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Diversity in Fantasy and Science Fiction

Description: Main characters in a fantasy or science fiction work who are not straight white people. Religious diversity would also work, but it has to be a real life religion that's not Christianity (atheism doesn't count either). Racially diverse is not magical races such as elves or dwarfs, but should correlate withe the real world. However, if a character is both, say, a vampire and Hispanic, that would count. Main character is defined as the protagonist of the work or the character whom the work focuses on.

Based on character: protagonist or main character

Members: 28 participating members (show all)

All members' list: [1] 2Sort: Score | Title | Author | Date | CK Order
1
A Wizard of Earthsea
by Ursula K. Le Guin
14,153 members, 345 reviews
3.98 stars (3.98 stars)

Lists: sturlington (1), uprootedtree (1), merrystar (1), quigui (1), andomck (1), ahef1963 (1), Dilara86 (2), DeusXMachina (5), ManWithAnAgenda (27), souloftherose

Score: 33.83

2
Anansi Boys
by Neil Gaiman
18,922 members, 447 reviews
3.94 stars (3.94 stars)

Lists: amurphy (2), quigui (2), ahef1963 (2), hipdeep (4), DeusXMachina (6), Dilara86 (6), pwaites (7), sturlington (21), ManWithAnAgenda (23)

Score: 24.19

3
Binti
by Nnedi Okorafor
2,335 members, 203 reviews
3.89 stars (3.89 stars)

Lists: kthxy (1), sturlington (4), Brandy1411 (4), quigui (4), uprootedtree (5), karenb (6), ahef1963 (7), ManWithAnAgenda (24), souloftherose

Score: 24.02

4
Kindred
by Octavia E. Butler
6,785 members, 302 reviews
4.2 stars (4.2 stars)

Lists: hipdeep (1), sturlington (2), ManWithAnAgenda (2), uprootedtree (3), kceccato (3), karenb (4), Dilara86 (22), souloftherose

Score: 23.51

Explanations:

sturlington (2): Protagonist is a black woman.

5
Who Fears Death
by Nnedi Okorafor
1,889 members, 96 reviews
3.8 stars (3.8 stars)

Lists: uprootedtree (2), sturlington (3), amurphy (3), Dilara86 (3), andomck (4), kceccato (4), karenb (8), ManWithAnAgenda (21)

Score: 22.39

6
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
by N. K. Jemisin
3,666 members, 264 reviews
3.9 stars (3.9 stars)

Lists: Brandy1411 (2), quigui (3), sturlington (5), karenb (5), uprootedtree (7), Dilara86 (17), souloftherose

Score: 18.21

7
Three Parts Dead
by Max Gladstone
1,232 members, 79 reviews
3.93 stars (3.93 stars)

Lists: amurphy (1), kceccato (1), zjakkelien (1), pwaites (1), souloftherose (20)

Score: 17.89

8
Snow Crash
by Neal Stephenson
18,555 members, 362 reviews
4.1 stars (4.1 stars)

Lists: hipdeep (2), KimarieBee (2), ahef1963 (6), uprootedtree (8), aspirit (14), sturlington (22), ManWithAnAgenda (22)

Score: 17.42

9
The Emperor's Soul
by Brandon Sanderson
1,501 members, 93 reviews
4.32 stars (4.32 stars)

Lists: hecklaurac (1), zjakkelien (2), pwaites (3), uprootedtree (4), amurphy (4)

Score: 16.06

10
The Fifth Season
by N. K. Jemisin
5,935 members, 303 reviews
4.21 stars (4.21 stars)

Lists: ManWithAnAgenda (1), Brandy1411 (1), souloftherose (1), DeusXMachina (4), ahef1963 (8)

Thumbs down: sturlington

Score: 15.21

11
Four and Twenty Blackbirds
by Cherie Priest
753 members, 34 reviews
3.82 stars (3.82 stars)

Lists: ahef1963 (3), pwaites (4), amurphy (5), sturlington (6), karenb (7)

