~ #SixForSunday: Favourite LGBTQIA+ characters~

#SixforSunday is… it’s really just that. You choose 6 books (normally) that you’d choose to fit whatever the prompt is that week. This meme is hosted by A Little but a Lot and you can follow the link to find the prompts for January to March. I’ll also post this month’s prompt’s at the end of the post.

This week’s prompt: Favourite LGBTQIA+ characters

June’s theme is Rainbows make the world brighter!

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This week was difficult as creating a list of favorite characters is almost impossible since there are many great characters out there. Even in this list, I went with multiple characters in the same story because I could not choose between them. I am not even sure if I would consider any of the characters from this list favorites, but I loved them as characters and I loved their stories.

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**My choices are in no particular order. You can click on their covers to explore their Goodreads entries.**

1. These Feathered Flames (These Feathered Flames #1)

I could not decide between Asya and Yuliana as they are both great characters and I cannot wait to see how their story develops as the series progresses. As Asya is the main character, it was easier to get to know her, but I still loved learning about Yuliana, even if she was a secondary character.

A queer retelling of “The Firebird,” a Russian folktale.

When twin heirs are born in Tourin, their fates are decided at a young age. While Izaveta remained at court to learn the skills she’d need as the future queen, Asya was taken away to train with her aunt, the mysterious Firebird, who ensured magic remained balanced in the realm.

But before Asya’s training is completed, the ancient power blooms inside her, which can mean only one thing: the queen is dead, and a new ruler must be crowned.

As the princesses come to understand everything their roles entail, they’ll discover who they can trust, who they can love—and who killed their mother.

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2. Malice (Malice #1)

Although Aurora was a fantastic character, I absolutely adored Alyce. I love her as a morally grey character and I wanted her to find a happy ending. Since this is the first novel in a duology, I cannot wait to read how her character and her story develops.

A princess isn’t supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of “Sleeping Beauty,” true love is more than a simple fairy tale.

Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love’s kiss.

You’ve heard this before, haven’t you? The handsome prince. The happily-ever-after.

Utter nonsense.

Let me tell you, no one in Briar actually cares about what happens to its princesses. Not the way they care about their jewels and elaborate parties and charm-granting elixirs. I thought I didn’t care, either.

Until I met her.

Princess Aurora. The last heir to Briar’s throne. Kind. Gracious. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn’t bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Humiliated and shamed by the same nobles who pay me to bottle hexes and then brand me a monster. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though it was a power like mine that was responsible for her curse.

But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating—and she can’t stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it’s what can lift it. Perhaps, together, we could forge a new world.

Nonsense again.

Because we all know how this story ends, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I—

I am the villain.

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3. Cemetery Boys

I absolutely loved Yadriel and sympathized greatly with his story of just trying to be accepted by his family and culture. Julian was amazing addition as he brought out a new side of Yadriel and their story was very sweet.

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave. 

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4. The House in the Cerulean Sea

The main character Linus is just fantastic and I loved his whole experience on Marsyas Island. Arthur was just a delight and I loved him and Linus interacting throughout the story. Arthur added a nice bit of mystery to the story and helped Linus grow as a person.

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours. 

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5. The Song of Achilles

I do not think this list would be complete with Patroclus! He was just an amazing character and I loved following him along on his journey from childhood to adulthood. He and Achilles had amazing interactions that fit their circumstances with the impending Trojan War on the horizon.

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine their bond blossoms into something deeper – despite the displeasure of Achilles’ mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.

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6. Red, White & Royal Blue

It is very difficult to choose between Alex and Henry for this novel. They are a fun opposites attract story and each offer their own heartwarming and humorous moments to the story!

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations. The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince.

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?

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June – Rainbows make the world brighter!
6 – A rainbow of books
13 – LGBTQIA+ stories you’d recommend
20 – Favourite LGBTQIA+ characters
27 – LGBTQIA+ stories on your TBR/TBB (to be bought)

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I cannot believe there is only one more June Sunday post to go as time is going fast! My character choices this week came from six novels that I loved. As two of them are the beginnings of a series, I cannot wait to read the rest when they are eventually published!

How did you interpret this week’s topic? Feel free to sound off in the comments as I also explore around to check out everyone else’s lists!