2025 Science Fiction & Fantasy Booklovers Combat Showing 1-50 of 2,175

[Melanie, the neutral party]

2025 Science Fiction vs Fantasy Collaborative Point Game
starts January 1, 2025

Here’s How It Works…
Step 1: Choose Your Team- fantasy or science fiction.
Just post your team of choice in this thread and you are officially in the game. You must choose ONE team; you cannot play for both teams. Players are welcome to join in whenever they want during the year (January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025), as long as the game is running.

**The stakes are high. The winning team will resolve once and for all (or at least for the year) which is better: science fiction or fantasy. Choose your team wisely…**

Step 2: Read Books!
During the course of the 2025 year, your goal will be to complete as many of the 24 team challenges as you can. Each Team has 12 sub-genres represented and 2 challenges to complete for each subgenre. Fantasy players are trying to complete the fantasy challenges; science fiction players are trying to complete the science fiction challenges.

Details:
Books must be @ least 100 pages long or the audio/ebook equivalent
Books can be from ANY genre. You are not limited to science fiction and/or fantasy.
The honor system applies. I will not be actually verifying book lengths or challenge eligibility.

Step 3: Post Your Progress.
When you finish a challenge post in this thread. Include the following in your post.
team-name/ book-title/ subgenre/ challenge-name/ *explanation (use spoiler tags with your explanation if necessary)

examples:
fantasy/ Lobizona/ shape shifting/ change/ *The MC is a werewolf that changes shape.
science fiction/ Scorpio/ aliens/ area 51/ *The Lankies are aliens.

-Each completed challenge is worth 1 point for your team.
-Each book can only count toward one trait challenge, so you can't complete multiple challenges by just reading one book, even if the book would technically qualify for more than one challenge.

Keeping Score
I will keep track of each team’s score in post #2 of this thread and post an update weekly. At the end of the year, the winning team will get bragging rights.

Team Collab Threads:
These threads are places were teammates can discuss book options and such.
*Fantasy Team Chat
*Science Fiction Team Chat

FAQs
1. Can a team get points for completing a challenge more than once? Like, more than one person reads a book that fits a particular sub-genre? Yes. Each individual can complete all 24 challenges.

2. My book has more than one edition and multiple covers. Which cover can I use for the cover challenges? Use the cover of the book you actually read. You can't substitute an alternate cover, but you also do not have to use the default cover.

3. To earn Power Points do I have to read the SFFBC book in the month is was selected? Technically no. You may be awarded power points any time AFTER the book was selected.

4. Can a book count for more than 1 prompt if it can fulfill multiple criteria? No. Each book can only be counted for one component: main prompt, monthly prompt, or power point.

5. Are graphic novels acceptable, since we can read any genre (as long as they meet the page count and prompt) Yes.

6. Tracking the challenge and prompts in The Story Graph is NOT the same as reporting my points right?" Correct. The only points I am tallying are this thread in GR and correlating one in TSG, not the TSG challenge tracker.

TSG Challenge Trackers can be found here:
science fiction- https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading...
fantasy- https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading...

7. Can I count a DNFed (unfinished) book for this challenge? Yes, with some qualifiers. You need to have read @ least 100 pages of the book, since that's the minimum word page count. Also you need to have read the part of the book that matches the challenge. If the challenge component happens later in the book, you would need to read the whole book or choose another book.

8. Can a DNFed book count for a Power Point? Yes with qualifiers and reservations. Qualifier: You must have read @ least 60% of the book and have made a good faith effort to complete the books. Reservation: The purpose of the Power Points is to encourage players to participate in the club's main purpose: to read and discuss an eclectic mix of awesome SFF books together. The competitive nature of the challenge with a 60% 'rule' could yield participants partially reading books, and not giving them a fair chance, purely to earn points faster. I do not feel that is true to the spirit of the feature. Thus the qualifiers in good faith and 60% of the book. I also acknowledge, some books are just not for you, and appreciate it when you try something new and out of your comfort zone.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Teams & Current Score
last update 9/7/25

FANTASY SCORE: 1,266
124 Power Points
(44) Player Names (+10 TSG players):
-CBRetriever
-Joany
-colleen the convivial curmudgeon
-Netanella
-Sherene
-Kaia
-Saar The Book owl
-Dominique
-Anne
-Tamara
-Amy (Other Amy)
-Jenni
-Ryan
-Jess
-Caitlin
-Brandi
-Kaa
-Nicole
-Ricky
-Kristin
-Orikamane
-Alicia
-Eva
-Nicol
-Economondos
-Darcy
-Kaylee
-Taffy :)
-WTEK
-Kim
-Midiain
-Deyara
-Aura
-Amanda
-Stephen
-christene_littlelibrary
-Alasse
-Karin
-Trinity
-Beth
-Emma R
-Brandon Harris
-Pamela
-Tamara

SCIENCE FICTION SCORE: 881
97 Power Points
(44) Player Names (+10 TSG players):
-Cheryl L
-Tina Reads
-Katertharina
-Melanie
-CJ
-Richard
-Teddie, drinker of the bitter invention of Satan
-Sarah
-Rachel
-Sarah
-Shawnie
-Christina
-Banshee
-Holli
-Aga
-April
-Leonie
-Jason
-Edwin
-Christy
-Ellen
-Adeline
-Tiny
-Pharmacdon
-T.K.
-Tammy M.
-Megan
-Roo
-Lost Planet Airman
-Megan
-Alycia
-Peter
-a.g.e. montagner
-AJ
-Tosh
-Juliana
-Bobby
-Jenna
-Lisa
-QueenAmidala28
-Sue
-Elizabeth
-AML

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Bonus Opportunities
1. Each month a scifi or fantasy antagonist and protagonist archetype will be presented for both teams. They also will have 2 challenge categories to complete. These challenges must be completed in the month they are assigned. Before each new month begins, the new protagonist and antagonist will be revealed. A list of all current and past archetypes is listed in post #6.

2. Each team can also unlock bonus objects of power by reading the 2025 SFFBC books of the month. After a team reads enough SFFBC books, an object of power unlocks, granting the group more opportunities to earn points. Only the team that unlocks the object of power can read its challenges for additional points. A list of available objects of power are listed in post #7. When you finish a 2025 SFFBC BOTM, post in this thread. Include the following in your post. team-name/ power point/ book-title

example: fantasy/ power point/ The Will of the Many

3. If the challenge is going well and players begin completing the challenge early, more bonuses will unlock.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Fantasy Challenges

Shape Shifting
1. Change: Read a book with a character that changes shape or disguises themself.
2. Copy: Read a book with “shape” or “shift” in the title.

Romantasy
1. Love: Read a book where a romantic relationship is central to the plot.
2. Pairing: Read a book with a couple on the cover.

Angels and Devils
1. Ying: Read a book where a character has wings and/or horns.
2. Yang: Read a book with a black and white cover.

Magical Object
1. Powerful: Read a book where a magical object is central to the plot.
2. Thing: Read a book with the word “magic” in the title.

Poisoner
1. Sick: Read a book where a poisoning is a significant plot point.
2. Dangerous: Read a book with something poisonous on the cover.

DnD Party
1.Characters: Read a book with a rogue, mage, fighter, and/or wizard (classic DnD characters).
2.Team: Read a book with 4 or more characters on cover or the word “party” in the title.

Mythology
1.Story: Read a book with a mythological character or that is considered a retelling of a myth.
2. Alpha-Omega: Read a book with any greek letter on the cover or the word “myth” in the title.

Undead
1. Alive?: Read a book with an undead character or a character that returns from the dead.
2. Dead: Read a book the word “dead” or “death” in the title.

Bestiary
1. Not a Pet: Read a book with a character that would be considered a beast.
2. Risky: Read a book with any kind of beast on the cover.

Fantastic Flora
1. Greenery: Read a book where plants can be considered a character (protagonist or antagonist) in the book.
2. Anti-Human: Read a book with plants but no humans on the cover.

Magic Powers
1. Sorcerer: Read a book with a character that has any kind of magic.
2. Magi: Read a book with any kind of magician on the cover.

Fairy Tales
1. Story: Read a book that is a collection of related stories.
2. Fae: Read a book with fairies on the cover or “tales” in the title.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Science Fiction Challenges

Aliens
1. Area 51: Read a book with an alien character.
2. Starry Night: Read a book with at least one star on the cover.

Alt History
1. Back in the Day: Read a book set 20+ years ago.
2. Historicity: Read a book with a time machine or historical figure on the cover.

Clones
1. DNA: Read a book with clones or twins in it.
2. Palindrome: Read a book with a mirrored cover (cover features a graphic that reads the same on both sides).

Dimensional Travel
1. AltDimension: Read a book set in more than 1 dimension.
2. Portal: Read a book with any kind of portal on the cover.

Space Travel
1. The Black: Read a book set in outer space.
2. Nebula: Read a book with a space scene on the cover.

Terraforming
1. Oxygen: Read a book that features terraforming.
2. Foliage: Read a book with any kind of flora on the cover.

Biological Engineering
1. Lab: Read a book with a character that is a biologist and/or engineer.
2. DNA: Read a book with a helix on the cover.

LitRPG
1. Game: Read any book classified as LitRPG or a novelized version of a video game.
2. Console: Read a book with any gaming console or DND dice on the cover.

Big Data
1. Arithmetic: Read a book with an accountant or mathematician as a main character.
2. Data: Read a book with numbers on the cover.

Mad Science
1. Scientist: Read a book with a scientist as a main character.
2. Gear: Read a book with anyone in a lab coat or lab beakers on the cover.

Artificial Intelligence
1. Intelligence: Read a book where AI is an important character or important to the plot.
2. Robot: Read a book with a computer or code on the cover.

Time Travel
1. Time Machine: Read a book where time travel is part of the plot.
2. Clock: Read a book with any kind of time keeping device on the cover.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Full Character Archetypes List

January Protagonist: Big Dumb Hero
1. Strong: Read a book with a character who possesses great physical strength.
2. unBrianiac: Read a book with a character that is noted for their lack of intelligence.

January Antagonist: Monster
1. Huge: Read a book with a character that is extremely large.
2. Ugly: Read a book with a character that is noted for an unpleasant appearance.

February Protagonist: Love Interest
1. Pretty: Read a book where a main character is known for their good looks.
2. Romance: Read a book with a romantic scene.

February Antagonist: Rival
1. Better Than You: Read a book where a main character has a rival.
2. It’s Personal: Read a book where a character has a personal grievance that is significant to the plot.

March Protagonist: Sidekick
1. 2nd Best: Read a book with a sidekick character or where the main character is only the 2nd best at something.
2. Helpful: Read a book where the ‘hero’ needs help accomplishing a goal.

March Antagonist: Assistant to the Villain
1. Sidekick: Read a book with a character who is a sidekick or a character who has a sidekick.
2. Not In Charge: Read a book where the main character is not the person in charge at their organization.

April Protagonist: Mentor
1. Aged: Read a book with an older main character.
2. Teacher: Read a book where a main character formally learns (skills or book knowledge).

April Antagonist: Wicked Stepparent
1. Not My Child: Read a book where a character raises a child that is not theirs by birth.
2. Envy: Read a book where jealousy is important to the plot.

May Protagonist: Friendly Creature
1. Pet: Read a book where the main character is a pet or has a pet.
2. Companion: Read a book with an animal that is friendly toward the main characters.

May Antagonist: Mother Nature
1. Weather: Read a book where a weather event is significant to the plot.
2. You’re Edible Here: Read a book where the main characters encounter a hostile environment.

June Protagonist: Strong Female
1. Girl: Read a book where the main character is female.
2. Stamina: Read a book where a character can sustain a prolonged physical or mental effort.

June Antagonist: Sociopath
1. No Empathy: Read a book where a character struggles to understand other people or doesn’t care about other people.
2. Manipulative: Read a book with a manipulative character.

July Protagonist: Orphan
1. Child: Read a book where a main character is a child.
2. Parentless: Read a book where a main character doesn’t know their parent or a parent dies in the story.

July Antagonist: Racist
1. Racism: Read a book where racism is significant to the plot.
2. Aryan Looks: Read a book where a group of characters are expected to display a uniform trait or dress in identical uniforms.

August Protagonist: Dynamic Leader
1. In Charge: Read a book where the main character serves in any kind of leadership role.
2. Fan Club: Read a book where a character has a substantial fandom.

August Antagonist: Gang-Boss
1. Illegal Trade: Read a book where illegal trade is important to the plot.
2. Recruiter: Read a book where the antagonist successfully recruits more minions.

September Protagonist: Pollyanna
1. Optimistic: Read a book where a character presents as extremely optimistic.
2. Hopebringer: Read a book where a character receives hope after giving up.

September Antagonist: Mad Scientist
1. Dangerous Creation: Read a book where a scientist creates something dangerous.
2. Unintended Consequences: Read a book where a choice or action has unexpected, negative consequences.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Objects of Power
The first object unlocks when a team earns 50 points; the second unlocks @ +45 points (95); the third unlocks @ +40 points (135); etc.

Big Dumb Object Claimed by Team Science Fiction 4/28
1. Big: Read a book where a character wields an oversized (for them) weapon.
2. Object: Read a Book that features an object (and not people) on the cover.

Charged Jewelry Claimed by Team Fantasy 5/6
1. Jewels: Read a book where a piece of jewelry is important to the plot.
2. Pretty: Read a book with something sparkly on the cover.

Chekhov's Gun
1. Foreshadowing: Read a book where an object in the beginning of the book foreshadows something significant that happens at the end of the book.
2. Armory: Read a book with any kind of gun on the cover.

MacGuffin
1. Treasure: Read a book with a MacGuffin (an object or element in a story that drives the plot, but serves no further purpose).
2. Breathing: Read a book where the MacGuffin is a sentient being.

Powerful Weapon Claimed by Team Fantasy 7/12
1. Wow: Read a book with a legendary weapon (A weapon of myth, sung of in songs and spoken of in whispers. Old, powerful, and possessing a name).
2. Ouch: Read a book with someone injured or dead on the cover.

Religious Artifact Claimed by Team Science Fiction 9/4
1. God(s): Read a book where religion is important to the story.
2. Priest: Read a book with any kind of religious official or priest on the cover.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Summer Bonus! (June 20 - September 22)
Booklovers, you all are tackling the challenges so well, I’ve decided to give you a new (temporary) bonus opportunity. Thus the Summer Bonus! (Or if you live south of the equator, a winter bonus.) These bonus prompts can be acquired during the months of astrological summer June 20 – September 22. The books must be read entirely in the assigned time frame, and the opportunity disappears when the season changes.

Let’s pay homage to some classic Fantasy and Science Fiction settings. Happy reading!

Fantasy Settings Only the fantasy team players can complete these prompts.
Pseudo-Medieval
1. Feudal Government- Read a book where the ruling government is any kind of feudal system or the book’s main character possesses a noble title.
2. Enchanted Forest- Read a book where a forest is a significant setting (even better, but not required, if that forest is magical).

Expansive Empire
1. Colonial Acquisition- Read a book where a government has acquired another political entity through force.
2. Resistance Forces- Read a book where an organized (but less powerful) force actively tries to thwart the ‘lawful’ government.

Magical City
1. Urban Fantasy- Read any book classified as urban fantasy.
2. Underground Magic- Read a book where magic exists, but most people are not aware of its existence.

Science Fiction Settings Only science fiction team players can complete these prompts.
Multi-Cultural Alien Planet
1. Alien Planet- Read a book set on an alien planet (a planet that has or once had a non-human species living on it).
2. Multiple Species- Read a book where 3 or more species cohabitate.

Intergalactic Empire
1. Colonial Acquisition- Read a book where a government has acquired another political entity through force.
2. Resistance Forces- Read a book where an organized (but less powerful) force actively tries to thwart the ‘lawful’ government.

Tech City
1. Advanced Power Technology- Read a book where a non-electric technology powers a city or a large population.
2. Cyberpunk- Read any book classified as cyberpunk.

[CBRetriever]

Team Fantasy for me

[Cheryl L]

Team SciFi! 🚀🎉

[Meredith]

Can a team get points for completing a challenge more than once? Like, more than one person reads a book that fits a particular sub-genre?

[Tina Reads]

Team Sci Fi!

[Olga]

That's so cool!
Team Sci-Fi, as I already have at least 4 prompts on my TBR.

[CBRetriever]

I've found 9 books for prompts already on the Fantasy list and still looking for the cover options ones

[Olga]

I have 16 prompts covered so far, but will definitely need help with finding good fits for some of them.

Team Sci-Fi, shall we plot and plan some buddy reads to get us through the challenge?

[Katharina]

Team Sci-Fi

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Meredith wrote: "Can a team get points for completing a challenge more than once? Like, more than one person reads a book that fits a particular sub-genre?"

Yes. Each individual can complete all 24 challenges.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Olga wrote: Team Sci-Fi, shall we plot and plan some buddy reads to get us through the challenge?"

Feel free to start a post in the challenge folder to facilitate communication.

[Anna]

Or chat in the buddy read thread as normal!

[Olga]

Anna wrote: "Or chat in the buddy read thread as normal!"

Well, I do hope we'll get some engaging discussion for possible options for some prompts before we agree on buddy reads, so it does make sense to have a separate space for that. If I'm not alone in this.