Score: 13.56

12
Extras
by Scott Westerfeld
5,208 members, 157 reviews
3.66 stars (3.66 stars)

Lists: KimarieBee (3), ahef1963 (4), uprootedtree (6), amurphy (6), pwaites (8)

Score: 13.36

13
The Obelisk Gate
by N. K. Jemisin
3,161 members, 156 reviews
4.21 stars (4.21 stars)

Lists: GreenVelvet (2), souloftherose (2), DeusXMachina (7), ahef1963 (9), ManWithAnAgenda (25)

Score: 13.29

14
Rivers of London
by Ben Aaronovitch
5,120 members, 342 reviews
3.88 stars (3.88 stars)

Lists: electrice (1), Brandy1411 (5), ahef1963 (10), amurphy (13), souloftherose

Score: 13.06

Explanations:

souloftherose (4): Protagonist is a black man

15
Wild Seed
by Octavia E. Butler
2,454 members, 74 reviews
4.09 stars (4.09 stars)

Lists: aspirit (3), zjakkelien (4), amurphy (9), karenb (11), Dilara86 (24)

Score: 12.18

Explanations:

zjakkelien (4): The main character is a black woman.

16
Fledgling
by Octavia E. Butler
2,589 members, 132 reviews
3.83 stars (3.83 stars)

Lists: zjakkelien (3), sturlington (7), amurphy (8), karenb (12), Dilara86 (23)

Score: 11.85

Explanations:

zjakkelien (3): The protagonist makes no distinction between men and women when choosing partners, and she's black. A bit controversial, because although she is quite old, her body looks quite young, so it's not for everyone. Still, it meets the requirements.… (more)

17
Parable of the Sower
by Octavia E. Butler
6,308 members, 187 reviews
4.05 stars (4.05 stars)

Lists: sturlington (8), ManWithAnAgenda (17), amurphy (17), souloftherose (25), Dilara86 (26), karenb (32)

Score: 11.56

Explanations:

sturlington (8): Protagonist is a black woman.

18
Parable of the Talents
by Octavia E. Butler
2,867 members, 81 reviews
4.05 stars (4.05 stars)

Lists: sturlington (9), amurphy (18), ManWithAnAgenda (19), Dilara86 (25), souloftherose (26), karenb (33)

Score: 11.4

Explanations:

sturlington (9): Protagonist is a black woman.

19
Lilith's Brood
by Octavia E. Butler
2,294 members, 52 reviews
4.25 stars (4.25 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (1), sturlington (10), karenb (10), amurphy (11)

Score: 10.7

Explanations:

sturlington (10): The protagonist is a black woman.

20
Certain Dark Things
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
529 members, 36 reviews
3.77 stars (3.77 stars)

Lists: andomck (3), karenb (3), amurphy (7), souloftherose (27)

Score: 10.29

21
The Left Hand of Darkness
by Ursula K. Le Guin
13,948 members, 345 reviews
4.05 stars (4.05 stars)

Lists: aspirit (2), hipdeep (5), sturlington (11), ManWithAnAgenda (16)

Score: 10.24

Explanations:

aspirit (2): The main character is a Black man.

22
Alif the Unseen
by G. Willow Wilson
1,578 members, 100 reviews
3.81 stars (3.81 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (7), amurphy (12), karenb (19), souloftherose (21), aspirit (25)

Score: 10.18

23
Castle in the Air
by Diana Wynne Jones
3,652 members, 94 reviews
3.83 stars (3.83 stars)

Lists: merrystar (2), pwaites (10), amurphy (16), ManWithAnAgenda (20)

Score: 9.5

24
The Privilege of the Sword
by Ellen Kushner
1,406 members, 58 reviews
3.97 stars (3.97 stars)

Lists: pwaites (2), merrystar (9), amurphy (19), karenb (22)

Score: 9.44

25
Ms. Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal
by G. Willow Wilson
1,858 members, 135 reviews
4.16 stars (4.16 stars)

Lists: kthxy (5), amurphy (10), karenb (14), souloftherose

Score: 9.03

Explanations:

souloftherose (3): These are comic books featuring a young (16 year old), female, Muslim, Pakistani American as the main character.

