recently is insane. And for good reason.It’s the bookish equivalent of a steaming hot mug of coffee. The perfect book to curl up on the sofa with in Autumn or Winter.

The way it depicts a slower lifestyle is captivating. The main character escapes a warrior life to live a slow life doing what she loves. Something I think many adults will relate to this book.

If you’re a fan of a low stakes, cosy fantasy book then you will love this book.

If you enjoy cosy fantasy books – I have a whole article full of recommendations.You can check out my post on cosy fantasy books here.

8. The Lightning Struck Heart by TJ Klune

I had to include another mlm fantasy book by TJ Klune. I knew I would love this book from the first few pages. The main character is hilarous. The writing is easy to read. And it features a gay unicorn.

It follows Sam. One day, in an alleyway in the slums if a city, he turns a group of teenagers into stone completely by accident.

Of course, this catches the attention of a higher power, and Sam’s pulled from the only world he knows to become an apprentice to the King’s Wizard, Morgan of Shadows.

With compelling characters and hilarious banter, this book will make you laugh out loud.

Sam is friends with a gay unicorn called Gary and a half giant. Chaotic Sam tends to blurt out things randomly. Making many funny moments.

From the very beginning, this book is openly and unashamedly LGBTQ+. From gay unicorns to jokes about twinks.

If you’re a fan of a sarcastic, dry humour then you will love this book. Similarly, it’s great if you love a low stakes fantasy.

9. The Unbroken by C.L Clark

I first heard of The Unbroken from TikTok where it was recommended over and over again. It’s a North African inspired fantasy. And it deals a lot with the brutal impact of colonisation.

It follows Touraine and Luca. Touraine is a soldier. She was stolen as a child and raised to kill for the empire.

Touraine’s only loyalty is to her fellow conscripts.

She’s sent back to her homeland to stop and rebellion. But the ties of blood might be stronger than she thought.

Luca is the princess and heir to this empire. And Luca needs a turncoat.

Someone desperate enough to commit treason.

Someone who can sway the rebels towards peace.

While Luca focuses on what really matters: getting her uncle off her throne.Through assassinations and massacres, in bedrooms and war rooms, Touraine and Luca will haggle over the price of a nation. But some things aren’t for sale.

10. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

If you’ve been on BookTok, then you’ve probably heard of The Atlas Six. At one point, I couldn’t go on Booktok seeing a recommendation for The Atlas Six.

It’s had over 11 million mentions on TikTok. But somehow I didn’t realise it had lgbtq+ representation.

The Atlas Six is about a secret society of academics known as The Alexandrian Society. Their members look after lost knowledge. And they 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 competing 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 fall in love with this book. It’s set in a library with lots of academic references – lectures, classes and academic theories.

Several characters identify as LGBTQ+ with one openly bisexual/pansexual character.

There are also several ambiguous relationships in the book. That being said, I’ve only read the first book in this series.

11. Under the whispering door by T.J. Klune

TJ Klune writes mlm fantasy books insanely well. Feel good fantasy books set in a progressive world with their trademark dry humour.

Under 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 and is also the ferryman to souls crossing over.

But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived.

This book is 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 then pick up some of T.J Klune’s work.Check out this blog post for even more mlm fantasy books.

12. She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

She Who Became The Sun is an epic historical fantasy. Pitched as Mulan meets Song of Achilles. But it’s also much more than that.

While it does have light fantasy, this focuses heavily on history and the politics in China.

Set in a famine-stricken village in China in the year 1345. Two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness…

The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter is only as expected.

But then a bandit attack orphans the children. And Zhu Chongba dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother’s identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice

This post was all about LGBTQ+ Fantasy books for adults

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