7 Favourite Sapphic Fantasy Books
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Hello, book lovers! NotesOnDawn here, and I’m thrilled to be back on MsBrowns, our family’s little corner of the internet dedicated to all things literary.
Today, I want to talk about a genre that has absolutely captured my heart and, let's be honest, completely taken over my reading shelf: Sapphic Fantasy.
There's something uniquely powerful about reading fantasy—a genre of limitless possibility—that finally and fully embraces female-centric stories and queer relationships. For so long, these stories were relegated to subtext, but now? We are living in a golden age. We have epics, we have cosy-as-a-cuppa reads, we have historical deep-dives, and we have gritty, god-slaying adventures.
As a reviewer, it's vital to bring my full self to my analysis, and my experience with these books has been transformative. They represent the kind of worlds I want to live in (well, some of them!) and the kind of heroes I want to root for.
So, I’ve pulled together some of my absolute favourite recent reads. This is my list, my notes, and my heart. Let's dive in.
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🍊 The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
My note: The bible of sapphic fantasy.
If you ask anyone for a sapphic fantasy recommendation, this is almost always the first book that comes up, and for magnificent reason. I call it "the bible" not just because of its impressive 800-page heft, but because it truly feels like a foundational text for the modern genre.
What Samantha Shannon does here is nothing short of world-building mastery. She weaves together a complex tapestry of queendoms, religions, and dragon-lore split between the "virtuous" West (which fears dragons) and the "heathen" East (which worships them).
Our two main heroines are on opposite sides of this divide. Ead Duryan is a mage of the Priory, sent in secret to the West to protect Queen Sabran, who must bear an heir to keep the monstrous, dragon-like 'Nameless One' at bay. The catch? Ead’s true loyalties are to her own order, and Sabran’s court is a viper's nest of assassination plots.
The relationship between Ead and Sabran is the beating heart of this epic. It’s a slow-burn, forbidden romance built on loyalty, respect, and the gradual unburdening of secrets. This isn't a side plot. It is not a token inclusion. Their relationship is the central axis upon which the political and magical fate of the world turns.
It’s a book that proves, without a shadow of a doubt, that epic high fantasy can have a queer romance as its main event. It’s dense, it’s rich, and I felt a genuine sense of loss when I turned the final page.
🌱 The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
My note: I am just obsessed with this series.
If Priory is the foundational bible, The Jasmine Throne is the thrilling new testament. This is the first book in The Burning Kingdoms series, and my obsession is, frankly, getting out of hand. Tasha Suri has crafted a world inspired by the history and legends of India, and it is brutal, beautiful, and breathtakingly original.
This is a story of quiet, simmering rage and the women who wield it. We have Princess Malini, imprisoned by her tyrannical brother in a decaying temple called the Hirana. Left to die, she is sharpening her mind into a weapon. Then we have Priya, a local maidservant who comes to care for the princess. Priya, however, is not what she seems; she has a secret, dangerous connection to the temple’s past and the magical, rot-like disease that plagues the land.
The relationship here is a masterclass in slow-burn, enemies-to-allies-to... well, you just have to read it. The power dynamic is constantly shifting. They are two women who have been stripped of everything, finding power first in themselves, and then in each other.
What makes me "obsessed" is the political intricacy. This is a book about rebellion, colonialism, and the cost of power. The magic is terrifying, the world is unforgiving, and the sapphic romance at its centre feels less like a fluffy comfort and more like two forces of nature colliding. I cannot recommend this series enough.
🗡️ She Who Became The Sun by Shelly-Parker Chan
My note: Historical fantasy, just perfect.
I used the word "perfect" in my notes, and I stand by it. This book is a masterpiece. It’s a bold, brilliant reimagining of the founding of the Ming dynasty, and it explores gender, fate, and ambition in a way that left me truly breathless.
This isn't a story about a girl dressing as a boy to save her family. This is the story of a girl so desperate to escape her fated "nothingness" that she steals her dead brother’s identity and, with it, his destiny of "greatness." The protagonist, Zhu, is one of the most compelling characters I have ever read. She is driven, morally grey, and utterly ruthless in her quest to survive and matter.
The book’s exploration of queerness is profound. It’s not just about who you love, but who you are. Zhu's struggle with her stolen gender identity is central to her character. She isn't a woman playing a part; she becomes something new, something that transcends the binary she was born into.
The romance is equally complex, involving Zhu and a beautiful, intelligent woman named Ma, who sees Zhu for who she truly is. But it also features one of the most complex and heart-wrenching queer male relationships I’ve ever read, between the opposing general (a eunuch) and his lord.
This is not a light read, but it is flawless. The prose is sharp, the historical detail is immaculate, and the emotional punches land every single time. "Perfect" is the only word for it.
