#CITY OF STRIFE BY CLAUDIE ARSENEAULT

[betterbooksandthings]

"The best asexual and aromantic fantasy books are packed full of magic, monsters, and mayhem. In a genre where we can imagine anything from unicorns to unique political systems to new approaches to gender and sexuality, these books take on the assignment and expand further than we thought possible."

[bookstagramofmine]

BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour ~ City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault

BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour ~ City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault @BBNYA_Official @Foliosociety @The_WriteReads #BBNYA2022 #BBNYA #BookTour #Bookish #BookBlog

BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour This is my first year on the BBNYA Panel and I’m so excited to also be part of the Semi-Finalist Spotlight Tour! Even though you’ve probably seen all our posts on joining the Panel, you haven’t seen much else! That’s because we don’t want to tell anyone which books we’re reading and how we liked them! We do that to keep things fair because it’s interesting to…

[poppletonink]

Asexual Books

Loveless by Alice Oseman

Sounds Fake But Okay by Sarah Costello and Kayla Kaszyca

Is Love The Answer? by Uta Isaki

City Of Strife by Claudie Arseneault

This Doesn't Mean Anything by Sarah Whaler

Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning Of Sex by Angela Chen

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

Vanilla by Billy Merrell

Paper Planes by Jennie Wood

Being Ace: An Anthology Of Queer, Trans, Femme, and Disabled Stories of Asexual Love and Connection by Various Authors

Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann

Rick by Alex Gino

Wren Martin Ruins It All by Amanda DeWitt

Love, Ace & Monsters: An Ace Anthology by Various Authors

Summer Of Salt by Katrina Leno

[thedisabilitybookarchive]

Disability in Books: International Asexuality Day

[ID: A poster. Large black text reading "International Asexuality Day" is in the centre. Above it, to the left, smaller black text reading "Disability in Books". The background is a straight diagonal version of the Disability Pride flag. In the upper right corner, the logo for the Disability Book Archive. In the lower left corner, the Asexual Pride flag. /end]

[ID: The same poster. The flag and logo have shrunken slightly in size. The title has been removed, replaced with two book covers and some text. The first cover is for "Asking For A Friend" by Ronnie Riley and is in the upper left hand corner. Black text listed next to it reads "Middle-Grade", "Contemporary", "Anxiety, ADHD", "Additional Biromantic Rep", and "June 2024 Release". The second cover is for "Deathless Divide" by Justina Ireland and is down the lower right side of the poster. Large black text listed next to it reads "Young Adult", "Historical, Horror, Fantasy", "Amputee", "Additional Bisexual Rep", "Zombies", and "Series". /end]

[ID: The same poster. The book covers and text have changed. The first cover is for "Hazel's Theory of Everything" by Lisa Jenn Bigelow. Large black text listed next to it reads "Middle-Grade, Young Adult", "Contemporary", "Wheelchair User SC", and "Additional Questioning and Aromantic Rep". The second cover is for "Learning Curves" by Ceillie Simkiss. Large black text listed next to it reads "New Adult, Adult", "Romance, Contemporary", "ADHD", "F/F; Fat Peurto-Rican Lesbian MC x Panromantic Asexual MC", and "Novella". /end]

[ID: The same poster. The book covers and text have changed. The first cover is for "Our Bloody Pearl" by D. N. Bryn. Large black text listed next to it reads "Adult", "Fantasy, Romance", "Paraplegic, PTSD, Sign Language, Vitiligo", "Additional Non-Binary, Transgender, Agender and Aromantic Rep", and "Series". The second cover is for "Tarnished Are the Stars" by Rosiee Thor. Large black text listed next to it reads "Young Adult", "Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Romance", "Heart Condition", "Additional Aromantic, Lesbian and Queer Rep", and "Space". /end]

♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠ [ID: 58 Ace of Spade emojis /end]

A small collection of books featuring disabled asexual characters in honour of International Asexuality Day!

Every book on this list features 1 or more asexual main characters. Honourable mention for the City of Spires series, which features a large cast of aspec characters, alongside characters who are deaf, have memory loss, PTSD, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and a main character with a condition that dulls his senses.

[ID: The same poster, with no text, showing 3 book covers. The books are "City of Strife", "City of Betrayal" and "City of Deceity", all by Claudie Arseneault. /end]

Books on this list:

♠ 'Asking For a Friend'- Ronnie Riley ♠ 'Deathless Divide'- Justina Ireland ♠ 'Hazel's Theory of Evolution'- Lisa Jenn Bigelow ♠ 'Learning Curves'- Ceillie Simkiss ♠ 'Our Bloody Pearl'- D. N. Bryn ♠ 'Tarnished Are the Stars'- Rosiee Thor ♠ 'City of Strife'- Claudie Arseneault ♠ 'City of Betrayal'- Claudie Arseneault ♠ 'City of Deceit'- Claudie Arseneault

Happy International Asexuality Day!

[aroaessidhe]

Hi do you know if any of these aro books have been translated in french ?

No idea sorry! My guess would be probably not most of them, as so many are indie. Probably Loveless is?

While they're not translated, Claudie Arseneault, author of Baker Thief and City of Strife is from Québec and there's french canadian influence in her books. I realise that's not really what you're asking for though haha!

I also asked her and she passed the question on and there's these:

Il y a nous qui n’existons pas de Mélanie Fazi plutôt dans le genre mémoire/témoignage.

Le manga aromantic love story. Panique à Gémelia de Betty Piccioli. x

don't know anything about them but maybe something to check out!

edit: as mentioned in the replies, The Butterfly Assassin, The City We Became, and Priory of the Orange Tree (and upcoming sequel) - which are all either implicit/vague or one of a large cast

I also did some googling and also found that Not Even Bones' webtoon adaptation has a translation

edit 2: someone else replied on twitter, with

The Lady's Guide to petticoats and Piracy (which I don't particularly recommend bc of the author's misrepresentations of marginalised characters)

the murderbot diaries (MC is not aroace bc it is a robot, but like....it doesn't experience any kind of attraction or have any interest in that sort of thing, also)

an unkindness of ghosts (side character)

and these I don't know much about:

Diana & Charlie, La Lune est à Nous, Cathédrale, Morwenna, Résolution, Enceinte 9

Mangas : aromantic love story, qualia under the snow, Bloom into you

[lucifer-kane]

Okay time to go through my To Read tag on Libby and see what I wanna pick up next. Under a cut bc I'm adding descriptions and some are long

Death by Silver by Amy Griswold, Melissa Scott (this one is high on the list just because I enjoy Melissa Scotts writing bc she was doing the Aestrient series I adore but am taking a break from before I read the last one)

His practice newly established, metaphysician Ned Mathey can’t afford to turn away any clients. But the latest Londoner to seek Ned’s magical aid gives him pause: Mr Edgar Nevett, an arrogant banker, is the father of the bully who made Ned’s life hell at boarding school. Nevertheless, Ned accepts the commission to ensure the Nevett family silver bears no ancient or modern curses, and then prepares to banish the Nevett family to unpleasant memory again. Until Edgar Nevett is killed by an enchanted silver candlestick—one of the pieces Ned declared magically harmless.

Calling on his old school friend Julian Lynes—private detective and another victim of the younger Nevett—Ned races to solve the murder, clear the stain on his professional reputation, and lay to rest the ghosts of his past.

Assisted by Ned’s able secretary Miss Frost, who has unexpected metaphysical skills of her own, Ned and Julian explore London’s criminal underworld and sodomitical demimonde, uncover secrets and scandals, confront the unexpected murderer and the mysteries of their own relationship.

City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault

sandor, City of Spires.