26
The Warrior's Apprentice
by Lois McMaster Bujold
2,912 members, 90 reviews
4.15 stars (4.15 stars)

Lists: aulsmith (4), sturlington (12), amurphy (22), souloftherose

Score: 8.86

Explanations:

aulsmith (4): Protagonist, though white and male, is disabled.

27
Shadow Man
by Melissa Scott
245 members, 9 reviews
3.73 stars (3.73 stars)

Lists: aulsmith (1), amurphy (14), karenb (21)

Score: 7.94

Explanations:

aulsmith (1): Protagonist is intersexed

28
A Stranger in Olondria
by Sofia Samatar
649 members, 32 reviews
3.74 stars (3.74 stars)

Lists: amurphy (15), Dilara86 (18), karenb (20), souloftherose

Score: 7.9

29
The Priory of the Orange Tree
by Samantha Shannon
2,583 members, 67 reviews
4 stars (4 stars)

Lists: GreenVelvet (3), merrystar (6), ManWithAnAgenda (15)

Score: 7.63

30
Fool's War
by Sarah Zettel
447 members, 15 reviews
3.96 stars (3.96 stars)

Lists: kceccato (5), Dilara86 (11), amurphy (20)

Score: 6.76

31
Trouble and Her Friends
by Melissa Scott
633 members, 12 reviews
3.67 stars (3.67 stars)

Lists: aulsmith (3), amurphy (21), karenb (23)

Score: 6.73

32
The Fall of the Kings
by Ellen Kushner
985 members, 27 reviews
3.61 stars (3.61 stars)

Lists: merrystar (7), aulsmith (7), karenb (25)

Score: 6.71

Explanations:

aulsmith (7): Protagonists are gay men

33
The New Moon's Arms
by Nalo Hopkinson
289 members, 15 reviews
3.98 stars (3.98 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (4), amurphy (23), karenb (24)

Score: 6.46

34
The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps
by Kai Ashante Wilson
494 members, 31 reviews
3.79 stars (3.79 stars)

Lists: aspirit (5), karenb (30), souloftherose

Score: 6.42

35
China Mountain Zhang
by Maureen F. McHugh
1,264 members, 40 reviews
4.01 stars (4.01 stars)

Lists: aulsmith (11), sturlington (13), karenb (13)

Score: 6.41

Explanations:

aulsmith (11): Protagonist is a gay man

sturlington (13): He is also part Chinese, part Hispanic.

36
Daughter of the Empire
by Raymond E. Feist
3,344 members, 55 reviews
4.13 stars (4.13 stars)

Lists: KimarieBee (1), merrystar (8)

Score: 6.38

37
Farthing
by Jo Walton
1,485 members, 108 reviews
3.9 stars (3.9 stars)

Lists: sturlington (14), aulsmith (15), souloftherose

Score: 6.13

Explanations:

aulsmith (15): Protagonist is a gay man

38
Brown Girl In The Ring
by Nalo Hopkinson
1,038 members, 44 reviews
3.7 stars (3.7 stars)

Lists: sturlington (15), aulsmith (16), karenb (17)

Score: 6

Explanations:

sturlington (15): Protagonist is a black woman.

39
The House of the Scorpion
by Nancy Farmer
5,430 members, 234 reviews
4.11 stars (4.11 stars)

Lists: pwaites (11), karenb (18), sturlington (26)

Score: 5.91

40
Mongrels: A Novel
by Stephen Graham Jones
406 members, 24 reviews
4.05 stars (4.05 stars)

Lists: andomck (2), sturlington (16)

Score: 5.36

41
Cinder
by Marissa Meyer
9,236 members, 766 reviews
4.08 stars (4.08 stars)

Lists: quigui (5), Brandy1411 (6)

Score: 5.23

Explanations:

quigui (5): Main characters are Asian. One of the characters is disabled.

