SCI-FANTASY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

[@riva7rau]

For me, N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy read like Sci Fantasy, and I absolutely loved it. I went into it thinking it was science fiction, but ultimately there were fantastical elements and plot twists that screamed fantasy :) One of my all-time favorite reads. Another series that I have not personally read but have heard that it's a mixture of a more medieval / fantasy setting but is in fact a science fiction story is Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun series.

[@zinaak4194]

Same!!! That series is also why I'm here, looking for more books that will make me feel the way Jemisin's books did 😍

[@matthewdeancole]

Dune is a Science Fantasy. The spice is magic. The Bene Gesserit are space witches.

[@awedwards08]

The worms are dragons.

[@biznis9965]

@@awedwards08 🤣

[@Diffyemo]

​@@awedwards08rub fish on your body and you too can be a worm.

[@FreyaWarr]

@@Diffyemounderrated comment! 😂

[@ThreeSeagrass]

The Surviving Sky by Kritika H. Rao was a great read. The science/magic system was interesting & POV characters were a married couple over 30, yay!

[@scarabee04]

My personal favorite is The Locked Tomb series, the world and the way necromancy work are just so interesting, and the characters are incredible.

[@craigtyler7235]

I loved how Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky tackled this. It’s a novella so short investment but it really hits this theme for me. You have two perspectives of the same story, one rooted in sci if, one in fantasy

[@Cyrille2506]

I was going to mention it. It's a great read.

[@fcsolis]

When you study the natural sciences-biology, chemistry, physics- at a deeper level you'll realize soon enough that much of it can only be described as magical and fantastical. I think I want to read City of Nightmares. Thank you.

[@orendi3661]

Honourable mention from me to The Broken Earth trilogy ❤

[@ronelia.creative]

The Locked Tomb Trilogy are the first books that came to mind when I saw this video pop up. I've read them all multiple times and I am still not sure if it's Sci Fi or Fantasy, or both or just one :)

[@EotuaDawnwalker]

Seconding this! It also has a lot of mystery and horror elements, too. The whole series is really just a huge mashup of genres, and I think that’s one of my favorite things about it.

[@mrose4]

Thank you! I've just started this series. Now I'm more excited!

[@hollyheiserman]

Yes!! I *LOVED* Gideon the 9th. Just started Harrow.

[@heyimsasa]

some bipoc recommendations: black sun by rebecca roanhorse, the broken earth trilogy by nk jemisin, burning kingdoms series by tasha suri, green bone saga by fonda lee, monstress by marjorie liu and sana takeda, pet by akwaeke emezi, the space between worlds by micaiah johnson

[@annabrewer4408]

I always think of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series. It was one of the first book series I fell in love with and I was never quite sure how to answer when asked what genre it was.

[@prpunk787]

I've been collecting them all on paperback from thrift stores and used books stores, and found some first print gems in there from the 70s and 80s. I'm on a sci-fantasy 70s-80s kick lol

[@Marie45610]

The Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher has some sci-fantasy elements to it. Slightly more fantasy, but there's some hinting about two different races. I haven't finished the series yet, so I don't know how much is confirmed.

[@livinlavidaluna9757]

I absolutely fell in love with strange the dreamer and it’s sequel. 2 of the best books I’ve ever read. So beautifully written and it’s been hard for me to find anything else to read after lol

[@mhilovemymusic]

Same 😪 soo good!

[@mhilovemymusic]

Same😪 sooo good!

[@zephyr2167]

I know it's been mentioned already but The Locked Tomb series is a great sci-fantasy series. The magic system is fantasy but also sci-fi in how the users approach it. It's definitely more on the sci-fi side, but sci-fi that feels like fantasy, if that makes sense.

[@neea8807]

As an older reader the first thing I thought about was Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern.

[@gossamerabba]

YES!!! She knew how to do dragons before dragons were a thing if you ask me...

[@zippy_zap9525]

Mark Lawrence writes a great blend of fantasy sci-fi in Book of the Ice trilogy. It is recommended to read Book of the Ancestor trilogy first which only has a hint of the those elements, but both take place on Abeth and have ancient civilizations full of advanced technology that has been lost to time.

[@Torsin2000]

Good list. I might add: by Frank Herbert Dune by Asimov: Foundation I, Robot by Orson Scott Card: Ender's Game by David Weber: Honor Harrington series (some of the first books have the same formula, but it diversifies) space opera by Neal Stephenson: Diamond Age, or a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer (kind of YA, but hard sci-fi) Snow Crash (good, but on the absurdism side of things) Anathem Seven Eves (apocalyptic/post) by Elisabeth Moon Heris Serrano (space opera/5 book series starts with this one) Vatta Series, Trading in Danger starts the series (more YA but space opera) by Martha Wells Murdor Bot

[@craigrideout490]

I listened to the audible version of Engines of Empires/Chaos based of your recs. I have really enjoyed it and looking forward to seeing how the series wraps up

[@mariareadsssf]

The new work from Jen Williams, "Talonsister" is fascinating as well. It reminded me of "Princess Mononoke". I love nature based magic.

