Fantasy/Science Fiction recommendations needed!

spamwarrior · May 27, 2009

Ok, for the past few weeks I've been feeling a craving for good fantasy/science fiction. I think I've read every single Anne McCaffrey thing that came out. Does anyone have any recommendations? I like stuff that isn't too depressing and has good endings (romance. Guy gets girl, that sort of thing).

Also, something that doesn't have too much swearing. Sex is fine, unless it's so heavy that it's erotica. I don't want erotica.

Thanks!

Polenth · May 27, 2009

I'd say these authors have a similar happy/unhappy balance and swearing level to Anne McCaffrey. They have less romance though:

Naomi Novik (dragons)
Jim C. Hines (goblins/fairytales)
David Eddings (epic fantasy)
Terry Pratchett (comedy)

If you like graphic novels, James Gurney's Dinotopia books are a happy read (with dinosaurs).

Mr Flibble · May 27, 2009

CJ CHerryh - she does both SF and fantasy. Heroes to die for.*swoon* Swashbuckling action. Distinctly not very grapic sex. Try Chronicles of Morgaine and Merchanter's Luck.

dgiharris · May 27, 2009

OK Romantic sci-fi with a good ending

Hominids by Robert J Sawyer
Won the Nebula award in 2004, INCREDIBLE book about a parallel world in which Neandrathals have dominated the Earth and a Neandrathal scientist happens to create a hole between Earths and finds himself in our world.

Forging the Darksword by Margeret Weis and Tracy Hickman (Book 1 in the Darksword Trilogy)
Thought i'd give you a fantasy romance. In a world of magic, there is one person born without it who falls in love with a powerful aristocrat.

The Invader's Plan by L. Ron Hubbard- (1st book in Mission Earth Series)
This is a fun book/series. Think Hitchhikers Giude to the Galaxy meets Mission Impossible. Fun book with unlikely romance and loveable MC

The Madness Season by C.S. Friedman (an interesting take on an immortal shape changer who doesn't quite know what he is, lives on earth, and Earth is invaded by aliens)

Nightfall by Isaac Asimov (very quick read, 200 pages)
One of the greatest Sci-Fi books of all times.

Trust me, i've been reading 2 books a month since I was 13 and feel that the above list will knock your socks off. They all have a romance in them.

Mel...

shawkins · May 27, 2009

I just read the 17th Annual Year's Best Fantasy & Horror. It was friggin awesome, not a bad story in the bunch.

Dale Emery · May 27, 2009

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson.
Paladin of Souls (won Hugo and Nebula) by Lois McMaster Bujold.
Ender's Game (won Hugo and Nebula) by Orson Scott Card.

I've heard good things about Lois McMaster Bujold's Sharing Knife series. Fantasy with romance, or romance with fantasy.

Dale

dgiharris · May 27, 2009

Ender's Game is arguably the best sci-fi story ever written. But not a lot of romance in there.

Polenth · May 27, 2009

dgiharris said:
Forging the Darksword by Margeret Weis and Tracy Hickman (Book 1 in the Darksword Trilogy)
Thought i'd give you a fantasy romance. In a world of magic, there is one person born without it who falls in love with a powerful aristocrat.

I found the ending of the Darksword Triology really depressing. Same with Dragonlance. It's one reason why I avoided listed Weis/Hickman, because their bittersweet endings could have the wrong sweet parts, depending on the reader.

dgiharris · May 27, 2009

Polenth said:
I found the ending of the Darksword Triology really depressing. Same with Dragonlance. It's one reason why I avoided listed Weis/Hickman, because their bittersweet endings could have the wrong sweet parts, depending on the reader.

True, the ending is bittersweet. Not a happily ever after. But the journey though, is good

spamwarrior · May 28, 2009

Polenth said:
I found the ending of the Darksword Triology really depressing. Same with Dragonlance. It's one reason why I avoided listed Weis/Hickman, because their bittersweet endings could have the wrong sweet parts, depending on the reader.

I read one of their books (forgot the series) and got so depressed i never wanted to read another one.

=(

Anyway, I put a ton of your suggestions on hold! Thanks, and keep them coming!

dgiharris · May 28, 2009

let us know what you decide to read and give us your opinion of the book

mel...

Zoombie · May 28, 2009

A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge.

Its super super depressing for almost the entire book, but then it has a triumphant happy ending whee!

Also its amazing in every way shape and form.

STKlingaman · May 28, 2009

Again to step away from the norm
try, Stanislaw Lem.
Star Diaries
Tales of Prix the Pilot
The Cyberiad
Solaris

BardSkye · Jun 4, 2009

If you like Anne McCaffrey, you might want to try Mercedes Lackey as well.

I, too, have every single McCaffrey book out there - I started with "Weyr Search" as a short story in the late '60s (I think - it's here somewhere). I find Lackey just as satisfying - both the Elemental Masters series and the Valdemar series. I have found, though, that I don't care for any of the books Lackey has co-written with other authors.

If you can find them, I'd recommend:
"The Doomsday Book" by Connie Willis
"The Stainless Steel Rat" and "Deathworld" trilogies by Harry Harrison.

Fantasy/Science Fiction recommendations needed!

spamwarrior

rewriting.

Polenth

Mushroom

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

shawkins

Ahhh. Sweet.

Dale Emery

is way off topic

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

Polenth

Mushroom

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

spamwarrior

rewriting.

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

STKlingaman

Followed the Red Brick Road

BardSkye

Barbershoppin' Harmony Whore