Fantasy Book Club discussion
Recommendations, etc
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LGBT Fantasy Lit Recommendations
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Nerdie55 wrote: "Hi there, I'm currently looking for some well written fantasy novels centered around LGBT characters and themes. I've heard of Witch Eyes but what are some other ones? Thank you. :)"
Great question! Wish I could recommend some titles for you. Maybe others in the group have some favorites.
Nerdie55 wrote: "Hi there, I'm currently looking for some well written fantasy novels centered around LGBT characters and themes. I've heard of Witch Eyes but what are some other ones? Thank you. :)"
This podcasthttp://www.salonfutura.net/201... deals with this issue in SF, think that it may also touch on fantasy. They give recommendations at the end of the podcast.
I only know of fantasy novels that feature LGBT characters e.g. Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series (starting with Luck in the Shadows) and Ellen Kushner's Swordspoint.Sorry I don't know of any fantasy novels that deal with LGBT themes.
K wrote: "I only know of fantasy novels that feature LGBT characters e.g. Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series (starting with Luck in the Shadows) and Ellen Kushner..."Seems like this is an area/audience that an aspiring author could write for. I'm sure there are more titles out there, but they are probably not as popular as some of the mainstream fantasy writers.
Vikz wrote: "Nerdie55 wrote: "Hi there, I'm currently looking for some well written fantasy novels centered around LGBT characters and themes. I've heard of Witch Eyes but what are some other one..."Thank you. I'll check them out. :)
Adrianna wrote: "Nerdie55 wrote: "Hi there, I'm currently looking for some well written fantasy novels centered around LGBT characters and themes. I've heard of Witch Eyes but what are some other one..."I know. Not many people write about these issues in Fantasy or Sci Fi I've noticed.
That's ok. :)
K wrote: "I only know of fantasy novels that feature LGBT characters e.g. Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series (starting with Luck in the Shadows) and Ellen Kushner..."Thanks. I'll look into those. :)
Adrianna wrote: "K wrote: "I only know of fantasy novels that feature LGBT characters e.g. Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series (starting with Luck in the Shadows) and [author:Ellen Kush..."That's what I was thinking. I've had one or two ideas to write about on this subject myself. Who knows, maybe authors will start writing more about LGBT themes in the near future.
Nerdie55 wrote: "Hi there, I'm currently looking for some well written fantasy novels centered around LGBT characters and themes. I've heard of Witch Eyes but what are some other ones? Thank you. :)"
Tanya Huff does quite a few. Most of her books feature or at least have a gay male or female character. The Quarters books and the Keeper Chronicles (L), and the Smoke series (G).
Diane Duane has a series that uses homosexuality as a cultural institution. True love and life partners are same sex, hetero relations are only for children.
The Door Into Fire
The Door Into Shadow
You may want to look into Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series, specifically The Saga of the Renunciates.Darkover is a world with very strict rules for the genders but the Renunciates are women who have refused to follow these conventions.
Another series that does not directly deal with LGBT themes is Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel Series, starting with Kushiel's Dart. The world she writes in is like a parallel Europe, and the people of T'erre D'Ange (France) live in a society where the main precept is "Love as thou wilt", whoever & whatever that may be. So she touches on love of all kinds, hetero- & homosexual. As an author she is not afraid to write about "forbidden" types of love & sexuality in many forms.
Nerdie55 wrote: "I know. Not many people write about these issues in Fantasy or Sci Fi I've noticed."Yeah, that is really unfortunate.
Nerdie55 wrote: "That's what I was thinking. I've had one or two ideas to write about on this subject myself. Who knows, maybe authors will start writing more about LGBT themes in the near future."You should really follow through with your ideas. If there is a gap and an audience looking for authors to fill that hole, you might do really well! Plus, it never hurts to practice your own writing craft with some short stories and novellas (or whatever form your ideas might take shape in). :)
Nerdie55 wrote: "Hi there, I'm currently looking for some well written fantasy novels centered around LGBT characters and themes. I've heard of Witch Eyes but what are some other ones? Thank you. :)"
I am new to book sites such as this and really am trying to get more involved, as I am on disability for an unknown time period, and have more time for it. I am naive though and will ask questions from time to time. Right now, my question is: What is LGBT? LOL
Storm Constantine should certainly be mentioned here. Her Wraeththu series is among the best Gay fantasy out there.
Jeff wrote: "Misty Lackey wrote a trilogy a number of years ago: The Last Herald-Mage"Mercedes Lackey, definitely a favorite!
The Last Herald-Mage is my favorite of The Heralds of Valdemar.I've heard Scarlet and the White Wolf is good but my library doesn't have it so I haven't gotten to it yet.
One of the books picked for a monthly read fits that bill - By an indie author: The Second Coming by David H. Burton.
I recently read the Scarlet and the White Wolf trilogy by Kirby Crow which was better than I expected. It should have been 1 novel rather than a trilogy.
