Toxic Sapphic Dynamics
Is it healthy? Absolutely not. Am I going to look inward and unpack why I love it? Also no. Is it Gay? Definitely. Am I going to read books filled with obsession, rivalry, manipulation, betrayal, codependency, and dangerous sapphic longing? Obviously.
created by Riel.Belle
last updated September, 2026
Comments
Hi, I'm curious about your decision to call this "toxic yuri" when there isn't any actual yuri - ie, Girls Love manga or novels - on it?
These are all sapphic books? Maybe some are not romance first, but to say their isn't any yuri is a stretch. Yes the term toxic yuri started as a term within anime and manga, but I have seen the term be used to discus many kind of media.
If you had thoughts on novels I should add or remove I would love to know! I have not read every book on this lists, it mostly started as a list of books I want to get through, so maybe my research is wrong on some!
'Yuri' is genre-specific term, however. It may be used colloquially by Western fans to mean 'anything sapphic' but it is its own genre, with its own visual language, tropes, and readership/creator/demographic history that is different than the history of say, lesbian pulp fiction in the USA. I don't think it's necessarily the best idea, within this context, to apply a term with a specific meaning so broadly. This isn't the same as jokingly labeling a piece of CatVi fanart (or Griddlehark, or what have you) as "toxic yuri," this is a curated list that will be accessed by folks who will be looking to it as guidance and might not understand the reference. It will then contribute to misunderstandings about what yuri is. On top of that, it will make it harder for fans of yuri specifically to find what they are looking for if readers continue to universalize the term.
I think there are already lot of problems with how English-speaking fandom adopts Asian terminology without getting to know the fandoms and genres that they're getting into, which often leads to conflicts and misunderstandings. This looks like a really fun list of books that include many I've read and even more I hope too read one day. I hope if it gets made into a quest that you will rename it to something more fitting.
Okay, I have changed the description and will change the name after voting (don't want to confuse people who use the link).
I think this is a much better fit, thank you again to taking your time to write this out. This list started as just a fun time for myself, not expecting it to become added to a poll list, but I am happy with these changes so far 💖
That's awesome! Thanks for taking the time to listen.
Toxic Sapphic reads need to stay together when what we read wants to tear apart our hearts! 😆
Thank you for taking the time to explain your perspective. I came to the phrase “toxic yuri” as I have seen it used more broadly for sapphic dynamics in different kinds of media, and list actually began as a Caitlyn/Jinx-inspired reading list, and that pairing is frequently described with the “toxic yuri” fandom tag, so that was the context I was originally bringing to it.
I wasn’t trying to suggest that yuri and sapphic fiction are universally interchangeable, but I understand why the distinction becomes more important if this is turned into an official Pagebound quest focused on novels. I think 'Toxic Sapphic' or 'Toxic Sapphic Dynamics' may communicate the contents of the list more clearly to Pagebound’s audience, so I’m happy to rename it and clarify the description. And would love any other fun name ideas that get the vibe across!
I appreciate you explaining the concern and would love thoughts on what to choose as if it does become a side quest, some books will need to be cut.
I definitely think Camilla should stay on there as it's such a classic and genre-definer, problematic as it is to certain tropes. I have an extremely soft spot for Gideon the Ninth and it's popular on PB so that's probably a good call too, though I have to admit getting so sold on the series being 'toxic lesbians' before getting into it, I recall being confused that there wasn't more lesbian activity and it was so plot and action oriented LOL.
I'm not sure about This is How You Lose the Time War being toxic in the same way as some of the others, and it's certainly a fascinating dynamic, but it is also a widely-loved pick so I'm not sure!
TIHYLTTW was added when it was orginaly a ship based list, with the two different sides of the war, and becoming obsessed with each other as they try to destoy each other. I felt like it had toxic aspects, that they are able to work through. But, as much as I love time war, there are other books that stay more toxic.
now this is my kind of list. yes, amazing ! 🙂↕️
Never heard of these characters but I do have 34% overlap with this list, which is always a fun situation
They are from the animated show arcane, and it’s a crack ship at best, as in the actual show one character is dating the others sister. But the general vibes is a polished richer higher class girls, a chaotic girl from a looked down upon area and raised by a gang lord. But both have aspects that are violet and feel justified in their hatred and judgment of the other. The ship itself is highly based on their opposite sides of the same coin aspect, and where hatred becomes obsession.
Thus that is the vibe I’m going for here, after reading so many fanfics with this vibe, I wanted to expand it into actual books. So I will come any recommendations.
Also, the book of blood and roses was narrated by one of the voice actors from the original show, so that was very enjoyable.
I need a badge for this 🙏🙏 good luck!
Aww thanks! I am surprised, I began to put two and two together when I started to get a bunch of notifications on it and saw the new poll was out! but I think it would be fun!
The Plans I Have For You, by Lai Sanders might qualify for this list! No need to add it of course but maybe having it in the comments will have it find its people :)
