Celebrate Science Fiction and Fantasy with Goodreads

Incitatus is a really good sci-fi thriller for those in need of intrigue and genre-bending fresh stories. Atmospheric and eerie, it'll keep you entertained.

I am a fan of the 1632 series by Eric Flint. One might call it alternate history and humorous in a good way... poking fun at people the author loves. The (fictional) coal-mining town of Grantville in West Virginia is picked up whole and sent back in time to the year 1631. It is dropped into the middle of Germany during the 30 Years War. (Why the novel is entitled 1632 is a mystery to me but the events do extend into 1632.) The townspeople decide to bring the American Revolution to Europe 150 years early. It's exciting, and amazingly good-humored considering the atrocities committed during the 30 Years War. 1632 was never intended to be a series, but the fans clamored for more, so the series came into existence and keeps on going.

If anyone is looking for an incredible Adult Fantasy series, please read 'The Green Bone Saga' by Fonda Lee. The first book in the COMPLETED trilogy is Jade City and all three books are phenomenal. I will be screaming from the rooftops about this trilogy until the end of time, it deserves a lot more hype.

anything Tolkien related is amazing

Caraval trilogy, a darker shade of magic, and the night circus are *chefs kiss*

So surprised as supernatural is not my jam but this book was so well written sort of like a mix of Riley Thorn series, Samantha True series, Lucy Valentine series and Sookie Stackhouse series.
Charley is a grim reaper, P.I. but overall just a funny, nice human. She has a sexy dark shadow living over her and a cast of characters in her life, family, friends and well the undead that want her help to "cross over". This was just a delight.

The Pern series by Anne McCaffrey.

Anna wrote: "Incitatus is a really good sci-fi thriller for those in need of intrigue and genre-bending fresh stories. Atmospheric and eerie, it'll keep you entertained."

I can’t wait to check it out! :D

Yield (The Titanium Trilogy, Book 1)! It's a dystopian fantasy :)Yield

For Fantasy, I'm partial to Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere novels. A great standalone to jump into is Warbreaker. If you don't mind heading into a trilogy, The Final Empire is kind of like a fantasy Ocean's 11.

For SF, I like John Scalzi. Can't go wrong with Old Man's War. It's kind of like an updated Starship Troopers or The Forever War with a slightly sarcastic bent to it.

I'm only partially through Set My Heart to Five but I'm loving the heck out of it. If you like the tone of Alan Tudyck's character in the TV show Resident Alien, you'll probably like this book.

For the lovers of fae fantasy, I can't recommend Prince of the Sorrows enough (and volume 2 is coming in September!)

Maria wrote: "If anyone is looking for an incredible Adult Fantasy series, please read 'The Green Bone Saga' by Fonda Lee. The first book in the COMPLETED trilogy is Jade City and all three books..."

Oh I hear nothing but praise for it, I already have Jade City, can't wait to dig in :)

In my opinion, the best sci book is 'Red Rising' trilogy by Pierce Brown. It amazing !!! it was my first sci-fi read and it will forever have a place in my heart.

Eric wrote: "For Fantasy, I'm partial to Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere novels. A great standalone to jump into is Warbreaker. If you don't mind heading into a trilogy, The Final Empire..."

Old Man's War - first book I ever read of John Scalzi's.

I have read almost everything of his now.

Y'all, if you want a good sci-fi book, then you should read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It's just so witty and funny. 5 stars from me
\ ( ^ - ^ ) /

I'm deep into Locklands, the final book of the Foundryside trilogy, and loving every minute of it.

I also can't say enough good things about the Tarot Sequence by KD Edwards, starting with The Last Sun. Thoughtful, exciting, queer urban fantasy that gets better and better with each book.

Hi, everyone! I'm a lapsed Fantasy reader. I used to read it in my teens, but went a different path in my 20s. Recently there seems to have been a resurgence of interest in Fantasy, with new authors popping up all over the place. I'm very interested in anything and everything that has a more literary bent to it. Great prose, stellar character development, and a meaningful discussion. Other than that, my only other caveat is that it be either a stand-alone novel or else part of an already completed series. I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thank you very much!

*EDIT: I should add I'm mostly interested in Epic/High Fantasy, but I'll consider others as well.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is my favourite book of this year so far! A wonderful tale of found family, courage, and love. I didn't know it was that popular and I think it helped me appreciate my reading even more.

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue on the other hand is one of the rare V. E. Schwab's books I was disappointed with :/

Os Possessores
by
John Christopher

What a coincidence. I've just started The Fires of Heaven the fifth Wheel of Time Book. I don't think I'll become a regular fantasy reader but it's very good.

Allessia wrote: "Y'all, if you want a good sci-fi book, then you should read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It's just so witty and funny. 5 stars from me
\ ( ^ - ^ ) /"
I really need to continue this series, so underrated!

First and foremost: Tolkien
Currently I'm rereading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan,
I'm also a big fan of Terry Brooks and Raymond Feist.
Then in no particular order
Brandon Sanderson
Ann McCaffrey
Barbara Hambly
Robin Hobb
George Martin
Melissa Caruso
Kristen Britain
Trudi Canavan
Ian Irvine
and many many others

If we're celebrating science fiction, we'd be remiss not to put Joe Haldeman's masterpiece The Forever War at the very top of the list. If this one has somehow eluded you - believe me, you have something to look forward to. It's a mind-boggler.

Marion Zimmer Bradley wrote amazing books including Mists of Avalon.

Eric wrote: "For Fantasy, I'm partial to Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere novels. A great standalone to jump into is Warbreaker. If you don't mind heading into a trilogy, The Final Empire..."

