In honour of Black History Month (October, in the UK), this edition of Queer SFF Spotlight highlights some of my absolute favourite science fiction and fantasy books that feature queer Black protagonists.
Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden
Mrs Death Misses Death is a haunting, lyrical and at times darkly funny novel about (you guessed it) death. Mrs Death, to be more precise:
And only she who is invisible can do the work of Death. And there is no human more invisible, more readily talked over, ignored, betrayed and easy to walk past than a woman; than a poor old black woman, a homeless black beggar-woman with knotty natty hair, broken back, walking ever so slow, slow, slow, pushing a shopping trolley full of plastic bottles.
The book is put together and partly narrated by Wolf (they/them), a young writer who sits at their desk and travels with Mrs Death as they work on her memoirs with her. Wolf transcribes Mrs Death’s memories, the conversations they have with her as their friendship grows, and their own experiences of life and death. The narration is sometimes in verse, often heart-wrenching, and always beautifully written.
If you’re reading for writing craft, Mrs Death Misses Death is a great example of:
- narration that plays with different forms;
- distinct character voices;
- poetic and lyrical prose.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf (Dark Star trilogy) by Marlon James
Black Leopard, Red Wolf is a fantasy novel that’s epic in all senses of the word. Set in a sprawling, mythology-soaked world, it follows the mercenary Tracker as he teams up with an unusual cast of characters (including a shapeshifter, a witch, a river spirit and a delightful talking buffalo) to try and find a mysterious, missing child.
Truth eats lies just as the crocodile eats the moon, and yet my witness is the same today as it will be tomorrow. No, I did not kill him. Though I may have wanted him dead.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf is about storytelling: the fluidity of stories and the unreliability of truth. It also masterfully tackles themes of masculinity, queerness and trauma. It’s a tough read in more ways than one—intense, bewildering, and downright brutal (this book comes with ALL the content warnings)—but it is absolutely worth it. By the end, I was in total awe of the intricately woven story and the deep experience that the book pulled me through.
If you’re reading for writing craft, Black Leopard, Red Wolf is a great example of:
- non-linear stories within a narrative frame;
- unreliable narration;
- vast worldbuilding developed from mythology, folklore and history.
The Fifth Season (Broken Earth trilogy) by N.K. Jemisin
The Fifth Season is an astonishing science fantasy novel set in an apocalyptic, climate-ravaged world. People called orogenes are vilified for their ability to manipulate earth and stone, and to cause or influence seismic activity. Essun has managed to keep her abilities and those of her children a secret for many years, but her world changes forever when the truth is revealed.
When we say "the world has ended," it’s usually a lie, because the planet is just fine.
But this is the way the world ends.
This is the way the world ends.
This is the way the world ends.
For the last time.
The Broken Earth trilogy is one of the most outstanding series I have ever read—and don’t just take my word for it: all three books won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. Everything about how The Fifth Season and its sequels are written and constructed is a masterclass in storytelling and writing craft.
If you’re reading for writing craft, The Fifth Season is a great example of:
- writing in multiple points of view, including second person (“you”), and in present tense;
- using plot structure to elevate the reader’s experience of the story;
- extensive worldbuilding, including a magic system with detailed and consistent rules.
More recommendations
There are plenty more amazing books out there with queer Black protagonists! I highly recommend:
The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
The Unbroken is an enthralling sapphic fantasy about colonialism and resistance.
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
Read more about An Unkindness of Ghosts in my post about queer autistic protagonists.
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Pet is an impactful YA fantasy set in an apparent utopia—where no one will acknowledge the monsters that do exist.
Outro
Thank you very much for reading this post! I hope you enjoyed it and have added a book or two to your TBR.
If you’ve read any of the above books, let me know what you thought of them! And if you‘ve got any recommendations of other SFF books with queer Black protagonists, I’d love to check them out. You can leave a comment down below or tweet at me @JakeCNicholls (link opens in a new tab).
This post is part of my regular Queer SFF Spotlight series. If you’d like to stay up to date with these posts, plus posts about writing craft and gender worldbuilding (among other things), consider signing up for my newsletter to stay in the loop!