A hundred and thirty years have passed since Arathiel last set foot in his home city. Isandor hasn’t changed—bickering merchant families still vie for power through eccentric shows of wealth—but he has. His family is long dead, a magical trap has dulled his senses, and he returns seeking a sense of belonging now long lost.

Arathiel hides in the Lower City, piecing together a new life among in a shelter dedicated to the homeless and the poor, befriending an uncommon trio: the Shelter’s rageful owner, Larryn, his dark elven friend Hasryan, and Cal the cheese-loving halfling. When Hasryan is accused of Isandor's most infamous assassination of the last decade, what little peace Arathiel has managed to find for himself is shattered. Hasryan is innocent… he thinks. In order to save him, Arathiel may have to shatter the shreds of home he’d managed to build for himself.

Arathiel could appeal to the Dathirii—a noble elven family who knew him before he disappeared—but he would have to stop hiding, and they have battles of their own to fight. The idealistic Lord Dathirii is waging a battle of honour and justice against the cruel Myrian Empire, objecting to their slavery, their magics, and inhumane treatment of their apprentices. One he could win, if only he could convince Isandor’s rulers to stop courting Myrian’s favours for profit.

In the ripples that follow Diel’s opposition, friendships shatter and alliances crumble. Arathiel, the Dathirii, and everyone in Isandor fights to preserve their homes, even if the struggle changes them irrevocably.

City of Strife is the first installment of the City of Spires trilogy, a multi-layered political fantasy led by an all LGBTQIAP+ cast. Fans of complex storylines criss-crossing one another, elves and magic, and strong friendships and found families will find everything they need within these pages.

Gentleman Wolf by Joanna Chambers

An elegant werewolf in Edinburgh... 1788. When Lindsay Somerville, the most elegant werewolf in Paris, learns that the man who held him in abject captivity for decades is on his way to France, intent on recapturing him, he knows he must leave the Continent for his own safety. Lindsay cannot take the risk of being recaptured—he may have been free for a century but he can still feel the ghost of his old chains under his fine clothes. … on a mission... While he’s in Edinburgh, Lindsay has been tasked with acquiring the “Naismith Papers”, the writings of a long-dead witchfinder. It should be a straightforward mission—all Lindsay has to do is charm an elderly book collector, Hector Cruikshank. But Cruikshank may not be all he seems, and there are others who want the papers. … meets his match As if that were not enough, while tracking down the Naismith Papers, Lindsay meets stubborn architect Drew Nicol. Although the attraction between them is intense, Nicol seems frustratingly determined to resist Lindsay’s advances. Somehow though, Lindsay can’t seem to accept Nicol’s rejection. Is he just moonstruck, or is Nicol bonded to him in ways he doesn’t yet understand?

Note: This is the first book of a duology – the story continues and will complete in the second book, Master Wolf.

Greenwode by J. Tullos Hennig

Daring the old gods. Defying the new. The making of a legend—and a truly innovative re-imagining of Robin Hood. Rob of Loxley and his older sister Marion have been groomed from birth to take their parents’ places within the Old Religion. Despite this, when Rob finds an injured nobleman’s son in the forest, neither he nor Marion understand what befriending young Gamelyn could mean for the future of their beliefs. Already the ancient spirits are fading beneath the iron of nobleman’s politics and the stones of Church subjugation. More, the druid elders warn that Rob and Gamelyn are cast as sworn adversaries, locked in timeless and symbolic struggle for the greenwood’s Maiden. Instead, in a theological twist only a stroppy dissident could envision, Rob swears he’ll defend the sacred woodland of the Horned God and Lady Huntress to his last breath—if his god will let him be lover, not rival, to the one fated as his enemy. But in the eyes of Gamelyn’s Church, sodomy is unthinkable... and the old pagan magics are an evil that must be vanquished. ------

With a truly original take on the Robin Hood legends, this historical fantasy series sets Robin the outlaw archer as a queer, chaotic-neutral druid; Marion as pagan queen who is sister but not wife, and their consort a Christian--and thusly conflicted--nobleman.

