#ya sapphic fantasy

[tianawarner]

7 Sapphic YA Fantasy Books Launching in 2023

Here are seven Young Adult Sapphic Fantasy books launching this year! Enjoy!

1. The Valkyrie’s Shadow

Warrior women on horseback defend the nine Norse worlds from chaos.

2. The Witch and the Vampire

A queer Rapunzel retelling about a witch and a vampire journeying through a cursed forest.

3. The Severed Thread

A gender-flipped Sleeping Beauty retelling full of lost ruins, ride-or-die friendships, and romance.

4. Ravensong

A demi-god who refuses to cohabitate with humans accidentally falls in love with one.

5. Nightbirds

The magic of women is outlawed, but four girls with unusual powers have the ability to change it all.

6. The Memory Eater

A teenage girl must save her town from a memory-devouring monster—a powerful exploration of grief and mental health.

7. Lucha of the Night Forest

A girl will do anything to protect her sister, even if it means striking a dangerous bargain.

[lavellan-the-ninth]

"Harrowhark was unsettled now, and she had been at peace, so she was cruel."

[smolandweirdwriter]

reblog if you'd be ok with me ranting about my fantasy world

[ekjohnston]

miles to go before they whatever

[kay-frost]

it’s a beautiful day in the village, and you are a horrible goose girl.

get in, losers, we’re making one of my favorite books of 2021 go viral.

LITTLE THIEVES by Margaret Owen is a retelling of the Grimm fairy tale of The Goose Girl, in which an innocent princess is forced to swap identities with her evil maid. LITTLE THIEVES looks at this premise and says “hmm, needs more guillotines.”

What is this book? A magical heist novel? A takedown of the entire concept of princesses in fantasy novels? A (demi)romantic comedy between a notorious jewel thief and a “collection of billiard cues that unionized to solve crimes”? YES, dear readers, it is all of that and more!

When Vanja went on the run from her godmothers, Death and Fortune, and stole her BFF’s identity, she didn’t stop there. She’s been robbing the undeserving rich right under their noses in the guise of the beautiful and equally-underservingly-rich Princess Giselle. When she swipes the wrong bauble and crosses a vengeful forest god, she is cursed for her greed by slowly turning into rubies, and if she does not amend her ways —

— hang on, sorry, Vanja is trying to pry off some of the rubies to sell —

— if she does not amend her ways, the curse is a death sentence (a very, very valuable death sentence). Vanja has only a month to “return what she has stolen” before she becomes a living rock. Worse, an irritatingly competent detective is on her case, and he might be the only one who has come close to catching her...which Vanja might be kind of into?

Joined by a sapphic shapeshifter and a cast of the characters she’s wronged (and some she needs to wrong some more), Vanja seeks to save herself in more ways than one, hassled at every turn by her frustratingly clever detective/rival and — more ominously — a dark figure from her past who threatens not only her life, but the entire empire.

LITTLE THIEVES has top-shelf fantasy world-building without asking you to keep notes. It is inspired by the Germany the Grimm brothers would have known, rooted in a city where pawnbrokers and hedge witches rub elbows with the gods. If you loved SIX OF CROWS/Shadow and Bone and want something with even more depth, this is the one.

Buy links and more info can all be found on this post on the authors Tumblr (@terriblenerd). Treat yourself!!

EDIT: HOW DID I FORGET TO MENTION THAT THE AUTHOR ILLUSTRATED A FULL SET OF WOODBLOCK-STYLE PRINTS THAT DIVIDE THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BOOK??? The ones in the print book are in black and white BUT JUST LOOK AT THESE!!!

[rosieethor]

Fire Becomes Her is officially two years old!

Time feels utterly fake! I'm so grateful to all the readers, librarians, booksellers, and my fellow authors who have supported this book. I still can't believe I got to write and publish a book about an ambitious aromantic teen, fire magic, and lesbians in power suits running for president. Here's to writing more messy queer books and tricking the publishing industry into paying me for it!

[readtilyoudie]

She never understood how they managed to wound each other and then forgive each other so quickly. Wrongs meant something, even if they were inflicted by your family. Especially if it was family.

Avatar: The Rise of Kyoshi (The Kyoshi Novels, #1) by F.C. Yee

[aroaessidhe]

Hi, can you recommend some sapphic fantasy books that are not very in depth about politicking or war strategizing (I like those but I'm not in the headspace currently) and focus more on magical adventures, meeting strange creatures, fairytale like atmosphere etc?

