Prideful Reads

Funny story: I was planning on posting this piece at the beginning of June, because why not highlight some books with queer representation at the beginning of Pride Month? But looking at the books I had scheduled for review, it occurred to me that some of them fit the theme. So I’m posting it now. That’s not the funny part (and by “funny,” I mean “fucked up,” but I consider you polite company). The funny thing is that as I type this, there’s an online war of words about whether the term “cis” is a slur or not, after the Almighty-in-his-own-mind Elon Musk started banning people for calling people cis on Twitter (feel free to call me cis; it’s true!). Despite being anti-censorship to the point where he’s willing to let bullying the LGBTQI+ crowd slide, this is the hill he’s willing to die on—well, one of many ridiculously shaped hills he’s willing to die on—and during Pride Month, no less.

While the world has moved forward with LGBTQI+ rights, the above is just one example of how far we are behind where we should be. As the world learns that we shouldn’t target gay, lesbian and bisexual people, we instead target people because of their gender identity. Or because of their asexuality. But we still target people because they’re gay, lesbian and bisexual; we just do it more quietly than we did. Until the world moves on from xenophobia and people learn that no matter how we identify, we’re all still people, the world still needs to celebrate diversity.

I’m a white, heterosexual, cisgender male. A huge proportion of the population doesn’t get to share in my privilege. People are people, and certain people shouldn’t be more privileged than others.

So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some independent books I’ve reviewed that prominently feature members from across the LGBTQI+ spectrum. It may be the end of Pride Month, but you still have a number of hours (some time zones will have more hours) to buy any books that take your fancy and celebrate diversity. If you’re worried about offending your delicate heteronormative sensibilities—and you somehow haven’t clicked away out of disgust—each of these books feature characters who just happen to be LGBTQI+, while entertaining people with their stories. People are people, and characters are characters.

If you’re wondering why I’m putting the spotlight on books featuring queer characters, rather than those written by queer authors, some authors are public about how they identify, and others are less so. And I’m not about to undertake a survey of authors to ascertain their sexuality and gender identities. It’s not really any of my business.

And with that rant out of the way, let’s look at the books. Click on the cover images at the bottom of this post to head to my reviews. The more recent ones have purchase links. For any that don’t, Google is your friend.

Gabrielle Gagne-Cyr’s The Theurgy of the Gods: A Flight in the Heavens is the first delightful book in a duology filled with steampunk, pirates and flying ships. It’s written with a freewheeling attitude that is nothing short of infectious, and with this attitude comes a great deal of heart, and a same sex-attracted protagonist.

Tenacity: The Determination to Continue by Louise Willingham is a novella tying into her novel, Not Quite Out (which, unfortunately, I haven’t read, nor have I read the companion, Marshmallows). Originally released on PayHip to raise money for LGBTQI+ charity Galop, I don’t know if—or where—it’s available now, but you can always read the other two books. It tells a story about two flawed lovers, Daniel and William.

What more can I say about Dixon Reuel’s Blood Brute series that I haven’t already said? It’s a six-book epic set in a post apocalyptic world ravaged by zombies and vampires, but more than that, it’s a series about love, loss and humanity. The series lead character is a blood brute—or zombie-bitten vampire—named Rise. The first book introduces Rise’s lover Cypriot, and the series becomes more poignant as it continues.

Two of the three books in Elise Carlson’s Ruarnon Trilogy—Manipulator’s War and Secrets of the Sorcery War—plus a prequel novella, Rebellion is Due, have been released. This is a wonderful portal fantasy series, suitable for audiences of all ages. It’s full of delightful characters, including the trilogy’s protagonist, Ruarnon, a non-binary character who uses they/their/them pronouns.

Mark Runte’s Ash, the first novel in his Mythos series (which also includes novellas and short stories) is an urban fantasy with a healthy dose of Greek mythology. It tells the story of brothers reconciling their Christian beliefs with their knowledge of Greek gods. Full of wonderful fantasy and great character moments, one of the brothers also happens to be transmasculine, i.e. designated female at birth (while they feature other characters, the other books in the series are also pretty great).

The first two books in A.E. Bennett’s Serrulata Saga blends science fiction and fantasy as they tell the story of a society that has risen from our ashes. It tells an entertaining story about a world where the people of “the Realm” wonder about the mysterious race whos technology was lost to the ages. The Realm is a xenophobic society, much like our own, which poses quite the problem for bisexual Roland.

Virtual Insanity, by Kevin Klehr, is the second book in his TAYLeR series. I haven’t read the first, Social Media Central, but if Virtual Insanity is any indication, that, too, will be a delightful read. If you blend George Orwell and Philip K. Dick, then throw in an absurdist sense of humour, you would get something resembling this book. The protagonist has relations with both male and female characters, as do many people in this world.

Gateway and Seserance, the first two books in The Migax Cycle by Juliette L. Dunn, tell a science fiction story set on a distant planet, where humans coexist with a reptilian species, Skeefer. After signing a contract with a weapons manufacturer to enter a prestigious school, protagonist Summer finds herself embroiled in conspiracy. It’s a young adult series with strong themes, including racism, classism, the abuse of corporate power, propaganda, and nationalism. It also features a number of LGBTQI+ characters, including asexual and gender queer representation.

A Swift Kick to the Thorax is a story about a veterinarian looking after animals you or I would recognise. It’s also set in space, where a rabbit outbreak imperils threatens Earth’s standing in an interplanetary alliance. This is a book that aims to put a smile on the reader’s face, and it succeeds, telling a story with an infectious sense of fun. The queer community is referenced in the book, in passing, because everyone is an individual.

The Unseen Curse by Zachary Jeffries feels like a blend of Veronica Mars and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s a book for young adults that infuses mystery and urban fantasy elements. The book is imbued with a great sense of humour and tells an entertaining story as protagonist June uncovers the magical nature of her hometown and embarks on a relationship with a girl named Chelsea.

Davi Mai writes some outrageous transgressive fiction, but he also writes books like Defying Gravity, which dials back the transgressiveness a tad, and blends the emptiness of space with a great sense of humour and wonderful characters. As its blurb begins, “this isn’t a book with lots of violence, war or death in it.” It isn’t; it’s a book filled with love. This love happens to be between two immaculately written women.

My Lord by L.B. Shimaira, the first book in The Transcended, is a delicious amalgamation of horror and erotica. It features a beautifully written protagonist, Meya, a slave lured into BDSM by her vampiric master, Lord Deminas. The book is filled with horrific violence, many kinks, and a Meya’s polyamorous love for both Lord Deminas, and fellow slave, Nina.

Petals in the Hail, Volume 1 by Anthony Baus, is a nuanced fantasy story about a world with different cultures and differing opinions. The lead character, Rasheba, is a princess who leaves her family, culture and title behind her, becoming a warrior who must fight for what she believes in. Full of pulse pounding action and a deep fantasy world, its protagonist is a fierce warrior who happens to be in love with a woman.

The first book in Sam Thorne and Lauren Ivey’s The Dark Inbetween, Frostfire, tells the story of a fantasy world plagued by demons. As far as fantasies go, it’s a dark story filled with disturbing imagery, themes and violence. Far less disturbing is the romance between its male lead characters.