42
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
by Junot Díaz
12,179 members, 461 reviews
3.85 stars (3.85 stars)

Lists: ahef1963 (5), karenb (9), sturlington (17)

Thumbs down: andomck

Score: 4.95

Explanations:

sturlington (17): Not strictly sf/f, more magical realism, but the protagonist is Dominican-American and is a huge sf/f geek, so this is worth reading for sf/f fans.

43
Maiden & Princess
by Daniel Haack
65 members, 4 reviews
3.67 stars (3.67 stars)

Lists: ManWithAnAgenda (4), aspirit (27)

Score: 4.58

44
Borderline
by Mishell Baker
496 members, 37 reviews
3.88 stars (3.88 stars)

Lists: Brandy1411 (3), karenb (49)

Score: 4.55

45
The Windup Girl
by Paolo Bacigalupi
5,657 members, 283 reviews
3.76 stars (3.76 stars)

Lists: aspirit (6), sturlington (18)

Score: 4.5

Explanations:

aspirit (6): Set in a near future India.

46
White is for Witching
by Helen Oyeyemi
991 members, 47 reviews
3.41 stars (3.41 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (8), sturlington (19)

Score: 4.29

47
Mooncakes
by Suzanne Walker
446 members, 49 reviews
3.83 stars (3.83 stars)

Lists: ManWithAnAgenda (9), aspirit (19)

Score: 4.23

Explanations:

aspirit (19): Deaf and queer

48
Dragon's Winter
by Elizabeth A. Lynn
385 members, 6 reviews
3.45 stars (3.45 stars)

Lists: aulsmith (8), karenb (27)

Score: 4.13

Explanations:

aulsmith (8): Protagonists are gay men

49
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm
by Nancy Farmer
2,573 members, 52 reviews
4 stars (4 stars)

Lists: pwaites (9), karenb (26)

Score: 4.08

50
Akata Witch
by Nnedi Okorafor
1,804 members, 103 reviews
4 stars (4 stars)

Lists: aspirit (9), ManWithAnAgenda (26)

Score: 4.08

51
Redemption in Indigo
by Karen Lord
569 members, 41 reviews
3.9 stars (3.9 stars)

Lists: karenb (15), souloftherose

Score: 4.07

Explanations:

souloftherose (5): Protagonist is a black woman

52
Mission Child
by Maureen F. McHugh
341 members, 12 reviews
3.72 stars (3.72 stars)

Lists: aulsmith (9), karenb (28)

Score: 4.05

Explanations:

aulsmith (9): Protagonist is a transsexual

53
Dhalgren
by Samuel R. Delany
3,363 members, 73 reviews
3.79 stars (3.79 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (15), karenb (16)

Score: 4.03

54
The Summer Prince
by Alaya Dawn Johnson
545 members, 57 reviews
3.7 stars (3.7 stars)

Lists: aspirit (1)

Score: 4

Explanations:

aspirit (1): The main characters are neither straight nor White.

55
The Tiger's Daughter
by K Arsenault Rivera
505 members, 22 reviews
3.63 stars (3.63 stars)

Lists: Cecrow (1)

Score: 4

56
Half-Resurrection Blues
by Daniel José Older
409 members, 27 reviews
3.63 stars (3.63 stars)

Lists: karenb (1)

Score: 4

57
Bonds of Brass: Book One of The Bloodright Trilogy
by Emily Skrutskie
183 members, 12 reviews
3.53 stars (3.53 stars)

Lists: Sam_Ash (1)

Score: 4

58
The Story of Silence
by Alex Myers
74 members, 0 reviews
4.33 stars (4.33 stars)

Lists: GreenVelvet (1)

Score: 4

Explanations:

GreenVelvet (1): Protagonist is trans/non-binary

59
Harper: A Collection of Horrors
by Gunnar K. A. Njalsson
1 member, 1 review
5 stars (5 stars)

Lists: hanas (1)

Score: 4

61
Imaro
by Charles Saunders
230 members, 7 reviews
4 stars (4 stars)

Lists: aspirit (8), karenb (41)

Score: 3.96

62
The House of Shattered Wings
by Aliette de Bodard
632 members, 50 reviews
3.44 stars (3.44 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (19), souloftherose

Score: 3.95

Explanations:

souloftherose (15): One protagonist is Vietnamese

63
The Book of Phoenix
by Nnedi Okorafor
485 members, 34 reviews
3.67 stars (3.67 stars)

Lists: sturlington (23), souloftherose

Score: 3.86

64
The Speed of Dark
by Elizabeth Moon
2,100 members, 104 reviews
3.99 stars (3.99 stars)

Lists: sturlington (24), souloftherose

Score: 3.84

Explanations:

sturlington (24): Protagonist is autistic.

65
Woman on the Edge of Time
by Marge Piercy
2,343 members, 47 reviews
3.91 stars (3.91 stars)

Lists: sturlington (25), souloftherose

Score: 3.82

Explanations:

souloftherose (9): Protagonist is Mexican and female

66
The Best of All Possible Worlds
by Karen Lord
675 members, 46 reviews
3.61 stars (3.61 stars)

Lists: karenb (29), souloftherose

Score: 3.76

67
Godmother Night
by Rachel Pollack
142 members, 2 reviews
3.53 stars (3.53 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (16), karenb (31)

Score: 3.7

68
On a Red Station, Drifting
by Aliette de Bodard
268 members, 28 reviews
3.68 stars (3.68 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (20), souloftherose (29)

Score: 3.62

69
The Citadel of Weeping Pearls
by Aliette de Bodard
137 members, 9 reviews
3.78 stars (3.78 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (21), souloftherose (28)

Score: 3.61

70
Crota
by Owl Goingback
117 members, 3 reviews
3.52 stars (3.52 stars)

Lists: sturlington (20), aspirit (31)

Score: 3.59

Explanations:

sturlington (20): Native American

71
Shadowshaper
by Daniel José Older
896 members, 56 reviews
3.79 stars (3.79 stars)

Lists: karenb (2)

Score: 3.36

72
The Black Tides of Heaven
by Neon Yang
827 members, 42 reviews
3.73 stars (3.73 stars)

Lists: DeusXMachina (2)

Score: 3.36

73
Once & Future
by Cori McCarthy
538 members, 14 reviews
3.17 stars (3.17 stars)

Lists: Sam_Ash (2)

Score: 3.36

Explanations:

Sam_Ash (2): LGBTQ+, racial and ethnic diversity.

74
Dreamships
by Melissa Scott
462 members, 4 reviews
3.56 stars (3.56 stars)

Lists: aulsmith (2)

Score: 3.36

75
Fires of the Faithful
by Naomi Kritzer
251 members, 6 reviews
3.49 stars (3.49 stars)

Lists: kceccato (2)

Score: 3.36

76
Three Partitions
by Bogi Takács
4 members, 1 review
4.5 stars (4.5 stars)

Lists: kthxy (2)

Score: 3.36

77
Bridge of Birds
by Barry Hughart
2,360 members, 94 reviews
4.37 stars (4.37 stars)

Lists: merrystar (3)

Score: 3.04

78
Company Town
by Madeline Ashby
408 members, 30 reviews
3.56 stars (3.56 stars)

Lists: hipdeep (3)

Score: 3.04

79
The Red Threads of Fortune
by Neon Yang
370 members, 17 reviews
3.78 stars (3.78 stars)

Lists: DeusXMachina (3)

Score: 3.04

80
The Disasters
by M. K. England
285 members, 18 reviews
3.74 stars (3.74 stars)

Lists: Sam_Ash (3)

Score: 3.04

Explanations:

Sam_Ash (3): In the main character group there is bi and trans representation, neurodiversity, religious diversity.

81
Prince & Knight
by Daniel Haack
177 members, 11 reviews
4.29 stars (4.29 stars)

Lists: ManWithAnAgenda (3)

Score: 3.04

82
Water
by Hannah Blume
2 members, 1 review
4 stars (4 stars)

Lists: kthxy (3)

Score: 3.04

83
A Taste of Honey
by Kai Ashante Wilson
309 members, 20 reviews
4.04 stars (4.04 stars)

Lists: aspirit (4)

Score: 2.83

84
Gateway
by Sharon Shinn
207 members, 12 reviews
3.35 stars (3.35 stars)

Lists: merrystar (4)

Score: 2.83

85
Dragonoak: The Complete History of Kastelir
by Sam Farren
15 members, 0 reviews
4.5 stars (4.5 stars)

Lists: kthxy (4)

Score: 2.83

86
Partials
by Dan Wells
1,342 members, 133 reviews
3.84 stars (3.84 stars)

Lists: pwaites (5)

Score: 2.68

87
The Last Herald-Mage
by Mercedes Lackey
711 members, 10 reviews
4.4 stars (4.4 stars)

Lists: ManWithAnAgenda (5)

Score: 2.68

88
Redwood and Wildfire
by Andrea Hairston
115 members, 1 review
3.73 stars (3.73 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (5)

Score: 2.68

89
The Hands of the Emperor
by Victoria Goddard
98 members, 7 reviews
4.73 stars (4.73 stars)

Lists: merrystar (5)

Score: 2.68

90
The Book of a Thousand Days
by Shannon Hale
2,392 members, 144 reviews
3.96 stars (3.96 stars)

Lists: pwaites (6)

Score: 2.56

91
Kirith Kirin
by Jim Grimsley
217 members, 8 reviews
3.6 stars (3.6 stars)

Lists: aulsmith (6)

Score: 2.56

Explanations:

aulsmith (6): Protagonists are gay men

92
Future Feeling
by Joss Lake
53 members, 1 review
4.1 stars (4.1 stars)

Lists: ManWithAnAgenda (6)

Score: 2.56

93
The Bone Shard Daughter
by Andrea Stewart
622 members, 15 reviews
4.14 stars (4.14 stars)

Lists: ManWithAnAgenda (7)

Score: 2.46

94
A Queer Trade
by KJ Charles
92 members, 10 reviews
4.04 stars (4.04 stars)

Lists: aspirit (7)

Score: 2.46

Explanations:

aspirit (7): One of the main characters is a gay (or equivalent to the time period), Black man.

95
The Midnight Bargain
by C. L. Polk
379 members, 28 reviews
3.85 stars (3.85 stars)

Lists: ManWithAnAgenda (8)

Score: 2.38

96
Sultana's Dream
by Rokheya Shekawat Hossein
63 members, 6 reviews
3.47 stars (3.47 stars)

Lists: Dilara86 (9)

Score: 2.31

97
The Three-Body Problem
by Cixin Liu
6,383 members, 328 reviews
3.79 stars (3.79 stars)

Lists: ManWithAnAgenda (10)

Score: 2.25

98
Everfair
by Nisi Shawl
549 members, 25 reviews
3.38 stars (3.38 stars)

Lists: aspirit (10)

Score: 2.25

99
Larque on the Wing
by Nancy Springer
140 members, 7 reviews
3.52 stars (3.52 stars)

Lists: aulsmith (10)

Score: 2.25

Explanations:

aulsmith (10): Portagonist is genderqueer

100
Black and Conservative
by George Samuel Schuyler
22 members, 0 reviews

Lists: Dilara86 (10)

Score: 2.25

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About this list

Started by: pwaites (April 2014)

Type: Numbered and unnumbered

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