So, originally, this challenge was simply to have a woman as a protagonist, but I thought I’d make it more diverse, so I changed it to LGBTQ books! If you just want to read a book with a female protagonist, that is still completely fine, as fantasy and sci-fi is still a predominantly male genre. As for myself, with all the discussions that have been going on, I want to put more effort into reading diversely, both when it comes to sexual orientation/gender fluidity, and BIPOC.
As always, if you want to know more about the challenge, check it out here. You can also find the previous challenges with book suggestions on that page. For instance, check out the challenge for September, which is all about big books.
How to participate
I’ll keep this short: participate whichever way you want, whether it’s following along silently, or leaving comments in the posts to discuss your read. Any other recommendations are always appreciated!
LGBTQ Reads
It’s time for more representation in the books I read, so I’m looking into some LGBTQ reads! Since the challenge initially was just a book with a female protagonist, I’ve put in one recommendation for that as well. I came up with the shortlist you can find below, of indie novels with LGBTQ representation. If you have other suggestions to add to the list, please let me know, and I will add it (with credit to you, of course).
Edge of Magic: A Fae & Shifter Urban Fantasy Novel (Tara Knightley Series Book 1) – Jayne Faith
Tara Knightley is part-Fae and full thief. Her talent is sensing magical objects, which comes in handy with her chosen profession. Unfortunately, her talent also got her involved with Fae mob boss Grant Shaw, and Tara needs to break free before she ends up dead. When she hears of a mysterious magical skull, she knows she can buy her freedom with it. But just as she goes after the skull, her childhood friend and crush, wolf shifter Judah McMahon, shows up to ask for help. His life is threatened, so how can she say no? But helping him will cost her the chance at freedom from the Fae mob, and possibly her life.
Genre: Action, Urban Fantasy; Adult
Four Bodies in Space (New Voyages Book 1) – Luna Harlow
Commander Solaris is a scientific officer on a small ship, who wants to be left alone with her experiments. The murder of an ambassador threatens this peace. Her ship is in danger, and her future is on the line, so she can’t ignore the murder. The newly-promoted Captain Li steps into the murder investigation and is fascinated by the psychic gift Solaris considers her greatest burden. She’d rather cling to everything she holds dear than accept the difficulty of something new, so she pushes Captain Li away at the risk of damaging her career. But if she flees from Jennifer Li, it could mean she falls into the killer’s hands instead.
Genre: Sci-fi, LGBTQ
Full Moon Fever – Elizabeth Black
The two lovers Sam Hightower and Grant Newsome live for the stage, but they’ve grown tired of the traveling around, and want to settle down. But, they have a secret. They’re shifters, not part of any pack, lone wolves in every sense of the world. The full moon brings out the beast in them. When they find a dancer, Luke Pearce, who makes their blood run hot, but Luke has a secret of his own to test them. Add the artist and lovers Charlotte and Lina, and you’re sure to have a wild and sexy fivesome. But then Sam and Grant discover another shifter in their midst, but this young and inexperienced person is terrified and could easily expose them to the human hunters and get them killed. Can Sam and Grant protect themselves as well as the people they love?
Genre: Paranormal Romance, LGBTQ
Honey Hawk – Hava Zuidema
On Earth in the 23rd century, there is a fragile apartheid between humans and vantarians, the extraterrestrials who restored Earth after the apocalypse. Alder Brites wants to finish their mandated service to the human military without incident, but then they meet the vantarian Sefynne lyed, an alleged terrorist who raises questions Alder can’t answer. Sefynne is striving to correct the power imbalance on Earth when he discovers Alder has resources he needs. They both want an end to oppression, so they form a reluctant partnership that evolves into much more. The can make a difference together, but will the change they make be worth the cost?
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, LGBTQ
Echoes of the Storm: a Space Opera – Charlene Newcomb
It’s been a tough time for Jack Gamble: his lower betrayed him, his contacts in the resistance are scattered, and his best friend may be dead. The Galilei Empire is closing in, and Jack’s ship is intercepted by mercenaries under the command of Captain Ben Stone. Can Jack convince him of his cause, or will Ben convince him instead?
Genre: Space-Opera, LGBTQ, Action
Read my full review of Echoes of the Storm here.
The Galactic Pantheon Novellas – Alyce Caswell
Humans have spread across the galaxy, with a pantheon of sub-level gods to oversee the humans, and to protect them while remaining out of sight. They were not meant to become human, or to experience love.
This book is a collection of all four novellas from the series, which are: The Flickering Flame, The Shifting Ice, The Whispering Grass, and The Creeping Moss. All stories are about love and romance, including homosexual romance, ace romance, and trans romance.
Genre: Sci-fi & Fantasy, LGBTQ, Romance
Challenge discussion questions
So those are the indie picks for the LGBTQ challenge. It would be great if you could let me know your thoughts on the book you read, and which book you chose!
Here some example questions you could use to share your experience:
What book did you read for this challenge?
Why did you choose this one?
What are your thoughts on the book you read?
Will you read more LGBTQ books?
Would you recommend the book?
