Oooooh, folks, if you have ever thought, “I’d like a book about Pre-Code Hollywood, please, but make it queer, add magic and a dollop of horror, and have the main character be a Chinese-American lesbian who stars in monster movies as a killer mermaid,” then first of all I would say, “Wow, that’s very specific!” and then I would say, “Luckily here is the book RIGHT HERE!” because Siren Queen is pretty amazing. Our heroine, … Continue reading Siren Queen by Nghi Vo →
While I wouldn’t call Spear a romance novel specifically, it is an amazing, detailed historical novel that includes a f/f romance. This book retells the Percival legend from the King Arthur mythos as a feminist queer fantasy story set in sixth-century Britain with elements of Welsh mythology. Nicola Griffith is known for her meticulous research, as seen in her novel Hild as well as in this story. This research lends Spear a grounded feel that … Continue reading Spear by Nicola Griffith →
Redwood and Wildfire is a slow book, and one steeped in trauma. The book depicts a lot of violence, including abuse of animals, a lynching, and a graphic rape scene, and although there is a love story in it, this is historical fiction/historical fantasy. If the reader approaches the book knowing what to expect, they will be rewarded by lush prose and a detailed view of America during the Great Migration in both the rural … Continue reading Redwood and Wildfire by Andrea Hairston →
Content warning: Ableism, torture, toxic masculinity, poison, suicide, indentured servitude/slavery, abuse. Shout out to Aube for luring me up the mountain!!! Word of Honor (山河令) is a BL/Dānměi Chinese historical fantasy series that was based on the webnovel Faraway Wanderers (天涯客) by Priest, who has had other webnovels adapted into series, too. This one centers around Zhōu Zǐshū and Wēn Kèxīng. Zhōu Zǐshū led the martial arts sect and intelligence organization “Window of Heaven” until … Continue reading Word of Honor →
Whenever I sense a whiff of a new historical romance with fantasy, paranormal, or steampunk elements, my ears perk up and I’m on alert. And yes, this is a call to send me your recommendations if you have any. Be aware that it will take some deep cuts, though, to suggest a book I haven’t heard of or read. Set in an alternate version of Victorian-era London, the Wisteria Society is made up of a … Continue reading The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton →
This series was recommended by so many people on Twitter and in my inbox, I grabbed it immediately and skipped it to the top of my TBR spreadsheet. This was a good decision on my part. Cathal MacAlasdair is running his family’s castle in remote Scotland, though he’s much better suited to running around doing soldiery things. He’s also a dragon shifter, something the people who live in his castle know about, but not a … Continue reading Highland Dragon Warrior by Isabel Cooper →
Rag and Bone is a mix of Regency, fantasy, and mystery, and while some parts were stronger than others, the two heroes and the rapidly developing plot kept me reading for hours longer than I intended. Crispin is a struggling magician whose prior tutor/master turned out to be evil, and he has a clandestine but passionate relationship with Ned, who is a waste paper dealer. Ned, who is the gentleman of color on the cover, lives … Continue reading Rag and Bone by KJ Charles →
