Happy Trans Day of Visibility

I have some genderqueer recs below:

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan. Set in an alternate 14th century China, a girl takes on her late brother’s life and destiny as she attends the monastery as a novice in his place. ‘Desire is the cause of all suffering’, indeed. Genderqueer with a queer relationship.

The Story of Silence by Alex Myers. A medieval retelling by a trans author, this is set shortly after the time of King Arthur, where his descendent decrees that daughters cannot inherit their fathers’ property. Cue Silence, the only child born to Earl Cador. Silence’s parents decide to raise their child as a boy. Silence fights to be allowed to train as a knight, but his guardians try to prevent him from doing so.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi. Follows three women caught in a class-divided society. Sylah, trained as part of a destroyed resistance, lives with the poor blue-blooded faction, Anoor is raised as part of the red-blooded elite, and Hassa is clear-blooded, one of the slaves.

Not fantasy but I love it anyway, A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall features Viola, assumed to have died in the Battle of Waterloo, getting to live as her true self, but she hasn’t quite left her past behind, and it finds her in the form of her old best friend, the Duke of Gracewood. (Also Alexis Hall is about to release Something Spectacular which will also feature a genderqueer character)

On my never-ending TBR is Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

Some books which contain trans, genderqueer, or non-binary characters though they may not be the protagonist: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon, and Legendborn by Tracy Deonn.

Finally, for non-fiction, I’d recommend The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice by Shon Faye

The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy

In the gripping first novel in the Daughters of the Empty Throne trilogy, author Margaret Killjoy spins a tale of earth magic, power struggle, and self-invention in an own-voices story of trans witchcraft.

Lorel has always dreamed of becoming a witch: learning magic, fighting monsters, and exploring the world beyond the small town where she and her mother run the stables. Even though a strange plague is killing the trees in the Kingdom of Cekon and witches are being blamed for it, Lorel wants nothing more than to join them. There’s only one problem: all witches are women, and she was born a boy.

When the coven comes to claim her best friend, Lorel disguises herself in a dress and joins in her friend’s place, leaving home and her old self behind. She soon discovers the dark powers threatening the kingdom: a magical blight scars the land, and the power-mad Duchess Helte is crushing everything between her and the crown. In spite of these dangers, Lorel makes friends and begins learning magic from the powerful witches in her coven. However, she fears that her new friends and mentors will find out her secret and kick her out of the coven, or worse.

Anyone watching Keladry and Wyldon interact is like "I have never seen such icy formality. Those two must hate each other"

meanwhile Kel is thinking "I admire this man like he's my own father. He's the kind of knight I want to be someday"

and Wyldon is thinking "she is the most chivalrous, exemplary knight I have ever met. Training her is the best thing l have done in my life. And she's fucking funny."

T Kingfisher is a spiritual successor to Tamora Pierce imo

You got girl heroes who succeed by wit and determination and being kind and some courage that they may or may not acknowledge, there's the kindest sexiest man who is kind and gentle and honest, and you have beautiful worldbuilding and adventure

The Circle of Magic books are great, because they're like, "Do you have a magical special interest? Then it's off to Lesbian Nun Cottage for you, children!"

late to the Conclave party but: an in-universe Tortallan film - maybe released in the 900s H.E.? - of the events from Roald V's death to Jon's coronation, styled like Conclave.

Tell me you can't hear the dramatic strings when Roger looms menacingly. See the intense close-ups on two of the finest actors of their generation, acting their faces off as Jon and Alanna. Palace cats like Faithful, not papal turtles. Thayet asking Jon what he knows of war. Cythera as the equivalent of Sister Agnes, observing, silent, but full of thoughts - maybe some child star in a triumphant comeback role which proves her real skill and maturity? (Isabella Rosselini stealing the scenery in a tiny background role as Duchess Roanna of Naxen.)

The last shot is of Alanna in the palace gardens with a black cat, and when it looks out at the audience, where Alanna can't see, its eyes flash briefly - briefly - purple.

Those beautiful sweeping shots of the scenery of the palace and the contrast between the opulent beauty of the Great Throne Room and the more prosaic council rooms and private quarters.

The pivotal meeting in the movie theatre royal council chambers where Jon makes Alanna the King’s Champion. For some reason, the director felt this scene worked better as a clandestine night meeting, even if most of the senior members of government are there.

Final shot out the window is of three pages in palace uniform laughing and walking into the training wing. One of them is obviously meant to be Keladry of Mindelan, in an artistic choice the director defends on thematic grounds even if it’s ahistorical.

Thom is wearing Aldo Bellini’s glasses.

Yes!! From the oppressive beauty of the Hall of Crowns to the back room where Alex and Alanna fight. And the dramatic arrival ("we seem to have acquired a cardinal princess") is Thayet's entry.

Also a number of shots seem to have been ripped wholesale from contemporary images by Volney Rain.

Also to prove my adhd goblin brain is a thing…

Anytime I get to even mention Tamora Pierce I do in fact info dump on my friends for like 10 minutes

I feel bad every time because it’s the same friends who hear the same things

I just need more friends to read her works and to bond with me over it ok??

Hey did you know there's a tell all book about the behind the scenes of Meta and the author is forbidden from promoting it?

The good news is however that it's already published and can't be stifled and whoever didn't sign the NDA can promote it as much as they want.

We can all buy it. And tell people about it. A LOT.

F/M Couples

Semifinals

Sam and Sybil :

"She raises dragons; he sets traps for assassins and always arrives home in time to read to his son. What's not to love?"

Alanna and George :

"I love that Alanna doesn't end up with the default choice (a prince), but instead chooses the man who is right for her and what she wants for her life."

F/M Couples

Round 3

Alanna and George :

"I love that Alanna doesn't end up with the default choice (a prince), but instead chooses the man who is right for her and what she wants for her life."

Lord Peter and Harriet :

"The author wrote this ship into a book and then realized she was going to have to give Lord Peter a LOT of character development in order to make him worthy of Harriet. And then she did it, and it was beautiful. Placetne, magistra?"

F/F Couples

Round 2

" 'It digusts me,' whispered Baird, 'what people allow, if they think those who commit vile acts can help them to achieve some goal.' "

Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce

" Neal grinned, 'I respect you heaps, lady knight. I'd've thrown myself off a bridge, getting this assignment. You, you're there with lists and plans. You listen to every flap-mouthed bumpkin who thinks he can do your task better, and you answer with a smile and thanks. Why, you've inspired me to be a blessing to my fellow bumpkin, just like you. ' he fluttered his fingers in delicate farewell and trotted down the stairs. "

Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce

F/F Ships

Round 1

Pip and Rooney :

"so cute!!!! a bit cliché maybe but i love their dynamic"

working on uploading these knight prints in my shop :3

“I love you. If you get yourself killed I will never forgive you.” forever in the top 5 romantic things to say to your lover before battle

F/M Couples S2

Round 2

Propaganda and spoilers under the cut