Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

Pride Month may be over, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop celebrating and acknowledging the diversity among us! And I, for one, feel like there aren’t enough novels with ace main characters or even secondary characters. Or at least, the ones out there don’t get enough attention. So here’s a list of some of our favorites novels and novellas, just for you! This list is going to include asexual, aromantic, demi, and lots of other variants. So hopefully, there is something for everyone here.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Every Heart a Doorway is the first novella in a series called the Wayward Children. The world is beautiful and disturbing and has children trying to find their way back to the worlds that felt like home. The main character in this novel is without a doubt ace, a fact that she all but states. But there are also plenty of other notable characters to fall in love with here.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke & Bone is the first novel in a series of the same name. Written by Laini Taylor, the series follows Karou and Akiva. One is just an ordinary girl who finds herself way over her head—the other, a beautiful stranger full of secrets.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is the first novel in the Montague Siblings series by Mackenzi Lee. The first novel follows Monty, a gentleman by birth, but not so much by his actions. Monty isn’t the type of character who will bend his will for others, especially not when he’s seeking fun and adventures for himself.

The Lightning-Struck Heart by T.J. Lune

The Lightning-Struck Heart is the first in the Tales From Verania series by T.J. Klune. It follows young Sam Haversford through an epic journey. One that starts with a display of accidental magic and quickly gets out of control from there.

The Oathbound by Mercedes Lackey

Mercedes Lackey has always been exceedingly inclusive in her writing, and The Oathbound is one of her shining examples. The novel follows Tarma and Kethry. Both have very different pasts and reasons for fleeing their lives, but somehow they end up together anyway. And both are seeking to right the wrongs of their past and to prevent the potential for it to happen to others like them.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Dread Nation is the first novel in a series of the same name, written by Justina Ireland. Jane McKeene grew up in a world where the dead walked the world. Because of that, she grew up in a world knowing how to properly put down the dead. But that isn’t the life that Jane wants for herself.

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld is one of those unique novels that combine the narratives together. One follows Darcy, a young up-and-coming author dazzled by the fame of it all. And the other comes from the pages of Darcy’s novel, that one follows the life of Lizzie. She’s just trying to survive a terrorist attack, but it becomes so much more than a fight for survival.

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Vicious is the first novel in the Villains series by V.E. Schwab. The story follows Victor and Eli. Two best friends, whose relationship changes over the course of time. It’s a classic tale of allies versus enemies, but with a few interesting twists along the way.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Sisters Red is Jackson Pearce’s first novel in the Fairytale Retellings series. As you could probably guess from the name, this is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Only it’s nothing like you’ve ever seen – or read – before.

The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz

The Cybernetic Tea Shop follows two unique and very different characters. Clara Gutierrez is a tech that works best with A.I. companions. She’s brilliant but doesn’t like settling down in one place for too long. Sal is a robot. No, really. She is. She runs this cute little tea shop that her now-deceased master owned.

City of Strife by Claudie Arseneault

City of Strife is the first novel in a trilogy named the City of Spires. It’s a political fantasy novel and boasts an entirely LGBTQIAP+ set of characters. The series is one full of different plots and perspectives blending together to make something truly unique and beautiful.

The King’s Name by Jo Walton

The King’s Name is the second novel in the Tir Tanagiri series. Technically the first novel could also fit on this list. However, the second one is much more clear in what is being shown (Sulien being ace and being accepted as such). This one continues the world and war that started in the first novel and brings with it some unexpected twists.

Clariel by Garth Nix

Clariel is the fourth novel in the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix. This novel is named after its main character, Clariel. She’s not adjusting well to her new life, so it’s really no surprise that she jumps at the opportunity to prove herself – hopefully, with the results that change her path in life.

Banner of the Damned by Sherwood Smith

Banner of the Damned is an epic fantasy, just as one would expect from Sherwood Smith. It’s a political fantasy novel, full of princesses, mages, queens, and scheming. Princess Lasva is forced to make some life changes once a new heir to the throne is born, and those changes start her on a completely unpredictable path.

The Princess Who Didn’t Eat Cake by Lynn O’Connacht

The Princess Who Didn’t Eat Cake is a novella by Lynn O’Connacht. A lot of this novella could be considered an allegory for the personal journey that the author went on, but that just makes it all the more interesting.

This article was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.