BOOK REVIEWS: Sci-fi is my queer haven

Plus some reading recommendations

In a world full of chaos, there's one thing that keeps me grounded: escapism through queer sci-fi, where gender is fluid and reality isn’t the only thing that’s bent.

I know I’ve been quiet lately. Life has a habit of getting in the way, doesn’t it? This summer has mostly been taken up with a concerted effort to move from Bristol to Sheffield, which has turned out to be much more stressful than expected. Who knew moving 200 miles would be so difficult, right? Right. Estate agents only book viewings a week in advance, houses vanish off the market in a mere matter of days after they’re listed, and ‘just popping over’ for a last-minute viewing isn’t exactly an option. We lost out on two places we really loved, but I am thrilled to say we’ve finally secured one that’s perfect for us (move-in date TBC).

On top of that, we had a family bereavement, and I’ve taken on extra freelance work alongside my job at Cycle Sprog, so “stressful” feels like an understatement. And that’s not even mentioning the state of the world right now.

All of this has had me craving escape more than ever. After a slow summer reading-wise, I’ve plunged back into some truly meaty sci-fi and fantasy, and as a matter of happy accident, I’ve found myself picking up books with queer characters and relationships at the fore.

It’s made me reflect on how science fiction (and fantasy, and speculative fiction) offers such fertile ground for exploring non-heteronormative narratives, and I am here for it, baby.

A quick history of queer sci-fi

We weren’t always so lucky to have such amazing queer representation in mainstream science fiction. In the early 20th century, the genre rarely touched on themes of sexuality, with puritanical editors focusing on a target audience of mostly teenage boys. Then came the ‘60s, when sci-fi and fantasy began to embrace counterculture, driven by societal shifts and the civil rights movement.

By the ‘80s, as queerness gained wider acceptance, LGBTQ+ representation in sci-fi started to flourish. The genre's limitless imaginary worlds became fertile ground for exploring ideas outside the hetero norm, creating societies where gender and sexuality were fluid and not bound by the socio-cultural constraints of ‘real life.’

Things only got better from there, with the rise of gay publishers and awards like the Gaylactic Spectrum and Lambda Literary Award for Speculative Fiction. Now, firmly into the 21st century, queer characters and relationships are a fixture in much of the genre fiction I read, often without even having to look for them. Discovering these LGBTQ+ stories while escaping into other universes has been a lifeline for me, and I’d love to share some of them with you.

Science fiction as a queer haven

Sci-fi, fantasy, and speculative fiction offer the freedom to imagine worlds where heteronormativity, patriarchy, and rigid gender binaries aren’t the default. It’s refreshing to dive into a drama-packed space opera led by queer and/or non-male protagonists, where the dynamics are different, and the possibilities are endless.

Since sci-fi, at its core, is about envisioning alternative realities where countercultures thrive, it’s a treasure trove for queer readers, filled with stories that don’t just represent us, but nurture and celebrate us.

From Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) to Iain M. Banks’ Culture series (1987–2012) and beyond, the genre is filled with works where fluidity in gender and sexuality is normalised. Whether it’s humans changing sex, trans-species relationships, or the casual acceptance of bisexuality and pansexuality, these stories have been formative for me, making non-heteronormative identities a cultural norm.

Queer sci-fi books I’ve loved recently

I’ve already mentioned Ursula K. Le Guin and Iain M. Banks (the latter being my favourite author of all time), but here are some of the books I’ve particularly loved recently that fall within the sci-fi/fantasy/speculative fiction genre and have queer characters and/or relationships at the fore.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, Becky Chambers

I’ve mentioned this in a previous newsletter about queer reads because it’s the ultimate ‘cosy sci-fi.’ If you loved the series Firefly, you’ll adore this tale of a diverse space crew, comprised of multiple species, on a mission to a far-off world. The charm of this first Wayfarers instalment lies in its universe, where humans were late to the intergalactic party and must learn to tolerate and embrace other cultures.

At its heart, this story is about coexisting, and without giving too much away, there’s a sweet queer (and trans-species) romance that I became really invested in.

Gideon the Ninth & Harrow the Ninth, Tamsyn Muir

This series leans more toward horror/fantasy, but with its interplanetary setting it definitely belongs on this list.

While I’ve only read the first two books (Nona the Ninth is waiting on my bookshelf, and Alecto the Ninth is forthcoming), I can’t get enough of Gideon: a tall, red-headed lesbian built like a brick shithouse wielding a two-hander sword and a set of dirty magazines.

Cavalier to the necromancer Harrowhark, Gideon is dispatched to the planet of the First House to undertake a series of tasks and help her companion achieve the fabled ‘Lyctorhood’, and it’s a wild ride with a fantastic cast of characters.

I’m not going to make any comments about romance in this series because it would utterly spoil the experience for you, but it’s an absolute riot (and a bit of a head fuck) that you can re-read multiple times and still get something new from it.

A Memory Called Empire & A Desolation Called Peace, Arkady Martine

This duology is some of the best science fiction I’ve read this year. I tend to write reviews on Goodreads, and could only manage “Wow” after finishing the first instalment. Think Game of Thrones intrigue and political danger, set in space, with lesbians. And that’s not doing it any justice at all.

The story follows Mahit Dzmare, an ambassador sent to the heart of an empire threatening to swallow her stationer homeworld, following the mysterious death of her predecessor.

Martine’s world-building is incredible, steeped in history, culture, and politics. The romance that develops is the cherry on top (no names, no spoilers), while the sequel includes one of the hottest lesbian sex scenes I’ve ever read.

They Both Die At The End, Adam Silvera

Though technically YA and more speculative dystopian than sci-fi, this one deserves a mention. Set in a world where a service alerts people 24 hours before their death, the story follows Mateo and Rufus, two teenage boys who find each other on their last day.

As they spend those final hours tying up loose ends and forming a close connection, we meet other people along the way who also got the notification, and are coping with their impending demise in their own ways.

The book offers a profound exploration of living and dying, the goodbyes we seek, and the amends we make. It’s both heart-warming and heart-wrenching because yes, they really do die at the end, but the journey is so captivating, you’ll want to savour every moment.

Prophet, Helen MacDonald & Sin Blaché

This one’s more of a genre-bending techno thriller, but I loved every second of it. The story follows Sunil, a human lie detector and ex-MI6 agent with addiction issues, and Adam, his reluctant American Intelligence partner, who are once again thrown together to investigate a series of mysterious deaths and objects appearing out of nowhere.

Their relationship is fraught, to say the least. It’s hard to tell if they love or hate each other, and the will-they-won’t-they slow burn is masterfully written.

The thrilling mystery that unfolds, combined with the dynamic between these two infuriating and lovable protagonists, makes for a compelling read I didn’t want to put down.

On my to-read list

In doing a bit of research for this, I’ve come up with a list of other queer sci-fi, fantasy and speculative fiction books that I’m dying to read. If you’ve read (and would recommend) any of them, please leave a comment and let me know!

• Ancillary Justice, Ann Leckie

• This is How You Lose the Time War, Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone

• Light from Uncommon Stars, Ryka Aoki

• The Stars are Legion, Kameron Hurley

• Blackfish City, Sam J. Miller

• An Unkindness of Ghosts, Rivers Solomon

• A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Becky Chambers

• The Space Between Worlds, Micaiah Johnson

• Ninefox Gambit, Yoon Ha Lee

• Pet, Akwaeke Emezi

• The Tensorate series, Neon Yang

• The Luminous Dead, Caitlin Starling

What’s the last book that made you feel truly seen? Is there something missing from my list that you know I’ll love? Do you have anything to add to what I’ve said here? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.