Audrey Coulthurst

Putting this here because this seems like something relevant to some folks I know. It’s on my list to read and I will review when I do, but I’m swamped right now with a few other things, so it’ll be a while.

mood boards » Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

“Dennaleia,” Amaranthine said. “Look at me.” The intensity of her gaze made my stomach jump into my throat.

The way she said my name sounded warm. Like home. Like the fire in the hearth and the flush in my cheeks when she drew near.

gay princesses!!!! that should say it all tbh this list doesn’t even need to continue but i will anyways because of how much i love this book

one of the princesses (Denna) is conventional, proper, has been betrothed to a prince since she was a child

the other princess (Mare) is unconventional- loves horses and spends her days in the stables instead of attending to royal duties. super sarcastic and always mouths off, especially to her brother (who is marrying Denna). i love her tbh 

denna falls in love with mare instead of the prince, who she is engaged to!! honestly it’s. classic

slow burn wlw romance that we Deserve

hate to love relationship (or more accurately, hate to friendship to love)

it’s actually written by a woman who is married to another woman!!! (not sure what her sexual orientation is but!)

there’s a scene where denna sees mare in a gown for the first time and it was the cutest shit ever

just a lot of cute fluffy stuff in general scattered through the whole thing

denna’s fire affinity and using fire as a metaphor for how denna feels for mare !!!

the whole “my dress is stuck can you help me unlace it” trope

the scenes where the finally kiss/sleep together are so pure and well written and i felt some type of way, bye

the whole forbidden romance aspect….. having said romance discovered and them being kept away from each other…… meeting in secret……. how could u not want that angsty shit

princesses saving each other!!!

they don’t die at the end

2016 is almost here which brings in a whole new year of books with LGBTQIA+ main characters. This is a short list as these are the books I’ve heard good things from others who identify with the same sexuality or gender. I don’t feel comfortable recommending books I haven’t read, but like I said, all these were highly praised by readers and authors I trust. The good news is a majority of these books are 1) own voices, meaning the author identifies with the sexual orientation and/or gender identity and 2) deal with issues beyond coming out of the closet. I will add to the list as the year goes on. Please feel free to add or correct me if I’ve made a mistake on the list. 

This is Where It Ends  by Marieke Nijkamp  (L) Jan. 5, 2016

We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson (G) Jan. 19

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin (GF) Feb. 2

The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie (L) Feb. 8

My Year Zero by Rachel Gold (L?) March 29

South of Sunshine by Dana Elmendorf (L) April 1

Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson (B) April 5

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo (T) May 3

Jerkbait by Mia Spangler (G) May 3

Bad Boy by Leah Raeder (T/B) May 31

Tumbling by Caela Carter (L) June 7

You Know Me Well by David Levithan and Nina LaCour (L/G) June 7

Look Both Ways by Alison Cherry (B) June 14

As I Descended by Robin Talley  (B/L) September 6 

When The Moon Was Ours  by Anna Marie McLemore (T/B) Oct 4

Georgia Peaches And Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown (L) (Nov 15)

Of Fire And Stars by Audrey Coulthurst (L)