Fantastical and Gay: 12 Books We Recommend After Watching Good Omens
Can’t get enough of our favorite pair of Ineffable Husbands? Spend the wait time between Good Omens seasons with a host of literary vampires, witches, monsters and more as we dive into these fantastically queer books. From secret societies, to magical kingdoms, to the darkest corners of the night, we’re sure you’ll find something to bide the time until we can watch Aziraphale and Crowley again.
Night’s Edge by Liz Kerin
Mia grows up protecting her monstrous mother, Izzy, and the bloody secrets she keeps. But as Mia enters adulthood, she grows weary of keeping Izzy’s hunger at bay and yearns for a life of her own. That’s when rebellious musician Jade crashes into Mia’s life, and dares her to leave behind everything she knows. While she still can. Come for the vampires, stay for the queer coming of age story.
A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon
There’s a reason why Priory of the Orange Tree is TikTok famous. It’s epic and queer and the feminist tome we strive for. In this sequel, dive back into the world that Samantha Shannon created, and explore the lives of the women who shaped the course of history. Generations before, Tunuva, Sabran, Glorian and Dumai are all fighting small battles in their own lives. That is until Dreadmount erupts, and throws the world into chaos. These women must find the strength within themselves to protect humanity from this deadly threat.
Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland
For fans of vampires and Sarah J. Maas, this lush and dark queer fantasy is set in Castle Courtsheart, a school where humans vie to become vampires, or die trying. Nineteen-year old demigirl Fin is determined to forge a new path, one that will teach her to kill the undead and get revenge for her mother. As Fin discovers her own identity and newfound powers, she must untangle a string of murders with potentially lethal consequences.
Youngblood by Sasha Laurens
If you like a bit of dark academia and teenage angst with your queer vampire stories–this one’s for you. Diametrically different vampires Kat Finn and Taylor Sanger used to be best friends, until they weren’t. Which is unfortunate, because now they are roommates at Harcote, the prestigious prep school for vampires. However, Kat’s shocking find in the school’s archive and Taylor’s discovery of a body leads the duo to team up to uncover their school’s deepest secrets. Secrets that will question Vampirdom’s most powerful figures and the synthetic blood that keeps them all alive.
The Soft Landing Collection: Sapphic Fantasy and Science Fiction Stories by Jacquelynn Lyon
A mermaid trapped in a zoo, drawn to the enclosure next to hers. A woman on a floating continent, trying to reach a stranger among the stars. A bog witch threatening a princess who can’t seem to stay away. Astronauts on a doomed voyage into Jupiter’s atmosphere. A cursed woman and the night who promises to save her. This collection of five short stories is inspired by folklore, fairy tales, and science fiction that are a magical celebration of love between women.
The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska
Although they just met, it seems that Zoisa and Marynka have a friendship that is destined to be even stronger than the magic they wield in this beautiful sapphic fantasy. But that’s all put to the test when they realize they both have their sights set on the Kingdom of Lechija’s pure-hearted prince, and more important, the power contained within him. Unwilling to sacrifice their ambitions for each other, they entrench themselves in a rivalry that might cost them not only their love for each other, but their lives as well.
Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens
Edison Rooker doesn’t know what to expect when accepting a job from Antonia Hex, a powerful sorceress and manager of a call center for magical emergencies. With no magic, but a plan to regain access to the magical world he was shut out of, Rook is all too happy to accept the job (along with a new name), nonetheless. But when Antonia and her rival Fable are kidnapped, Rook teams up with an unwilling Sun to get them back, or risk losing their magic forever. If you love rival queer romances, you have to add this one to your TBR.
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
This first book in the truly fantastical Last Binding series follows Robin Blyth as he is unexpectedly appointed as the parliamentary liaison to London’s secret magical society. What starts off as an administrative error leads to a quest for answers with Robin’s reluctant magical counterpart, Edwin Courcey. Fans of Aziraphale and Crowley’s unlikely friendship will enjoy the back and forth of Robin and Edwin as well.
Out of the Blue by Jason June
If queer mermaids sound as exciting to you as it does to us, you have to check out Jason June’s delightful novel, Out of the Blue. Merfolk Crest is not really looking forward to their Journey, or the month-long trip that all teen merfolk embark on to become an Elder. Helping humans is not high on their priority list, but it’s a rule of the ritual, so it must be done. With a new human body and name, Crest meets Sean, a heartbroken lifeguard who was just dumped by his boyfriend. Seeing an opportunity to fill their requirement, Crest agrees to help Sean make his ex jealous. However, Crest soon learns that fake dating can lead to some very real feelings.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
Aiden Thomas delighted readers with his debut, Cemetery Boys, and doesn’t disappoint with his most recent novel, The Sunbearer Trials. Seventeen-year-old semidiós Teo has never had to worry about the Sunbearer Trials. As the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds, his status as Jade has protected him from being selected for the trials by Sol the sun god. Until now. Forced to participate in the deadly trials that will determine who will carry the Sun Stones, Teo competes against opponents who are friends, deadly enemies, and Aurelio, who isn’t quite either.
The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
Wyatt would outrun his destiny, if his destiny would actually let him. Formerly engaged and set to be the first witch king of Aislin, Wyatt flees all of that after a magical outburst. But Emyr North, Fae Prince, and more importantly his former best friend and fiancé, have come looking for him. Emyr’s refusal to dissolve the engagement despite Wyatt’s troubling past and newfound transgender identity leads Wyatt to strike a deal with the enemy. But as life in Aislin becomes more difficult for witches, Wyatt must decide where his priorities lie. If you’re a fan of fae novels such as The Cruel Prince or An Enchantment of Ravens, you’ll love this one.
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
Armageddon has begun. Trans boy Benji is on the run from the cult who raised him, desperately seeking a safe haven for himself, and the bioweapon that is mutating him into a monster deadly enough to wipe out the rest of humanity. He finds shelter among a group of teens from the local Acheson LGBTQ+ center, known as the ALC. The group’s leader Nick is autistic, a deadly shot, and more importantly, knows Benji’s dark secret. Yet he offers Benji shelter, with the condition of using the monster’s power to defend the ALC. Benji accepts, not knowing just how many secrets Nick himself keeps. There’s a reason why this book was a New York Times bestseller and made it onto numerous “Best of” lists: it’s a stunning and timely debut that deserves to be read and celebrated.
