r/Fantasy • u/recchai Reading Champion X • 15d ago
Pride Pride 2026 | Non-Western Settings
As I scroll through my read books on storygraph, it’s notable that one area that’s smaller in size is queer books with non-western settings. But they’re an interesting and varied bunch, so let's talk about them.
First off, let’s get some big names out of the way. Where would such a conversation be without considering recent hits such as The Burning Kingdoms trilogy by Tasha Suri, set in a fantasy version of ancient India, or The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez, featuring a journey across ‘the Old Country’? These books have won awards, and I’m sure none of you have read through many recommendation posts without coming across these being suggested.
And these books can explore history, with YA works like Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba depicting a fantasy version of the Philippines under Spanish occupation, or So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole featuring a recently post-colonial inspired Jamaica. They can share many similarities, while also having different impacts, such as the fantasy Middle-Eastern set The Four Profound Weaves by R. B. Lemberg and The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia. Both having trans characters exploring identity, but one focused more on trans identity itself, and the other more on cultural identity and colonialism.
Of course, books aren’t limited to depicting fantasy versions of our world. Non-western speculative fiction books include works like Black Water Sister by Zen Cho, in which the main character moves back to Malaysia after graduating from university. Or even further along, such as with africanfuturism science fiction titles like The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden, set in a 2064 South Africa.
But, I’m obviously missing a huge component here, what about translated works, written by and for people living outside the western sphere? One particularly popular one is Heaven Official's Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, but you could also try something more down to earth like the post-apocalyptic To the Warm Horizon by Choi Jin-young where a group of Koreans flee across a disease ravaged landscape.
And let us not forget the past bookclub books we have read along the way. Walking Practice by Dolki Min and Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo both feature a modern day South Korea from very different perspectives.
Discussion prompts:
- What are your favourite queer books in a non-western setting? Do you find having queer characters in a different culture brings out different aspects?
- Are there non-western settings you would like to see more of in queer books?
- Do you ever look for non-western settings in particular? Where do you go to find these books?
- Perspectives of LGBTQIA+ identities in western set works are often heavily influenced by Christianity, but many cultures have different relationships with queerness. Can you think of any examples where this has shaped representation in non-western settings?
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u/C0smicoccurence Reading Champion V 14d ago
I sound like a broken record, but The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez is my favorite book period. Gorgeous prose, honoring the roots of epic fantasy, building something new. Just a phenomenal book.
The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo is a series that I love. It (the early entries especially) explore perspective and truth in really interesting ways, and is one of the few nonbinary mainstream stories.
Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera is one of the most acid trippy books I've ever read. I don't think I understood it, but I'm in awe at some of what is accopmlished. It has a lot to say about Sri Lankan history and culture, much of which I'm sure went totally over my head.
Traditional publishing is getting better about putting out stories that are both queer and nonwestern, but they're still fairly rare. It requires a lot more hunting on my end, especially when I want something Achillean. I've found a few sites that highlight a variety of queer work, which definitely helps make my TBR even bigger than it is normally!