y'all have any recs for fantasy or sci-fi books, not necessarily without mc romance but where potential romance wouldn't be like a major-major feature?
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A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, it's a sci-fi abt a foreign ambassador investigating the mysterious death of her predecessor. Where she has a pre-death, cloned copy of his consciousness in her head. It absolutely slaps; amazing bits on colonialism/expansionism, and a touch of wlw romance.
Adding onto this! I recently read KJ Parker’s novella Inside Man and it was so good. Reminiscent of Good Omens in a “Heaven and Hell are the same” way along with a mc that reminds me so much of Crowley. Fantastic if you want a quick read in one sitting.
Gideon the ninth!! And the other books too, The locked tomb series is fantastic. SFF, sword fighting, necromancy, mystery, very queer but not center stage romance
The Blighted Stars by Megan E. O'Keefe! Space opera, dying planets, deadly bacteria, 'terrorist' organizations trying to save worlds, worlds exploited by rich companies etc. The MCs are a woman soldier and a trans guy scholar. I devoured the 3 books. very adventurous plot, very touching love story.
'A Natural History of Dragons' by Marie Brennnan. Steampunk feminist fantasy. Hint of romance in book 1, but with a much heavier focus on the work an aspiring female scientist in a man's field.
Stellar series, imo. Great character development.
If you're okay with throwbacks, Out of the Silent Planet is an interesting OG sci-fi. I'd completely forgotten C.S. Lewis wrote sci-fi until recently. It definitely still has some of the same strong religious themes, but it's still a very good read.
It's been a while since I read them, but I don't remember romance being a major-major feature in any of The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers and cannot recommend it enough! Also her novellas in the Monk and Robot series!
And the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells is GOD TIER!
Oh and Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher and every Discworld book if you haven't read them yet! (And I have recommendations on where to start if you ever want them 😁)
Sorry, one more bit! Everything I've read of Nnedi Okorafor's focuses on non-romance things and she writes fascinating books, especially if you like it if things are a little unsettling! Binti, Lagoon, The Book of the Phoenix, and the Akata Witch trilogy are the main ones I'm thinking of!
Though to be fair I just realized I haven't gotten around to the last book in the Akata Witch trilogy, so I can't say for sure, but I wouldn't expect it!
Hope you don't mind the flooding 😅 I have lots of feelings on fantasy and sci-fi!
The two from that series that I've read are probably my favorites from Okorafor, so if you do choose to pick it up, I hope you enjoy it! I love the folklore of it!
(I keep managing to pick up books that sound right for me at first but then halfway through the synopsis become "but then the SEXY Mr Man/Miss Lady shows up and changes EVERYTHING", and like nothing against it but that's not what I'm looking for rn)
I'm so flattered (also, I'm head over heels in love with your art, but I tend to make a terrible first impression, so I lurk, LOL 😅). I'm aro-ace and often have trouble finding books where romance isn't the focus or doesn't become so. Sometimes I just want to read adventure or mystery
I’m usually more of a fantasy reader but I’ve been working my way through Michael Crichton’s books lately. They often have romance in them but I haven’t read one yet where it’s distracting from the plot. Extra bonus points for female characters who are genuinely smart, strong, and capable.
I read most of his books when I was a teenager! (I think a lot of my love of sci-fi actually started with The Andromeda Strain)
I haven't read any of the ones released after he died though, so maybe I'll look into those, thank you!
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennet. One of the coolest fantasy books I’ve ever read, and the sequel will be out later this year. It’s impossible to explain, you just have to dive into it.
Hope you enjoy it! The world building is absolutely breathtaking. There’s a hint of budding romance between an mc and a side character towards the end but it doesn’t take the forefront and it manages to surprise you.
Anything by Becky Chambers! It's all sci-fi with amazing world building and characters. When there is romance it's secondary to the overall plot and, since the books are all ensemble casts, only in some characters' chapters. The Wayfarers is legit my favorite book series.
Anything by James Blaylock
Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch (some romance but it's definitely not the main feature in a detective-action-fantasy-mystery-romance book
Travelers Gate Trilogy. Really great fantasy story that subverts the chosen one trope by being about some guy who decides to save the day by training instead.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman is seven books in without this issue (though he does deal with some past issues from his relationship with his ex). Just a guy and his cat trying to survive the post-apocalypse.
The Accidental Sorcerer by K E Mills. Steampunk wizardry, sassy birds, political intrigue, and a princess/prime minister who-will-have-none-of-your-shit-today-thank-you-very-much.
I always meant to read those! But I think someone had stolen the first like 3 books from our library cuz they were never in. Maybe I'll finally get to them, thank you!
I love the Dragon Jousters series by Mercedes Lackey, and anything by Tamora Pierce, personally. If you’ve never read TP before, start with The Lioness Quartet or Sandry’s Book. Those are the first books in each of her two universes.
I just recently read Some Desperate Glory (and I'm in love with it actually), but I hadn't heard of the other and it looks really interesting, thank you!!
The Name of the Wind, Tess of the Emerald Sea, The Demon King (YA, but so good), Inkheart (another YA, but a favorite), and The Sword of Shannara series. And, of course, Tolkien. I have more, but I just woke and can’t think yet.
Just finished The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell and liked it a lot! Some romance but it’s not major. Just about to start the second one once I get it from the library!
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Stellar series, imo. Great character development.
But yeah it's done in a way that makes it feel natural and in character, and it's not the main focus.
(Can't believe I forgot when I literally fanned myself a little hehe.)
I cried reading the first book, that doesn't happen often to me.
Also the books have illustrations, which I love.
Harlan Ellison - I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream
And the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells is GOD TIER!
Hope you don't mind the flooding 😅 I have lots of feelings on fantasy and sci-fi!
If so, might I recommend the books of Darcie Little Badger? There's also Joel Cornah and Lyssa Chiavari.
And I'll look into the other authors you rec'd as well, thank you!!
I'm so flattered (also, I'm head over heels in love with your art, but I tend to make a terrible first impression, so I lurk, LOL 😅). I'm aro-ace and often have trouble finding books where romance isn't the focus or doesn't become so. Sometimes I just want to read adventure or mystery
I haven't read any of the ones released after he died though, so maybe I'll look into those, thank you!
Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch (some romance but it's definitely not the main feature in a detective-action-fantasy-mystery-romance book
Also: anything by Arthur C Clarke or Isaac Asimov should fit the bill
when you can hook the trophy?
Lord of the Rings