‘A Dowry Of Blood’ by S. T. Gibson was released in 2021. It was her third book. The novel is vaguely epistolary, a long, poetic love letter to the late Count Dracula, written after his untimely demise. It explored the complex feelings of Count Dracula’s first bride, Constanta, from her first death and rebirth into vampirism in Romania, and how her immortal life was, living under his thumb.
Category Archives: Queer Fiction
Book Review: Gentlest of Wild Things by Sarah Underwood ‘Gentlest of Wild Things’ by Sarah Underwood was released in 2024. It is her second novel and happens during the same universe as her debut, ‘Lies We Sing To The Sea’, which is set on Ithaca, Odysseus’ homeland, generations after his passing, where the Isle isContinueContinue reading
‘The Passing Playbook’ by Isaac Fitzsimons was released in 2021. It was his first novel and tells the story of a transgender teen, Spencer, who moved to an expensive private school after a threat was made to his life due to his identity at a previous school. When he joins Oakley, he declares that for his own safety, he will “go stealth” and rely on his ability to pass as cisgender to stay under the radar.
‘Café Con Lychee’ by Emery Lee (e/em) was released in 2022 and is Lee’s second book. It follows the story of Theo Mori and Gabi Moreno, as their rival family restaurants are forced to acknowledge a common enemy: World Fusion Café, an establishment with mediocre food, but vibrant, Instagrammable drinks.
‘Felix Ever After’ by Kacen Callender was their second young-adult novel, and was released in 2020. The story follows seventeen-year-old Felix Love’s life after he is the victim of a malicious hate-crime, where old photos from his Instagram, pre-transition, were blown up and put on display in the foyer and gallery space at the art school he and his best friend Ezra attend: Saint Catherine’s.
Book Review: All About Romance by Daniel Tawse ‘All About Romance’ by Daniel Tawse was released in 2023. It tells the story of Roman Bright and their final year at secondary school, after a tumultuous end of Year Ten. As a young, queer student, Roman Bright is being treated horribly by their classmates. After beingContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore ‘Self-Made Boys’ by Marie McLemore is a reimagining of a classic novel, in this instance, ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This book tells the story of Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby in a completely different light and it almost instantly became one of my favourite readsContinueContinue reading
Book Review: I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman ‘I Was Born For This’ by Alice Oseman was released in 2018. It is one of her novels, as opposed to her comics. This particular story explores fan culture and friendship. It follows Fereshteh, or as she’s better known, Angel Rahemi, a superfan of aContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White ‘Hell Followed With Us’ by Andrew Joseph White was released in 2022. It was his debut novel and it took the world by storm, telling a compelling, visceral story about trauma, anguish, repression, religion, and queerness. The story follows Benji, a trans man who hasContinueContinue reading
Book Review: D’vaughn And Kris Plan A Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins ‘D’Vaughn And Kris Plan A Wedding’ by Chencia C. Higgins was published in 2022. I read this as an audiobook as part of Spotify Premium’s audiobook service, and I absolutely loved how immersive it made this reading experience. ‘D’Vaughn And Kris Plan AContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Love At First Set by Jennifer Dugan ‘Love At First Set’ by Jennifer Dugan was released in 2023. It drew my eye thanks to TikTok, where it was promoted as a love story between two women who meet in the bathroom, and one encourages the other to leave her fiance at the altar.ContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Make The Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake ‘Make The Season Bright’ is a holiday romance novel by Ashley Herring Blake. It was released in 2024 and follows the second-chance romance between Charlotte and Brighton, two queer women in their late twenties, who, once-upon-a-time had been engaged, only for Brighton to leave CharlotteContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Darn Knit All by Evie Mitchell ‘Darn Knit All’ by Evie Mitchell is the third book in her All Access Series: a romance series that puts a spotlight on showcasing relationships starring people with an array of disabilities. This book, which was released in 2024, the best part of three years after itsContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa ‘Most Ardently’ by Gabe Cole Novoa was released in 2024. It is part of the Remixed Classics series, where authors of diverse backgrounds rewrite classic fiction. Authors who have contributed to this collection include Novoa, Cherie Dimaline, Caleb Roehrig, Kalynn Bayron, Anna-Marie McLemore, Tasha Suri, Aminah MaeContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Playing For Keeps by Jennifer Dugan ‘Playing For Keeps’ by Jennifer Dugan was released in 2024. It follows the story of Ivy and June, two queer teenagers who absolutely love sport – while June is the only girl on a boys’ baseball team, and their star pitcher, Ivy dreams of a career onContinueContinue reading
‘The Henna Wars’ by Adiba Jaigirdar was released in 2020. It was a huge milestone in the development of young adult queer literature. If readers were lucky enough to read about sapphic relationships prior to the release of The Henna Wars, it was a struggle to find ones that weren’t about white girls.
