#lgbtq+ scifi books

[franticvampirereads]

This was such a good book! I don’t really have the words for all the feelings that this book gave me. It was comforting, it was adventurous, it was political, and so many other things. I just loved this so, so much.

I loved the dynamic between Kiem and Jainan once they got past all the awkward miscommunications (and lack of communication). I loved that Kiem was so bubbly and talked with literally everyone, and that Jainan was almost the complete opposite. I loved all the political drama, the murder mystery, and everything else that this had going for it! Somehow this world felt familiar and yet not at all, if that makes sense. Winter’s Orbit was just so good and I’m giving it five stars.

Reading Challenge Prompt Fills:

PopSugar 2023: a book you bought from an independent bookstore

Shop Your Shelves: read outside, bestseller

[faerynnbooks]

Seems appropriate that my first tumblr post (on this blog) is about my debut novel =) Includes: lesbians (including trans lesbians!) giant robots poly romance a hot evil woman a global train network with tracks that go over the ocean =D Sundered Moon releases on amazon, other retailers and itch February 29th!

A print edition will also be available from March 1st on Amazon (the paperback spread is the image at the top of this post!)

Happy reading!

[musicboxghost]

I HATE that every time I try looking up fiction books about machines and other forms of artificial intelligence that have souls or sentience

I get information about fake authors stealing other people's work by publishing "ai books"

I don't want your art theft!

I want Lieutenant Commander Data

I want Murderbot

I want Mosscap

I will never tire of a creature that loves and fears and fights with all the trappings of humanity... Just a little to the left. Just a little different. But no less whole and real.

I love you robots as allegories for neurodivergence, queerness, and different types of being othered

I love you robots building a found family and an identity for themselves at the same time

I love you learning that the world is hostile and you don't need to understand how someone works to accept them

So, if you have any recs, please for the love of God let me know. I need more

[oatmilk-vampire]

This morning I'm crying.

I received an email from my local library asking me if I would like to donate a copy of Tomorrow's Loss, my book.

I'm crying because, I may not be getting paid for them to purchase my book or for patrons to check out my book, but they'll be able to read it. For free.

I'm crying because trans kids will pick up this book and see themselves represented as a protagonist.

I'm crying because gay and even ace kids will see themselves represented as happy and falling in love despite the world crashing down around them.

I'm crying, and even laughing, because I finally did it; and in a red state no less.

This is the beginning for me.

[catsteinbooks]

I Did a Thing Again

We interrupt this Good Omens fan account because I'm actually an author and I have to do that annoying self-promo thing because it's like a job or something and people have to know about my books to buy them? Yeah, it's super weird.

So here goes:

Earth Earls Are Easy releases on Feb. 29th!

Here are some fun graphics to give you an idea of what the book is about!

Things you can find in the book:

The book as AO3 tags:

If you want to find out more, read the book blurb, see the book trailer, and/or read the prologue, you can do that HERE!

And you can pre-order here to get the book to you ASAP!

[rotten-whispers]

Calling all LGBTQ+ horror and scifi authors!!

I want to promote your work, as it is hard for us to get our books out there on Tumblr :)

Send an ask with your novel, cover, and blurb, and I'll include your book in a master post, as well as an individual post if you're comfortable with being @'ed there!

Stay strong, fellow authors!

[fell-hound]

“Would you rather die alone, or with someone holding your hand?” AND WE LOVE YOU - a soulcrushing queer war drama - is now available for preorder from your local comic shop! Life is Strange x All Quiet on the Western Front, in this 64 page comic about a young soldier who bleeds out all her memories after being slain on the battlefield. It drops Feb 1 2023 from Scout Comics and features two amazing covers by @li-vermin-il and @skyepatridge !! How to order? You will be able to find it online or in stores from any shop that sells (floppy) comics! Ask for AND WE LOVE YOU or you can email/show them the screenshots from the previews page above!

[sapphicbookoftheday]

The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older

Today's sapphic book of the day is The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older!

Summary: "The Mimicking of Known Successes presents a cozy Holmesian murder mystery and sapphic romance, set on Jupiter, by Malka Older, author of the critically-acclaimed Centenal Cycle.

On a remote, gas-wreathed outpost of a human colony on Jupiter, a man goes missing. The enigmatic Investigator Mossa follows his trail to Valdegeld, home to the colony’s erudite university—and Mossa’s former girlfriend, a scholar of Earth’s pre-collapse ecosystems.

Pleiti has dedicated her research and her career to aiding the larger effort towards a possible return to Earth. When Mossa unexpectedly arrives and requests Pleiti’s assistance in her latest investigation, the two of them embark on a twisting path in which the future of life on Earth is at stake—and, perhaps, their futures, together."

[paperbackd]

Book review: In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

Klune is the king of ‘comfy’ queer fantasy and this might just be his best work yet. Set in the far distant future, In the Lives of Puppets follows Vic Lawson, son of Giovanni Lawson, a reclusive inventor. Together with a sadistic medical machine and an anxiety-riddled roaming vaccuum they live deep in the forest, in complete isolation from the outside world. But when Vic rescues a mysterious andriod named HAP from the scrapheap, dark secrets from his father’s past come to light.