[rhodesian-ridgefake]

tagged by: @triangle-dog

favourite colour: dark purple, bright orange, whatever colour Luna’s fur is

currently reading: Dracula (just like everyone), Changing Faces by Cole McCade, Dark Apprentice by Val Neil, and City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault

last song listened to: Just Tonight by The Pretty Reckless (I just discovered this again though my Spotify Weekly Mix and it still fucks)

last series watched: Shiji (anime)

last movie watched: either Venom (the first one, still haven’t gotten around to the second one) or Megamind, my perception of time is fucked

sweet, spicy or savoury: Depends entirely on my mood but I’m one of those people who thinks most savoury dishes can be made even better by adding a bit of spice

currently working on: With Luna? Staying in her heel when she’s on leash and we pass other dogs (the struggles of owning a dog who loves socializing) Creatively? Slowly building my own family tree of dog breeds bc the only pdf I could find is pretty crappy quality. And I‘m actually procrastinating writing fanfiction by doing this tag :))

tagging: whoever wants to do this. So far I don’t really have any friends in this corner of tumblr :))

[lgbtqreads]

Queer SFF Novels for Under $5! All of these books have over 200 pages, but if you're looking for something shorter, check…

[life-of-an-asexual]

ace and aro books

went on a deep dive to find some aspec rep for myself and this is some of what i came up with. not official recommendations since i haven't read most of them, but they exist and i've put several of them on my own TBR list. these are all books i haven't seen on other rec lists, and i've done my best to confirm that the rep is aspec

if any of y'all have read these, feel free to share your thoughts or correct me if i've gotten something wrong

(organized alphabetically by title and separated by age demographic; mixed genres; subject to being updated)

(ftr just because an author is not specified to be ace or aro does not necessarily mean they are allo; i include that info if i happen to come across it, but i am not going out of my way to track down the identities of every single author)

(some of these books contain themes or scenarios that may be triggering for some readers; i have only done research to ascertain the ace/aro rep; if you find certain topics upsetting to read, it is your responsibility to do the research necessary to determine if a book is appropriate for you and to proceed into a story at your own discretion)

updated 5.9.24

~Mod Q

A Milky Way Home by Hsinju Chen = adult, romance; transmasc/cis f biace4panace romance, described as low heat (author is nonbinary)

A Pale Light in the Black by K.B. Wagers = adult, science fiction; asexual MC, various other rep, coast guard in space

Alchemy by Marie S. Crosswell = adult, mystery; asexual lesbian MC, genderbent Sherlock

All the Wrong Places by Ann Gallagher = adult, romance; ace4ace m/m romance, identity discovery

An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows = adult, fantasy; allosexual aromantic MC in a poly relationship

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon = adult, science fiction; aroace side character, intersex MC, themes of oppression and racism

Blank Spaces & Finding Your Feet by Cass Lennox = adult, romance; both feature asexual MCs (second one features a trans LI)

The Bone People by Keri Hulme = adult, magical realism; aroace MC, themes of family and identity, deals with child abuse

The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia = adult, fantasy; aroace nonbinary MC, queernormative world-building

Catch Lili Too by Sophie Whittemore = adult, fantasy; asexual non-human MC, paranormal murder mystery

Chosen. Again. by J. Emery = adult, fantasy; asexual MC, saves the fantasy world as a teen then has to do it again as an adult

The Circus Infinite by Khan Wong = adult, sci fi-fantasy; asexual MC and found family dynamic

City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault = adult, fantasy; various rep including aspec (author is acearospec)

Coffee Cake by Michaela Grey = adult, romance; asexual MC, m/m relationship, mystery elements

The Crows by C.M. Rosens = adult, horror; ace (and aro?) major character, fucked up eldritch horror

Cupid Calling by Viano Oniomoh = adult, romance; demisexual biromantic MC, m/m romance, dating show setting, super fluffy