Andrea wrote: "My Champion of the Rose: Darest Book 1 is set in a "socially bisexual" world. The unquestioning attitude toward preference in the novel serves as a counterpoint to the theme (which ..."Andrea, I've not read your book but from your description it fits into the LGBT themes... at least as I see them. For me, to be able to read a book or see a movie that depicts LGBT people in an every day kind of life. A life where the question of sexuality is not asked. The consideration before a public kiss does not occur. This would be ultimate LGBT presentation. It is where I hope society eventually arrives... though considering how long it has taken other peoples to partially integrate, I don't expect it in my lifetime.
One book that I recently read is Black Blade Blues. The main character is a lesbian smith. It is solidly in the "urban fantasy" category and set in the modern Seattle area - with the addition of Nordic mythological fantasy elements. Fiona Patton also wrote some books with LGBT characters. The one I remember best is The Stone Prince.
I rather liked Molly Shannon's [Book: Sword of the Guardian]. If you want something really different, try Meghan Brunner's [Book: From the Ashes]. Strange mix of slice-of-life, Ren Faire, and fairie. It kept my interest quite well.
Already mentioned, but definitely check out Lynn Flewelling. I was thinking of The Bone Doll's Twin. It's an interesting take on gender issues.
Currently reading (and loving) Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente. Not an overtly LGBT novel, but most of the main characters have rather fluid sexualities, which are explored at some length.
Destructo wrote: "Currently reading (and loving) Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente. Not an overtly LGBT novel, but most of the main characters have rather fluid sexualities, which are explored at s..."Oh, that is a beautiful book.
I'm currently reading Dragon Haven and Hobb has included same-sex relationships with a nonchalance I found refreshing. It's not a focus in the book but defintely a big part of her character plots in the book.
I think it's surprising, actually, that fantasy doesn't head into LGBT territory more often. I think Lackey blew it open long ago with her Valdemar series. I grew up in rural Alberta, and I credit a lot of my open-mindedness to devouring her books as a late teen. The third book in my series (not written yet!), is going to have a gay couple as strong secondary characters. I'm hoping in some very small way to pay forward what Mercedes Lackey did for me.
It's an older series -- trilogy, really, although I've heard there is a forth book now -- by Elizabeth A. LynnWatchtower
The Dancers of Arun
The Northern Girl
My favorite is the middle book.
She also has some SF with strong LGBT themes
A Different Light
And this collection of short stories includes some, mostly in fantasy.
The Woman Who Loved the Moon & Other Stories
You can also check authors who were included in the "Bending the Landscape" anthologies printed several years back
Bending the Landscape: Original Gay and Lesbian Fantasy Writing
Sherwood Smith's series beginning with Inda isn't "about" LGBT issues, per se, but some of the central characters have same sex relationships. Although the society in these novels, in general, accepts that people can love whomever they want, the particular characters still sometimes struggle with aspects of their sexual orientation. It's also just an excellent fantasy series.
John wrote: "Sherwood Smith's series beginning with Inda isn't "about" LGBT issues, per se, but some of the central characters have same sex relationships."I loved this whole series, especially the outcast-made-a-hero aspect. The struggles are often as much about a society's expectations and rules as much as sexual preference. I agree, excellent, kept my attention.
There are quite a few GLBT SF/F recommendation lists on the Web. This site of mine links to all the lists I was able to find a few years ago: GLBT Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature: A Web Directory.
Check out "M/M Romance" group! So many of the books are SF/F. They are amazing.... The Englor Affair is to date one of my favorites. Absolutely amazing. There is steamy mansex in it though. This isn't gay twilight..... shit goes down lol
A complex, epic fantasy by Gay author Ricardo Pinto. The 1st novel in the trilogy is The Chosen. The protagonists and other characters are Gay, in a happen to be manner.
Sounds like fun, Kernos. I'm adding it. Also a bunch of these other recommendations, starting with The Englor Affair ...
Sarah (Tail-Kinker) wrote: "I'm currently reading Dragon Haven and Hobb has included same-sex relationships with a nonchalance I found refreshing. It's not a focus in the book but defintely a big part of her ch..."I was about to suggest Robin Hobb, but in her older Tawny Man series, especially in the final book, Fool's Fate. And you reminded me of Dragon Haven. In both books, the relationship doesn't have a lot of focus, but indeed is brought in a natural, flowing manner.
Robert wrote: "Sounds like fun, Kernos. I'm adding it. Also a bunch of these other recommendations, starting with The Englor Affair ..."
I've read and enjoyed My Fair Captain and did not realize there was a sequel. Thanks!
This reminds me of something I read probably in the '80s which I have not been able to find again. The protagonist is a beautiful teen, Alexander the Great like leader of the forces of good traveling from the North with his armies in an epic fantasy kind of world. He would ground himself by occasionally sleeping with his men. His sexual orientation was not the main point of the story. I don't even remember if he had his own Hephaestion. That's all I remember, except that it was engaging.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Witch Eyes (other topics)Luck in the Shadows (other topics)
Swordspoint (other topics)
The Door Into Shadow (other topics)
The Door Into Fire (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ellen Kushner (other topics)Lynn Flewelling (other topics)
Tanya Huff (other topics)
Diane Duane (other topics)
Storm Constantine (other topics)
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Thank you. :)