a place where no-one cared if you were straight or you were gay...
Promised Land Tales is a series of LGBTQ+ children's books written by Adam Reynolds and Chaz Harris, illustrated by Christine Luiten and Bo Moore.
Book 1: Promised Land (2017).The story follows farmboy Jack and prince Leo, who meet by accident in the woods and immediately become best friends, and eventually fall in love.One day, things take a dark turn when a sinister man seeks to steal both the throne and the Enchanted Forest Jack's family is responsible for protecting.
Book 2: Maiden Voyage (2018), co-written by Jaimee Poipoi.Fisherman's daughter Ru inherits a map that could lead her to her long lost mother. In her search for a ship and crew, she meets captain Freya, who offers to make the voyage with her.
Book 3: Raven Wild (2020), co-written by Caitlin Spice.The heroine of this story is the transgender girl Raven who must stop an evil poacher from stealing a precious gem that allows its wielder to control all creatures.
Promised Land contains examples of:
- Anguished Declaration of Love: When one of them is presumed dead, the other tearfully professes their love for the other - upon which the other wakes up and confesses back.
- Bury Your Gays: Subverted. The first two books each get one Disney Death, but they get better.
- Coming-Out Story: Averted. In these stories, homophobia is never an issue to begin with, so no-one needs to hide their sexual orientation.
- Feminist Fantasy: The female characters are very capable.
- Loyal Animal Companion: Jack's dog Milo in book one; Freya's cat Bowie in book two; Misty the parrot in book three.
- A Dog Named "Dog": The Enchanted Forest is literally called just that.
- Authority Equals Asskicking: Queen Elena is a master swordswoman.
- Babies Ever After: Leo and Jack have two children at the end.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Gideon. He manages to fool the entire kingdom, except for Leo, Jack and Carol.
- Bridal Carry: How Jack carries an unconscious Leo towards the ending.
- Childhood Friend Romance: Jack and Leo grow up as friends and as young adults, they fall in love.
- Cool Crown: Queen Elena is never seen without her tiara.
- Dance of Romance: After Eve finally reveals herself to Leo, he and Jack dance in The Forest until dawn.
- Disappeared Dad: Both of them is missing one parent.
- Heavenly Blue: Whenever Eve shows herself, it's in the form of a glowing blue orb or a glowing blue face.
- Heroes Love Dogs: Jack has a dog named Milo.
- Hypnotize the Captive: Gideon uses a magic medallion to gain control of Elena and eventually get her to marry him.
- Lady of War: When Elena fights Gideon, she's described as "moving with the grace of a swan".
- Momma's Boy: Leo admires his mother's swordsmanship.
- Red and Black and Evil All Over: Gideon wears red and black on his wedding.
- Simple, yet Opulent: Elena and Leo wear clothes that are fairly simple, but also quite fancy.
- Anti-Magic: Being touched by a princess frees anyone from Queen Neva's curse.
- Badass Boast: Freya calls herself "the finest swashbuckler of the high seas".
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Anyone falling under Queen Neva's spell lose their free will.
- Incurable Cough of Death: Ru's father Ben is terminally ill.
- Seadog Peg Leg: Captain Crow has two metallic substitutes for legs.
- Long Hair Is Feminine: Before transitioning, Raven has short hair.
- Distressed Dude: She has to save Finn from the poacher gang at one point.
- Good Scars, Evil Scars: Stryker has three parallel scars across his eye.
- Gender-Restricted Ability: The magical gem can only be wielded by a woman.
- The Medic: Finn is trained in making healing potions.
- Talking Animal: Misty is the only animal sidekick who can speak.