The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz = adult, science fiction; sapphic ace MC with a robot LI

Devon's Island by Si Clarke = adult, science fiction; aroace POV character, queernormative worldbuilding, various other rep

Earthflown by Frances Wren = adult, science fiction; ace-spec MC, m/m romance, an urban fantasy climate change apocalypse story

Eight Kinky Nights by Xan West = adult, romance; gray-ace MC, butch4femme friends-to-lovers, various other rep

Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace = adult, science fiction; aroace MC, dystopia, focus on platonic relationships (author is aroace)

From the Dark We Came by J. Emery = adult, paranormal; demisexual MC, m/m romance, vampires

The Heartbreak Handshake by J.R. Hart = adult, romance; asexual MC with a non-binary LI, fully chaste (author is autistic, adhd, and nonbinary)

How Not to Summon Your True Love by Sasha L. Miller = adult, romance; ace MC and ace LI, paranormal elements

Learning Curves by Ceillie Simkiss = adult, romance; asexual MC in an f/f relationship

Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky = adult, romance; demisexual MC, m/m relationship, mistakenly sent love confessions

Perfect Rhythm by Jae = adult, romance; rural lesbian romance with an asexual LI

Poisoned Primrose by Dahlia Donovan = adult, mystery; asexual autistic MC, middle-aged protagonist (author is autistic)

Rising from Ash by Jax Meyer = adult, romance; asexual MC in an f/f romance

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann = adult, romance; asexual MC, fake-dating (author of Let's Talk About Love)

Second Chance by Chelsea M. Cameron = adult/new adult, romance; demi bi MC in an f/f relationship, exes-to-lovers

Soft on Soft by Mina Waheed = adult, romance; demisexual MC in an f/f romance, pure fluff

Squared Away by Annabeth Albert = adult, romance; gray-a/demi MC, m/m romance with child acquisition

Stake Sauce: The Secret Ingredient Is Love. No Really by RoAnna Sylver = adult, paranormal; gray-a MC, deals with trauma

That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert = adult, romance; demisexual MC, fake-dating, m/f age gap romance

Thaw by Elyse Springer = adult, romance; asexual MC, an opposites-attract f/f romance

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers = adult, science fiction; multiple ace characters, various other rep, space travel

The Trouble by Daria Defore = adult/new adult, romance?; gay aromantic MC, college setting

Upside Down by N.R. Walker = adult, romance; ace4ace m/m romance

Valentine by Julie Mannino = adult, romance; sex-averse ace MC, sexless kinky m/m relationship

We Go Forward by Alison Evans = adult, contemporary; aroace MC, centralized friendship

Werecockroach by Polenth Blake = adult, science fiction; aroace MC, deals with mental disability, also there are aliens

~

Common Bonds = anthology, speculative fiction; stories that highlight aromanticism and focus on platonic relationships

Goddess of the Hunt by Shelby Eileen = poetry, mythology; an exploration of Artemis being aroace

Queerly Loving = anthology, various genres; asexual and aromantic rep, various other rep including trans, polyamorous, and platonic relationships

~

A Dark and Starless Forest by Sarah Hollowell = young adult, paranormal; various rep including ace-spec, chosen family dynamic

Aces Wild: A Heist by Amanda DeWitt = young adult, thriller/mystery; several asexual characters

Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace = young adult, science fiction; aroace MC (according to author)

The Art of Saving the World by Corrine Duyvis = young adult, science fiction; asexual MC

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp = young adult, mystery; asexual (and aro?) MC

Belle Revolte by Linsey Millery = young adult, fantasy; biromantic ace MC in an f/f romance

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria = young adult, fantasy; major ace character, various other rep, centralized platonic relationship

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland = young adult, fantasy; asexual MC (demi-biromantic according to author)

Clariel by Garth Nix = young adult, fantasy; asexual MC, prequel to the Old Kingdom series

Dare Mighty Things by Heather Kaczynski = young adult, science fiction; asexual (and arospec?) MC