I loved Girl Serpent Thorn, was hoping there is more like this. Thank you ✨

Oh yeah sure! man, I feel like when I try think about it, most high fantasy is some level of political (though maybe in YA it's not that in depth anyway)

I'm like, oh yeah, there's tons like girl serpent thorn! then i try to think of examples and I'm not sure actually haha. but here's a few that are not super political and more magic/adventure focused (as far as my memory goes), some have fairytale vibes, though aren't all super atmospheric (or strange creatures-y)

YA:

Girls Made of Snow and Glass (same author, a little less fairytale-y but snow white retelling)

The Mermaid The Witch and the Sea (atmospheric, magical adventure, mermaids)

The Midnight Lie (atmospheric, magic and gods)

Lucha of the Night Forest (spooky magical adventure)

Sweet & Bitter Magic (witchy magical journey)

Sofi And The Bone Song (magical journey, atmospheric)

The Midnight Girls (historical fantasy, monster girls)

The Name Bearer (magic, coming of age, adventure)

Ash/Huntress (magic/fairytale, adventures, fey)

The Never Tilting World (magical adventures)

Tell Me How It Ends (magical adventure)

The Deathless Girls (gothic fantasy, vampires, atmospheric)

(I feel like these are all pretty well known, so might not be that helpful)

Adult:

The only things that vaguely come to mind (and none quite have the same vibe) are: Spear (Nicola Griffith), In The Vanisher's Palace, Errant (L.K. Fleet), Burning Roses.....

There's gotta be more I'm forgetting haha. I feel like there's probably some in the adult fantasy/fairytale romance genre that might fit? a couple on my tbr are Thorn (Anna Burke) and Bitterthorn, maybe...

anyone else have suggestions????

[notexactlyrocketscience]

These Witches Don't Burn duology by Isabel Sterling

one of my favourite YA reads in recent years!

Elemental witches! The magic is somewhere between Winx Club/W.I.T.C.H (sans the magical girl transformations) and Avatar, and it’s just so familiar and fun.

The narrator authentically sounds like a teenager, but remains engaging to any reader.

Diverse ensemble cast with very detailed characters.

Ballet aesthetic with some of the main characters—this really brought back my childhood. It was so vividly written and beautiful.

City/forest ambience is really well-done.

MURRRDERRR!!! Which came as a complete shock.

Things turn into a very dark and intense mystery/thriller/adventure with angsty betrayals.

And yet it still manages to remain so wholesome and warm.

The second-chance romance and other relationships are very sweet.

The sequel is as good as the first book and the ending is really satisfying!

I recieved a free ARC at an author event a few years ago, and I really wasn't expecting much from the duology. You can imagine my surprise when I finally picked it up. The audiobook is very fun, and the plot includes everything I want in a YA read—fantasy, romance, friendships, aesthetics, even murder and adventure. Truly one of my favourite series ever probably. I've seen some pictures of copies floating around so I just want to throw in my enthusiastic two cents—Highly, highly recommended!

[tianawarner]

Pre-order THE VALKYRIE’S SHADOW, the sequel to The Valkyrie’s Daughter, from your favourite local bookstore today! Out July 25 💜

Links: https://tianawarner.com/novels/the-valkyries-shadow/

[lavellan-the-ninth]

So I'm done with Crier's war!

It was ended so openly i will never recover! I-

*picks up Harrow the Ninth*

[thehereticprinceseries]

The Heretic Prince is available for pre-order NOW!

Out March 26!

Amazon:

Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-heretic-prince-theo-j-malloy/1144899834

Add it to your Goodreads list!:

And more! Starting to see indie bookstores pick it up which is amazing! Get your preorder in now!

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

💖 Sapphic Books Coming Out April 2024

🩷 There's something especially sweet about a sapphic romance. Here are only a few of the amazing sapphic books hitting shelves in April 2024. Which ones are you adding to your ever-growing TBR?

💖 What's your favorite sapphic book?

[ List below. ]

Contemporary 💖 A Happy Good Girl - Marissa Higgins 💖 A Case for Discretion - Ashley Moore 💖 Thawing the CEO - Emily Hayes 💖 Aubrey McFadden Is Never Getting Married - Georgia Beers 💖 The Broken Lines of Us - Shia Woods 💖 Rainbow Overalls - Maggie Fortuna 💖 Here Come the Brides - Micheala Lynn 💖 Houseswap 101 - Jaime Clevenger 💖 Sweet on You - Shannon O'Connor 💖 Sing, I - Ethel Rohan 💖 Light Betrays Us - Greta Rose West 💖 Moving Hearts - Nicole Higginbotham-Hogue 💖 The Last Love Song - Kalie Holford 💖 Playing For Keeps - Jennifer Dugan 💖 Truly, Madly, Deeply - Alexandria Bellefleur 💖 Finally Fitz - Marisa Kanter 💖 Every Time You Hear That Song - Jenna Voris 💖 Women! In! Peril! - Jessie Ren Marshall 💖 Revisiting Summer Nights - Ashley Bartlett 💖 Leather, Lace, and Locs - Anne Shade 💖 So Long Sad Love - Mirion Malle 💖 Girls Night - I.S. Belle 💖 Here We Go Again - Alison Cochrun 💖 Pillow Talk - Stephanie Cooke, Mel Valentine 💖 Good Bones - Aurora Ray 💖 Crash Landing - Li Charmaine Anne 💖 Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine - Nicole Melleby

