Standalone Science Fiction & Fantasy | Recommending...

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Love SFF? The Booktube SFF Awards Liveshow is going to be here on my channel tomorrow (6/25) at 3pm EST!

[@MoiraMcGill]

A lot of the Shannara novels can be read as a standalone since many of them have decades if not hundreds of years between novels It's also an great series if you haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet Additionally there's the first Sword of Truth series which I feel could work as a standalone for those that'd rather not get into a series Also, you may enjoy the standalone Old Magic and/or the duology Peep (AKA Parasite Positive)

[@SSBooks]

Elantris is in the same boat as Warbreaker in that it doesn't have any sequels yet. But it was incredible one of my favourite books of all time.

[@alysiaeroy]

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is so amazing on audio. The narrators are perfect and they complement her writing which is super atmospheric so well.

[@tpstps85]

Fiona Hardingham is the best!! If you can you should listen to And I Darken by Kiersten White... she is soooooo good in it!

[@alysiaeroy]

tpstps85 I love that book. Maybe that's how I'll reread before Now I Rise 😊

[@tpstps85]

You so should! I´m totally listening to it again before the second one :)

[@blueblubloo7243]

Alysia Roy Her audio books for the raven cycle is also amazing and gives it a more spooky vibe.

[@charityyoder9028]

FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS. Ahhhh!!!!!! I don't think I can thank you enough for recommending that particular book because Persuasion is my favorite of Jane Austen's works. And a retelling, particularly a sci-fi retelling, was absolutely beautiful and needed. I loved it. Thanks again and I'll just stop gushing now =)

[@renmaree]

The Long Way To A Small and Angry Planet has been on my TBR since I heard about it but I haven't read it because I thought it was a series. And now you're telling me that it is a standalone but with companion books? THANKYOU

[@blueblubloo7243]

Tiger Lily is my favorite book and i am so glad you brought it up because i dont hear it talked about all that much. I want to read so many of the books you recommended i got to get on it

[@ileck.7873]

"Of Fire and Stars" by Audrey Coulthurst is a fantasy standalone about two princesses falling in love, and it's really really good. Also, "Graceling" by Kristin Cashore is kind of a standalone (there are two other books that are connected to it). It's fantasy, and it follows a girl who have a gift for fighting and killing, and it's one of my favorite novels ever.

[@MollieReads]

So many favorites on this list, especially Tiger Lily and The Ocean at the End of the Lane!

[@Starrysong]

I read Wicked a few years ago, and I definitely enjoyed learning more about the Wicked Witch of the West. She was more of a tragic hero in the book because she born different. I have thought about reading the second book to learn more about what happened to her son.

[@randomreader]

So many great recommendations! The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender is wonderful!

[@nutshellreadsandwrites]

YES I LOVE TIGER LILY! This is a rec video I'm always looking for because I don't read a lot of series or Fantasy but I'd like to get more into the genre haha so thanks for these !

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

FiksiDust I'm glad it was helpful!

[@moirabriggs258]

Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis is probably my favourite SF book. It's a Snow White retelling with a strong female character who actually listens when some tells her to stay put for her safety. On the fantasy side, I really liked Rosamund Hodge's Crimson Bound. It's a dark retellings of Red Ridding Hood.

[@katieamarsh]

I looooove the book Seveneves. It's a stand alone. When I first started it, I thought it was too sciency but omg it ended up being one of my favorites of all time.

[@theinkedpath9631]

Hello Sam!! You cannot imagine how much I´ve miss your video. I have been watching them in a row, and, funny enough, I think I have in my wishlist most of this. Thank you for creating this :D

[@thesonicmaestro]

For Sci Fi, I recommend Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. One of my fave standalones. I don't know if you've read it, it's a book about a guy who is sort of kidnapped and wakes up, he is a well known famous physicist.. and sort of takes off from there. It's quite fast paced. :)

[@DioneN]

rc_kunoichi I have this on my kindle and haven't gotten to it yet. The premise intrigues me.

[@katieamarsh]

rc_kunoichi Yes! That's such a great book.

[@rachelboole55]

rc_kunoichi I loved Dark Matter! It would make a great movie 👍🏻

[@thesonicmaestro]

Rachel Boole I hope it does become a movie! It has the potential to be a really good one. The action left me reeling while reading the book.

[@thesonicmaestro]

DioneN The premise is why I picked it up! :) Hope you get to it soon.

