If the detective elements of 'Zenobia July' hooked you, pair it with 'The Mystery of Hollow Inn' by Tara Thieu. It’s a middle-grade mystery featuring a trans protagonist solving crimes during a family trip. The pacing is snappy, and the rep feels organic—no heavy-handed lessons, just kids being kids. Also, 'George' by Alex Gino remains a classic for a reason; its simplicity and warmth echo Zenobia’s story, especially in scenes about claiming one’s truth.
Books like 'Zenobia July' often weave identity into everyday adventures. Check out 'Rick' by Alex Gino—it’s shorter but packs a punch, following a kid questioning his sexuality after joining an LGBTQ+ club. The dialogue feels just as genuine as Zenobia’s interactions with her quirky family. Or dive into 'The Deep & Dark Blue' by Niki Smith, a graphic novel about twin sisters, one of whom is trans, disguising themselves in a magical sisterhood. The art style alone is worth it!
For readers who connected with 'Zenobia July''s themes of found family, I’d recommend 'The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James' by Ashley Herring Blake. Sunny’s journey after a heart transplant mirrors Zenobia’s rebirth in a new town—both girls rebuild their lives while wrestling with secrets. The coastal setting adds a cozy vibe. Alternatively, 'Obie Is Man Enough' by Schuyler Bailar tackles trans identity in sports with the same compassionate realism. The swimming scenes are so vivid, you can almost smell the chlorine!
Oh, 'Zenobia July' was such a gem! If you adored its mix of mystery and self-discovery, try 'The Best at It' by Maulik Pancholy. It follows Rahul, a gay Indian-American boy grappling with perfectionism and first crushes. The way it balances humor with vulnerability reminded me of Zenobia's witty internal monologues. Another underrated pick is 'Ana on the Edge' by A.J. Sass—about a figure skater questioning their gender identity. Both books share that delicate balance of external challenges (like Zenobia's hacker subplot) and internal growth.
If you loved 'Zenobia July' for its heartfelt exploration of identity and belonging, you might enjoy 'The Pants Project' by Cat Clarke. Both books center around young protagonists navigating personal truths in environments that aren't always accepting. While 'Zenobia July' focuses on a trans girl finding her voice, 'The Pants Project' follows a non-binary kid challenging school dress codes. What ties them together is the raw, authentic emotion—like when Zenobia hesitates to correct someone using her deadname, or Liv's quiet determination to wear pants.
For something with a bit more whimsy but similar themes, 'The Witch Boy' by Molly Ostertag is a graphic novel about a boy who defies magical gender norms. It's lighter in tone but just as meaningful. And if you're craving more trans narratives specifically, 'Too Bright to See' by Kyle Lukoff is a ghost story intertwined with a trans boy's coming-of-age—achingly beautiful prose that stays with you.
2026-03-23 03:40:24
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Duchess Of Sebria
Nina Daniel
9.2
14.9K
Renai took every misstep that a butcher's daughter can not afford. She shouldn't have befriended Prince Zebian of the Kingdom Of Sebria when she found him injured beside her dearest spot. She shouldn't have helped him, met him every day for years, eaten lunches with him, shared a kiss with him and officially made him fall in love with her, but she did, and for that, her family paid a huge price.
Returning homeland after eight years, she prayed that the people of Sebria would forget her, but the moment she crossed the borders she was reminded of who she was. A commoner bound to serve His Majesty.
Love would be questioned, hearts would be mended, memories would haunt and most of all, The King Of Sebria would take his revenge of betrayal, lies and escape.
Dark Romance 21+
"This isn't just a school. It's something more."
Zeda Iverson thought high school was done, but her parents insisted on Shadowbrook Academy – a mysterious school she'd never heard of – instead of college.
She soon discovers Shadowbrook hides secrets, and the four powerful princes who rule the academy are all obsessed with her.
But their attention becomes the least of her worries as a dangerous revolution looms, threatening to destroy the academy and the princes Zeda has fallen in love with.
Only Zeda holds the power to stop the coming chaos. Yet, her abilities are locked away.
Can she unlock her potential and save everyone she loves before it's too late?
Orenda was created by the God of Destruction to protect the people of the world from the shadow demons known as eyti that now plague it. For thousands of years she - alongside her brother - fulfilled this sacred duty with ease...until now.
Never in her millennia did Orenda dream she would be blessed with a soulmate. She was even less prepared when her soulmate turned out to be none other than the creator of the very beings she was created to fight; the God of Malice, Azadou.
Azadou is cold, uncaring and has a deep hatred of the Gods. Everyone keeps telling her to stay far away and reject him, but like the pull of two opposing magnets, these two cosmic beings can't resist the draw to each other.
