Gender roles and subversion are often present. The very existence of a lesbian empress challenges the traditional male - dominated power structure and gender norms. The novel may explore how she navigates in a world that expects her to conform to certain roles as a female ruler, while also being true to her own identity and her relationship with another woman.
Another example could be some works of Sarah Waters. Her novels often explore female - centered relationships in historical settings. Although not directly about a 'lesbian empress', they can give a good sense of the historical context and the nature of female relationships in those times.
Often, they explore the challenges faced by lesbian characters in historical settings. For example, they might deal with social stigma and the need to hide their relationships.
It might be its specific historical setting. Maybe it delves into a period or a location that other similar books haven't explored as deeply. For example, it could be set in a less - known region during a particular era.
There's also 'Stone Butch Blues' which is an important work in lesbian literature. It gives an in - depth look at the experiences of a butch lesbian in a historical time frame, showing the struggles and the community that was there.
One well - known lesbian historical novel could be 'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters. It is set in Victorian England and is full of mystery, intrigue and a complex relationship between the two female protagonists.
One characteristic is the exploration of female - female relationships within a historical setting. For example, they often show how such relationships were either hidden or persecuted in different historical eras. Another is the use of historical events as a backdrop to add depth to the story. Like in novels set during wars, the chaos of war can impact the characters' relationships. Also, they might focus on the social norms and expectations of the time regarding gender and sexuality and how lesbian characters either conformed or rebelled against them.
One great lesbian historical romance novel is 'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters. It's set in Victorian England and is full of twists and turns. The relationship between the two main characters is complex and gradually unfolds in a very engaging way. Another is 'The Price of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith. It was quite revolutionary for its time, exploring a lesbian relationship in a 1950s setting. And 'Tipping the Velvet' by Sarah Waters as well. It tells a story of a young girl's journey into the world of the music hall and her relationships with other women in a historical context.
They often deal with the social taboos of their respective historical periods. For example, in earlier times, same - sex relationships were highly stigmatized, so these novels might show the secrecy and difficulties the characters face.
Love and acceptance are main themes. Since the relationship is often considered non - traditional in the settings of these novels, the characters have to deal with acceptance from society, the court, and sometimes their own families. Another theme is power. As an empress, she has power, and how this power affects her relationship is an important aspect.