Just reading Final Empire now, I'm early in, but not getting the ocean's eleven vibes yet. Enjoyable though! For other fantasy heist escapades, Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lemora and Patrick Weekes The Palace Job are both worth a look (The Palace Job is more humourous than either of the Sanderson or Lynch books though).

Other Scalzi worth looking at, definitely Redshirts and Lock In.

SlowRain wrote: "Hi, everyone! I'm a lapsed Fantasy reader. I used to read it in my teens, but went a different path in my 20s. Recently there seems to have been a resurgence of interest in Fantasy, with new author..."

I think you would like The Priory of the Orange Tree!

LGBTQ+ sci-fi .... Freefall, Shadowfall and Windfall - science fiction adventure and the girl gets the girl in the end !!

Here's a novel idea (pun): let's finally separate science fiction from fantasy. Please.

Book was so well written sort of like a mix of Riley Thorn series, Samantha True series, Lucy Valentine series and Sookie Stackhouse series.
Charley is a grim reaper, P.I. but overall just a funny, nice human. She has a sexy dark shadow following her and a cast of characters in her life, family, friends and well the undead that want her help to "cross over". This was just a delight. LOVED the sexy dark shadow!

Where are the classics???

Science fiction and fantasy actually are my favorite genres, so I am always reading them. Lately I've been reading some classics of the genres, like "Babel-17" and "Empire Star" by Samuel Delany (simultaneously, it's a new edition with the two titles in one book), and more recent classics like "The Three-Body Problem" by Liu Cixin, "Sabriel" by Garth Nix and "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke. Also a non-fiction about science fiction: "The History of Science Fiction" by Adam Roberts.

Besides these I am also reading some Brazilian science fiction and fantasy fanzines, like Revista Mafagafo.

R.B. Lemberg needs to be on this list. I just finished the galley for their latest, The Unbalancing. It was exquisite. I love Lemberg's world-building skills.

I didn’t see any Neal Asher books….one of the top science fiction writers in the world and nothing on the list. Pitiful.

Who also hates these self pub authors trying to plug their books in these general posts? Come on guys these aggressive self promotional tactics are against community guidelines and are only hurting your rating.

So much amazing Sci-Fi to be discussed, but it's always important to give a nod to the classics of the genre too.

You can find a few like-minded people here on GR if you want to get stuck into some discussion :) https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

I absolutely love The Plot Bandits series by Katherine Vick. Just as epically funny as Terry Pratchett!

Book 1: The Disposable

Arthur C. Clarke is a real genius. I really loved 2001: A Space Odyssey.

This summer I've decided it's sci-fi girlie summerm so I've read most of the Murderbot series by Martha Wells (so good! must read!) and also have gotten into Max Gladstone! Lots of fun

For me the king of fantasy is Terry Pratchett. The discworld series has a highly detailed and intricate world filled with gorgeously real characters. Through his satirical style he tackles issues such as racism and sexism, religion, death, belief and millions of others. Granny Weatherwax will always be one of my favourite characters in fiction, with Vimes and Death a close second.
I would recommend to everyone and anyone, he has the ability to make you laugh and more importantly change how you view the world and people.
GNU Terry Pratchett.

Huirwell wrote: "Where are the classics???"

So many people in these comments about books older than 3 years not included in blog posts specifically about current-day and the past 3 years.

I would suggest The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #1) by John Gwynne. It is a fantastic viking/norse themed fantasy featuring; incredible characters, a cold, brutal world, a touch of magic and some of the most intense action scenes I've ever read. The second book in the series, Hunger of the Gods released in 2022 and I plan to start reading it shortly!The Shadow of the Gods

harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban
to ride a silver broom stick

Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series is an excellent, multicultural urban fantasy crossed with police thriller. It takes place in the UK, so while there's a lot of stab vest talk, very little gun violence. Creative basis for magic too.

For Fae, Seanan McGuire's October Daye series is an excellent example of 5d chess character development. LGBTQA+ inclusive.

If you miss the early seasons of Supernatural and like some ecology with your plot, treat yourself to the Incryptid series. Great example of what can be done with multiple povs in a series. Also LGBTQA+ inclusive.

I'm reading Dune and so far it's very good!

I recently stumbled upon a book in a blurb written by Terry Gilliam. He claimed that the book by B. Catling, The Vorrh was probably the most important of it's genre, setting new standards for fantasy. I went searching for it and discovered that the book also got rave reviews from MIchael Moorcock and Alan Moore, two of my favorite writers. That simple stumbling upon the quote from Mr. Gilliam captured my attention for the next month as I devoured all three of the trilogy. It is unlike anything you have read before.

Sam wrote: "Arthur C. Clarke is a real genius. I really loved 2001: A Space Odyssey."

I'll second that about 2001: A Space Odyssey. Although I just finished 2061: Odyssey Three and thought it was a letdown.

Maria wrote: "If anyone is looking for an incredible Adult Fantasy series, please read 'The Green Bone Saga' by Fonda Lee. The first book in the COMPLETED trilogy is Jade City and all three books..."

Alex wrote: "I am a fan of the 1632 series by Eric Flint. One might call it alternate history and humorous in a good way... poking fun at people the author loves. The (fictional) coal-mining town of Grantville ..."

I too really enjoyed the Green Bone Saga. Lots of engaging plot twists, an interesting culture.

Book2Dragon wrote: "The Pern series by Anne McCaffrey."

I agree that the first books were epic and gloriously well crafted but I rather felt that the series lost its way and charm as it progressed. Did you feel the same?