[@gilian2587]

I can highly recommend The Amber Chronicles by Roger Zelazny. The author plays with the concept of reality existing as multiple universes in a way that is quite unique. It starts by looking like a story taking place in a modern setting; the story changes quite quickly however, and it's classical fantasy moorings become more evident as the books move along.

[@moonstonepearl21]

Only read the first one after finding it around. Definitely plan on finishing the series eventually. They're not super available. I think Roger Zelazney is an author she would really enjoy in general. I fell in love with The Changing Land.

[@gilian2587]

@@moonstonepearl21 I have not read The Changing Land -- I'll have to take a look at that one!

[@shawnieadams1319]

I loved City of Nightmares! I also loved the Winnowing Flame trilogy! I'll probably try others on your video as well.

[@moonstonepearl21]

You may like the Darkangel trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce. Like some of the series you mentioned, the first book feels straight fantasy and actually has a traditional fairy tale vibe, then transitions into some more science fiction elements and makes you think about the difference between science and magic. This series is a bit older, but it is quite good, and it's a shame that people don't really talk about it.

[@tgibridays]

Great list. I love both sci-fi and fantasy. I think I tend to like fantasy that is more science-y than fantastical, so sci-fantasy appeals to me. Another one I would add to the list is The Sun Eater saga. It's an epic sword and planet type of science fiction with fantastical elements on the fringes. Highly recommended.

[@alliearnest5731]

Ooo I’m intrigued. What would you say some comps to that are?

[@tgibridays]

@@alliearnest5731 hmm I've heard a lot of people say it's like Red Rising mixed with the Name of the Wind. I haven't read the Name of the Wind so I'm not positive on that aspect. It shares a lot of stylistic similarities to Red Rising since the main empirical culture is heavily Roman/Greek inspired. But it's not as action driven as Red Rising. Christopher Ruocchio is a really wonderful writer and his prose is often beautiful. The books can be a bit of a slow burn especially the first book. But book 2 is one of my favorite books ever bringing in a lot of sci-fi concepts that I love.

[@alliearnest5731]

@@tgibridays well, I loved Red Rising, so I’m definitely going to give this one a try!

[@tgibridays]

@@alliearnest5731 Do it! Hope you enjoy it. It's all (at least the main series novels) from one first person POV, so if you don't really jive with Hadrian, I can see it not working for someone. But if you don't mind being in his head then it's an amazing series.

[@eternal_napalm6442]

The Sun Eater novels (Empire of Silence, Howling Dark, Demon in White, Kingdoms of Death, Ashes of Man, Disquiet Gods + final unrevealed novel) all have a framed narrative like Name of the Wind.

[@Plants_And_Pages]

I think The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenes also fits sci fantasy with some of the same themes as the movie interstellar too! One of my favorite books ever!! sci fantacy is slowly becoming one of my fave genres too, what a great list ❤

[@tinyprettymoon]

I’ve only read the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor which was so weird but so good. Probably the second best thing I’ve read this year but I’ve been wanting to read more by her so… *adds Strange the Dreamer to my reading list* lol Also love Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles and I’ve been rereading the Renegades trilogy which is sci-fantasy. There’s magical abilities, some are more basic superhero powers, but there’s also some advanced technology. Those two series are the first sci-fantasy I got into and started my interest in the genre. I mostly tend to stick to regular fantasy like the Empirium trilogy (Claire Legrand), the folk of the air trilogy (Holly Black), and other stuff with faeries, vampires, angels, or some kind of magic

[@mcdonuts2017]

Ok cool. You’re murdering my TBR. Your rec videos are so good!

[@xRadiantOne]

One I'd actually recommend is: Ashes of the Sun (part of the Burningblade and Silvereye Trilogy). It a fantastic read that takes inspiration from Stat Wars. Blazed through all three books this year and had a blast.

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

Love the idea of Inspired by Star Wars as I don't hear it at all being a thing. Can you elaborate...you suggest this book but as a PART of trilogy...is it a book one or can be read as a standalone?

[@xRadiantOne]

@miyayume_eclectic_dream it's part of a trilogy. I'd read the first book and see if it's your thing. For my I read the whole trilogy straight through which is something I don't really do.

