#Teixcalaan

[jademaomi]

as a sapphic sci-fi/fantasy protagonist, i felt like i wasn't in control of my own narrative. that's why, this pride month, i'm partnering with a back-alley brain surgeon

#The Locked Tomb #griddlehark #Gideon the Ninth #Teixcalaan #Baru Cormorant #TLT spoilers #gtn spoilers #htn spoilers #teixcalaan spoilers #baru cormorant spoilers #spoilers #is that enough spoiler tags #TLT #我的 #字

[alex-van-gore]

I’ve been doing the draw-everything-June challenge (where you use a pose reference every day, and, no I’m not on time at all). Two of those turned into Mahit Dzmare and Three Seagrass! Slapped some colour on them for the vibes. Mahit is in her angular white intimidation outfit, and Three Seagrass is encountering a kauraanian Kitten.

#a memory called empire #a desolation called peace #teixcalaan #arkady martine #mahit dzmare #three Seagrass

[a-side-character]

Just gave a list of recommendations for books and podcasts to my mom who was looking for something other than TV shows to listen to, and I realized that every one of them had female main characters. And most of them were queer!

It may not seem like much, but younger me would be so happy that we have so many female role models in our media now, and that we have more positive w/w relationships to look up to

It's the little things, ya know?

#Imperial Radch #a memory called empire #Ancillary justice #teixcalaan #alice isnt dead #tscosi #The Bright sessions #the strange case of starship iris #feminism #Lgbtq

[lilareviewsbooks]

Queer Normal-World in SFF Books

Here are five books where being queer is the norm, aka there is no homophobia or transphobia at all! Not all these books are fluffy though -- most of them have heavy conflicts and a bunch of shit going down, but at least no one has a problem with anyone being gay!

These are my favorite kind of books and I have so, so many recommendations, so let me know if you ever want more of these :) And I can also absolutely do only fluffy queer books, too!

The Genesis of Misery, by Neon Yang

Mx. Yang's books are perfect for this type of prompt. The Genesis of Misery is their most recent, and the premise is absolutely killer. It follows Misery Nomaki (she/they), who is haunted by an apparition of an angel. While she is convinced she is mentally ill like her mother, and that her visions are a symptom, people around her seem more and more certain that she is actually some sort of messiah. 

I have my issues with The Genesis of Misery, but it’s a very creative sci-fi that’s worth the read. It includes mecha, interesting depictions of religion, which permeates the entire story, and, of course, excellent queer rep. We have characters who use neo-pronouns, a polyamory situationship and most characters are queer. Not to mention, it’s written by a queer and non-binary author, which is always a plus. It’s part of an on-going series, though, so be prepared to wait a little while for the sequel! 

Plus, The Locked Tomb fans might be interested to know that there’s a very cavalier-necromancer dynamic in this, and that Rebecca Roanhorse (who wrote Black Sun) described it as Joan of Arc meets Gideon The Ninth. 

Yep. You wanna read it, don’t you?

(Also, if for some reason you’re like: “gee, I really wish there was a black-and-white silent movie with a killer score that touched on these same themes”, then you should probably watch The Passion of Joan of Arc (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1928). It’s not explicitly gay, but it is queer in my heart. And it rocks.)

The Locked Tomb Series, starting with Gideon The Ninth, by Tasmyn Muir

Since I mentioned it, I guess I might as well include The Locked Tomb in here! This is a Tumblr favorite, and with good reason, because The Locked Tomb fucking rocks. It’s hard to pitch it to someone without ruining the whole point of the series, but the first book follows a necromancer, Harrowhark and her sworn swords-woman, her cavalier, the butch-as-hell Gideon, as they’re summoned to the First House to compete to become Lyctors, the companions of God. 

Yeah, I know that’s a lot, and, to be honest, it’s probably not gonna make much sense to you at many points throughout the story, but that’s the point of The Locked Tomb - everything is confusing, and it’s about sapphics in space! 

The thing about this series is they’re the most unique books you’ll ever read. Every volume has a different approach to telling its story. There’s so many mysteries and it’s almost impossible to understand all the intricacies without sitting down and doing some work. The magic system is also the wonkiest, coolest thing - it involves eating people, sometimes, y’know. And, I promise, you’ll love every single second of it. Especially because there’s absolutely no homophobia or transphobia in any of it, and almost every character is queer as fuck - especially after the second book, when gender starts getting a little funky!

Winter’s Orbit, by Everina Maxwell

I love this book so much, and so know that it comes highly, highly recommended! I have a whole five star review on it you can check out here. (Do check trigger warnings, though! You should always, but especially for this one. I didn’t and they really got me!). 