‘She Gets The Girl’ is a novel co-written by Alyson Derrick, Rachael Lippincott and was published in 2022. It follows two girls, Alex and Molly, in their first month of college. Despite being in the same classes, Alex and Molly are worlds apart, and when they meet at a house party on their first day, both make an impression.
‘The Gravity Of Us’ was Phil Stamper’s first novel, released back in 2019. This insightful story shouts hard-hitting truths from the rafters; a primary theme of this book is communication, whether among friends, family, or the media.
Book Review: Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake ‘Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail’ by Ashley Herring Blake was released in 2021. It is the second of her series set in Bright Falls. However, it can be read as a standalone. I reviewed the first book in the series last year, you can read myContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Under The Rainbow by Celia Laskey ‘Under The Rainbow’ was released in 2020, it was the author, Celia Laskey’s debut novel. The book offers a lot of insight into the change that can come when a LGBTQ+ organisation comes to reform the most homophobic town in the United States, Big Burr, Kansas. IContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Masters Of Death by Olivie Blake ‘Masters Of Death’ by Olivie Blake was published in 2023. It is a contemporary fantasy novel, which follows the godson of Death, Fox D’Mora as he goes on to “best [Death]”. I really enjoyed ‘Masters of Death’, and while I had a few issues with it, mostContinueContinue reading
‘Fresh’ by Margot Wood was released in 2021 and follows the story of Elliot McHugh as she begins the next stage of life: Freshman Year at Emerson College. Before she left Cincinnati for Boston, having lived with her seemingly perfect sister, Izzy, who is studying medicine, and her younger sister, Remy, who has an eclectic obsession with dryer sheets, Elliot was betrayed by the people she held closest to her. Her ex-boyfriend cheated on her for months, and her three best friends knew and didn’t tell her. Vulnerable, alone, and seeking fun, sex, and freedom, Elliot is ready for a new adventure.
‘Friday I’m In Love’ was released in 2023, and was Camryn Garret’s fourth novel. The book tells the story of Mahalia Harris, a sixteen year old girl, who, having missed out on her chance at a Sweet Sixteen, opts to celebrate her sexuality in a similar stead, declaring she will save up for, and host a coming out party, where she will share her sexuality with her peers.
Book Review: The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann was released in 2022 and tells a poignant story of love, self-acceptance, heartbreak, and empowerment. We follow Joy, a black woman in her thirties who looks like she has her shit together. She is beautiful, confident and has a successful career,ContinueContinue reading
Book Review: If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So ‘If You Still Recognise Me’ by Cynthia So (they/them) was released in 2022, and tells the story of eighteen year old Elsie, and the summer before she leaves for university at Cambridge. Having grown up in Oxford, which doesn’t have the same queer spaces thatContinueContinue reading
‘Meet Cute Diary’ was author, Emery Lee (ey/em)’s debut novel. It was released in 2021. The story follows sixteen-year-old Noah as he spends the summer with his older brother, Brian in Denver, Colorado. Noah utilises a cross-country move to California to be his true self after coming out as transgender, inspired by a trans girl who came out at his school.
Book Review: Heartstopper Volume Five by Alice Oseman ‘Heartstopper’ is a series of graphic novels by Alice Oseman. The fifth installment of the series was released earlier this month and continues to follow Nick and Charlie, a young queer couple from Kent, UK, finding their way in the world, while grappling with external issues, notContinueContinue reading
Book Review: How To Excavate A Heart by Jake Maia Arlow ‘How To Excavate A Heart’ by Jake Maia Arlow came out in 2022 and was a Christmas rom-com. It follows Shani, a Jewish college student, on Winter Break, and taking on an internship. On the drive to DC, Shani and her mum end upContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston ‘Red, White, And Royal Blue’ was Casey McQuiston’s debut novel. It was released in 2019, and was recently adapted into a movie on Amazon Prime. The story follows an alternate version of international history, where instead of Donald Trump, a fictional Democrat, Ellen Claremont, wonContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts by William Hussey ‘Broken Hearts and Zombie Parts’ by William Hussey was released in 2023. It was his eleventh novel. It follows seventeen-year-old Jesse, who collapsed at his Year Twelve Prom, after encountering his best friend, Cas, cheating on his girlfriend, with her best friend. After collapsing, heContinueContinue reading
Book Review: Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield ‘Our Wives Under The Sea’ by Julia Armfield was released in 2022. It was her debut novel and follows the story of Miri and her wife, Leah, a marine biologist, whose voyage beneath the waves that was expected to take three weeks lasted six months.ContinueContinue reading
Book Review: The Dos And Donuts Of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar ‘The Dos and Donuts of Love’ by Adiba Jaigirdar was released in May 2023, and is her fourth novel. This book follows a similar rivals-to-lovers arc that is present in some of her previous books, such as her debut, ‘The Henna Wars’, and thatContinueContinue reading
‘The Shadow Cabinet’ by Juno Dawson was released in May 2023, and was a highly-anticipated sequel to the sensational ‘Her Majesty’s Royal Coven’. I was worried that ‘The Shadow Cabinet’ may suffer the infamous second book slump that affects many series’, where the second merely exists as a segway from Point A to Point B – but I had nothing to fear!