Paranormal/Horror 💖 Bloodline - Jenn Alexander 💖 Grey Dog - Elliott Gish 💖 Cranberry Cove - Hailey Piper 💖 Court of Wanderers - Rin Chupeco 💖 Something Kindred - Ciera Burch 💖 Blood City Rollers - V.P. Anderson, Tatiana Hill

Fantasy 💖 Call Forth a Fox - Markelle Grabo 💖 Someone You Can Build a Nest In - John Wiswell 💖 Off With Their Heads - Zoe Hana Mikuta 💖 Calling of Light - Lori M. Lee 💖 To a Darker Shore - Leanne Schwartz 💖 The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray - Christine Calella 💖 Saint-Seducing Gold - Brittany N. Williams 💖 A Sweet Sting of Salt - Rose Sutherland 💖 Darker by Four - June C.L. Tan 💖 The Map That Led to You - Ella McLeod 💖 The Merciless King of Moore High - Lily Sparks

Historical 💖 Lighthouse Keeper - Eliza Lentzski

Mystery/Thriller 💖 Rough Trade - Katrina Carrasco 💖 Molten Death - Leslie Karst 💖 Eye of the Ouroboros - Megan Bontrager 💖 Text Me When You Get This - Frances Lucas 💖 Paige Not Found - Jen Wilde

Sci-Fi 💖 Moon Dust in My Hairnet - J.R. Creaden 💖 Hearts Still Beating - Brooke Archer 💖 Harley Quinn: Redemption - Rachael Allen 💖 In Universes - Emet North

[gabibookworm]

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

[whatfordyouyearn]

I wrote a book! Support the Kickstarter here!

THE HERETIC PRINCE is a queer, trans and sapphic high fantasy YA novel about a runaway transmasculine prince who claims the crown to save his family- and the love of his life. Full summary below!

The first Mychal Halwood died ten years ago, and no one can ever find out.

A transmasculine prince, running from his destiny. A princess with forbidden magic, days away from being promised to the enemy. And the heir to the evangelist northern kingdom, starting to doubt…

Nearly a decade after wars across the borders gave the militant Priesthood the opportunity to occupy the kingdoms of the Triad, the sinister Godhead’s rule has affected everyone. For Mychal, a young squire in the Holy Army, it meant the deaths of his mother and brother, and the need to hide who he truly is. The Priesthood would kill him if they ever found out he was working for the Resistance, and not just because he and the missing princess are one and the same. But when his first love asks for help and his first battle ends in disaster, Mychal finds he has to go home– and take his brother’s place as heir to the throne.

The Heretic Prince tells Mychal’s story, as well as Samira, his childhood friend and first love hiding her outlawed powers in the wake of her betrothal to the Godhead, and Edris, the heir to the Priesthood’s closest allied kingdom who meets a handsome knight and begins to doubt his commitment to the Faith. As their paths intersect with each other's, they discover that Mychal and Samira’s love for each other might just be enough to topple an empire- and win their freedom to be together.

My name is Theo, I'm a transmasculine author and artist living in Cleveland, Ohio, and this project means the world to me! I grew up reading all kinds of fantasy stories, and I want to write ones I can see myself in. With your help, we can get this story out there, the first of a fantasy trilogy with queer, trans and sapphic heroes, for everyone out there who needs it.

Click the link below for project details and if you'd like to support, there are some great rewards for every donation level!

This project means the world to me and I'm so excited for more people to be a part of it now. The project is already 2% funded from the first few hours! Please share this post if you can!!

[zoyaofthegardvn]

could we get a crier’s war proposal fic? I honestly loved the way you wrote both of them in your last CW fic and we def need more of them ^^

Marry me?

A/N: Awh yay! I love to see a request for Crayla, I love them so much and really enjoy writing for them. Thanks so much for the request and kind words, anon <3

CW: None that I can think of!