‘Scifi Pinocchio retelling’ is a great enough concept, but Klune delivers an even greater twist - the android inventor’s son, Vic, is already a real boy. In fact, he’s the only human in the forest. Vic knows that he isn’t the same - mentally or physically - as his android family, and he struggles to understand and accept his place in a world of machines. Klune writes Vic’s character arc so beautifully and with such kindness, and I’m absolutely in love with the found family Vic creates for himself.

I knew to expect good queer representation from Klune, but I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of an asexual protagonist. Vic’s asexuality is even more meaningful considering that he’s the only human member of his family - a clever inversion of the outdated and insulting asexual robot trope. Vic’s asexuality also leads to worthwhile conversations surrounding consent and healthy communication as he develops romantic feelings for HAP. Best of all, Vic’s robot family are 100% supportive towards Victor and his identity is never treated as something strange or unnatural.

If I have one critique of In the Lives of Puppets, it’s that it did seem unnecessarily long. Not that I particularly minded spending extra time with these characters, but there were a few points where I felt that the plot was dragging.

That’s a minor issue though, given how much I genuinely loved the heartwarming, cozy vibes of this book. Equally heartwarming and hilarious, It’s the perfect rainy day read.

Many thanks to Tor Books for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Publisher: Tor Books Rating:  4 stars | ★★★★✰ Review cross-posted to Goodreads

[mybiggaybooktour]

Join the team for @lou-wilham & @ellebeaumontbooks's July tour of Benvolio & Mercutio Turn Back Time before July 1st.

To sign up to be a host click HERE.

Verona has 99 problems—including a time machine.

All Benvolio has ever desired is a peaceful life alongside his spirited—albeit quarrelsome—roommate, Mercutio. But as the story goes, the course of true love never did run smooth, and when tensions between the Montagues and the Capulets reach a boiling point, Benvolio and Mercutio are dragged into the mess Romeo makes of all their lives.

Then an older version of Benvolio crashes into their lives, offering the opportunity to change fate, Mercutio does as he always does—seizes the chance. There's just one problem: no deal is without strings, and this one involves a deadly secret that Mercutio is determined to take to the grave.

What follows is a lively adventure through the ages, replete with love and heartache. Amidst the chaos, this inseparable duo will unravel the true depth of their friendship.

A riotous romp of a retelling of Romeo & Juliet. Side effects of reading may contain laughter, heartache, and a need for more. This light, sci-fi fantasy is the perfect shelf companion to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian, Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall, and The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles.

Genre: Adult LGBTQ Scifi Fantasy Romance

Representation: Gay, and panexual main characters

TW: None

[franticvampirereads]

Holy shit. HOLY SHIT! This was one of the most terrifying and also enjoyable reading experiences I’ve had in such a long time. I’m not usually a fan of the horror genre, but this? This was amazing and it was so cinematic that I got utterly lost in it. I loved every gory detail and I would happily dive back into this world for more.

I loved the way this story was told through alternating pov’s. We got everything from Tory (our semi main character), to the mermaids/sirens, to fish and dolphins, to literally everyone and everything in between. I also really liked that the more science-y side of this book was so accessible, it wasn’t hard to follow what was going on and things were explained in a way that makes sense. And I think that added so much to the overall experience!

I think this is honestly one of the best books that I’ve read all year, and that’s really saying something. I don’t think I can ever look at a cruise ship the same way again (not that I ever wanted to get on one of them anyway🤢). I already had a very healthy respect for the sea, but this book would put the fear of the gods in you if you didn’t. Into The Drowning Deep is getting a solid five stars. It’s one of those books that I think will stick with me for a very long time.

Reading Challenge Prompt Fills:

Shop Your Shelves: stand alone, so long

[elliepassmore]

The Tainted Cup review

5/5 stars Recommended if you like: fantasy, sci-fi, greenpunk, murder mysteries, powers, disability rep

Big thanks to Netgalley, Del Rey, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

To start, I'll say I'm not sure whether to classify this book as fantasy or sci-fi since I feel it has elements of both. The world the book is set in is 'greenpunk,' with buildings grown from plants and things like AC from mushrooms, and the characters have powers augmented through some kind of medical procedure. At the same time though, there are leviathans that rise from the ocean depths and threaten the empire. The genre isn't really important, but I will say it isn't super clear-cut and think it could fit easily into both sci-fi and fantasy.

The world in the book is super interesting. As mentioned, the buildings are largely grown from plants, with some more plant-like than others. A lot of the buildings have fernpaper walls, which serve well to keep out the humidity and don't mold, while also being sturdy enough to stand and not too heavy in the case of an earthquake. A couple of buildings are made from a different plant that can be grown in any shape, allowing for a more personalized architecture. Plants are pretty central to life in the book, and are used for additional things like AC, vaccination, medical treatments, and human augmentation. I love all the plant stuff and think the focus on 'green' things is a really interesting worldbuilding piece that isn't used nearly often enough. We get a good background on how the greenery works without going too in-depth, though I honestly could read an encyclopedia on this world and be happy.

