Beyond the Algorithm

Hey Shadaras! I've waxed poetic about my love for wlw Alpennia Series here, but what made me think you might enjoy it are these likes: queer stuff, worldbuilding, philosophy, religion, gen shenanigans/team as family/found family, genre bending/blending, romance so long as it's not the only plot. When I've tried to describe the genre of this series before I think it's historical fiction with light fantasy and romance elements. The most recent book, the fourth in the series really punches in the amazing worldbuilding that was laid in the first three books. The books can be read stand alone but the world and character building is all the richer as a series. The author is on the ace spectrum so while relationships feature prominently, both romantic and friendships, it is all fade to black. Also, I really enjoy the period specific language and character understanding of queerness. Mostly I think this stands out for me as a great example of the power of found family and how queer people found and made community in all periods of time. I'm not typically a historical fan, but the characters and rich storytelling sucked me in. In later books there are more POC and also what we might consider with modern language a trans character. Bonus: there is a small contingent of fanworks for it and a rallyable group in the exchange circuit (+Yuletide eligible for next year!).