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

More Gay Space Books

Book Recs: 10 Lesser-Known Gay Space Books to Check Out