‘Gwen And Art Are Not In Love’ by Lex Croucher was released in May 2023, and explores the idea of queer relationships in post-Arthurian Britain, where there are little-to-no historical records. Due to this, Croucher is able to take significant artistic license and offer a story that is delightfully funny, and devastating.
‘Straight Expectations’ by Calum McSwiggan is a romantic comedy that was released in May 2023. It offers an insightful glimpse into privilege, and how, even though things may be objectively easier for straight kids at school, Max, is still privileged. When he, an out-and-proud gay, wishes for an easy life like the straight kids, he wakes up straight!
‘Loveless’ by Alice Oseman was released in 2020. It is her sixth novel, and follows eighteen-year-old Georgia Warr during her first year at the University of Durham to study English Literature.
‘Imogen, Obviously’ is Becky Albertalli’s sixth solo release, and ninth, including collaborations. It came out in May 2023, and follows a one-week window where Imogen Scott realises she’s bisexual.
‘Delilah Green Doesn’t Care’ by Ashley Herring Blake is the first book of three that explores several young women residing in Bright Falls, Oregon. It was released in early 2022, with its sequel coming out just months later, toward the end of the year. The third book, ‘Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date’, will be released in October 2023.
Dean Atta’s debut novel in verse, ‘The Black Flamingo’ was released in 2019. It tells the story of Michael Angeli from childhood through to the Christmas after he turned nineteen.
‘If I Was Your Girl’ by Meredith Russo is one of the older LGBTQ+ stories you may find in your local chain bookstore. It was released in 2016 and tells the story of a young trans woman, Amanda, who is attending a new school after a tumultuous social transition.
‘I Kissed Shara Wheeler’ was Casey McQuiston’s most recent release, which follows the fallout of the jewel of the school, Shara Wheeler disappearing from Senior Prom just moments before being crowned the Class of 2021’s Prom Queen. Nobody knows where and why she’s vanished but Chloe Green believed she knew why she’d run away. Because, Shara Wheeler kissed her before prom, and as the daughter of the Principal of Willowgrave Christian Academy, Shara shouldn’t have been kissing girls.
Book Review: Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson ‘Her Majesty’s Royal Coven’ is a novel by Juno Dawson, which follows an ensemble cast of middle aged witches living in the UK. These witches are, or were once, affiliated with the nation’s primary coven for witches: Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, (shortened to HMRC) and servedContinueContinue reading
‘One Last Stop’ was Casey McQuiston’s second novel and was published in 2021. The book follows August, who has moved to New York City to finish college, after a tumultuous relationship with her mother left her needing space.
‘Heartstopper’ by Alice Oseman is a series of graphic novels. The first volume was published in 2019 and the series remains ongoing. It is now the subject of a live-action adaptation by Netflix.
‘Melt My Heart’ is a young adult coming of age story by Bethany Rutter. It was published in 2020 and follows the story of Lily Rose, an eighteen year old girl striving to try something new every day in anticipation of leaving for university in September, miles away from her twin sister, Daisy.
‘Only On The Weekends’ is Dean Atta’s second novel in verse, which was released in 2022. The story follows Mackintosh Fadayomi, a fifteen-year-old boy navigating his first relationship, except Karim doesn’t think he can come out yet, and Mack’s father has to move the family to Glasgow for a few months for his upcoming film, starring Finn, a proud LGBT activist, who has also caught Mack’s eye. What’s a boy to do?
I have a reasonable amount of knowledge of Greek Mythology from watching my copy of Disney’s ‘Hercules’ on VHS, to a fleeting ‘Percy Jackson’ phase, to attending university, where we dedicated several weeks to studying myths like Eros and Psyche, Apollo and Daphne, Oedipus Wrecked, and other tales from the Iliad. I even played ‘Hades’, which was how I knew vaguely of the characters in The Song of Achilles.
Imogen L. Smiley 