Read the ACD series in publication order: Elements (Book 1), Bridges (Book 2), and Horizons (Book 3). The books follow interconnected storylines across multiple POV characters, with relationships and plot threads that build throughout the series. While each book has its own set of characters, the main arc is shared (Taj and Song’s story). The overarching narrative and character development are designed to be read sequentially for the full experience of the world’s evolution and the characters’ journeys.

Elements (Book 1) introduces Taj, trapped by cartel debt and objectified for his beauty, and Song, the Sect’s Commander with a difficult past. Their connection develops against Riley’s dangerous obsession and manipulator Amber’s schemes in a world divided by natural Ability and Crystal energy. It sets the foundation for their 200-year journey.

You can read the ACD series for free on Royal Road, Scribble Hub, and Tapas before deciding to purchase. The author (svl yisanliu) publishes chapters on these platforms, allowing readers to sample the writing style, worldbuilding, and characters. If you enjoy the free content, you can support the author by purchasing the complete books on Amazon and leaving reviews on Goodreads to help other readers discover the series.

The ACD series contains some mature themes, including toxic/manipulative relationships (particularly involving Amber and aspects of Riley’s behavior), violence in political/military contexts, and themes around trauma and recovery. The books explore heavy topics like societal collapse, loss, grief, and power dynamics, but handle them thoughtfully within the romantic fantasy framework. There’s also quite a powerful story of Avery’s recovery after sex-abuse trauma, where he’s learning how to trust again and finds love in parenthood. In general, the series handles these themes thoughtfully within the romantic fantasy framework, focusing on healing and growth.

The completed Taj and Song trilogy consists of three full-length novels (Elements, Bridges, Horizons) that tell a complete story arc. Each book builds on the previous one, so plan for a substantial reading commitment to follow the characters’ 200-year journey. A new stories focusing on Jo, Ruben, and Aldo are planned for the next years, expanding the world’s origins.

Yes, the After Climate Disruption series offers complex LGBT science fantasy with carefully developed worldbuilding. The series centers on the romance between Taj and Song while exploring a post-climate-disruption world where two distinct energy systems emerged: Natural Ability (magic-like powers) and Crystal energy (artificial technology). The worldbuilding spans from Earth’s recovery to eventual space colonization, examining how these competing energy sources created new social divisions and conflicts that persist even when humanity reaches the stars.

The After Climate Disruption series features multiple point-of-view characters whose stories spiral and interconnect across three books. The series follows Asian, Black, and White protagonists, including Taj – Asian heritage, Song and Fenix – Black heritage, and Rowan, Luna, Riley, Si or Avery – White heritage. The narrative structure includes unreliable narrators and internal storytelling that reveals different perspectives on the same events. Readers experience both MM romance between Taj and Song and MF romantic relationships between Rowan and Wei or Luna and Si, creating a complex web of relationships that goes beyond simple romantic pairings.

The ACD series features slow-burn romance with moderate heat levels. The focus is on emotional connection and relationship development rather than explicit content (not included). However, there are scenes that can be considered disturbingly steamy. Yet, the romantic scenes support character development and plot progression, making this suitable for readers who enjoy romance that emphasizes emotional intimacy alongside physical attraction.

SVL YISANLIU is a Rotterdam-based writer and illustrator creating queer science fantasy that spans centuries. Best known for the Taj and Song Trilogy, her work explores love, power, and survival in a post-climate world where competing energy systems have divided humanity. She draws every illustration herself, creating a fully immersive visual and narrative experience.

The After Climate Disruption series explores exactly this – society rebuilding after climate collapse through both fantasy, magical and scientific means. Natural Ability functions like cultivated magic, requiring training and discipline, while Crystal energy represents artificial, technological power – later though, after miniaturization, it overtakes the natural Ability, causing energism. The books examine how these two approaches to power created new social structures, conflicts, and eventually enabled space travel, showing humanity’s attempts to rebuild and expand using both mystical and technological solutions.

The After Climate Disruption series blends LGBTQ representation with deep philosophical exploration. The books examine questions of identity, memory, the nature of power, and what it means to be human in a world fundamentally changed by both environmental collapse and new energy sources. The queer characters grapple with personal issues alongside broader philosophical questions about society and politics, and whether humanity’s expansion to space represents progress or repetition of past mistakes.

The ACD series is set after climate disruption fundamentally altered Earth, making it a post-apocalyptic fantasy with central queer romance. The world has rebuilt itself around two types of energy that emerged from the climate crisis, creating new societies and conflicts. The romance between Taj and Song develops against this backdrop of recovery and adaptation (and despite obsessive rich Riley’s actions or abusive teacher Amber’s meddling), while the series explores how queer relationships and identities evolve in a transformed world (here Avery’s story is the best example).

The ACD series features gay main characters with carefully developed slow-burn romance. Taj and Song’s relationship unfolds gradually across the three books (Elements, Bridges, Horizons), threading through complex political situations and the characters’ individual struggles with obsession, power, guilt, anger, and personal growth. The romance develops naturally alongside the larger plot about energy conflicts and societal rebuilding, giving emotional weight to both the relationship and the world’s challenges.