Sci-fi has never been my favorite genre to read but lately I have had the pleasure of reading a few fantastic sapphic sci-fi novels and I am excited to share them with you.
1. The Black Hole Saga by JA Gaudio is a trilogy with an additional prequel novella. The blurb for The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter, the first in the series, gives a thorough overview of the plot and piqued my attention. However, it could not have prepared me for the gamut of emotions I felt when completely enveloped in this world. I have said that I am not much for sci-fi space stories, but some are just that good. Despite this novel being around 400 pages, it was clean, tight, and engaging from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down. Read my full review here: The Fleet Admiral’s Daughter. Be sure to check out The Lost Captain and Captain Commander as well.
2. Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth by Gwenhyver is a standalone that exists within the same world as the author’s previous series Jasyn and the Astronauts. Oh, my goodness, where do I even start?! Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth is an epic sci-fi adventure and sapphic romance featuring sword-wielding lesbians, an evil princess, a death maze in space, an overzealous “hero,” a driven monster hunter, and an extraordinarily complex “beast.” Dysfunctional childhoods, mental and physical traumas, nasty villains, and language barriers challenge our protagonists as they struggle to communicate and make sense of the situation they’ve found themselves in. The blurb effectively describes the plot while leaving us to discover the exciting twists and turns as we navigate the labyrinth. Read my full review here: Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth.
3. The Sword of the Queen by Jasmin Joachims includes two novels and a prequel novella. Despite Duty is a well-written science fiction series starter with a lesbian lead. Our captain, Elia Salazar, is operating as a pirate but is on a secret mission from her queen to locate a terrorist. Her unwitting crew has her back despite learning that some things are not as they seem. I am not science-minded, but Joachims does a great job creating an engaging story with solid world-building, what seems like sound science and tech, an exciting, action-packed, suspenseful plot, and diverse characters, and I was easily immersed. Read my full review here: Despite Duty and be sure to catch the second book Despite Doubt as well.
4. The Biokin Chronicles by Spencer Rose is a four-novella series with a couple of additional novellas set in the same world. Each of the four books do not stand alone and must be read in order. Naive Biokin Addison has turned sixteen and embarked on her customary pilgrimage off world. Biokins can connect with and understand plants, and they grow up in the forest honing their skill. Addison ends up with space-wise Mila for a pilot to transport her to her first job. The two come in contact with the shady agribusiness called Evo. The protagonists grow over the series and their relationship matures. Read my full review here: Sapling’s Orbit and don’t miss the follow up books Sapling’s Aurora, Sapling’s Depths, and Sapling’s Rising.
5. Wastelands by Samira Lloyd is the first book in the Parched Earth Trilogy. At this time the other books have not been published. I wasn’t planning to include specifically dystopian novels in this list, but this one includes a lot of futuristic technology giving me a stronger sci-fi feeling about it. This dystopian series is set on Earth after its decimation by human activity. There is no more green, or so they are told. Humans are relegated to living in domes to survive. Of course, there is still a hierarchy of haves and have-nots and a strict set of laws to keep the masses in check. Folks who are “askew,” read “queer,” are sent for delineation, and “aberrations,” or powered humans, are exterminated, and anyone who breaks the rules will be banished. I love the depth of the characters, the relationships, the social system, and the spark of hope found along the way. It does include a slow-burn sapphic subplot that feels very organic. Read my full review here: Wastelands.
These are wonderful sapphic stories written by queer indie authors. I hope you will give them a try and spread the word. Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoy them. It’s really the least we can do to support their hard work in bringing us quality entertainment and visibility. Representation matters. Read on!
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