Science Fantasy Stories > Likes and Comments

Anyone know any good Science Fantasy Stories? I mean stories that mix the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy together?

Dune
a lot of Andre Norton books mix both with telepathy/magic and spaceships
Edgar Rice Burroughs's John Carter of Mars

Black Sun Rising
Crown of Shadows
When True Night Falls
or
The Coldfire Trilogy: Black Sun Rising/ When True Night Falls/ Crown of Shadows

Can you recommend one of Andre Norton's books?

The Mageworlds series by Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald are Science Fantasy in the Star Wars mold. The first one is The Price of the Stars.

Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey. The first trilogy is Dragonflight, Dragonquest and The White Dragon.

The Saga of the Pliocene Exile by Julian May. Time-travel to prehistoric era, ancient aliens and psychic superpowers. First one is The Many-Colored Land.

Jesse wrote: "Can you recommend one of Andre Norton's books?"

Forerunner - On the ancient planet Kuxortal, young Simsa grows up among the ancient ruins of a fallen galactic civilization—the Forerunners. But Simsa has always been different, with iridescent blue-black skin and a telepathic bond with her bat-like zorsal. When her mentor dies, her future looks bleak—until Thom, a star ranger, arrives and leads Simsa on a new path that takes both through danger to the ultimate revelation, which will change her life, and perhaps galactic civilization itself, forever.

Garan the Eternal -
In our world he was Garin, jet pilot and explorer. In the lost land of Tav, he was Garan, who would supply the link with their most ancient past. And in a world far distant in space and time, he was Garan of Yu-Lac, who would stand alone between a planet’s doom and the ones he loved.

Moonsinger - It was the time of the Moon of the Three Rings when the Free Trader ship Lydis landed on the planet Yiktor and junior crew member Krip Vorlund visited a beast show. He was strangely attracted to the owner of the show animals, a delicate and mysterious woman named Maelen. Soon Krip was caught in a vicious struggle by powerful opponents over the fate of Yiktor—and he learned the nature of Maelen's sorcery when he found his mind trapped in the body of a wolflike creature.

Search for the Star Stones - Murdoc Jern's father, an interstellar gem trader, was murdered by outlaw competitors and left behind an odd ring, large enough to fit over the finger of a space suit. With his companion Eet, a strange feline mutant with phenomenal mental powers, he soon discovered that the stone in the ring was actually a Zero Stone—an alien device left behind by an ancient vanished race—and it was the key to powers beyond human imagination.

The Zero Stone - The Zero Stone is the greatest treasure—and the greatest curse. It holds all the power of the universe, and such power is worth killing for. The seemingly dull, lifeless rock is Murdoc Jern’s sole inheritance from his father, who himself was murdered over the stone. But to uncover its power, he first has to figure out the secret of its origins.

With no choice but to run for life and limb while trying to solve the mystery of the Zero Stone, Murdoc and his feline mutant companion, Eet, travel across the galaxy—business class, of course—hopping from world to world and bad situation to worse in their quest. All they have to do now is duck the lethally unforgiving Thieves Guild, avoid the never-give-up law enforcement corps of the Patrol, and somehow manage to stay alive if they want to unleash the most awesome power the universe has ever seen

I loved Eet in the last book

The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe is incredibly unusual science fantasy, where the science fiction elements are a bit more hidden than usual.

What I'm currently reading would qualify: A Fire Upon the Deep, an ambitious galaxy spanning story, involving cosmic conflicts, interstellar space faring and a medieval settings/society.

I can also heartily second Anthony's rec above. The thing with The Book of the New Sun however is: it seems it'd be better, if one went in not expecting there to be elements beyond fantasy. I too was spoiled of that, but it read to be set up for the reader to gradually discover the science elements. Grand experience never the less.

How to Stop Time is a good book. I would not have thought to add it to this thread, but, Yasmin definitely has a point. So I'll second that rec.

Not sure if this might be what you're looking for but The Story of Raiya is something I enjoyed.
It's about dragon-like species who invaded Earth fighting against the remains of the US military. Kinda like Independence day but with dragons instead of spaceships.

The main characters are a human-dragon hybrid and a lone wolf soldier. Good mix of combat, ethical dilemmas, and funny moments.
It also has two loose sequels.