---

Crier's hand shakes as she feels the small box in her dress pocket. She'd had the ring for months, had it made by a jeweler especially for Ayla. It's a band, as Crier assumed Ayla wouldn't want a ring with a stone that sticks out. She'd snag it on something, she'd break it while sparring, or she'd lose it. And besides, Crier figured that regardless of all of that, the band would fit Ayla's tastes more.

It's gold, complimenting Ayla's brown skin perfectly. Small rubies are lain within the band, wrapping around the entirety of it. On the inside of the band, Crier had the jeweler engrave 'A + C.' She wondered if that had been overkill, but she was cheesy, and she wanted this, this proposal, and hopefully, eventual wedding, to be as representative of their love as possible.

Crier jumps when the bedroom door opens, and she turns from her spot at her desk, near the window, to watch Ayla enter the room. She's glistening with sweat, her curly hair pulled into a bun. A few strands have fallen out, and are stuck to her forehead, her neck. Her cheeks are pink, and her pants are covered in mud stains. She's never looked more beautiful. Though, Crier realizes, she thinks that every time she looks at Ayla.

She smiles as she approaches Crier, one hand on her hip, the other fanning her face.

"Long day?" Crier asks, stomach fluttering at the sight of Ayla's easy grin.

She shrugs, and comes to stand right in front of her. "It was fun, hard work, but fun. So, not too bad," then she bends to plant a sweet kiss on Crier's mouth.

Crier kisses back, then playfully pushes her away with a hand on her chest. "You're all sweaty, Ayla," she whines, but she's smiling.

Ayla barks out a laugh, then in a flash, she's grabbing Crier, one hand scooping up her thigh and the other around her back. She lifts her, and Crier squeals in delight, playfully hitting Ayla's back and arms. Ayla laughs and laughs and laughs, rubbing her sweaty face into Crier's neck, peppering kisses wherever she can reach.

Finally, she sets her down, and they both have to catch their breath. Crier swats her arm, heaving between laughs, "I hate you! You're sick, Ayla!"

Ayla hums, rolling her eyes. "You love me, Crier, you love me," she singsongs, hand rested on her stomach from the cramp her laughter caused.

They both calm down enough for Crier to finally get started on her plan. "Are you too tired, my love? Or would you like to go on a date tonight?"

Ayla's eyes widen, her brows lift in excitement. "A date? How could I ever turn down a date?" she says, resting her hands on Crier's waist.

Crier smiles sweetly at her, "You don't have to say yes, I can tell you worked hard, you're probably tired. We can go on a date any night."

Ayla shoots her a look that says 'yeah, sure,' because when do they ever get a chance to have a date? Between Ayla's training, Crier's studies, and their shared courtly duties, rarely do they have the time to sneak off.

"Crier, darling, light of my life, be serious, please," and Crier rolls her eyes at Ayla's jest, though her heart flutters at the terms of endearment.

"Only if you're sure..." she trails off, and giggles when Ayla nods her head in excitement.

"Let me just bathe first," then Ayla's pecking Crier's cheek and sprinting to the bathroom, clearly eager to get date night started.

Crier grins, and Ayla winks at her before she closes the bathroom door. When she hears the sound of the bath water running, she turns to their shared closet, searching for the perfect dress, especially since Ayla had muddied and crumpled her current one.

---

Once they're both ready, they head out, and shoo away the guard that attempts to accompany them. Ayla is in a tight pair of black trousers, with a deep burgundy silk tunic, and Crier in a lilac gown that hugs her form, then flows straight down from her waist. It's detailed with small flowers, the sleeves soft and delicate. Crier had picked it out weeks ago, and when Ayla whistled at her, made her do a spin, and gushed about how gorgeous she was, she couldn't even meet her eye, too shy and nervous.

Crier led them towards the garden, towards the cliff from their fateful first meeting, with a picnic basket in one hand and Ayla's in the other.

Ayla shot her a curious look when she saw where they were going, and Crier just shrugged. Yes, she'd nearly died here, but Ayla had saved her, like she has over and over again since they'd met, simply by loving her, being with her. It wasn't a place Crier associated with any negative feelings, not anymore.

They laid the blanket Ayla had toted out onto the ground, and Crier placed the basket down as Ayla eagerly began to rummage through.

Crier snorted. "Hungry, my love?"

"Ravenous, I haven't eaten since breakfast," she answers, pulling the wrapped sandwiches out, the fruits, the bottle of juice. Though Crier didn't need it, she'd likely snack on a few of the berries she'd packed, enjoying their taste. Mostly, everything was for Ayla. Always for Ayla, her health, her happiness.

Ayla moans around the first bite of her sandwich, her eyes fluttering back. "You're amazing, Crier," she says, like she'd preformed a miracle by placing some meats and lettuce and cheese between two slices of bread.

"I love you," Crier blurts out, unable to not say it a moment longer.

Ayla stops chewing, her eyebrows raising, and a slow smirk tugs at her lips. She finishes her bite and swallows. "Well, I love you too, very much," she says, and Crier nods, she smiles. She knows that, of course, and it's her favorite thing to hear, maybe right after Ayla's laugh.

They eat their meal, they talk about their days, they laugh, they steal kisses, they act sickeningly in love.

When they finish, there's a brief moment of silence. They take in the wind on their face, the sounds of the waves crashing and breaking against the rocks. The sun is warm on their skin, and Crier watches as Ayla tilts her face up, like a flower taking what it needs.

Feeling Crier's gaze on her face, Ayla slowly peels her eyes open, catching Crier's look of wonder before she's turning away, embarrassed she had been caught.

Ayla laughs and moves closer, grabbing Crier's face, kissing her. "What's gotten into you today, huh? You're acting like this is a first date," and though she's teasing, Crier can't help but worry she's ruining the moment.

Crier holds onto her wrists from where her hands are framing her face. "A-Ayla... I didn't... I didn't intend this to just be a date..." she says, biting her lip in anticipation.

Ayla quirks her eyebrow. "Oh? Please do enlighten me, little fox."

She gives a shaky, nervous nod. She stands up, grabs Ayla's hands, and pulls her up, too. She guides them toward the cliff, though not to the edge, as she'd learned that lesson once before. She turns to face her girlfriend, and hopefully, her new fiancee.

"Ayla..." she begins, but trails off.

"You don't have to be nervous around me, Crier, you know that," Ayla urges, looking her deep in the eyes.

"Do... do you remember when you saved me? Right here, you saved my life."

Ayla nods, curious as to where this is going. "Of course I do, how could I forget my lovely little damsel in distress?"

Crier rolls her eyes, playfully, and has to work to fight back her grin. "Yes, well, you're making this less romantic than I had intended."

Ayla laughs, she squeezes her hand. "Okay, okay, baby, I won't joke anymore."

Crier nods, and she tries again. "I.. I-I hope you know that isn't the only time you've saved my life.

Ayla says nothing, she just stares.

"Your love Ayla... I don't deserve it..."

Ayla shakes her head, furiously, cutting her off. "Don't say that, Crier, seriousl-"

Crier shushes her, turning to fully face her now. She puts her hands on Ayla's shoulders. "Let me finish, please?" she pouts, and tentatively, Ayla nods, though she hates when Crier self deprecates.

"Ayla... by all accounts, you should hate me." Again, Ayla shakes her head, but she says nothing. "And somehow, I got lucky enough that you fell in love with me anyway. Your love, Ayla, every day, it saves me. Makes me feel like the luckiest, happiest girl in the world. I'm thankful, so, so, grateful. And I love you, more than anything."

"I love you Crier, so much," and though she isn't typically one for tears, Crier can hear the wavering in her voice.

"I-I want to show you... how much I love you," and then she reaches into her pocket, and pulls the small ring box out.

Ayla's jaw falls open, one hand coming to cover her mouth. "Crier..." she starts, and then Crier backs up and drops to one knee, taking Ayla's hand in her own.

"Ayla, I love you. And you can say no, but I... I hope you'll say yes. I had always intended for us to spend forever together, but I'm asking if you'll spend it with me as wives? Will you, Ayla? Will you marry me?"

She opens the box, the ring on display. Ayla, too stunned for words, just nods her head furiously, and so Crier slides the ring onto her finger, her hands trembling. Tears brim and spill over Ayla's eyes, and before Crier can even stand back up, Ayla's dropping to the ground, throwing her arms around her.

Crier breathes a sigh of relief, nuzzling her face into the crook of Ayla's neck. She plants a kiss there, and mumbles, "I was scared you'd say no, that you'd think it was too soon... or too... serious. Too real."

Ayla huffs a laugh. "How could I ever say no, Crier? I'll marry you right here, right now, if you wanted me to."

It's Crier's turn to laugh. She pulls away from their embrace, frames Ayla's face in her hands, thumbs the tears away, and kisses her. It's soft and sweet, and each time they go to pull away, they can't help but kiss again.

Finally, Crier manages to say, "I do enjoy planning, you know. As ready as I am to marry you, I would like it to be an event."

Ayla nods, she smiles. "Anything you want, Crier. Anything."

Crier brushes her nose against Ayla's, their eyes fluttering back at the gentle gesture.

"I have everything that I want, right here, in my arms."