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

@@xRadiantOne 😲 that sounds promising

[@jenniferlummis8196]

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma and The Captain by Will Wight

[@PeculiarNotions]

City of Bones by Martha Wells fits into this category.

[@celinelamyendu2614]

Yes, thank you so much!!! I've been looking for videos and recommendations for science fantasy, and finally someone made a video about it. So many good recommendations! I absolutely love this. ❤️

[@agohl85]

I absolutely love the Skyward series. Not so much in love with #2 as the other books, but overall a great series! I never really attributed the fantasy genre, but that's an interesting perspective I never thought of before.

[@mercutiobr3814]

The Saga of the Pliocene Exile by Julian May (my favorite series of all times) and The Galatic Milieu Trilogy also by Julian May. Must read classics of sci-fantasy.

[@hellothisismo]

Not related to anything but there's such a fondness in your voice when you talk about Yumi. It's cute!

[@dhawkin4]

Also Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun is a great example of Science Fantasy. It's not easy to read cuz it's dense but is definitely worth checking out if you're into the genre.

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

Dence?🤔 Can you explain it more please. Like use some other series as compare...like maybe "even more tham GoT" or "surpases LOTR by factor 5" from your experiance. Thx

[@dhawkin4]

@miyayume_eclectic_dream it makes both of those series look like children's books. It's full of allusions and it even has its own guide book to explain some of the lexicon that wolfe invented for the book.

[@starlasell5698]

❤📚♥️ I loved Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares!!

[@gossamerabba]

Same!!

[@Shellesspace]

I haven’t heard of City of Nightmares. Adding it to my TBR! I would also recommend Mark Lawrence’s work, in particular the Ice trilogy starting with The Girl and the Stars and his new book The Book that Wouldn’t Burn. The latter is very reminiscent of Strange the Dreamer. And I highly recommend the Burningblade and Silvereye trilogy by Django Wexler. It’s like Star Wars but in a Final Fantasy world with an Arcane tech/magic.

[@zippy_zap9525]

Especially agree about Book of the Ice trilogy.

[@gilian2587]

Another series in the sci-fantasy genre is the Flinx series by Alan Dean Foster. The series takes place in a galactic commonwealth. The main character in the series; Flinx, is a psionic young rogue.

[@gilian2587]

There's entries in the old sword and sorcery genre that would map as sci-fantasy, as well. The Princess of Mars series by Edgar Rice Burroughs would qualify. The standalone book Glory Road by Robert Heinlein would qualify, as well.

[@saramm3765]

Love The Bone Shard Daughter. Was so disappointed with the FL special editions. Saving Strange the Dreamer for winter.

[@zippy_zap9525]

Why were the FL ones disappointing? They looked pretty, but I didn't buy them.

[@1barbsie]

Skyward is completely brilliant, can't wait for the next book!

[@thepoetesskhansaa]

I definitely second the Winnowing Flame trilogy; I absolutely loved it and I think one of the main reasons it still stands out to me is that it was such a surprise. I kinda feel like rereading it now 😅 I would also recommend the Green Bone saga by Fonda Lee.

[@deadlightlabyrinth]

Read TWF this year and fell in love. Also the series is an absolute vibe. ❤

[@rachelr6464]

I'm reading Exoskeleton book 3 at the moment 👌 knowing what the authors job was makes it feel like it could be based in truth. Loving it.

[@Dina-ow9jr]

Heh. Whenever you describe Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, I always think of the anime movie Kimi no Na wa/Your Name, which also deals with body switching and fated connection. If you've not watched it yet, I highly recommend! Makoto Shinkai makes pretty compelling movies. (Also recommend Tenki no Ko/Weathering with You and Suzume no Tojimari/Suzume, one of his most recent releases.)

[@shadownight5589]

I'm going to go and leave my love for Babel (R.F. Kuang) here also. It may be further away form sci--fi as it has a more historical setting (18th-century Oxford), but the way it treats its (frankly ingenious) magic system leaves it feeling like it's truly in the middle between magic and science - it's magic treated like a science, and applied like it as well. Apart from that it also very much deals with themes of colonialism and the justifications thereof. This, combined with its thoughts on what language and translation truly mean really make it a fascinating read!

[@surpriseitsus9622]

This is the only book I've ever dnf'ed. Very different opinions

[@kevinhove6893]

You need to read Empire of Silence

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

Reading it 😁

[@cipriansirbu3699]

You forgot the best of them all,The Sun Eater series 😉.