Jo Walton's Thessaly series fits this description. It gives off strong fantasy vibes at first but then kind of transitions into science fiction.

Starts with: The Just City

I loved all three books.

Hyperion and Ninefox Gambit

Lord of Light

Grounded: A Dragon's Tale is a good example. It's got dragons, inter-planetary conflicts, and science, including ecology. Good stuff.

The Dying Earth
Northwest Smith

Both are a bit long in the tooth now, and I wouldn't try to read the C. L. Moore cover to cover, but if you're in the right mood, great fun.

Gideon the Ninth is this, so far.

Beneath Ceaseless Skies occasionally dedicates a few issues to publishing science fantasy short stories - there's some coming up early next year, and most of the stories from previous issues are available online.

Definitely a genre that needs more love !! I want more elves in space hahaha

Kevin wrote: "Definitely a genre that needs more love !! I want more elves in space hahaha"

Me too!
CBRetriever wrote: "Jesse wrote: "Can you recommend one of Andre Norton's books?"

Forerunner - On the ancient planet Kuxortal, young Simsa grows up among the ancient ruins of a fallen galactic civilizat..."
There is another story Forerunner Foray It's about a girl who finds herself locked in the tomb of a zombie warlord on a distant planet. Whenever I hear people talk about Andre Norton's books, this one always comes to mind.

Jabotikaba wrote: "There is another story Forerunner Foray It's about a girl who finds herself locked in the tomb of a zombie warlord on a distant planet. Whenever I hear people talk about Andre Norton's books, this one always comes to mind. ."

That one's good too

CBRetriever wrote: "Jabotikaba wrote: "There is another story Forerunner Foray It's about a girl who finds herself locked in the tomb of a zombie warlord on a distant planet. Whenever I hear people talk about Andre No..."

Yeah!

CBRetriever wrote: "Jesse wrote: "Can you recommend one of Andre Norton's books?"

Forerunner - On the ancient planet Kuxortal, young Simsa grows up among the ancient ruins of a fallen galactic civilizat..."

Moonsinger. Loved it!

Chauvinism: A War Between Sons and Daughters by Noel Dinag

Rocannon's World by Ursula Le Guin could also be considered a science fantasy book.
When I read it, I felt as if Tolkien had co-written it with the real author. This book combines space travel with cursed treasures, castles, and bronze swords, making it a prime example of the science fantasy genre.
There is an even older book, The Star Kings, by Edmond Moore Hamilton. While it is considered a space opera, it could also be classified as a science fantasy story.

One that I would like to add to this thread is The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence. I would call this a multiverse that does blend science fiction with fantasy. It offers an infinite library (talk about a TBR!), aliens, some whimsical humor, and a great twist in the story. There are two more books in the series that are on my TBR.

This is a genre mashup I have enjoyed. A couple to try:

The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kerstein

NightPiercer by Merry Ravenell (Werewolves in space! LOL)

Both books have further books/sequels.

The Aeronaut's Windlass could be science fantasy. Also, talking cats!

Leonie wrote: "The Aeronaut's Windlass could be science fantasy. Also, talking cats!"

plus it's on the shelf. Glad to know you liked it - I'll be reading it next year

Leonie wrote: "The Aeronaut's Windlass could be science fantasy. Also, talking cats!"

Sounds very interesting! And talking cats are always funny.

Science fantasy is my favourite genre. Literally anything can happen!

I've read a few decent Doctor Who novels over the years, and Warhammer is always interesting. One of my favourite sci-fi novels to blend some fantasy elements in here and there is The Martian Chronicles, and I also really like I Am Legend, which deconstructs vampires through a purely scientific lens.

I was interested to note in the author’s Afterword to The Best of Fritz Leiber that he described the contents of the book as “science fantasy”. Another great old time writer who wrote in different genres and subgenres; often credited with coining the term “sword and sorcery” as well.

PJ wrote: "and there is The Martian Chronicles ..."

The Martian Chronicles are very sad and beautiful stories, and I like them very much.
Perhaps they were considered science fiction in the old days, but now that everyone knows there are no Martians, they are obviously science fantasy.