Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Goodreads | AmazonGenre: LGBT, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult
Character w/ Disability: Protagonist or Main Character
Disability: Limp / Cane / Mobility
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: No
Notes: Mobiliy (foot binding)
← Back to the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books With Disability Masterlist // Character with Disability: Protagonist or Main Character
Representation of physical disabilities is hard to find, especially in sci-fi/fantasy, so my goal is to make a list containing as many sci-fi/fantasy books with physically disabled and chronically ill characters as possible.
List below can be filtered by genre, character, or disability. You can also check this list of all disability tags. If you’re looking for a specific book, it should come up if you use the blog search in the sidebar.
Since I have not read all of these books myself, I cannot guarantee that all the information is correct. I also cannot promise that these books have good representation of disability. If you find incorrect info, if I’ve used incorrect language, etc., feel free to email me to let me know!
If multiple books in a series are about the same character and the same disabilities (i.e. no changes), I only include one entry in the list.
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Submitting Books:
Because of my own disabilities, I can’t promise if/when I’ll get around to adding submitted books, but if you would like to let me know of a book, email metaphorsandmoonlight (at) gmail (dot) com. Include what info you can about 1) what disabilities*, 2) which characters (main, side, love interest), 3) if it’s a spoiler, and 4) if it’s cured or magically fixed. All should be sci-fi/fantasy, but let me know if it’s also YA, MG, children’s, LGBT+, graphic novel, or anthology.
*I’m only adding books with physical disabilities and illnesses. There was a time when I thought I might expand it, but I don’t think that will happen now. If a book has physical and other disabilities, feel free to mention it.
Disability: Limp / Cane / Mobility
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: No
Notes: Mobiliy (foot binding)
Disability: Missing One Eye / Blindness in One Eye, Scars / Physical Differences
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: No
Notes: One eye, facial scarring.
Disability: SPOILER, SPOILER - Brain Injury, SPOILER - limp/cane/mobility
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: Unknown
Disability: Diabetes
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: No
Notes: Type 1 diabetes
Disability: Limp / Cane / Mobility, Scars / Physical Differences
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: No
Notes: physical/mobility - leg injury and scars
Disability: Albinism, Diabetes, Low Vision / Visual Impairment
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: Unknown
Notes: Protagonist - albinism, visual impairment. Side characters with albinism and visual impairment, and with diabetes (using insulin pump).
Disability: Limp / Cane / Mobility
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: No
Disability: Epilepsy / Seizures
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: Unknown
Disability: SPOILER, SPOILER - Heart Condition
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: Unknown
Notes: Pacemaker, not revealed until Book 2.
Disability: Amputation / Missing Limb, Limp / Cane / Mobility
Is It Cured or Paranormal?: Unknown
Notes: Amputee, uses crutches