Five SFF novels featuring disabled characters who know their own worth

Allison Alexander edits sci-fi and fantasy at a small press, writes books, and plays video games the rest of the time. She is the incurable author of Super Sick: Making Peace with Chronic Illness, a geek’s guide to living with a disability.

At Tor.com Alexander tagged five books that have "a character who has chronic pain or a disability, who plays a significant role in the story," including:

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

In Sanderson’s first published book, anyone in Arelon has the potential to turn into an Elantrian. Because magic. While this used to be a celebratory event (Elantrians were long-lived, immortal beings with healing powers), it’s now a curse. Ten years ago, the magic of Elantris was destroyed, the city sealed off, and anyone who turns into an Elantrian is thrown into the city and abandoned. They’re left there forever to deal with bodies that are immortal but unable to heal at all—if an Elantrian injures themselves, that pain never goes away. Over time, injuries, even minor ones like stubbed toes or paper cuts, accumulate and drive the Elantrians mad.

Prince Raoden is transformed into an Elantrian at the beginning of the story. Cast out into Elantris, he becomes intimately familiar with chronic pain. Raoden inspires other Elantrians, not simply by existing, but by encouraging them to focus on other things instead of their suffering and helping them cope. Then, as his own injuries accumulate, he has to learn to cope himself.

Read about another entry on the list.

--Marshal Zeringue