Yaoi/Yuri Reading List

Yaoi is the anime term for male/male relationships. Yuri is the term for female/female relationships. We're borrowing the terms because we think they sound nicer than other options. This is a list of English books, mostly sf/f, that contain a yaoi or yuri relationship that, while may not be featured prominently, isn't a little bit part either. A few may contain a gay character who never gets involved with anyone, but we thought it should be included anyway. Threesomes, foursomes, and other unusual groupings also appear here.

These are only books we've read and found to be fairly decent. Feel free to suggest some, but be aware we won't include anything unless/until we've read it.

There may or may not be sex scenes, and the characters may be gay, straight, bi, whatever. Don't assume anything!

Note: Knowing the characters will eventually hook up may spoil some of the impact of the book for you.

Yaoi

Dragon's Winter - Elizabeth A. Lynn

This is first of a promised trilogy. This is about twin sons of a dragon-lord, only one of whom inherited the changeling nature from his father. His lover is a male singer. A lot of the names are Japanese or Japanese-sounding and the author is a martial arts teacher, so otaku should especially find this to their liking.

For Better or For Worse - Lynn Johnston

Not sf/f, but as a mainstream comic strip which had one of its characters (who had been recurring from about age 8) come out as gay, it deserves a mention.

Jaran (Series) - Kate Elliott

Intertwined with other plots, one man's unceasing infatuation with his former (male) lover causes a large number of problems.

The Last Herald-Mage Series - Mercedes Lackey

A young man angsts about being gay, among other things, and eventually finds himself a partner. This fantasy series, and other books set in the same world, also includes a couple other yaoi pairings.

Nightrunner Series - Lynn Flewelling

A spy/thief and his apprentice have a relationship that grows and evolves over the course of this series. It takes a certain amount of patience to read through these books if that's the reason you're reading them. Kiss 'im already! This is a fantasy series.

The Still - David Feintuch

In order to ascend the throne, the prince has to remain a virgin. Fortunately, having fun with his best friend doesn't count. This is a fantasy novel.

Wizardry Series - Diane Duane

Two kids become wizards and are mentored (sorta) by a cute gay couple. This is a real world fantasy series.

Yuri

Darkangel Trilogy - Meredith Ann Pierce

A young slave girl's mission to avenge the kidnapping of her mistress turns into a greater quest to resuscitate a dying world.

Lythande - Marion Zimmer Bradley (Out of Print)

A wandering wizard carries on a secret affair. This is a collection of short stories set in a fantasy world.

Vows and Honor Series - Mercedes Lackey

Two chicks wander around together and fight stuff. Think Xena and Gabrielle. This is a fantasy series.

Yaoi and Yuri

Claudine Series - Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette

Chronicles the life of Claudine, who grows from schoolgirl to middle-aged matron in the course of 4 books. Considered racy in its time, the relationships in the series run nearly the full spectrum of possibilities.

Threesomes/Foursomes/Etc

Claudine Series - Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette

Chronicles the life of Claudine, who grows from schoolgirl to middle-aged matron in the course of 4 books. Considered racy in its time, the relationships in the series run nearly the full spectrum of possibilities.

The Glass Dragon - Irene Radford

While on a quest to rescue the disappearing dragon race, an outcast witch, a young magician and an enchanted prince discover other mutual interests.

Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley

Guenivere, Arthur and Lancelot finally get a chance to try a real love triangle.

Starfarers Series - Vonda McIntyre (Out of Print)

A legal marriage of three people (used to be four), all living on a space colonyship. The series is about the colonyship leaving Earth, coping with sabotage, and making first contact. The people in the marriage are not the main character, but they're nearly main characters.

Star Trek: New Frontier - Peter David

A true hermaphrodite has fun with a female crewmember and a male crewmember. Concurrently, but not all together (yet). It's an ongoing storyline in this series, so keep reading! If you don't know this is science fiction, you need to get out more.

Outside Links

Alternate Sexualities in Science Fiction and Fantasy Booklist

This is a huuuge list of novels, short stories, and anthologies. It's difficult to know what's good on it, so if you have a good library, you might use that instead of buying the books. Be warned, there's some bizarre things on this list.

Eros Bookstore

One of our readers, Rowen, pointed us to this page. It's a short list of yaoi novels. It includes classics such as Lackey's Herald-Mage Series, as well as a few lesser-known gems.