[@ryanrobertson5845]

Finally someone else who has read these books! I've been wanting someone to review them for so long..I love them

[@tgibridays]

@@ryanrobertson5845 there's actually a decent number of booktubers have reviewed it. Petrik Leo just reviewed Empire of Silence. A few others that have done one or more of the series include: Matt's Fantasy Book reviews, Mike's book reviews, Words in Time, The Fantasy Nuttwork, Liene's Library, and Alex Nieves.

[@ryanrobertson5845]

Thanks I'll check that out

[@ryanrobertson5845]

Can you review the sun eater series by Christopher ruochhio

[@robertorme9410]

Jack Vance and Matthew Hughes are well worth considering if you enjoy Science Fantasy!

[@SpiderkillersInc]

Not one mention of Gene Wolfe?

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I’ve had skyward on my TBR foreverrrr

[@sanchalighosh748]

The Teixcalaan Duology, The Broken Earth Trilogy, and the Locked Tomb series all deserve a special mention here.

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

The Teixcalaan Duology is being read... I don't mind slow...but I mind nothing being revealed in all that time. The other two I do want to read book 1 at least.

[@ahlamhossain7906]

Anyone read Christopher Stasheff’s Warlock of Gramyre series? I read the one book when I was a teenager. It was a very true science fantasy and I loved it. It’s about a space traveling warlock who travels from planet to planet and has various adventures. It’s a really fun read. Highly recommend it.

[@surpriseitsus9622]

Thank you ❤

[@gabekarl82]

this is a great video topic/discussion, for me scifi fantasy is Star Wars, stories Heavy Metal Magazine r.i.p , stories from Manga/Anime like Magic Knight Rayearth, video games like Final Fantasy and Star Ocean i will definitely check out Immortal Longings

[@Viksbelle]

Just about every series Anne McCaffrey wrote could be classified as Sci-fantasy.

[@emimelon]

your hair looks so pretty in this video!

[@alliearnest5731]

I totally agree that much of Sanderson’s work tends to feel more science fantasy if you think about them 🙌🏻 which is why I wrote my own, haha. If you like YA pacing but want older characters, check out Cities of Smoke & Starlight. It’s basically Rogue One x Pride & Prejudice (or Violet Evergarden for the world and Attack on Titan for the magic).

[@eternal_napalm6442]

For Sci-Fantasy, the Sun Eater series is essential. It is superb.

[@drejbrasand9247]

shoutout to my The Spellmonger's series a fun light read with scientific study of magic

[@deadlightlabyrinth]

I thought the Drowning Empire was incredible. The first book will burn in your hands. Andrea Stewart's commentaries are sharp, thought-provoking, and delivered in a stupidly, stupidly fun and fast-paced package. The Bone Shard Daughter is one of my favorite books of all time.

[@MikeSmith-se3gy]

How about Lockwood and Co, by Jonathan Stroud - an urban fantasy with sci-fi elements.

[@FreyaWarr]

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars could fall into this category. It’s much more sci-fi than fantasy but there is definitely a “magic” element in there.

[@rachelthompson9324]

Kurt Vonnegut may have invented modern sci-fantasy although the term wasn't invented yet. Anything sci-fi from the late 19th CE and early 20th CE, such as Jules Vern, are certainly sci-fan.

[@benetstoen7250]

Hi El! I love your videos! ❤I was wondering if you would do a recommendation video for books/manga with a villain origin story vibe (that aren't retellings)? The Poppy War is the only one I hear anyone talk about! I'd love your recs if you have any.

[@psikeyhackr6914]

*The Pillars of Reality series* by Jack Campbell More fantasy than sci-fi. *The Merchant Princes series* by Charles Stross Starts off more fantasy than sci-fi then becomes more sci-fi than fantasy.

[@caitlinl2750]

I’ve read these all!🎉❤

[@Andrew.Downing]

Skyward starts off as Top Gun in space and becomes Brandon Sanderson's take on Star Wars. Love that it's not ending but wish it stayed with Brandon....

[@Liriodelagua]

One universe that mixes these two and that I really like is Shadowrun. Alas (or maybe not?), the videogames are better written than the books.

[@micahwells2589]

First 5 books of The Horus Heresy. Dan Abnet, nuff said. Abercrombie is the only one to come close to him.

[@mirenda1427]

T.A White - the firebird chronicle has magic and sci fi elements

[@shaunduquette5992]

Dune is a nice example of both I think.

[@dhawkin4]

This might be obvious but anything star wars, particularly stories that deal with jedi

[@ctgooch111111]

I'll throw Galaxy Outlaws out there it feels 50/50 to me.

[@GreatAukEntertainment]

does Warhammer 40k count?

[@steveschiely5783]

blake crouch

[@steveschiely5783]

Dark Matter...