Winter’s Orbit features my absolutely favorite trope - queer arranged marriage. (Nothing better - those three words and you know it’s gonna be a queer normal world, have some politics and probably be really fucking sweet.) This one is probably one of only ones out of this list where the romance is very predominant and serves as an important B plot. It’s also a standalone, but has a companion book in the same universe, called Ocean’s Echo, which rocks, too!

This one follows Jainan, a recent widower who is rushed into an arranged marriage with Prince Kiem in order to keep the alliance between their homelands intact. Together, they must navigate court intrigue I’m trying my best not to spoil and investigate Jainan’s ex-husband’s death, which might not have been an accident, after all...

In this sci-fi fantasy world, being queer is completely normal, and their system when it comes to gender is absolutely fascinating. People will wear little gender signifiers, like a wodden token for female, for instance, so that others know how to refer to them. It’s super cool to see these kind of things incorporated into the world-building, and it’s something you really only get when queer authors are behind the helm.

(Also, this was originally written online, and it was actually picked up and traditionally published! Which is so cool! Queer fics becoming traditionally published books is so rare, it’s so nice to see it actually happen!)

The Teixcalaan Series, starting with A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martine

This is another one of my favorites! I read it last year and it blew me away - so much so that I’ve been itching to re-read it ever since I finished the second book.

The Teixcalaan Series is a political sci-fi duology focusing on the themes of language, empire and cultural domination through imperialism. It’s amazing, and I wrote about it in a full-length review, here, if you wanna take a look! 

It follows Mahit Dzamare, from the tiny Lsel Station, who becomes the ambassador to the huge Teixcalaan Empire, whose culture she’s been in love with for ages. The problem? Something happened to the Lsel ambassador, and the Empire’s control over the Station has been growing ever bigger. To make matters worse, Mahit’s imago machine - the cerebral implant full of her predecessors memories and experiences - doesn’t seem to be working properly, leaving her with a ghost of her predecessor inside of her head...

With all the problems the Teixcalaan Empire has, it’s not homophobic or transphobic, which is a plus for us gays who want to read in peace. Mahit has a charged relationship with her cultural liason, Three Seagrass (yes, that’s her name; yes, there’s an in-world explanation; no, I won’t tell you what it is, you’ll have to read it and find out), not to mention all the hijinks she finds out her predecessor was up to. And none of it needs to be justified or explained at all - people are just gay, and that’s fine!

On A Sunbeam, by Tillie Walden

This graphic novel has a stunning art style, and, listen closely sapphics, absolutely no men at all. Yep. Literally there’s only women and non-binary people in this comic! 

And guess what? It’s available to read for free, here. Thank you, Ms. Walden!

Here, romance is also an important plot point. On A Sunbeam follows Mia, who starts working for a crew of repair-people who rebuild broken down structures. In another timeline, we flashback to her experiences at her boarding school, and to her relationship with a new student.

What’s most unique about On A Sunbeam - apart from the fact that there are no men at all - is it’s unique version of outer space. It’s almost historical, with huge sprawling marble structures decaying, surronded by trees. The ships are shaped like huge fish. You can feel the whimsy in your bones from the colors and the art style that Ms. Walden uses, here.

This standalone is definitely worth a read. And if you like it, you should definitely check out the rest of Ms. Walden’s work - it’s all as beautiful as this is, if not more. Her The End of Summer was one of my favorite reads, last year.

That’s all I’ve got, guys, but lemme know if you want more of these - I have so many, I can definitely recommend you more! Drop me an ask if you have specifications, too - I’m always happy to do some digging :)

#booklr #book recommendations #book recs #queer books #sapphic books #lgbtq books #book review #queer sff #sff books #the locked tomb #the genesis of misery #neon yang #gideon the ninth #winters orbit #a memory called empire #teixcalaan #on a sunbeam #tillie walden

[thelastofthebookworms]

Feel free to make suggestions. I may make another poll if there are enough candidates.

More polls.

#polls #sapphic reads #queer reads #lgbt reads #sapphic leads #teixcalaan #a memory called empire #a desolation called peace #arkady martine #the stars are legion #kameron hurley #this is how you lose the time war #amal el mohtar #max gladstone #the priory of the orange tree #samantha shannon #ninefox gambit #yoon ha lee #the privilege of the sword #ellen kushner #down among the sticks and bones #wayward children #seanan mcguire #the long way to a small angry planet #the wayfarers #becky chambers #gideon the ninth #harrow the ninth #the locked tomb #tamsyn muir

[spiritintheinkwell]

Happy Pride! Featuring my nine favorite wlw books.