In terms of the augmentation, there's a breakdown of the different augments people can have, with grafts being temporary and more for things like increased immunity in humans or faster growing in plants, while suffusions are permanent and change a lot more about a person/plant. If someone is employed by the empire and has a suffusion they're called a Sublime, with Sublimes categorized into how their suffusion works (axioms are good w/ numbers, linguas are good w/ languages, spatiasts are good w/ spatial relations, engravers who memorize everything, cracklers who are superhumanly strong, etc.). It was really interesting to read about the suffusions and the different Sublimes, and I really enjoyed the background info we get on the augmentations. I also thought it was pretty cool how the augmentations seem to be everywhere, including to help plants do different things and to help medications and vaccines be produced against the wide range of issues people might come across.

While this is a SFF story, the bulk of it is the murder mystery. It's twisty and deliberate, but at the same time has moments when it's very fun. Ana reminds me at times of Benoit Blanc from Knives Out and I really enjoyed her method to solving mysteries. There's a good mix of humor and seriousness here, and I think Bennett struck a good balance between the two.

Din is a Sublime engraver recently assigned to be Ana's investigative assistant. He's a rule follower and so his and Ana's approaches clash at times, though never majorly. Din is very clearly dyslexic, which gave him trouble in training, and at times he runs up against needing to read things during the investigation, but he's figured out a work around using his engraving skills which I found to be a really smart way of going about it. He's clever and a good observer, and is able to put the pieces of things together quickly even though he's new to investigating. I liked seeing things through his eyes and and way he would meticulously go through a scene to find evidence. It was particularly interesting how he interviewed people because Din seems to have a knack for knowing how to circle a conversation around to what he really wants to know without being too obvious about it, thus putting the interviewee at ease and getting them to open up. It was wonderfully subtle the way he got people to open up.

Ana is the main investigator on the case and is not the sort of investigator you'd expect. She prefers to stay in her house (or later on, in her borrowed rooms) rather than going outside to investigate on her own, and when she does leave the comfort of her accommodations, it's with a blindfold on. I suspected she was autistic throughout the book, and then toward the end she basically comes out and says it (without saying it since...you know...this is a SFF novel not set in our world with our terminology). She's quick to make deductive leaps and is often several steps ahead of everyone else involved. It was fun to read as she snapped through deduction after deduction, using the evidence Din collected, and coming to a conclusion that made sense but you didn't always see coming. Ana is also pretty funny and I enjoyed the humor she brought to the book.

There are a bunch of side characters who come in and out of the story as needed, and I found them to be pretty well fleshed out. It definitely felt like each character had their own lives and concerns and didn't just cease to exist once they left Din's presence. Miljin is the side character who's probably around the most, he's one of the investigators working the case with Ana and Din. At first his demeanor was pretty gruff and unwelcoming, so I didn't think I'd like him much, but over the course of the book his character grew on me and I actually ended up liking him a lot. He's just the kind of person that doesn't immediately warm up to people, but once he does he's got quite the quick brain and lots of humor and advice to go around.

As mentioned, the main point of this book is the mystery. At the beginning, Ana was making all sorts of leaps that I just took her word for, but as the story continued, I began being able to make guesses of my own. Some of the stuff I was able to guess correctly, sometimes in a surprising way, but other times I was still puzzling it out when Ana and the others came to their conclusions. There are so many moving pieces and different elements to the mystery going on in this book, I enjoyed trying to figure out the solution myself as well as seeing what the actual solution was.

Overall I greatly enjoyed this book and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. This is the kind of book that makes me want more SFF backgrounds for mystery books, it added a really interesting layer to things that I enjoyed.

[gabibookworm]

Happy book birthday to this week's new releases! 📚

[maybemockingbird]

WELCOME BACK RECRUITS

Once upon a time, in the dusty wastelands of Mars, a brave climber dared to scale a tower. Little did he know that his actions would change the course of the galaxy... forever.

These aren't your mother's fairytales...

Welcome back, Recruits! My name is A.L. Davidson and my queer, sci-fi short story series R-PNZL: A Futuristic Fairytale is back on Kickstarter for parts II + III and you have ONE week left to back the campaign! R-PNZL is a tech-heavy, futuristic series that weaves together retellings of beloved fairytales with sci-fi action and horror elements, subverted expectations, and fresh spins on well-known characters!

For those of you who missed R-PNZL, never fear! We have tiers available that get you the entire trilogy in both PDF and print formats so you can get in on the adventure from the beginning. Featuring cover art by @jackarais - creator of the hit webcomic Bicycle Boy - and bite-sized adventures that will absolutely blow your mind, R-PNZL is a great series for fans of fairytale adaptations that shake up what we've come to expect! No damsels in distress or love at first sight tropes here! So, if you're on the hunt for a new series to dive into, please come check out R-PNZL on Kickstarter before it ends on the 15th of December!

[aroaessidhe]

2023 reads // twitter thread  

Some Desperate Glory

adult scifi about a girl raised on a military station with last of humanity, trained to avenge the destruction of earth

but when she’s assigned a place she didn’t expect, she escapes with a captive alien & her brother’s genius friend intending to fight anyway, and discovers much more about the complexities of the universe

twisty and unpredictable

[shyrobotstories]