The Facts and Legends of Callie Catwell by Sophia DeRise = young adult, fantasy; asexual MC with lesbian LI

Fire Becomes Her by Rosiee Thor = young adult, fantasy; several aspec characters

Forward March by Skye Quinlan = young adult, contemporary; asexual lesbian MC

Fourth World by Lyssa Chiavari = young adult, science fiction; demisexual MC and asexual MC (author is aroace)

From Under the Mountain by C.M. Spivey = young adult, fantasy; demisexual lesbian MC, aspec secondary characters

Good Angel by A.M. Blaushild = young adult, graphic novel; angel characters where asexual, aromantic, and agender are the assumed default but is explored with nuance

Help Wanted by J. Emery = young/new adult, fantasy; questioning aspec MC (and gender questioning)

Hullmetal Girls by Emily Skrutskie = young adult, science fiction; aroace MC, various other rep

Immoral Code by Lillian Clark = young adult, contemporary; asexual POV character, friendship dynamic with "fuck the rich" vibes

Island of Exiles by Erica Cameron = young adult, fantasy; asexual (secondary?) character, various other rep including intersex

It Sounds Like This by Anna Meriano = young adult, contemporary; asexual-questioning MC, gray-a side character, deals with a toxic friendship

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl = young adult, science fiction; aromantic MC, alien invasion apocalypse

Little Black Bird by Anna Kirchner = young adult, fantasy; questioning aspec character

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee = young adult, romance; trans male MC with asexual LI, m/m romance, fake dating

Meet You By Hachiko by Loren Greene = young adult, contemporary; aroace-spec MC, focus on friendship

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko = young adult, fantasy; asexual secondary character, centralized platonic relationship

The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath = young adult, historical; asexual MC, emphasized friendship, all main characters are also disabled

The Rhythm of My Soul by Elin Dyer = young adult, mystery; aroace MC, ballet academy setting

Running with the Pack by A.M. Burns and Caitlin Ricci = young adult, contemporary; ace LI, polyamorous romance

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand = young adult, horror; asexual POV character (all MCs are also sapphic), themes of grief, paranormal elements

Sea Foam and Silence & The Ice Princess's Fair Illusion by S.L. Dove Cooper = young adult, fairy tale; queerplatonic retellings in verse

The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow = young adult, science fiction; demisexual (biromantic) MC, post-alien invasion dystopia

Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman = young adult, contemporary; asexual (and aro?) MC, deals with family death

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson = young adult, contemporary; asexual MC, themes of family trauma and multiracial identity

Switchback by Danika Stone = young adult, thriller; aroace MC, survivalist situations

Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor = young adult, steampunk; aroace MC, various other rep, cat-and-mouse game

That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger = young adult, contemporary; asexual MC, deals with the aftermath of a school shooting

This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria = young adult, fantasy; aroace MC (author is aroace)

Two Dark Moons by Avi Silver = young adult, fantasy; aromantic (and ace?) MC, f/nb queerplatonic relationship

Vanilla by Billy Merrell = young adult, contemporary; asexual MC, m/m relationship, coming-of-age

What We Devour by Linsey Miller = young adult, fantasy; asexual MC (biromantic according to author)

Wren Martin Ruins It All by Amanda DeWitt = young adult, contemporary; asexual MC

~

A-Okay by Jarad Greene = middle grade, graphic novel; asexual MC, deals with self-discovery and body image

Come Drink With Me, Gold and Jasper, East Flows the River by Michelle Kan = all ages?; described as aromantic chinese fairy tales

The Dragon of Ynys by Minerva Cerridwen = all ages, fairy tale; aroace MC (author is aroace)

Hazel's Theory of Everything by Lisa Jenn Bigelow = middle grade, contemporary; questioning aroace MC, themes of self-discovery

The Faerie Godmother's Apprentice Wore Green by Nicky Kyle = all ages?, fairy tale; major aroace character, focus on friendship

[aro-who-reads]

Aro books recs for ASAW 2022

I put a list of aro books together for ASAW last year, so I thought I'd make another one for this year with what I've read and enjoyed in the last year! (it's still ASAW for most of you right?)