After that, of course, we'll drop by buddy read tread to see if someone else wants to join.

Right, Team Sci-Fi?

[Nicole]

Team Fantasy

[CBRetriever]

Melanie wrote: "Yes. Each individual can complete all 24 challenges. "

ah, good - I'm a glutton for challenges, so I'll probably go for the SciFi one after I've finished the Fantasy one even though those will not count

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Lol, me too. I'll be competing secretly since I'm the mod for this challenge.

[Melanie]

I'm in! Team Sci-fi.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Team Fantasy

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

I should be Team Sci-Fi but I'm awfully tempted to go for Team Fantasy as it'll be more of a challenge. Or maybe I'll just join the Team with the least members.

Decisions, Decisions.

[CBRetriever]

wait?

2. Foliage: Read a book with any kind of fauna on the cover.

a book about foliage (flora) and you want animals on the cover (fauna)? One animal or more than one?

[CBRetriever]

Ryan wrote: "I should be Team Sci-Fi but I'm awfully tempted to go for Team Fantasy as it'll be more of a challenge. Or maybe I'll just join the Team with the least members.

Decisions, Decisions."

I found the SciFi one harder to find books for

[Tamara]

Hi! Awesome challenge!
When you say "character", does it have to be the main character?

[Tamara]

CBRetriever wrote: "I found the SciFi one harder to find books for "

I'm going through my TBR to figure out which team categories I'm more likely to finish 😅

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

Remember, you don't have to read Sci-Fi/Fantasy to tick off a prompt. Non fiction should help with many of the Sci-Fi prompts.

Not that I've even tried finding new-to-me books to fill the prompts just yet. I just went through them all thinking of the books I've already read that would fit.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

CBRetriever wrote: "2. Foliage: Read a book with any kind of fauna on the cover.

a book about foliage (flora) and you want animals on the cover (fauna)? One animal or more than one?"

...um it's possible I confused flora and fauna. I'm fixing it now.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Tamara wrote: "When you say "character", does it have to be the main character?"

significant character, not necessarily the main character unless the prompt specifically says that.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Ryan wrote: "Remember, you don't have to read Sci-Fi/Fantasy to tick off a prompt."

Correct. Any genre books for any of the prompts count.

[Netanella]

I think this looks grand, and would love to join!

Put me on Team Fantasy, please, and that way I can help to even out the ranks!

[DivaDiane]

What fun! I’m Team SciFi!!

[CBRetriever]

Ryan wrote: "Remember, you don't have to read Sci-Fi/Fantasy to tick off a prompt. Non fiction should help with many of the Sci-Fi prompts.

Not that I've even tried finding new-to-me books to fill the prompts..."

no clocks and no helix on any of my books so far, now I'm looking at alternative covers...

[CBRetriever]

Melanie wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "2. Foliage: Read a book with any kind of fauna on the cover.

a book about foliage (flora) and you want animals on the cover (fauna)? One animal or more than one?"

...um it's p..."

thank you!

[Sherene]

Fantasy please!!! Great timing since I will be preparing my 2025 TBR over the holiday break.

[CJ]

Team Sci Fi please

[Kaia]

This was a hard choice - I think I'm going to go with Team Fantasy because the prompts look like they would fit my TBR list better.

Anyone on Team Fantasy want to have a place where people could make suggestions for books fitting the prompts and set up potential buddy reads, too (as Olga suggested for Team SciFi)?

[Netanella]

Yes I think that’s a smart idea!

[CBRetriever]

Netanella wrote: "Yes I think that’s a smart idea!"

that would be nice

[Melanie, the neutral party]

I set up your two chat spaces. The first post is updated too.

*Fantasy Team Chat: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
*Science Fiction Team Chat: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Saar The Book owl]

Team Fantasy, please :)

[Aga]

Team Fantasy!

[Olga]

Melanie wrote: "I set up your two chat spaces. The first post is updated too."

Thanks, Melanie!

I have a question about the covers. If the edition I read/listen doesn't have what the prompt requires, but there exists another edition that does, would it count?

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Use the cover of the version you actually read, not necessarily the default cover.

[Olga]

Melanie wrote: "Use the cover of the version you actually read, not necessarily the default cover."

My bad English *facepalm*.
What I mean is that the cover I actually read doesn't have, say, a portal, but there is another edition (that I don't have) of the same book, that has a portal on it. Does it still count? Or we go hardcore and count only the actual covers of the books we have?

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Only the actual covers of the books you have.