The Unbalancing

The Unbalancing takes place in the fantasy archipelago of Gelle-Geu, where a magical star beneath the waves maintains a precarious balance with the islands above. The story centers on two main characters: Erígra Lilún, a reserved poet and scholar, and Ranra Kekeri, who is destined to become the next Starkeeper. As the current Starkeeper approaches death, the magical Star of the Tides grows increasingly unstable, threatening the archipelago with earthquakes and destruction. The inhabitants of Gelle-Geu must work together to prevent catastrophe, while navigating complex relationships and community dynamics. The novel, set within R. B. Lemberg's Birdverse world, examines environmental crisis through a fantasy lens while exploring themes of identity, power, and collective responsibility. The story draws parallels between magical instability and climate change, while considering how communities respond to existential threats.

Readers describe The Unbalancing as a character-focused fantasy with unique world-building and nonbinary/queer representation. Many readers connected with the neurodivergent perspectives and appreciated the connection between magic and environmental themes. Likes: - Complex magic system based on poetry and stars - Authentic portrayal of autistic and nonbinary characters - Thoughtful exploration of community and relationships - Prose style described as "lyrical" and "intimate" Dislikes: - Some found the pacing slow, especially in the first half - World-building terminology confusing for readers new to the Birdverse series - Romance development felt rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (100+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.8/5 Notable review: "The focus on negotiating boundaries and consent in both magical and personal relationships sets this apart from typical fantasy." - Goodreads reviewer

The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison A queer-inclusive standalone fantasy follows a religious investigator in a world where gods and magic intertwine with politics and personal relationships.

The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk A young magic practitioner must choose between her powers and societal expectations in a world where magic affects nature and the environment.

A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson This fantasy novella centers on a same-sex romance in a richly developed secondary world where mathematics and ritual magic form the foundation of society.

The Four Profound Weaves by R. B. Lemberg Set in the same universe as The Unbalancing, this story follows two trans elders who seek magical textiles and challenge the boundaries between life, death, and transformation.

The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang In a silkpunk fantasy world, twin protagonists navigate gender identity and magical abilities while their society faces technological and environmental changes.

🌟 The Birdverse series, where this book is set, features a unique magical system based on geometry and mathematical principles 🏳️‍🌈 R. B. Lemberg is a queer, bigender immigrant from Eastern Europe and brings this perspective to their celebrated fantasy writing 🌊 The novel's setting draws inspiration from various real-world island cultures and their relationship with rising sea levels 📝 The protagonist Erígra Lilún's character was partially inspired by neurodivergent experiences and the author's own relationship with poetry 🎭 The book innovatively uses nonbinary pronouns and features multiple characters who exist outside the gender binary, reflecting modern understanding of gender identity