Mahit/Three Seagrass from the Teixcalaan series by Arkady Martine

Catherine/Lucy from The Lady's Guide To Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

Kath/Lily from Last Night At The Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Zanja/Karis from the Elemental Logic series by Laurie J. Marks

Jude/Síle from Landing by Emma Donoghue

Ead/Sabran from The Priory Of The Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Emi/Ava from Everything Leads To You by Nina LaCour

Thenike/Marghe from Ammonite by Nicola Griffith

Red/Blue from This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Ordered by theme, not by preference.

#wlw art #wlw book fanart #teixcalaan #the lady's guide to celestial mechanics #last night at the telegraph club #elemental logic #landing emma donoghue #the priory of the orange tree #everything leads to you #ammonite nicola griffith #this is how you lose the time war #pride art #gilbert baker diversity pride flag #lesbian #bisexual #queer

[averagemrfox]

I’ve decided to name it Thirty-six All Terrain Tundra Vehicle

#teixcalaan #a memory called empire #a desolation called peace #arkady martine

[proto-language]

ninefox gambit: there is a bisexual guy in my head when there shouldn't be, and it is making my life hard

a memory called empire: there isn't a bisexual guy in my head when there should be, and it is making my life hard

#cheris and mahit should start a support group #ninefox gambit #a memory called empire #machineries of empire #teixcalaan

[carcatart]

I finished reading A Desolation Called Peace today and I really wanted to draw my favourite the characters! From left to right: Mahit, Three Seagrass, Eight Antidote, and one of the hive mind aliens.

I decided to base the aliens on bears cause their ears are described as round and fluffy (and they're my favourite animals!)

#a memory called empire #a desolation called peace #my art #fanart #mahit dzmare #three seagrass #eight antidote #arkady martine #teixcalaan

[haveyoureadthisqueerbook]

#a memory called empire #arkady martine #teixcalaan

[its-yashas-strong-arms]

#i know not all of these are lesbian space atrocities and i know there's probably stuff I've missed but. this is the genre #also YES im pitting bad bitches against each other i know #imperial radch #the locked tomb #teixcalaan #baru cormorant

[liesmyth]

Arkady Martine, A Memory Called Empire.

No one is dead who is remembered

#a memory called empire #words #quotes #teixcalaan #thinking about the other OTHER imperial lesbian series tonight

[catboymettaton]

hi gamers my book blorbos got out of hand for a venn diagram so here's a spreadsheet instead! please note that I haven't read Baru, Poppy War, or Teixcalaan in many months. book series for those who don't know: Machineries of Empire, Baru Cormorant, The Poppy War, Teixcalaan, The Locked Tomb

extremely open to discussion and debate on this. please tell me your thoughts. if you have any questions feel free to ask and I will be happy to clarify!

light spoilers for Harrow the Ninth, very vaguely spoilers for later books of Baru/Poppy War

[ID: spreadsheet comparing Cheris, Baru, Rin, Mahit, Gideon, and Harrow. Full transcript under cut + in alt text.]

Transcript: format is the title of the row, with the characters' entries below

Lesbian

Cheris: Yes, sort of word of god but like you can tell

Baru: Yes - major plot point

Rin: No, definitely likes men

Mahit: Definitely likes women but unsure if she likes men

Gideon and Harrow: Yes

Ethnic minority

All are marked yes except Gideon and Harrow are marked No (in universe)

Autism

Cheris: I don't remember but probably tbh

Baru: Yes

Rin: Probably not? Again don't remember

Mahit: Probably not?

Gideon: idk

Harrow: Yes

Belonging as a theme

Cheris: Yes - Cheris feels like an outsider and that's why she's a Kel

Baru: No. Baru has a place where she belongs and she chooses to leave it

Rin, Gideon, Harrow: Yes

Mahit: Yes - one of the major themes of the book in fact

Empire

All are marked yes

Part of the empire

Cheris, Rin, Gideon, Harrow: yes

Baru: Yes, due to being colonized

Mahit: No - major theme is her being an outsider

Works against the empire

Cheris and Rin: Yes

Baru: Yes in her own special way

Mahit: No - she doesn't really do much about the empire as a whole iirc

Harrow and Gideon: No

Originally fights for the empire

Cheris, Rin, Harrow: Yes

Baru: Yes but like. In her own special way

Mahit: No, see above

Gideon: Not really

God(s)

