8 of the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books for Men

The Way of Kings is the first entry in The Stormlight Archive, a hugely ambitious epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson. Spanning more than 1,000 pages and straddling multiple plotlines, The Way of Kings sets the stage for the enduring conflict between the Voidbringers and the Knights Radiant, and features well-written male characters in Kaladin and Dalinar. While Kaladin’s narrative delves into the horrors of slavery and the importance of leadership, Dalinar’s storyline focuses on his princely duties and the commanding of vast armies all the while questioning his own sanity, history and ideals. Combined with intricate worldbuilding and a unique magic system, The Way of Kings is an engrossing read, destined to be a modern classic.

In Eoin Colfer’s bestselling Artemis Fowl series, he created a young prodigy with an insanely sharp mind, winning the hearts of his YA audience. In Highfire, a comedic, genre-bending novel aimed at adults, Colfer has created an equally memorable alcoholic dragon who enjoys bingeing on Netflix shows and living in glorious isolation, till he crosses paths with a fifteen-year-old misfit on the run from a wicked cop. Entertaining, hilarious and thoughtful, Highfire is a one-of-a-kind adventure novel that also touches upon loneliness and the importance of connection, and will definitely resonate with readers struggling with similar issues in real life.

One of the best contemporary masters of horror, Stephen Graham Jones’s works often explore themes of racism, masculinity, colonial legacies and identity, such as The Only Good Indians, Mapping the Interior and My Heart is a Chainsaw. After the People Lights Have Gone Off collects 15 of his sinister stories in a single volume and is perfect for readers of short horror fiction or anyone looking for an introduction to his work. From disturbing tales of psychological horror to macabre stories featuring vampires and other monsters, each entry in this collection is a banger.

If high fantasy in the vein of The Lord of the Rings and The Wheel of Time is your jam, you should give Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series a try. And unlike most other series, these novels can also be read as standalones, although it is recommended to read them in order. The first book, Wizard’s First Rule, follows Richard Cypher, still reeling from the horrific murder of his father, who encounters Kahlan, a mysterious woman in desperate need of his help. Together they must join forces and survive, even as Richard uncovers new secrets and is forced to question everything he’s ever believed in—including himself. Engrossing and entertaining, Wizard’s First Rule is packed with adventure, romance and the usual trappings of high fantasy fiction. 

Michael Flynn’s Eifelheim cleverly blends historical fiction with sci-fi in its central narrative about a small German town that mysteriously vanished off the map in 1349. Some six hundred years later, this case piques the attention of cliometric historian Tom Schwoerin who attempts to solve the mystery with his partner. Meticulously researched and intricately plotted, the novel is a thorough deep dive into prevailing medieval philosophies, theoretical physics and alien cultures, and remains a thoroughly fascinating read. 

China Miéville is well-regarded for innovating the genres of New Weird and sci-fi, with works such as Perdido Street Station and Embassytown. But his debut novel, King Rat published in 1998, is a darkly fantastical adventure set in London, blending elements of fairytales, weird fiction and urban fantasy in a gritty and gripping narrative. The story follows Saul who is arrested for the murder of his father, and is broken out of custody by a mythical figure called “King Rat” who reveals Saul’s own half-rat nature and takes him on a tour to a side of London we have never seen before. If you’re in the mood for a rather otherworldly read where reality and myths collide, you’ll enjoy this eerie book. 

Madelline Miller’s The Song of Achilles is an evocative rendering of the Trojan War, with a strong focus on the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. While Greek myths abound in homoerotic tension, Miller’s retelling imbues the tragic story of these two fabled warriors with grace and emotion, filling in the blanks with a poignant intensity. Poetic and deeply affecting, this star-crossed gay love story will haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Andy Weir’s The Martian is a compelling tale of human ingenuity and surviving against all odds—in the Martian wilderness. The story delves into a space mission gone horribly wrong—while the other astronauts manage to evacuate the Red Planet in the nick of time, Mark Watney is left stranded and presumed dead. What follows is an astounding, affirmative and rather inspirational tale of ingenuity and resourcefulness, as Mark relies on his own wits and rapidly-dwindling resources to stay alive till he is eventually rescued. Originally self-published on Weir’s blog, it was later picked up for traditional publishing and turned into an award-winning film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon in the titular role.