Book Recs: Bi/Pan Adult Fantasy (II)

Penultimate of the adult fantasy rec lists now: yes, today I’m coming your way with 10 adult fantasy recs featuring bi/pan main characters. Alright, so you’ll probably start to notice a pattern (or a few authors in common) across the 7 lists. So sue me! When it’s good, it’s good! Anyway, as ever, I hope you find something here that catches your eye & make sure to check back in next month for the final list.

And hey, a lot of these titles are available on the artist formerly known as Scribd, so if you want to check out that service but don’t have an account yet, use my invite code to get 2 months for free! (This also gives me one free month.)

You can find the previous posts here, along with the part twos, as I post them:

Lesbian (I) | Gay (I) | Bi/Pan (I) | Trans (I)

Lesbian (II) | Gay (II) | Trans (II)

Luck in the Shadows

Lynn Flewelling
Goodreads
Rep: bi mcs

Why Should I Read It?

Opening up this list with a classic (yes, it’s from the 70s-90s, yes, I know I’m predictable. I never got to do that 70s-90s LGBT SFF rec list I wanted to do, so this is what you’re stuck with). If you haven’t heard of the Nightrunner series, well it’s basically you’re classic kind of fantasy spies, rebels, rogues type book, until it’s not and things get weird. But don’t just take my word for it, dive into the first book and check it out for yourself!

Into the Broken Lands

Tanya Huff
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc, gay mc, achillean li

Why Should I Read It?

Another favourite fantasy author now, and one you should recognise the name of from previous lists (haha). Into the Broken Lands is so so good and so so underrated. Think fantasy road-trips into dangerous magical lands, a disparate group of travellers forced to work together, corruption arcs, evil creatures: I defy you to tell me it’s not all you might want from a fantasy novel.

Silverglass

J. F. Rivkin
Goodreads
Rep: bi mcs

Why Should I Read It?

Am I saying this book/series is objectively good? No, absolutely not. I mean, look at the size of them tits on the cover. This is not high art, it’s pulpy and wild and full of sex, but above all it’s a lot of fun. Stick this one on as an audiobook and let yourself be entertained, trust me.

Notorious Sorcerer

Davinia Evans
Goodreads
Rep: bi/pan mcs, achillean mc, nonbinary side character

Why Should I Read It?

Possibly one of my favourite series of the past few years — the final book, by the by, is out at the start of next month — and honestly one not to be missed. The worldbuilding alone is like sitting down to the most sumptious feast, and that’s only a fraction of what’s in it. Less than 1.5k ratings on Goodreads is a TRAVESTY. Please fix it.

The Tainted Cup

Robert Jackson Bennett
Goodreads
Rep: dyslexic bi mc, achillean li
CWs: gore, body horror

Why Should I Read It?

Robert Jackson Bennett, I have said multiple times, is one of the most creative fantasy writers around at the minute. Each of his worlds is so different, so incredibly detailed and compelling, and the plots he comes up with? Never has an author so successfully sucked me into each and every book he’s written. I’ve just got my hands on an ARC of the sequel to this one and I’m quite literally vibrating with excitement. If you enjoy fantasy mysteries, you won’t want to miss this!

The Dancers of Arun

Elizabeth A. Lynn
Goodreads
Rep: amputee bi mc, bi characters
CWs: incest

Why Should I Read It?

I would forgive anyone who saw the CWs on this one and said no thanks. We are, after all, talking a world in which incest is okay, there is no taboo here. The central romance is partly between two brothers. By which I’ve probably put a lot of people off immediately, but if I haven’t, then listen. This is a great book in a great series and some of the best, in my opinion, that 70s fantasy has to offer.

Blackheart Knights

Laure Eve
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc

Why Should I Read It?

Think Arthuriana but in an Arcane vibes sort of way* where knights ride motorbikes, magic is a heady kind of violence, and deep down in its depths, a girl with a secret trains for vengeance. Honestly, this one will suck you in and absorb you completely if you let it. You’ll come out of it wanting to dive straight back in, trust me.

*Lil disclaimer: this is based mostly on screengrabs I’ve seen of the show, so vibes solely in a worldbuilding sense.

Gutter Mage

J. S. Kelley
Goodreads
Rep: bi mcs

Why Should I Read It?

Wanting your fantasy with a side of fast-paced noir-esque mystery? Then Gutter Mage is for you! This is a book you can absolutely devour, one which will have you on the edge of your seat for the entire few hundred pages. And, as ever, one that will leave you wanting more.

The Drowning Eyes

Emily Foster
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc
CWs: casual homophobia, descriptions of gore

Why Should I Read It?

For the novella fans out there, if you’re looking for books to complete your Goodreads’ challenge this year, then The Drowning Eyes should be your next read. Like all the best novellas, it gives you a quick glimpse of a world brought vibrantly to life, one that you’ll absolutely want to read a full length novel in. This novella is about a quest to return stolen magic and it’s the perfect way to spend an evening.

The Final Strife

Saara el-Arifi
Goodreads
Rep: bi/pan mc, sapphic mc
CWs: gore, violence, child abuse

Why Should I Read It?

Another series here that has recently concluded, so it’s the perfect time to get into it. In this, we have a world where individuals are classed based on the colour of their blood. Years before the start of this book, a group kidnapped a bunch of higher caste children to raise them to have sympathies for the lower castes. In theory, because this is a society that chooses its leaders on the strengths of a series of trials, those children would win those and take their place as leaders. Obviously, this plan failed, leaving only one survivor (drum roll, please), our main character! Who is, quite frankly, a mess. And all of this should be proving to you that this really ought to be your next read.

What would you rec?

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