As much as I love lesser-known hidden gem kinda books, I do read popular books too, and sometimes hyped books are in fact worth the hype.
So I am very glad I read these! They’re all fantastic, and some of them are among my absolute favorites. So if you haven’t read them yet, but you like queer books and books set in outer space, consider giving these a try!
*If you’re considering buying any of these books from Amazon US, I’d appreciate it if you use my links! It will help support this blog at no additional cost to you!*
Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
Earth learns about the existence of aliens when they’re forced to participate in a Eurovision-esque contest with all the other sentient alien species. The main character is “a leggy psychedelic ambidextrous omnisexual gendersplat glitterpunk financially punch-drunk ethnically ambitious glamrock messiah,” and I think you’re gonna love him. The story was initially a little slow but very creative, and it started growing on me the further I got, until it reached the most perfect finale I’ve ever read, retroactively making the whole book even better. (This is apparently a series, but I don’t know about the next book yet, and this definitely works as a standalone.)
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Gideon the Ninth (The Locked Tomb Series) by Tamsyn Muir
This series is wild, and I don’t know how to describe it. It starts as a Westing Game-esque clue-filled murder mystery with necromancy and magic on another planet with a lesbian enemies-to-lovers thing, and it only gets weirder from there. You’ll probably be confused, but it’ll probably be worth it in the end when everything is made clear. I’ve only read the first two books so far, so I’m excited for more.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Saga Vol. 1 (Saga Series) by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples
The only graphic novel on my list! A child is born to two beings who are supposed to be on opposite sides of a galactic war, kicking off various events. It’s another hard series to describe because there’s a big cast of characters and a lot going on, but it’s surprisingly not confusing. The art is beautiful, and the characters will have you going on emotional rollercoasters—loving them, hating them, rooting for them, mourning them. It’s not queer-focused, but there are queer characters scattered throughout.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Two men are forced into an arranged marriage for political reasons but end up with genuine feelings while they solve a conspiracy together. The basic plot is not super unique, but the way it’s written, the characters, and their romance are what make this so wonderful. I was so invested in these two. (This is a series, but the books are about different characters with unconnected stories.)
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
Two teen boys who’ve never met are on a rescue mission in space, but something strange is going on, and they start falling for each other while trying to figure it out. This book is much more than that description makes it sound though, so much more than anything you’re expecting, I just have to keep it vague for spoiler reasons. This book broke my heart. It’s heavy, poignant, and beautiful. If you like those things, just trust me and read it.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
I’ve read all of these except The Darkness Outside us, and enjoyed them all. Gideon was very strange and I decided not to continue the series, but I did have fun reading it. Awesome list!
I debated whether to continue with Gideon or not, so I get it, but I was glad I did. Glad you still had some fun with the first book and enjoyed the others on the list too!
Space Opera is one I’ve looked at before, and I’ve wanted to read that author (she has several books that have been kinda callling me).
Yeah I need to try some of her other books!
The only one I have read is Saga, but I definitely need all the others on this list- pretty sure every one is on my TBR, actually, so now I need to get to them ASAP! Glad to know they are deserving of their hype!
You should definitely read the others if you’re at all interested! There’s one I feel like you might especially like, but I don’t want to get your expectations too high, haha.
I remember reading (most of) your reviews for these ones. (You got me thinking, wow, it’s ages since I did a “recap” post of some of my favourite books LOL). I’m including this post in my monthly recap!
It’s always fun to do posts that are just about a bunch of books you love!
I’m not a huge sci=fi reader but Saga was great and I love the Chaos Station series by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen.
I don’t read nearly as much sci-fi as fantasy, but yep those were both great!
I love the Saga series. I need to read the newest volume.
Oh actually by the time I’m commenting this, I think there’s another one out that I need to read too lol.
Saga is an all time favorite and I’m so nervous for the upcoming volume!
It is a wonderful series!
Yeahhh The Darkness Outside Us! I was expecting to find that on your list
Yes it’s so good 😭