As Orenda puts her heart, soul and dignity on the line to win the heart of her destined half, a new and mysterious threat emerges... Something sinister is afoot and it has big plans for Orenda.
Orenda will find herself in the most tempestuous fight of her life, with the stakes higher than anything she could have imagined. Will she come out victorious and achieve her happily ever after? Or find herself at the centre of a dark parable with no happy ending in sight?
This is the 7th book in the God's Saga.
Series Order:
A Queen Among Alphas
Bite-Size Luna - Alphas Prequel
A Queen Among Snakes
Runaway Empress - Snakes Prequel
A Queen Among Blood
A Queen Among Darkness
Dark Vocation - Darkness spin-off
Whole Again - Alpha's spin-off
A Queen Among Tides
Valor, Virtue, and Verve - Tides Prequel Spin-off
A Queen Among Gods
A Queen Among Tempests
A Court of Arcane Souls (side character short stories requested by readers)
The Royal Shadow Series (Next Gen Coming Soon)
Her name was Vitatrix, the first empress of Rome.
You won't see her in any of the history books, or hear her name in any ballad or song.
She isn't even mentioned in myth or legend. Her mark on mankind was erased, because she was a woman.
Long ago Rome's emperor died with out a son. His cousin, a roman senator ascended to the throne with out a legitimate heir, or so everyone thought.
Fear started to grip the citizens of Rome as new threats rose from every corner of the empire.
In the city of Clusium, a daughter that was born to the new roman emperor, hidden by his wife. All of this to protect her from the possible rage and discrimination from her own family.
All because she was born a girl.
In a world where men rule, can this sole female heir secure her rightful place? Or will her gender pull her down?
Raised by the midwife that helped bring her into the world, a young Trix finds out who she truly is.
She must return to a family she has never known and save the Roman Empire from anarchy.
She must fight a corrupt senator, a secret society, and her own fears of the future.
Together with her best friend, Hector, she will learn that not everyone can be trusted.
Not all stories have a happy ever after. Will this one?
After discovering her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend, Maritza travels to Egypt alone, hoping to leave her broken heart behind.
But one unexpected accident changes everything.
A single drop of her blood awakens an ancient prophecy, sending her three thousand years into the past—where she is mistaken for a witch and hunted by those who fear her.
Only one man recognizes the truth.
Pharaoh Kharef, the most feared ruler of Ancient Egypt.
As palace conspiracies, forbidden magic, and forgotten gods begin to stir, Maritza must find a way back to her own time... or risk becoming the queen history was never meant to remember.
Some destinies are written in the stars.
Hers was written in blood.
Violet Wintour is a controversial heiress in the 21st-century high society, but not for the same reasons other rich kids of London are. Her father, the Duke of Averbury, passed away with a family will that leads to a surprising twist.
Across the world, Clare Leighton is living a modest life. Years of struggling with bankruptcy begin to take a toll on her family. Her caring yet depressed parents force her to take a different path that she hasn't prepared for.
When the hand of fate brings these two different women together, something is going to change forever.
If you loved 'Elizabeth and Zenobia' for its eerie, whimsical blend of gothic mystery and childhood friendship, you're in luck! There's a whole treasure trove of middle-grade books that dance between reality and the supernatural. 'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman is an obvious pick—its unsettling atmosphere and brave, curious protagonist feel like a darker cousin to Elizabeth's story. Then there's 'The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls' by Claire Legrand, which nails that creepy-but-charming vibe with its sinister orphanage and two friends uncovering secrets.
For something quieter but equally haunting, 'The Secret of Nightingale Wood' by Lucy Strange follows a girl grappling with family tragedy while encountering ghostly whispers in the woods. What ties these books together is that sense of childhood resilience meeting the uncanny. They don’t shy away from darkness but balance it with heart, just like 'Elizabeth and Zenobia' did. I always find myself revisiting these when I crave that perfect mix of spine tingles and emotional depth.
If you loved 'June', you're probably drawn to that mix of emotional depth and quiet introspection. I'd suggest 'The Light We Lost' by Jill Santopolo—it’s got that same bittersweet vibe, exploring love and timing in a way that lingers long after the last page. Another one that hit me similarly is 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney; the way it digs into relationships and personal growth feels so raw and real.
For something with a touch more whimsy but still packed with heart, 'The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry' is a gem. It’s about books, loss, and unexpected connections, all wrapped in cozy storytelling. And if you’re open to a slightly darker tone, 'The Great Alone' by Kristin Hannah blends family drama with stunning landscapes, making the emotional stakes feel huge.