Cheris: Nope only math

Baru, Rin, Gideon, Harrow: Yes

Mahit: No

Family plays a meaningful role

All are marked Yes except Mahit, who is marked No

Good relationship with family

Cheris and Baru: Yes

Rin, Gideon, Harrow: No

Mahit: Unsure

Poor relationship with family

Cheris and Baru: No

Rin, Gideon, Harrow: Yes

Mahit: Unsure

image two

Person in Head

Cheris, Mahit: Yes

Baru, Harrow: Yes (second book onwards)

Rin: Yes (second book onwards, debatable. he's more of a dream that haunts her than a real person but he comes up a decent amount)

Gideon: No

Bi guy in head

Cheris, Mahit: Yes

Baru, Gideon, Harrow: No

Rin: Possibly

Person in head is supposed to be there

Cheris, Mahit: Yes

Baru, Rin, Gideon: No

Harrow: Yes but like she didn't install quite right

In Space!!!!!

Cheris, Mahit, Gideon, Harrow: Yes

Baru, Rin: No

Can't go home again

Cheris, Baru, Mahit: Yes

Rin: No home to return to

Gideon and Harrow: They're not supposed to but they do

Plot relevant sex

Cheris: No, with other characters there is though

Baru: Yes :(

Rin: No but there's plot relevant kiss?

Mahit: Yes

Gideon: No

Harrow: Depends on if you count regrowing an arm as sex

War

All marked yes

Attends Special School™

Cheris, Baru, Rin: Yes

Mahit: We really don't know much about her upbringing

Gideon and Harrow: Is Canaan House "school"?

Dreams of person in head

Cheris: Depends on if you count the Jedao flashback montage

Baru: Yes

Rin: Yes, major way he manifests

Mahit: Not that I recall but she gets some of his memories

Gideon: No

Harrow: Yes

Body weirdness related to person in head

Cheris: Yes - she feels like her center of mass is wrong

Baru: Yes, half blind

Rin: No

Mahit: Yes

Gideon: No

Harrow: Spoilers.

Fights with a sword

Cheris, Rin, Gideon: Yes

Baru: When the situation calls for it

Mahit: No

Harrow: She tries

Full of gender

Cheris, Mahit: Yes (head induced)

Baru, Gideon: Yes (lesbian)

Rin: No

Harrow: Not to me personally but maybe for lesbians

#mine #tlt #the locked tomb #baru cormorant #the poppy war #teixcalaan #a memory called empire #ninefox gambit #machineries of empire #gideon the ninth #harrow the ninth

[dargonsunited]

You know as much I love a lot of the popular fictional lesbians, sometimes it makes me sad that a lot of my favorites seem to have little to no popularity.

Like, I wish I saw people going feral over Sabran and Ead from Priory and how ride or die those two are for each other the moment they realize they're into each other.

I wish I saw fanart of Maud and Violet from A Restless Truth and saw people fangirling over how much they relate to Mauds autistic lesbian awakening.

I wish I saw people talking about Mahit and Three Seagrass and their complex mess of a relationship

Hell, I wish I heard people discussing lesbians I never even heard about because I love discovering all these other shows and movies and books and getting to fall in love with all these new characters.(speaking of I still really need to watch Warrior Nun)

#priory of the orange tree #a restless truth #teixcalaan #ead x sabran #maud x violet #mahit x three seagrass

[specialagentartemis]

How well did guerrilla DIY brain surgery work out for YOU? Ranked!

MAHIT DZMARE: got a job and a girlfriend out of it. Score.

MURDERBOT: ow ow oof. putting its brain back together after making it be a spaceship briefly was No Fun but hey no long term harm and it got some lifelong friends from it (score)

KEL CHERIS: inspired her to betray the Empire, which is a good thing overall? Downsides however include mass murder and war crimes

HERA: the first one gave her an anxiety disorder and the second one gave her the tools to cope with the anxiety disorder. Results: mixed

MINKOWSKI, EIFFEL, and JACOBI: let’s never ever do that again thanks

HARROWHARK NONAGESIMUS: got a job and a girlfriend out of it. This is the worst thing that has ever happened to her

bonus: THE CREW OF THE HERMES: rip

#Wolf 359 #The Locked Tomb #The Murderbot Diaries #Teixcalaan #More group chat thoughts that I just recently remembered about

[haveyoureadthisscifibook]

vote YES if you have finished the entire book.

vote NO if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

#scifi #books #A Memory Called Empire #Arkady Martine #Teixcalaan #poll #result: no #l: English