[@toniwi6160]

Great book recs!!! Feel the same about Wicked, it definitely grows on you over time!

[@myedwe]

That awkward moment when you realize that you wish most of these standalones were series... cough:Uprooted!!:cough hahaha.

[@austinswanson1454]

One of the best sci-fi standalones I ever read was Fuzzy Nation, by John Scalzi. It's a retelling of H. Beam Piper's classic Little Fuzzy, but I would definitely recommend Fuzzy Nation. John Scalzi is a great author for people looking to get into the sci-fi genre, but Fuzzy Nation has a little bit of everything in it, which I feel makes it a great introduction to the sci-fi genre in general.

[@notjoshing]

Piper's story still holds together in the retelling, but Scalzi's prose. . .yeesh. This guy really needs a better editor.

[@HardbackHaven]

SO excited to see this video!! :) I LOVE a good fantasy stand alone!!

[@aldrin812]

Some of my favorites are 1.More Than This by Patrick Ness 2.Vicious by VE Schwab (this was a standalone but recently victoria announced that there will be a sequel!)

[@shakira4223]

It's been two yrs. So I guess you read the sequel?

[@aldrin812]

@@shakira4223 yes!

[@LaHormiguitaLectora]

First, your make up is on point. I LOVE IT. Second, I am currently reading the Night Circus. It's good, but I'm finding a bit hard to get into it, but I'm sure I will end up loving it. Third, I love your videos in general. You are definitely one of my fave booktubers. Have a nice day!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Aw thank you :))))

[@EmilyParagraph]

For fantasy, I recommend The Last Unicorn. There are technically followups to it, but the novel can be read on its own. I'd also recommend Endymion Spring, Brave Story, and The Book of Heroes.

[@alysamorley3570]

I love fantasy series above all else, but of course I am always open to standalones as well! Sometimes it's nice to not get wrapped up in something big. And standalones feel like they are getting harder to find!

[@BooksandLooks]

I need to get to Uprooted. but yesss to the Night Circus....keep talking about it all the time!!!!

[@lindseybelanger234]

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier is such a good fantasy stand alone. I loved it and still can't stop thinking about it. 😊

[@distilledlaw34]

The Elven by Bernhard Hennen is NEVER mentioned on booktube and it's an excellent epic fantasy stand-alone published in 2015. Definitely worth a look for fans of Lord of the Rings.

[@ayezaabid328]

I cannot thank you enough for this video. Just what I needed to get me out of my reading slump😄

[@ONYXPages]

Hey! New subscriber here, lover of Afrofuturism and SFF. I look forward to exploring your channel! Also I have no idea what the SFF Babbles is all about, but I’m excited!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

welcome!

[@ONYXPages]

Thoughts on Tomes thanks!!

[@pateszmanka]

Ahhh I bought The long way to a small angry planet becuz of u recommended and it still sits on my shelf for like one and a half months now. T_T I love that u keep talking about it, makes me want to read it every time, so I know, if I start reading it once, I will like it. :D

[@Neverrgreen]

I literally finished night corcus last night. But thanks for reminding my to llok up your review and possible gush so I can watch without fear of spoilers.

[@sandyreadsalot]

I didn't realize Warbreaker was a standalone! That motivates me a bit more to pick it up haha xD I recently bought The Forbidden Wish and I can't wait to read it!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

I hope you enjoy them both!

[@jeaninet1975]

Thank you for this video!!! I've been looking for fantasy standalones, so really appreciate your recommendations.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Jeanine T I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@catsbooknook4204]

Thank you for the recommendations! I've read "Wicked" before; I thought it was a pretty good book too and like you said, the story sticks with you. The Son of the Witch wasn't too bad either but I've only read it once and couldn't tell you what all happens in it.

[@alexisvlogsandkpop9780]

Just wondering have you ever read the thousandth floor. Its a thriller set in a futuristic New York and i think it's really underrated and I loved it.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

I haven't! Thriller isn't a genre I really reach for.

[@alexisvlogsandkpop9780]

Thoughts on Tomes it's actually really good.

[@msmaggierose530]

I think Uprooted is getting a companion (Spinning Silver out this summer? I think? Similar covers?) and I am SO SO ready

[@AbigailD23]

I really liked For Darkness Shows the Stars, but the world building was SO confusing lol. I liked the relationships though! And it was cool because of all of Jane Austen's books, Persuasion probably gets adapted the least.

[@pandasarecute501]

hey Sam! :) My favourite standalone that I would personally classify as fantasy is Coraline by Neil Gaiman. I would highly recommend it if you enjoy dark Tim Burton-esque fantasy!

[@kathlynbaladad5756]

Beatrice Prior Coraline is the book that got me into reading oh so many years ago and I stilll love it :)

[@pandasarecute501]

Katja Baladad hahah I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! :)

[@alexy.4149]

I searched your videos and I didn't see a review for it, so I'm assuming you haven't read The Martian? If not I'd highly recommend, it was the first hard sci-fi I ever read and I couldn't put it down. It is science-y but it's made very easy to understand, plus it's incredibly funny and heartwarming and fast-paced. You and I have very similar tastes in books so if you're wanting to get more into sci fi I would highly recommend it! I'd be surprised if you didn't like it.

[@Ann86dk]

I'm about half-way through Warbreaker right now. It's definitely not as fun as Mistborn right now. But I love Lightsong and I'm always intrigued when following Siri's chapters and finding out stuff about the God King. I have a feeling (since I know Sanderson) that he's gonna add some plot twists soon! My favorite Sci-Fi book is definitely 'The Martian'. So I highly recommend that, but it is a hard Science Fiction, but I didn't have a hard time understanding and following the story, and the book is worth it for discovering Mark Whatney:D

[@cindylee8632]

ohh man the sanderson avalanche for warbreaker is great, cant wait for you to see the end :)

[@BeckyS]

I love how your recommendations are juuuust close enough to mine that I'm interested in basically all of them, but have only actually read one or two. On that note - if you want a non-sci fi sci fi standalone try Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon. It's awesome, I so wish there was more (teeny spoiler - first contact is my JAM for sci fi) but it's all on its own.

[@user-xz4yd8mn2c]

Oh also The Game of Love and Death reminded me a whole lot of a YA Night Circusish book, it's not quite as atmospheric but it has that whole idea of two powerful entities pulling the strings behind the scenes kind of feel that the Night Circus had 😊

[@booksandsass5324]

As for science fiction I also highly recommend Radiance by Catheryne M Valente, it's beautiful, smokey, and athmospheric, and also has a lot of mystery vibes. As always with Valente, it's beautifully written, though it is a bit of a slow burn!

[@lilyguriel9827]

Omg The Night Circus is my favorite book too! (Marco❤️). I'll definitely have to check some of these books out! Great recommendations👍

[@sparsamajumder3434]

I saw you asked for dupes of the lipstick. Well, colourpop guess and nyx foul mouth are both 6$ and are pretty similar in colour and feel. Check them out and thanks for all the suggestions! 💙

[@katieamarsh]

I am so glad I found your channel! You have awesome taste.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Katie Marsh thank you 😊

[@ariannamusgrove9783]

I just picked up uprooted love it so far. Thank you!

[@SFF180]

Gurl. Station Eleven.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

SFF180 ah yes that's been on my TBR forever!

[@tania2299]

@@adhominem567 girl what

[@tkfan123]

Love your recs!

[@Selinas_Shelf]

AH Tigerlily! one of my favourites. i'm torn because i really want to re-read it but i also don't want my heart broken again so? lol. great recommendations!

[@idawoodhouse1755]

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. Soooo good, I read it two years ago and I'm still not over it.

[@Lucas_ramirez67]

Tiger Lilly is a must read. It’s incredible. It should’ve been an an adult fantasy.

[@CharlieBookFanatic]

When you say dark and twisty, I immediately think of Grey's Anatomy. It's great.

[@296jacqi]

Im 5 years late to the party, but if anyone reads in the future: I’m an avid sci-fi reader. For stand-alones (some hard sci-fi, some less so), I’d recommend: (House of Suns), Alastair Reynolds (Vanished Birds), Simon Jimenez (Solaris), Stanislaw Lem (Project Hail Mary), Andy Weir (Childhood’s End), Arthur C Clark (Nemesis), Isaac Asimov and about 15 more….

[@awizardintraining]

Night Circus is everything! I heard there's supposed to be a sequel to Golem and Jinni (another book I'd recommend to the skies). If I had to recommend any Neil Gaiman, got to go with American Gods

[@Amanda-nq6mw]

You need to try Hunted by Meagan Spooner. It's a beautiful beauty and the beast retelling set out in the cold Russian woods :)

[@josephfernandez8015]

Did you read "All the Birds in the Sky" by Charlie Jane Anders? I thought it was just okay but it's a highly regarded standalone that just won the Nebula award. As far as SF goes, Neal Stephenson has a lot of good standalone books. Warning though if you're mostly a fantasy reader he might be hard to get into. Seveneves is highly regarded but I thought the second part was vastly inferior to the first. I'm currently reading (listening to actually) his new novel collaboration with Nicole Galland "The Rise and Fall of DODO" and I find it a lot easier to get into then any other Stephenson book I've read.

[@sarahpennington6350]

Definitely should add the Martian by Andy Weir. It's an amazing, funny introduction to science fiction.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

I've seen the movie but haven't read the book.

[@spottheturtle9568]

waiting on the next Bobiverse and stormlight archive books, but I'm sort of stuck wondering what to do in the meantime. thanks for some ideas.

[@lauramoreira4439]

Silence by Richelle Mead is a great standalone fantasy!! I wish it had more books lol

[@ArielsBooklist]

I NEEDED this video! Great recommendations! 😊

[@a.b.2405]

I loooooove Tiger Lily!

[@Thatdumbgremlin]

........I thought the Dragon was an actual dragon. -___-

[@Rikku147]

OtakuhimeXDD hahaha same. They correct that pretty quickly in the book though. .if he was an actual dragon it would make certain scenes... Weird >_>_>_>

[@shinyandteddy957]

Yes, I treat Wicked as a stand alone. I've read one of the others and 😏. Love Elpheba.

[@user-bm7fw6on9c]

Thank you so much for this! ❤️

[@IAMSniiblydu]

Did you read The Child Thief by Broom? It was so good! is a dark retelling of Peter Pan. It is also a stand alone.

[@tpstps85]

Hi Sam!! I love your favs videos, so much fun!! Speaking of standalones, have you read Hunted by Maegan Spooner? Beauty and the Beast retelling with a bit of russian folklore... got a feeling you could like it :)

[@katieamarsh]

Lock In by Scalzi is a really fun and exciting stand alone.

[@TamaraWoods]

Ugh, I caught this too late to see the alert for the SFF Awards Liveshow! *throws self on bed and sobs*

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

oh no! It is up now though for you to watch :)

[@goddessdster]

Planetfall by Emma Newman. It's another with a companion novel, but I like Planetfall better. The Library at Mount Char (tw for child abuse and violence) Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan I, Coriander by Sally Gardner Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

[@gemmaellis3403]

Have you read ready player one? I think you will love it because your a gamer! And plus it's a bit of a crime it's not on this list lol

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Gemma Ellis I have but it didn't blow me away. I think I read it too late so it was overhyped for me.

[@gemmaellis3403]

Thoughts on Tomes NOOOOO! lol I get that it's over hyped coz it is... just hope the film is as good for me! But I felt like that with the book thief :( x

[@BeckyS]

Thoughts on Tomes try the audio book if you want a reread. It's ready by Wil Wheaton and is amazing.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Becky Shepherd I read the audiobook 💁 better than the print (I split my reading between the two) but still nothing to write home about for me.

[@BeckyS]

Thoughts on Tomes Fair enough. Have you read The Girl With All the Gifts? Holy dark and creepy! but super good

[@norlingaslund1910]

The Martian, Cloud Atlas, The Humans!

[@Nebulousart]

Boy, is this a late comment, but i just had to recommend Proxy by Alex London! I love that book so much, and Syd has a special place in my heart for being such a good character. It's also an #ownvoices (I believe that's correct) as the author is gay and came out through the characters Syd (who is also gay). It has a sort of sequel-ish book called Guardian, but I believe it's not necessary to read as the first one is pretty well wrapped up. I just love this book so very much, so pls read it. pls

[@user-xz4yd8mn2c]

I think you would enjoy the Bear and the Nightingale😊

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Amberley Heins it's on my TBR!

[@DioneN]

The Martian is a great stand alone read...and the movie did it justice!

[@thejordanjournals]

I don't think I've ever read a standalone fantasy before, but my favorite standalone science fiction would definitely have to be The Martian by Andy Weir. That book was incredible and still one of my favorites.

[@jengreenlees-reader44ever94]

thejordanjournals Have you heard the audio, performed by R.C. Bray? It is FABULOUS! ❤ I haven't actually read the book (in print), yet, but I bought it! 😊

[@thejordanjournals]

I haven't listened to the audiobook. I read it in print and really loved it that way. Maybe if I decide to reread it in the future I will check out the audiobook :)

[@IsabeausLiteraryMusings]

I'm currently reading Ocean at the End of the Lane and it's so weird so far we don't really know what's going on!

[@shaghayegh186]

Sci- fi: The Martian by Andy Weir. Also any Arthur c Clarke book

[@MS-ns6ni]

Hey Sam, I'm a writer and my current project is a ya fantasy and the protagonist is physically disabled. I've been doing my research and will soon be interviewing someone who is similar to my protagonist in that regard to better understand their experiences and how to portray this aspect in my story.It would also help a ton to read fantasy novels that have done a good job in portraying physical disability. So, do you have any recommendations? P.S. loved your talk on the redemption arc. Spoke to me on so many levels and I loved the message you were trying to get across. I don't know why I put this here instead of under that video : $

[@ananthousflorist2249]

I'm not Sam but Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo has a disabled main character! It's also ownvoices.

[@abbyreading9499]

Vicious is very good. Highly recommend

[@ACourtofHooksAndBooks]

Thank god. Everytime I ask for standalone recommendations people just give me contemporary

[@RobotMaria]

The Forbidden Wish is awesome!

[@fireflies15]

Lets start: The Night Circus. OH HELL YES I LOVE YOU.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

:)

[@plushieangela]

People may disagree but I really enjoyed The Redemption of Athalus by David and Leigh Eddings :)

[@detdara7059]

How do you get the white paperback editions of Brandon Sanderson if you live in the US

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Order them from book depository, as they have international shipping that is free.

[@trishthorpe8687]

OMG Book depository is evil!!! The covers for the Brandon Sanderson books are gorgeous...must have them all!

[@oopinkiepieoo_xD]

I still need to read the night circus what am I doing with my life.

[@JulianGreystoke]

Watched this with my partner, since you didn't show much love to the Sci Fi stand alone side of things he'd like to recommend "Snow Crash" by Neal Stephenson.

[@nymeria941]

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel! Read it. You'll be glad you did :)

[@awizardintraining]

By the way, finally read Small, Angry Planet. Holy CRAP that was good

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Marcus' Book Nook yay! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@clubberchopsbobbadon869]

Hi, love your blog. May I recommend a new book by the author Leo. It is called Kandor The Warrior. 😉

[@therealratqueen]

Vicious!!! It is so.much.fun. I think you'd like it :O

[@Balalaika74]

I got an anonymous ask on tumblr. I already knew it just looking at you.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

lol thanks bro

[@markkoehr5003]

When is the book tube sff awards?

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Mark Koehr tomorrow at 3pm EST

[@markkoehr5003]

Thoughts on Tomes thanks can't wait to see what won 😄

[@deckiedeckie]

READ Dragon's Egg by Robert L Forward....the best science fiction book of all time......hard SF!!

[@Trish-vq9wj]

did you go to bookcon?

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Not this year.

[@jackielopez9739]

great video

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Jackie Lopez thank you

[@kaylafrench8797]

Science Fiction Stand alones: All Our Wrong Todays All The Birds In The Sky Version Control Dark Matter Seveneves Redshirts Lock In Lord of All Things

[@awizardintraining]

WICKED!!! And yes, please do not read the sequels

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Marcus' Book Nook never lol

[@metamorphoses8928]

You really should give trigger warnings for rape and graphic physical violence when you recommand Ava Lavender... I actually picked it up a couple of years ago under your and other booktubers recommandation and I had a horrible time with it because of the rape scene. I wasn't expecting it, I wasn't prepared for it, everyone was saying it was beautiful and whimsical but never gave any TW... Why? Please give TW for rape Sam, it's so important :(... Thank you 💜

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

I do usually give trigger warnings. I apologize. At this point, I'd read it so long ago that I'd forgotten.

[@pandreanne7]

metamorphoses I know its an old comment but thank you so much gor saying it. im going to delete it from my TBR i cant read anything with rape in it I get panic attack and none of the people who talk about it gave any trigger warning. thank you so much.

[@ndexb475]

Dragqueen

[@andreahestand]

I love Wicked. I have read Wicked. I had a friend that recommend me to read it. I am glad that he did. I went to the library to get the book. I read it, and couldn't put it down. I really loved it. Now I have other books that came from that series. I now own Wicked. I really do recommend this book too for everyone else to read it.Amazing book. But great book to read that is awesome.