Weekly Book Recs 26-2025: Transgender Stories

WEEKLY BOOK RECS: 6 book reviews and suggestions every week

Some stories punch you right in the heart, and some feel like an arm slung over your shoulder. This week’s picks manage to do both. We’re focusing on stories with transgender lead characters, whether they’re navigating identity, love, grief, revenge, or just trying to stay alive in worlds that aren’t always built for them.

There’s a mix of genres here, some are contemporary and quiet, others are wild and witchy. What they all have in common is how fully they let their trans characters exist, love, mess up, and keep going. Let’s get into it.

1. “Man o’ War” by Cory McCarthy

⭐ 4.7/5

Genre: YA contemporary, coming-of-age, sports

Lead Identity: Transmasc

Description: River has spent years drifting through life, unsure of who they are. When they start to figure it out, everything shifts. Set in the world of competitive swimming, this one’s about bodies, identity, family, and trying to move forward even when it’s hard.

Review: Raw and gorgeously written. River’s journey is quiet but powerful, and the way dysphoria, hope, and uncertainty are explored feels real and grounded. Also, there’s a queer love story that’s tender and well-earned.

2. “Detransition, Baby” by Torrey Peters

⭐ 4.3/5

Genre: Contemporary, drama, messy relationships

Lead Identity: Trans woman

Description: Reese wants a baby. Her ex, Ames, has detransitioned and gotten his boss pregnant. He proposes a wild idea — co-parenting with Reese. What follows is sharp, funny, vulnerable, and kind of unhinged in the best way.

Review: This book doesn’t try to simplify anything. It dives headfirst into gender, womanhood, queerness, and the mess that is relationships. Reese is unforgettable, and the conversations between the characters are some of the best writing I’ve read this year.

3. “If I Was Your Girl” by Meredith Russo

⭐ 4.1/5

Genre: YA romance, identity, new beginnings

Lead Identity: Trans girl

Description: Amanda is the new girl in town, trying to keep her past private. She wants to make friends, maybe fall in love, and finally feel safe. But she’s constantly holding her breath, wondering what will happen if people find out she’s trans.

Review: Heartfelt and important. This one’s written for teens but hits all the right notes for any reader. Amanda’s story is handled with honesty and care, and the author is a trans woman herself, which really shows in the nuance.

4. “A Dream of a Woman” by Casey Plett

⭐ 4.4/5

Genre: Literary fiction, short stories

Lead Identity: Various trans women

Description: A stunning collection of interconnected stories following trans women in all kinds of situations — some are lonely, some in love, some just trying to get through the day. The writing is tender and full of longing.

Review: This is one of those books that feels like real life. Not because it’s dramatic, but because it’s so emotionally honest. It quietly captures what it’s like to exist in the world as a trans woman, with all the complexity that comes with it.

5. “Pet” by Akwaeke Emezi

⭐ 4.5/5

Genre: YA speculative, fantasy, social justice

Lead Identity: Trans girl

Description: In a world that claims all its monsters are gone, a creature named Pet crawls out of a painting and tells Jam, a trans girl, that there’s still one left. She has to decide if she’ll stay safe or hunt the monster hiding in plain sight.

Review: Jam’s identity is never questioned or doubted by anyone in the book, which feels like a breath of fresh air. The story is dark, magical, and deeply thoughtful. Emezi’s worldbuilding is so smooth you barely notice it until it guts you.

6. “Hell Followed With Us” by Andrew Joseph White

⭐ 4.2/5

Genre: Queer horror, dystopia, revenge

Lead Identity: Transmasc

Description: Sixteen-year-old Ben is on the run from a fundamentalist cult that infected him with a bioengineered plague to turn him into a monster. He finds a group of queer teens hiding out in a center, and they help him fight back. With fire.

Review: This is violent, angry, and cathartic. Its body horror meets queer rage, and it’s beautiful. Ben’s transness is central to the story, but so is his fury, his guilt, and his desire to survive. If you like horror that punches back, this one’s for you.

About Apollo Imperium

Explore captivating literary worlds within the pages of our thoughtfully curated books. Apollo Libraries, a proud subsidiary of Apollo Imperium, is committed to delivering literary excellence that ignites imagination and nurtures knowledge. Our extensive collection spans diverse genres, encompassing both timeless classics and contemporary masterpieces, all meticulously crafted with a dedication to the art of storytelling. We also proudly present "Neuroasis", a meditation, science and neurology based mental health branch; many artists; home decor and art & design; music & more.

Work with us

Become an Artist

Become an Author

Review our books

If you're interested in becoming a reviewer, contact us at info@apolloimperium.com with the subject REVIEW. If we think you're a good fit for us, you will receive the books you wish to review for free, either as an EBook or a physical copy for you to keep, depending on the book. In case of a physical copy, we will cover shipping costs, too.

Mention where you're active (bookstagram, goodreads etc) and your account, where you're from (country suffices), why you enjoy reading and which books or genres you like most.

Contact Us

For inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or any assistance, please don't hesitate to get in touch:

• Email: info@apolloimperium.com