City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault

First book in fantasy series, multiple members of the large main cast are arospec.

Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace

Scifi novel, MC is aroace

Immoral Code by Lillian Clark

YA heist novel, one of the five POV characters is aroace

The Liar's Guide to the Night Sky by Brianna R. Shrum

YA survival novel, second main character is pan aro.

This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria

YA fantasy stand alone, MC is aroace

Two Dark Moons by Avi Silver

Fantasy novel, MC is alloaro, and in a QPR. First in series.

Werecockroach by Polenth Blake

Spec fic short story, MC is aroace, as is another character.

[anteater-not-aardvark]

a-spec books: fantasy

Here are some book recommendations for mystery books with a-spec main characters

Belle Révolte by Linsey Miller

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria

The Perfect Assassin by K.A. Doore

City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault

Baker Thief by Claudie Arseneault

Stake Sauce Arc 1: The Secret Ingredient is Love. No, Really by RoAnna Sylver

[booksforthegays]

“City of Strife” by Claudie Arseneault

Description: Isandor, City of Spires. A hundred and thirty years have passed since Arathiel last set foot in his home city. Isandor hasn’t changed—bickering merchant families still vie for power through eccentric shows of wealth—but he has. His family is long dead, a magical trap has dulled his senses, and he returns seeking a sense of belonging now long lost. Arathiel hides in the Lower City, piecing together a new life among in a shelter dedicated to the homeless and the poor, befriending an uncommon trio: the Shelter’s rageful owner, Larryn, his dark elven friend Hasryan, and Cal the cheese-loving halfling. When Hasryan is accused of Isandor's most infamous assassination of the last decade, what little peace Arathiel has managed to find for himself is shattered. Hasryan is innocent… he thinks. In order to save him, Arathiel may have to shatter the shreds of home he’d managed to build for himself. Arathiel could appeal to the Dathirii—a noble elven family who knew him before he disappeared—but he would have to stop hiding, and they have battles of their own to fight. The idealistic Lord Dathirii is waging a battle of honour and justice against the cruel Myrian Empire, objecting to their slavery, their magics, and inhumane treatment of their apprentices. One he could win, if only he could convince Isandor’s rulers to stop courting Myrian’s favours for profit. In the ripples that follow Diel’s opposition, friendships shatter and alliances crumble. Arathiel, the Dathirii, and everyone in Isandor fights to preserve their homes, even if the struggle changes them irrevocably.

Representation: There are several queer main characters in this novel including ones that are: Bisexual, lesbian, asexual, aromantic, and gay. Additionally many of them are people of color.

Genre: Fantasy Length: 375 TW(s): Racism, parental abuse, torture, police brutality, homelessness

[asexual-library]

Books with Asexual Rep

The Bone People by Keri Hulme (Adult, Fiction)

Perfect Rhythm by Jae (Adult, Fiction)

Loveless by Alice Oseman (YA, Fiction, includes Aromantic rep)

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijikamp (YA, Fiction)

Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman (YA, Fiction, includes Aromantic rep)

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann (YA, Fiction)

If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann (YA, Fiction, includes Aromantic Rep)

This Song is (Not) For You by Laura Nowlin (YA, Fiction)

Rick by Alex Gino (Middle Grade, Fiction)

Vicious by V. E. Schwab (Adult, Speculative Fiction)

Vengeful by V. E. Schwab (Adult, Speculative Fiction)

City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault (Adult, Speculative Fiction, includes Aromantic Rep)

Asexual Fairy Tales by Elizabeth and Anna Hopkinson (Adult, Speculative Fiction)

Stake Sauce by RoAnna Sylver (Adult, Speculative Fiction)

Beyond the Black Door by A. M. Strickland (YA, Speculative Fiction)

This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria (YA, Speculative Fiction, includes Aromantic Rep)

Elatsoe by Darci Little Badger (YA, Speculative Fiction)

Hullmetal Girls by Emily Skrutskie (YA, Speculative Fiction, includes Aromantic Rep)

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (YA, Speculative Fiction)

Little Black Bird by Anna Kirchner (YA, Speculative Fiction)

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand (YA, Speculative Fiction)

Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno (YA, Speculative Fiction, includes Aromantic Rep)

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (YA, Speculative Fiction, includes Aromantic Rep)

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria (YA, Speculative Fiction)

Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak by Adi Alsaid (YA, Fiction, includes Aromantic Rep)

All Out: The No-longer-secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages anthology (YA, Fiction)

Jughead by Chip Zdarsky and Erica Henderson (YA, Fiction)

Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody (YA, Speculative Fiction)

Quicksilver by R. J. Anderson (YA, Speculative Fiction)

The King’s Name by Jo Walton (Adult, Speculative Fiction, includes Aromantic Representation)

Fourth World by Lyssa Chiavari (YA, Speculative Fiction)

How To Be a Normal Person by T. J. Klune (Adult, Fiction)

Upside Down by N. R. Walker (YA, Fiction)

Banner of the Damned by Sherwood Smith (Adult, Speculative Fiction)

Hazel’s Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow (Middle Grade, Fiction)

Six Angry Girls by Adrienne Kisner (YA, Fiction)

The Black Veins by Ashia Monet (YA, Speculative Fiction)

(will keep updating)

[lostinastory]

Review: City of Strife & City of Betrayal: diverse fantasy about politics and friendship

Review: City of Strife & City of Betrayal: diverse fantasy about politics and friendship

I had the opportunity to read the two first books in the Isandor / City of Spires series by Claudie Arsenault (you might remember her from her guest post a while ago). As I am completely into diverse fantasy right now (and probably until the end of the world tbh), I was really glad to have gotten the opportunity! I will mostly mix my opinions of both the books, since they were both quite similar…

[lucifer-kane]

Now I'm on the horrible thing of trying to figure out what book I want to read next

-Another book by the person who wrote the short story about the trans witch, his husband, and the selkie they found. (With a Vengeance by Freydís Moon)

-A collection of stories; Tales from the Blackthorn Briar (Oak King Holly King book 2 by Sebastian Nothwell)

-The Reanimator's Heart (The Reanimator Mysteries Book 1) by Kara Jorgensen (Paranormal investigator dies, a person who's been in love with him for ages is a necromancer and accidentally brings him back to life)

-Reforged by Seth Haddon (Fantasy that seems set around a king/bodyguard love story with various things going on)

-City of Strife: (An Isandor Novel) (City of Spires Book 1) by Claudie Arseneault ('a multi-layered political fantasy led by an all-queer cast. Fans of complex storylines criss-crossing one another, elves and magic, and strong friendships and found families will find everything they need within these pages.')(The writer is also on the aroace spectrum so I'm inclined to read something written by someone like that)

-Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites by Joy Demorra (Captain Nathan J. Northland had no idea what to expect when he returned home to Lorehaven injured from war, but it certainly wasn’t to find himself posted on an island full of vampires. An island whose local vampire dandy lord causes Nathan to feel strange things he’d never felt before. + The situation is complicated further when a mysterious and beguiling figure known only as Lady Ursula crashes into their lives, bringing with her dark omens of death, doom, and destruction in her wake.) High on the list, paired with Reforged

[sentientcouchpotato]

Oh my god oh my god oh my god

City of Strife is so good! I'm only about 90 pages in and I love all these characters so much. If you need a found family or lgbt fantasy book, please please please check out City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault!

Bad things are about to start happening, and when my precious characters get hurt I will die but it's fine its okay this is fine