￩ Back to the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books With Disability Masterlist // Character with Disability: Supporting 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.

Book Cover - Ascendant by Michael R. Miller

Ascendant by Michael R. Miller

Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: ,
Character w/ Disability:

Disability:

Is It Cured or Paranormal?: ,

Notes: From the submitter: The protagonist is bonded to a blind dragon which he saves from death. His blindness is not healed through Book 4, and I would be surprised if that changes since that is key to the plot. That said, magic does enable him to share his rider's vision under certain circumstances, just like his rider is able to use his heightened hearing.

Book Cover - The King’s Captive by K. M. Shea

The King’s Captive by K. M. Shea

Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: ,
Character w/ Disability:

Disability:

Is It Cured or Paranormal?: ,

Notes: From the submitter: This series features a blind vampire as a side-character throughout the whole trilogy. His blindness is never healed; however, because of his vampiric senses, he has several workarounds that a normal human would not have. That said, the description of his blindness is extremely accurate. He uses a liquid level indicator when pouring blood into a cup to alert him when the cup is full, his friends guide him with an elbow in the same way that my own family and friends do when using a cane is not an option, and he even uses his werewolf friend as a sight dog. The heroine even observes that he appreciates textured fabrics, something I relate to keenly.

Book Cover - Cosmic Witch by Kathryn Rossati

Cosmic Witch by Kathryn Rossati

Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: ,
Character w/ Disability: ,

Disability: , , ,

Is It Cured or Paranormal?: ,

Notes: A side protagonist has chronic pain and hypermobility, while the main protagonist has a limb difference due to an accident set prior to the story (amputated lower left arm). The character with hypermobility uses a walking stick, and the one with a limb difference uses a magically-powered prosthetic limb, which slightly limits her own magic capabilities. She also has PTSD from her accident. Another side character has anxiety. None get cured or magically healed.

Book Cover - Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses by Kristen O’Neal

Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses by Kristen O’Neal

Goodreads | Amazon
Genre: ,
Character w/ Disability: ,

Disability: , , , , , , ,

Is It Cured or Paranormal?:

Notes: Lyme disease. Side characters with endometriosis, undiagnosed coeliac's (spoiler), cerebral palsy, Ehlers-Danlos, fibromyalgia and anxiety, migraines and aphasia, depression, and lycanthropy. Lycanthropy is paranormal the rest aren't.