In science fiction and fantasy stories, the reader is invited to explore identities, question societal norms, and explore the vast possibilities within our universe. They can explore any world, harness any power, and meet any character without leaving the comfort of their favorite chair.
This makes representation in these stories incredibly important!
To be included in a culture’s stories is to be included in the culture itself. Queer representation in speculative fiction allows LGBTQIA+ readers to see themselves reflected in worlds where they are not only included as a “token,” but thrive as heroes, adventurers, and complex characters. By weaving the queer community’s unique experiences into speculative narratives, authors also create space for that community in the hearts of anyone who reads their books.
Sci-fi and fantasy have also offered a lens to explore “otherness” for many generations of readers. Think of it this way— if a character is traveling to a distant planet or a forbidden forest, it makes perfect sense that they encounter people, creatures, and settings that are different from them. This makes gripping stories like space operas or epic hero journeys the perfect packages for rich, nuanced stories about gender identity, love, and belonging. In these narratives, the reader follows characters as they explore important truths about themselves and the “others” around them.
Fantasy also has the unique feature of being the most beloved genre for young readers. Since well before pen was put to paper, we have been using “fairy tales” to teach important lessons to our children and to preserve our regional heritage. Including LGBTQIA+ family units, milestones, and struggles in these stories is extremely empowering and validating to a young reader who belongs to that community or loves someone who does. It puts in their minds early on that they belong and are a part of something bigger than themselves.
Now, that is what we call an important lesson!
Read on to explore our collection of LGBTQIA+ science fiction and fantasy audiobooks. Each exciting narrative below features a diverse mix of authors, narrators, and characters who take queer stories and make them even more out-of-this-world!
| New to the speculative game? Check out our beginner’s picks for science fiction and fantasy audiobooks!
The Sapling Cage
Written by Margaret Killjoy, narrated by Jackie Meloche
In the gripping first novel in the Daughters of the Empty Throne trilogy, author Margaret Killjoy spins a tale of earth magic, power struggle, and self-invention in an own-voices story of trans witchcraft.
Lorel has always dreamed of becoming a witch—learning magic, fighting monsters, and exploring the world beyond the small town where she and her mother run the stables. Even though a strange plague is killing the trees in the Kingdom of Cekon and witches are being blamed for it, Lorel wants nothing more than to join them.
There’s only one problem: all witches are women, and she was born a boy.
Countess
Written by Suzan Palumbo, narrated by Chanté McCormick
A queer Caribbean anti-colonial Count of Monte Cristo set in space in which a betrayed captain seeks revenge on the interplanetary empire that subjugated her people for generations.
Virika Sameroo lives in colonized space under the Æerbot Empire, much like her ancestors before her in the British West Indies. After years of working hard to rise through the ranks of the empire’s merchant marine, she’s finally become first lieutenant on an interstellar cargo vessel.
But when her captain dies under suspicious circumstances, Virika’s loyalty is forgotten, and she’s arrested for murder and charged with treason.
The Warden
Written by Daniel M. Ford, narrated by Lindsey Dorcus
800 miles between your local necromancer and a glass of wine…
There was a plan.
She had the money, the connections, even the brains. It was simple: become one of the only female necromancers, earn as many degrees as possible, get a post in one of the grand cities, then prove she’s capable of greatness. The funny thing about plans is that they are seldom under your control.
Now Aelis de Lenti, a daughter of a noble house and recent graduate of the esteemed Magisters’ Lyceum, finds herself in the far-removed village of Lone Pine. Mending fences, matching wits with goats, and serving people who want nothing to do with her. But, not all is well in Lone Pine, and as the villagers Aelis is reluctantly getting to know start to behave strangely, Aelis begins to suspect that there is far greater need for a Warden of her talents than she previously thought.
For fans who have always wanted their Twin Peaks to have some wizards, The Warden is a non-stop action adventure story that continues in Necrobane, releasing 10/29.
Keepers of the Stones and Stars
Written by Michael Barakiva, narrated by Stephen Bel Davies and Frankie Corzo
This original young-adult fantasy adventure combines the modern voice of Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On series with the complex magic of The Magicians and a queer multiracial cast.
