SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I'll second A Princess of Mars

Jon wrote: "Brooke wrote: "Heroes Die by Matthew Stover"

I'll second Heroes Die"

Brooke - you beat me too it! Heroes Die is a very well done book, with exceptional characters and plotting.

I'll second Fall of Angels by L.E. Modesitt Jr.. It's very interesting the way his space warriors adapt to the magical planet they're stranded on.

Brooke, I seconded Perdido Street Station by China Miéville in my post (#21) above.

I'd also like to second The Practice Effect by David Brin.

Thanks!

I'll second This Alien Shore and Perdido Street Station.

I'm not sure how A Thousand Words for Stranger is a Sci-Fantasy. From the point of view of universe it is SF (space opera to be more exact). There are psychic powers, but it is not magic, and I think it follow rules of science rather than rules of magic. Is it enough to be considered Sci-Fantasy?

But it is a very good book otherwise, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I second (or third ;-)) A Princess of Mars, a tale with planets, aliens and advanced alien technology... but also with barbarians and savages. And the structure of fantasy. Most certainly Sci-Fantasy, in my opinion at least.

It has additional advantage that it is available for free from Project Gutenberg. Besides it is classic; slightly dusty but classic.

'Culled'

Jakub wrote: "I'm not sure how [b:A Thousand Words for Stranger|129019|A Thousand Words for Stranger (Clan Chronicles, Book 1) (Trade Pact, Book 1)|Julie E. Czerneda|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171......"

I forgot to look at the category. I certainly wouldn't consider many of them Sci-Fantasy but some are good books anyway so I'll keep with my seconding. :)

Carolyn - whoops, I missed that one! It's now noted.

Jakub - I've made a notation next to a few that people have said aren't fantasy enough for the category; most of them haven't been seconded, but I'm definitely using peoples' warnings when evaluating what to put on the final poll. Thanks for the input.

Tomorrow will be our final day, so I'm taking last calls!

Brooke wrote: "Jakub - I've made a notation next to a few that people have said aren't fantasy enough for the category; most of them haven't been seconded, bu..."

While I would LOVE to discuss the book, This Alien Shore isn't fantasy at all IMO. Its in the future, future tech, genetic mutations, cyberspace, etc. I really can't identify any fantasy aspects of the book at all. It may not be hard SF, but there are no fantasy aspects.

I just recently started reading Perdido Street Station. I'd be more tempted to call it steam punk instead of sci-fantasy. But then I'm still early in the book so I may not have seen it all.

I'll second China Miéville's Perdido Street Station, and The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz

A bit late for nominations, but I'd like to mention (perhaps for sci-fantasy bookshelf) The Forlorn by David Freer (which I have found at Baen Free Library), which begins as a fantasy, and then this magic turns out to be science, and it turns more into SF. I think this might be good book for Sci-Fantasy.

Rand0m1s wrote: "While I would LOVE to discuss the book, This Alien Shore isn't fantasy at all IMO. "
If you notice above, my original recommendation was with a question mark. It's very iffy, like a lot of C.S. Friedman's books. The story may be mostly SF, but the reason why the Guild needs people of a special sort to be pilots is more fantasy. The Tyr and the Marra in
The Madness Season are the same, not to mention the hero. The ColdFire trilogy is similar, if the comments I've read are at all accurate.

The Logical Magician is much more clearly in this category, but unfortunately no one has seconded that one.

Marc wrote: "If you notice above, my original recommendation was with a question mark. It's very iffy, like a lot of C.S. Friedman's books..."

Thanks for reminding me ... I will second
Black Sun Rising by C.S. Friedman from post 18 by Jakub

I have to agree with both of Random1s observations about This Alien Shore (SF) and Perdido Street Station (steam punk).

Perdido Street Station

I'd love to read Perdido Street Station as already mentioned by others.

I'd also be interested in A Thousand Words for Stranger as already nominated.

I'll second The Copper Crown

I'll second "Midnight at the Well of Souls" by Jack Chalker.

It's an oldie but a great read from the late 80s. I read it over 20+ years ago and remember it incorporating dramatic body modifications in the story.

Poll is up! Thanks for your suggestions, everyone. Go here to vote:

http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/13...