🔖 Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
My note: Intense themes in a beautiful and moving way.
Now, I must pause and add a significant content warning to this one. Girls of Paper and Fire deals with sexual slavery, violence, and trauma. It is an "intense" read!!
But, as my note says, Natasha Ngan handles these devastating themes with such a "beautiful and moving" hand that the story never feels exploitative. Instead, it feels like an act of defiance.
The story follows Lei, a girl from the "Paper" caste, the lowest in the land. She is stolen from her family and forced to become a "Paper Girl," one of the king’s concubines. In the opulent, gilded prison of the palace, she meets Wren, another Paper Girl who is all sharp edges and hidden secrets.
The romance that blooms between Lei and Wren is the definition of a light in the darkness. It is soft, tentative, and achingly beautiful. In a world designed to break them, their love is not just a comfort; it is an act of rebellion. It is them reclaiming their bodies, their hearts, and their agency.
This is a YA fantasy, but it hits with the emotional weight of an adult epic. It’s a story about survival, about finding your voice, and about the power of women standing together. It broke my heart and then put it back together, stronger.
🦌 Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
My note: She is so cool and the character development is brilliant.
Sometimes you just want a book with a main character who is, as I so eloquently put it, "so cool." Kissen from Godkiller is exactly that. She’s a grizzled, cynical, one-of-a-kind godkiller in a world where the gods have been outlawed. She’s got the requisite tragic backstory, the sharp wit, and the exhaustion of a veteran who has seen too much. I loved her instantly.
This book is a fantastic example of character-driven fantasy. Kissen is forced on a quest with a strange trio: a young noble girl, Inara, who is secretly bonded to a god; and a knight, Elogast, who is one of the last people Kissen would ever want to travel with.
The "brilliant character development" I noted isn't just for Kissen. It's for the whole group. This is a "found family" story, and watching these disparate, broken people slowly learn to trust each other is incredibly satisfying.
The sapphic element is baked into Kissen’s character and past. It’s not the focus of the plot in this first book, but it's central to her identity, which is a refreshing and realistic way to handle it. The world is gritty, the gods are terrifying, and the adventure is top-notch. It’s a fantastic start to a series.
🌊 A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
My note: Cosy fantasy, beautiful relationships.
After all that epicness and intensity, you need a break. This is where the "cosy" subgenre comes in, and A... Sweet Sting of Salt is a perfect example. It's like a warm, salty breeze on a summer evening.
The story is set in an isolated, atmospheric coastal village, where Rowan is studying to be a "salt-wytch," a person who can work magic from the sea. The village is deeply suspicious of outsiders, so when a mysterious, beautiful woman named Perdita is shipwrecked, tensions rise.
Rowan is drawn to Perdita, and the relationship that builds between them is just... lovely. That’s the "beautiful" part. It’s gentle, it's curious, and it’s full of that longing and discovery that makes a new romance so compelling.
But the "relationships" part of my note isn't just about the romance. It’s about Rowan’s bond with her mother, her complicated feelings about her village, and the community she lives in. It’s an atmospheric, folk-magic tale that focuses on healing, community, and the sea. If you want a book to curl up with, this is it.
📜 Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
My note: Summery cozy fantasy.
Speaking of cosy, let's talk about the other kind. Travis Baldree basically defined the modern "cosy fantasy" genre with Legends & Lattes, and this prequel, Bookshops & Bonedust, is just as wonderful.
This is the story of Viv, the orc-warrior from the first book, when she was much younger and much... grumpier. After being injured on a quest, she’s forced to recuperate in the sleepy (and slightly damp) seaside town of Murk. She’s bored, restless, and wants to be hitting things.
Then she discovers a failing bookshop run by a foul-mouthed, heart-of-gold proprietor. The "summery" vibe comes from this setting. Viv’s journey is not about slaying a dragon; it's about discovering that strength isn't just about fighting. It’s about finding community, learning to read (for pleasure!), and drinking an alarming amount of coffee.
The sapphic romance is with Satchel, a stoic dwarven mercenary-turned-baker, and it is perfectly in-tune with the book's vibe. It’s mature, it's quiet, and it's built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared experience. It’s the perfect book for a rainy day.
My Final Thoughts
From the grand halls of Priory to the quiet shores of A Sweet Sting of Salt, the world of sapphic fantasy is wide and wonderful. It contains multitudes. It can be a world-saving epic or a quiet story about finding your place.
What links all these books, for me, is a sense of truth. They are stories that reflect a reality that has always existed, now finally getting its moment in the fantastical sun.
This is just a fraction of my shelf. The journey is far from over. What are your favourite sapphic fantasy reads? Let me know in the comments over on the main MsBrowns site!
Keep reading, NotesOnDawn
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