Reed is leading his best life: he’s just kissed the boy of his dreams, his band is finally taking off, and he’s a shoo-in to getting elected as next year’s Student Council president. But he’s ready to give it all up when his suspiciously aristocratic guidance counselor tells him he has been chosen to go on the adventure of a lifetime.
Because Reed is the first of five Stone Bearers to be chosen by magical gems and granted their powers. All he has to do is unite all five and lead them to seal a portal that will release an onslaught of uncontrollable chaotic magical energies and destroy the world as we know it. How hard could that be?
Ocean’s Godori
Written by Laura Shepperson, narrated by Frances Butt
Becky Chambers meets Firefly in this big-hearted Korean space opera debut about a disgraced space pilot struggling to find her place while fighting to protect the people she loves.
“A thrilling, transportive ride from a powerful and evocative new voice.”—Lena Waithe, Rishi Rajani, and Naomi Funabashi, Hillman Grad Books
Ocean Yoon has never felt very Korean, even if she is descended from a long line of haenyeo, Jeju Island’s beloved female divers. She doesn’t like soju, constantly misses cultural references, and despite her love of the game, people still say that she doesn’t play Hwatu like a Korean. Ocean’s also persona non grata at the Alliance, Korea’s solar system-dominating space agency, since a mission went awry and she earned a reputation for being a little too quick with her gun.
When her best friend, Teo, second son of the Anand Tech empire, is framed for murdering his family, Ocean and her misfit crewmates are pushed to the forefront of a high-stakes ideological conflict. But dodging bullets and winning space chases may be the easiest part of what comes next.
Feed Them Silence
Written by Lee Mandelo, narrated by Natalie Naudus
“The audiobook is exceptionally narrated by Natalie Naudus, who flawlessly conveys the growing feeling of unease as Sean becomes one with the wolf’s mind.” – Erin Cataldi, Library Journal
What does it mean to be-in-kind with a nonhuman animal? Or, in Dr. Sean Kell-Luddon’s case, to be in-kind with one of the last remaining wild wolves? Using a neurological interface to translate her animal subject’s perception through her own mind, Sean intends to chase both her scientific curiosity and her secret, lifelong desire to experience the intimacy and freedom of wolfishness: to see the world through animal eyes; smell the forest, thick with olfactory messages; even taste the blood and viscera of a fresh kill; and, above all, to feel the belonging of the pack.
Heirs of Bone and Sea
Written by Kay Adams, narrated by Catherine Ho and Hayden Bishop
Fall in love with a powerful princess and feisty young queen masquerading as a pirate captain as they form an uneasy alliance to end the war between their kingdoms.
Climb the tower. Kill the princess.
Evhen, princess—no, queen—of Vodaeard, is on a revenge mission. After witnessing her parents’ brutal murder by the king of Marama and the horror of his undead army, she’s vowed to kill his daughter.
Stay alive. Break the curse.
Princess Kalei of Marama is moon-blessed, allowing her to resurrect her kingdom’s loyal subjects. But when she’s attacked in her safe lighthouse by a fiery pirate, her worldview is shattered once she learns what her power is really being used for.
HIM
Written and narrated by Geoff Ryman
In the village of Nazareth, virgin Maryam and the wife of Yosef barLevi gives birth to a miracle: a little girl. She is named Avigayil, after her grandmother.
But as Avigayil grows, it’s clear she believes that she is destined to be someone greater than just the daughter of Maryam. From leading a gang of village boys to challenging the priests in the temple, Avigayil is determined to find her way as Yeshu, a man.
Yeshu can work miracles. He can see futures. He can speak for God.
This long-awaited book from multi-award winner Geoff Ryman is a gripping and thoughtful sci-fi novel about identity, divinity, and alternate reality—the story of the son of God.
Ruinsong
Written by Julia Ember, narrated by Lauren Ezzo
In a world where magic is sung, a powerful mage named Cadence has been forced to torture her country’s disgraced nobility at her ruthless queen’s bidding.
But when she is reunited with her childhood friend, a noblewoman with ties to the underground rebellion, she must finally make a choice: Take a stand to free their country from oppression, or follow in the queen’s footsteps and become a monster herself.
Looking for more LGBTQIA+ audiobook recs? Check out this blog and this one too!
