As a lifelong fan of both science fiction and fantasy, I’m always reading some novel or the other—and sometimes both genres at the same time. Both genres are similar in many respects—they all contain speculative elements and reimagine our world in newer, stranger ways. In fantasy novels, you’re likely to encounter dragons, elves and interesting rules of magic, while in sci-fi, you may meet aliens, robots and grapple with far-fetched technological advancements. But both genres often evoke the same kind of awe and wonder, transporting the reader to another universe to get lost in.
If you’re more partial to fantasy novels, you might not be aware that there are several sci-fi books evoking similar feelings, with well-rounded characters, an intriguing plot and a vividly-designed world. So if you’re ready to upgrade your sci-fi TBR pile, you can start off slowly and comfortably with the books that remind you of your favorite fantasy reads!
If You Liked Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Project Hail Mary
Eragon by Christopher Paolini narrates the story of a young boy who finds a dragon egg and bonds with the baby dragon, even as they’re both pursued by enemies and go on the run. A similar tale of inter-species friendship unfolds between a scientist and the alien Rocky, both alone and stranded in space, trying to find a way to save their home planets, in Andy Weir’s bestselling Project Hail Mary now made into a hit motion picture starring Ryan Gosling.
Entertaining, humorous and well-paced, Project Hail Mary is a story that celebrates optimism, resilience and resourcefulness against near-impossible odds.
If You Liked the Cradle series by Will Wight
Swan Song
Will Wight’s Cradle books are packed with juicy action and immense character growth, drawing upon Chinese cultivation and martial arts novels for inspiration and evoking the feel of watching a high-octane superhero anime series. And if that’s your jam, you’re likely to have immense fun with Robert McCammon’s Swan Song. It’s a post-apocalyptic horror novel where the fallout of a nuclear war prompts humankind to evolve. With monsters and armies always on the move, this is a dark and gritty military SF novel that will keep you hooked throughout and deliver an utterly cinematic experience.
If You Liked The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
The Forge of God
Narrated in the second person, N. K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season unfolds across a supercontinent ravaged by earthquakes and other climate disasters, and where inhabitants band together and live in communities with a distinct division of labor. Filled with vivid worldbuilding and unforgettable characters, the Broken Earth trilogy is a fierce portrayal of one woman’s journey across ecological devastation.
And if the theme of Earth’s destruction piques you, you must also read The Forge of God by Greg Bear that blends in alien attacks, post-apocalyptic elements and a space opera in a thoroughly engaging sci-fi romp. It follows the final days of Earth and its survivors, as humans turn to God or each other to find meaning, while others struggle to escape. Overall, a breath-taking and poignant piece of plausible science fiction.
If You Liked Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Rendezvous with Rama
Where Susanna Clarke’s debut novel, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell, is a mammoth Dickensian tome dealing with the Napoleonic wars, alternate history and faerie magic, her novella Piranesi is a shorter, quicker read, but just as deep. It unfolds in a seemingly-infinite megastructure called the House, filled with strange statues in every room. And contemplative and awe-inspiring like Piranesi is Arthur C. Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama, wherein a group of astronauts intercept an alien starship and are absolutely baffled by what they find inside. Both books are deeply philosophical, exploring humanity’s quest for knowledge as well as the limits of their perception and understanding.
If You Liked Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Sometimes, the SFF genre doesn’t need a grand or epic narrative—it can just be “cozy” and comforting. Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree is the book that kind of catapulted the cozy genre to stardom, following the exploits of Viv, an orc adventurer and mercenary who decides to retire and open a quaint coffeeshop.
If you enjoyed the cozy vibes and found family dynamics in this one, you’ll also enjoy Becky Chambers’ debut SF novel, A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet filled with an eclectic cast of characters aboard a spaceship, mouth-watering depictions of alien cuisine, and interesting details of xenobiology. While there are moderate stakes and conflicts to be resolved, the book feels quite “peaceful”—a perfect sci-fi novel to help you unwind after a long and tiring day.
If You Liked The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This Is How You Lose the Time War
Time travel is a popular trope in both fantasy and sci-fi, more so, in the context of a slow-burn love story. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is a romantic fantasy that tells the story of a couple wherein the husband is born with the ability to unexpectedly time-travel while the artist wife must learn to adjust with his absences and sudden disappearances and cherish their time together, making for a highly emotional read.
In the sci-fi vein, the novella This Is How You Lose the Time War narrates the love story between two spies on the opposing sides of a war spanning multiple timelines and universes, as the duo repeatedly travel back in time to rewrite reality so that they can find a way to be together. Rendered in lush, poetic prose, This Is How You Lose the Time War is a poignant and magical read.
