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Binary Stars: Constellations #1: A Queer Sci-Fi Romance Anthology
Binary Constellations #1 is the first sci-fi LGBTQ+ anthology from Space Fruit Press, featuring four stories of intergalactic romance. From a shady bar on the wrong side of the asteroid field, to a royal wedding that gets a rude interruption, to two rival lawyers going deep in the archives, to a formal treaty ceremony that heads in an unexpected direction — these tales of space-age hijinks prove that there is steam in outer space.
Four previously-unpublished stories of queer romance and adventure:
“What the Empress Wants” by Daisy Fairchild
The Empress of the Ehk'sorki is on her way across the galaxy to get married, along with an armada of warships and a fortune in jewels. It will only take one pirate with a very small spaceship to change the plan, but rebel pilot Hylbe's sabotage doesn't go as expected. She's about to learn that kidnapping an Empress doesn't necessarily mean certain death, but it will be an adventure.
“We Come in Peace” by Rena Butler
This should be Captain Abram Adoyo's finest hour, as he brokers a treaty with the gentle Khuzoid people of Iarus V. But while the Khuzoid are a peaceful species, they demand that Abe perform an important rite for them as part of their negotiating process. The captain never expected his first officer, Mattys Kriel, to be involved in such an intimate act — but he will do anything to complete their mission. No matter how hard it gets.
“The Last Place They'd Look” by Catherine Fletcher
Tal is an intergalactic courier down on their luck and looking for a quick buck in a seedy bar at the edge of the galaxy. That's where they meet Kate, an unexpected human who is seeking escape immediately, no questions asked. What Tal doesn't realize is how dangerous it will be to have Kate onboard — not just to their livelihood, but also to their heart.
“Trash Planet Confidential” by Louisa Vidal
Onyez thought she'd left her nemesis Vio behind when she went to practice law on a different planet. But then Vio shows up in Onyez's office with a request that she can't bring herself to refuse. Will these two lawyers manage to acquit themselves, or will this be a love trial?
Four previously-unpublished stories of queer romance and adventure:
“What the Empress Wants” by Daisy Fairchild
The Empress of the Ehk'sorki is on her way across the galaxy to get married, along with an armada of warships and a fortune in jewels. It will only take one pirate with a very small spaceship to change the plan, but rebel pilot Hylbe's sabotage doesn't go as expected. She's about to learn that kidnapping an Empress doesn't necessarily mean certain death, but it will be an adventure.
“We Come in Peace” by Rena Butler
This should be Captain Abram Adoyo's finest hour, as he brokers a treaty with the gentle Khuzoid people of Iarus V. But while the Khuzoid are a peaceful species, they demand that Abe perform an important rite for them as part of their negotiating process. The captain never expected his first officer, Mattys Kriel, to be involved in such an intimate act — but he will do anything to complete their mission. No matter how hard it gets.
“The Last Place They'd Look” by Catherine Fletcher
Tal is an intergalactic courier down on their luck and looking for a quick buck in a seedy bar at the edge of the galaxy. That's where they meet Kate, an unexpected human who is seeking escape immediately, no questions asked. What Tal doesn't realize is how dangerous it will be to have Kate onboard — not just to their livelihood, but also to their heart.
“Trash Planet Confidential” by Louisa Vidal
Onyez thought she'd left her nemesis Vio behind when she went to practice law on a different planet. But then Vio shows up in Onyez's office with a request that she can't bring herself to refuse. Will these two lawyers manage to acquit themselves, or will this be a love trial?
89 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2023
34 people want to read
About the author
Daisy Fairchild
6 books6 followersDaisy Fairchild never outgrew the joy of making up characters and making them kiss, and she makes no apologies for it! As the author of the Eden's Hollow series, her queer romance interests get to meet and kiss with her love of fantasy, myth, and magical realism, often at length. She likes her settings rural, her neighbors nosy, and her plants multitudinous. An unabashed morning person, she drinks too much coffee, keeps a messy desk, and has fully embraced decor associated with her name.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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October 11, 2023Heat Factor: There is sex in every story
Character Chemistry: Varies
Plot: These are short stories, so there’s really only space for a vignette or two to set the stage
Overall: Quick read—fun and low-stakes
I like to read anthologies to get a sense of different writers’ voices, and on that front, this anthology is great, because the stories are all short and all standalone. This group of authors also has several other LGBTQ anthologies (not in space), and I would be interested to see if their non-sci-fi shorts worked better for me as shorts.
Overall, I would recommend this anthology for people who are interested in queer romance and sci-fi romance, if only to try out some new-to-you authors. I, for one, have found some names to add to my to-watch-for list.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Character Chemistry: Varies
Plot: These are short stories, so there’s really only space for a vignette or two to set the stage
Overall: Quick read—fun and low-stakes
I like to read anthologies to get a sense of different writers’ voices, and on that front, this anthology is great, because the stories are all short and all standalone. This group of authors also has several other LGBTQ anthologies (not in space), and I would be interested to see if their non-sci-fi shorts worked better for me as shorts.
Overall, I would recommend this anthology for people who are interested in queer romance and sci-fi romance, if only to try out some new-to-you authors. I, for one, have found some names to add to my to-watch-for list.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
December 16, 2023
Sci-fi romance at its most enjoyable!
A delightfully, joyfully queer collection of stories! I fell in love with all of these characters in these bite-sized but complex worlds and the spice was just right. Sci-fi romance at its most enjoyable!
A delightfully, joyfully queer collection of stories! I fell in love with all of these characters in these bite-sized but complex worlds and the spice was just right. Sci-fi romance at its most enjoyable!
November 7, 2023
A truly exciting collection of four stories centered around queer pairings that take place in space. From the extremely humorous (We Come In Peace) to the introspective (The Last Place They'd Look) to the adventurous (What the Empress Wants) to the space telenovella (Trash Planet Confidential), there's something for everyone in this anthology.
November 8, 2023
What a gift to be featured in a second anthology by Space Fruit Press! I loved getting to write a space story, and I loved even more getting to read the other stories in this book! With everything from hot nonbinary aliens on the run to a bloody-minded lawyer on a waste planet and a captain giving his all for his crew, this collection ticks all the boxes a reader could hope for!
January 10, 2024
Each of the four stories in this anthology bring something else to the table.
From freaky alien sex to diplomatic relations gone awry to niche workplace drama (in space), there's something in here for everyone!
From freaky alien sex to diplomatic relations gone awry to niche workplace drama (in space), there's something in here for everyone!
November 1, 2023
I already liked Space Fruit Press's other spicy queer books, so add sci-fi and you know I'm there! Just don't ask me to explain the plot of "Trash Planet Confidential"...
August 21, 2023
Super fun queer space romance anthology! Loved all four stories and the tropes both used and subverted. Funny and hot in equal measure. Great to see more W/W and W/(Alien) content from Space Fruit Press :)
December 21, 2023
A really satisfying anthology for this occasional sci-fi fan; I only really like science fiction that has fun and doesn't take itself too seriously, which these stories tick the boxes of, plus: smut! I did actual LOLs at Rena Butler's We Come in Peace (great title), swooned at The Last Place They'd Look, which has a nonbinary character in a romance without feeling trite or cliched, and loved the sapphic space pirate/royalty match up in What the Empress Wants, plus the noir-ish Trash Planet Confidential.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews