Poll is up! Thanks for your suggestions, everyone. Go here to vote:

http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/13525...

I'll second "Midnight at the Well of Souls" by Jack Chalker.

It's an oldie but a great read from the late 80s. I read it over 20+ years ago and remember it incorporating dramatic body modifications in the story.

I'll second The Copper Crown

Perdido Street Station

I'd love to read Perdido Street Station as already mentioned by others.

I'd also be interested in A Thousand Words for Stranger as already nominated.

I have to agree with both of Random1s observations about This Alien Shore (SF) and Perdido Street Station (steam punk).

Marc wrote: "If you notice above, my original recommendation was with a question mark. It's very iffy, like a lot of C.S. Friedman's books..."

Thanks for reminding me ... I will second
Black Sun Rising by C.S. Friedman from post 18 by Jakub

Rand0m1s wrote: "While I would LOVE to discuss the book, This Alien Shore isn't fantasy at all IMO. "
If you notice above, my original recommendation was with a question mark. It's very iffy, like a lot of C.S. Friedman's books. The story may be mostly SF, but the reason why the Guild needs people of a special sort to be pilots is more fantasy. The Tyr and the Marra in
The Madness Season are the same, not to mention the hero. The ColdFire trilogy is similar, if the comments I've read are at all accurate.

The Logical Magician is much more clearly in this category, but unfortunately no one has seconded that one.

A bit late for nominations, but I'd like to mention (perhaps for sci-fantasy bookshelf) The Forlorn by David Freer (which I have found at Baen Free Library), which begins as a fantasy, and then this magic turns out to be science, and it turns more into SF. I think this might be good book for Sci-Fantasy.

I'll second China Miéville's Perdido Street Station, and The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz

Brooke wrote: "Jakub - I've made a notation next to a few that people have said aren't fantasy enough for the category; most of them haven't been seconded, bu..."

While I would LOVE to discuss the book, This Alien Shore isn't fantasy at all IMO. Its in the future, future tech, genetic mutations, cyberspace, etc. I really can't identify any fantasy aspects of the book at all. It may not be hard SF, but there are no fantasy aspects.

I just recently started reading Perdido Street Station. I'd be more tempted to call it steam punk instead of sci-fantasy. But then I'm still early in the book so I may not have seen it all.

Carolyn - whoops, I missed that one! It's now noted.

Jakub - I've made a notation next to a few that people have said aren't fantasy enough for the category; most of them haven't been seconded, but I'm definitely using peoples' warnings when evaluating what to put on the final poll. Thanks for the input.

Tomorrow will be our final day, so I'm taking last calls!

Jakub wrote: "I'm not sure how [b:A Thousand Words for Stranger|129019|A Thousand Words for Stranger (Clan Chronicles, Book 1) (Trade Pact, Book 1)|Julie E. Czerneda|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171980622s/..."

I forgot to look at the category. I certainly wouldn't consider many of them Sci-Fantasy but some are good books anyway so I'll keep with my seconding. :)

'Culled'

I second (or third ;-)) A Princess of Mars, a tale with planets, aliens and advanced alien technology... but also with barbarians and savages. And the structure of fantasy. Most certainly Sci-Fantasy, in my opinion at least.

It has additional advantage that it is available for free from Project Gutenberg. Besides it is classic; slightly dusty but classic.

I'm not sure how A Thousand Words for Stranger is a Sci-Fantasy. From the point of view of universe it is SF (space opera to be more exact). There are psychic powers, but it is not magic, and I think it follow rules of science rather than rules of magic. Is it enough to be considered Sci-Fantasy?

But it is a very good book otherwise, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I'll second This Alien Shore and Perdido Street Station.

Brooke, I seconded Perdido Street Station by China Miéville in my post (#21) above.

I'd also like to second The Practice Effect by David Brin.

Thanks!

I'll second Fall of Angels by L.E. Modesitt Jr.. It's very interesting the way his space warriors adapt to the magical planet they're stranded on.

Jon wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Heroes Die by Matthew Stover"

I'll second Heroes Die"

Brooke - you beat me too it! Heroes Die is a very well done book, with exceptional characters and plotting.

I'll second A Princess of Mars

I'll second the Iron Dragon's Daughter, although I am not too sure how easy it is to find.

Brooke wrote: "Heroes Die by Matthew Stover"

I'll second Heroes Die

Alrighty, here are the nominated books that have not been seconded yet. Take a look at them - if you think that any of these are appropriate for the Sci-Fantasy theme and would make a good discussion book, feel free to say so. If not, we've got a good list to vote from already, so don't feel like you need to second something just for the sake of seconding them!

A Thousand Words for Stranger by Julie E. Czerneda
This Alien Shore by C.S. Friedman
A Logical Magician by Robert Weinberg
Surviving Serendipity by Jacquelyn Sylvan
The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz
The Wizard of Karres by Mercedes Lackey, and Eric Flint and Dave Freer
The Cyborg and the Sorcerers by Lawrence Watt-Evans
Doc Sidhe by Aaron Allston
Perdido Street Station by China Miéville
The Copper Crown by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison
Fall of Angels by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
Midnight at the Well of Souls by Jack Chalker
A Plague of Angels by Sheri S. Tepper
The Practice Effect by David Brin
A Scholar of Magics by Carol Stevermer
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
The Iron Dragon's Daughter by Michael Swanwick
Lyrec by Gregory Frost
Helm by Stephen Gould
Heroes Die by Matthew Stover
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Jeffrey wrote: "I really do not think the Dave Duncan series can be considered at all to be anything other than fantasy. Its your typical guy comes from another world -- ours, and becomes chief swordsman for godd..."

SPOILERS





He was chosen to be the best swordsman in the world in order to enable the inclusion of new technologies and scientific methods developed in secret by a despised group of outcasts. There were real gods and goddesses but their input was small, basically setting up the story at the beginning and a few transitions. There was no magic as such, just swords and primitive customs.

I really do not think the Dave Duncan series can be considered at all to be anything other than fantasy. Its your typical guy comes from another world -- ours, and becomes chief swordsman for goddess. Now maybe its been a few years for me but I thought it was all fantasy.

I think Warlock is a good one and I will second Dragonflight by McCaffrey and the Piers Anthony novel as well

Here is my nominees:

The Practice Effect by David Brin

(a scientist is transported to a medieval world where science does not seem to work at all and gradually uses technology to overcome the rulers. Not much dragon stuff but great read.

A Scholar of Magics by Carol Stevermer

This is a wonderful novel set in a victorian world of magic and technology. Although the second book, it stands on its own and is unnecessary to read the first.

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman Not your everyday fantasy and not really science fiction this "child's tale is one compelling read.

The Iron Dragon's Daughter by Michael Swanwick. In this dark novel, a changling grows up in a harsh fantasy factory until she befriends a dragon made out of iron. The world is incredible the story not so much but its really fits this genre. Many in the field think its a classic. Its a really good book to talk about.

Lyrec by Gregory Frost. Just a light easy going science fiction fantasy cross as an interdimensional space traveller who is tracking an evil doer travels to a medieval land with his trusty aide. He bcomes a swordsman, his aide becomes a talking cat and the evil doer -- he becomes a god. This is a real fun read. But published in 1984 may be hard to come by.

Helm by Stephen Gould - boy grows up in feudal society but then dons Helm which gifts him with fantastical knowledge.

Heroes Die by Matthew Stover. Gamers from an advanced technological society travel to a fantasy game to fight real wars and battles. This is a super read.

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Set on Mars this first book that starts the John Carter series is a classic.

Amy wrote: "I'll second The Warlock in Spite of Himself. It's been many years since I've read it but I'd like to read it again. Plus, it does fit the theme."

Thanks, Amy! I was beginning to wonder if anybody else'd ever heard of it.

Dana wrote: "Christopher Stasheff's Warlock series would seem to be a prime example, in that it starts out sci-fi with the main character traveling in a spaceship to rediscover human-settled worlds that lost co..."

I'll second The Warlock in Spite of Himself. It's been many years since I've read it but I'd like to read it again. Plus, it does fit the theme.

Something that might work for Sci-Fantasy is "A Plague of Angels" by Sheri S. Tepper. A science fiction story using fairy-tale archetypes. It's an odd and thought-provoking tale. Here's the link: A Plague of Angels

Here's the blurb from Amazon. I like it better than Goodread's version: "Tepper ( Sideshow ) cleverly adopts elements of both fantasy and science fiction in this portrait of a world on the verge of chaos. Looking to space for a better world, most of Artemesia's inhabitants have deserted their land for the stars, leaving behind crumbling gang-infested cities, fortified suburbs protected by dwindling technology and a half-wild, half-rural land where renascent mythical beasts and fairy tale "archetypes" now live. There Abasio, a farmboy who is being pursued by vengeful gang members, meets Orphan, who is herself being pursued by the minions of Witch. Witch is convinced that in accordance with a delphic prophecy, Orphan can provide the "guidance system" for her space shuttle and thus allow her to settle the moon. Abasio, Orphan and their few allies are called to fulfill their destiny and defend the battered Earth from Witch's mad scheme for world domination. If the fantasy and SF elements don't always merge seamlessly, the setting is well-realized and Witch's psychosis is lurid and frightening. Tepper's prose is colorful and, while occasionally strident, tempered with wry wit and astute observations about human nature."

I also second, third, whatever Jaran The First Novel of the Jaran and American Gods. Both are wonderful books!

Another good set is the Well of Souls series by Jack Chalker. Midnight at the Well of Souls is the first book and it's also standalone.

I just want a good read. Been out of the loop for too long.

Dave Duncan's Seventh Sword trilogy is one of the best I've ever read on the idea of change and advancement coming to a primitive society. I would recommend it to anybody, but the whole story takes three books to tell, so I'm not sure this is the proper venue for it.
The Reluctant Swordsman
Coming of Wisdom
Destiny of the Sword

I second Perdido Street Station by China Miéville

and
Five-Twelfths of Heaven by Melissa Scott

and add
Fall of Angels by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
Which is the book of the Recluse series that brings space battles and science to the 'magic' of Recluse

I don't know Strings, but I will second that.

Shannon wrote: "I'll second Dave Duncan's West of January - fantastic book!"

Strings is far better. Also this is supposed to be sci-fantasy. I'm not sure I see too much that I would consider fantasy in that book. In Strings we have a Tunnel in the Sky story with psychic powers bordering on the magical to make it work.

I'll second Dave Duncan's West of January - fantastic book!

Thanks - it just so happens that it's on the list from 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. I'm in that GR Group too so it would be two birds with one stone! (and it looks like an interesting read which is a bonus)

YAY! I love you Libby.

Brad wrote: "And I would like to nominate my own choice: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov."

I'll second that book.

I also nominate a completely off the wall, obscure, but interesting read: West of January by Dave Duncan.

I second Jim's choice of The Einstein Intersection, or third it as the case may be.

And I would like to nominate my own choice: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. I've heard it categorized as "magic realism," "weird," and "speculative," and all of these come close to what we're talking about. The Devil in communist, industrialized USSR. Sounds pretty sci-fantasy to me. And what a great book to read for our group.

This group did Neverwhere last year, so we won't repeat it (it was a great conversation though, and brought up some things I never would have thought of on my own! The archived folder should be on the discussion page if you'd like to read it).

I'll start sorting through these today and figuring out which ones have been seconded and whatnot. Thanks for all the great suggestions so far!

Just FYI the Fantasy group is currently doing Neverwhere - I'm not sure how many of us might be in both groups. How about American Gods?

Neverwhere by Niel Gaimen

"Lord of Light" is another great choice.

I will second Lord of Light, a truly SFF crossover and I have not read it since it was 1st published, in a time long, long ago...

I'll second The Einstein Intersection and This Immortal. Both excellent, and I think underrated books.
While we're on the subject of Zelazny, can I throw out there,
Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny,
which I thoroughly enjoyed and seems to transcend the boundary between Sci-Fi and Fantasy.

Christopher Stasheff's Warlock series would seem to be a prime example, in that it starts out sci-fi with the main character traveling in a spaceship to rediscover human-settled worlds that lost contact, but he then lands on a planet (as I recall) mostly settled by SCA enthusiasts, and it turned out that they had self-selected a population prime to develop mental powers that have now been termed magic in the feudal society that has grown there. The first one is:

The Warlock in Spite of Himself

Also, much as I love This Alien Shore, I've never really seen many fantasy elements in it. It always struck me as straight up sci-fi.

Jakub wrote: If we are talking about different king of Sci-Fantasy books, there is 'The Reads of Heaven' series by Melissa Scott, starting with "Five-Twelfths of Heaven", where space ships are powered and are travelling between stars using alchemy. Very good book, by the way.

It is a pity that Inne pieśni by Jacek Dukaj were not translated into English; they are also blend of science-fiction and fantasy, with a bit of alternate history mixed in (see Inne pieśni (Other Songs) article on Wikipedia).

The Einstein Intersection by Samuel R. Delany is an excellent blend of mythology/fantasy & SF. I've read it several times & always see a bit more. It's a post apocalyptic novel, too. Fantastic, fairly short read.

A similar book is This Immortal by Roger Zelazny. It's full of classical references & has a wonderful story line.

Split Infinity
also
Neverwhere, by Niel Gaiman