Sci-fi and fantasy books are a favorite among readers of all ages, and many fans of these genres appreciate books that blend the aspects of each story to create something new. It makes sense that they would overlap, as they both belong to the overarching niche of speculative fiction. Writers behind sci-fi and fantasy works ask themselves what their imagined world would look like if they pushed the boundaries of reality. The reason many readers turn to novels of this type is to escape the mundanity of the every day and to reflect on the larger problems of the world.

Many of the best sci-fi and fantasy book series that never get old are defined by their singular characters and amazing dedication to world-building. Writers who specialize in these genres must have a keen eye for detail and create a strict internal logic for the science and magic systems within the story. Though a true blend of sci-fi and fantasy doesn’t necessarily have otherworldly science or incredible magic, these devices consistently appear throughout these works. After readers have encountered the best of sci-fi and fantasy combinations, they develop a discerning taste for the perfect blend.

8

The Left Hand Of Darkness (1969)

Written by Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin might be the greatest science fiction writer of all time, and The Left Hand of Darkness is easily one of her best works. The story is set on an alien planet on which a human envoy travels to establish contact and convince them to join an interplanetary union. Through the eyes of Genly, the protagonist, the world of Winter, the planet, could not be more foreign, as the concept of binary gender does not exist there. All the people living on Winter are capable of physically expressing the traits of either biological sex.

This exploration of gender and sexuality and the imagined differences of alien races is not uncommon among sci-fi books but also has deep roots in fantasy. Additionally, there are inexplicable aspects of the future, like mind speak, and the ability to predict the future cements the book as a curious blend of many genres. Reading The Left Hand of Darkness today is so urgent and relevant that it’s easy to forget it was written many years ago. The lessons Genly learns in Winter are applicable to any human on Earth right now.

7

The Book Of The New Sun (1983)

Written by Gene Wolfe

The Earth that The Book of the New Sun is set on is practically unrecognizable from the one readers know. However, the conflicts and desires of the story’s characters represent a shadowy but undeniable reflection of the contemporary world. Severian, the book’s protagonist, is tasked with a great and terrible journey to find his future and redeem his past in a narrative that draws many parallels to the story of Christ in the Bible. However, Severian is equally a representation of humanity and of the innate desire within people to become better and push themselves to be good.

In The Book of the New Sun, the world has not heated beyond habitability but cooled down as the faraway sun begins to dim, and life starts to flicker out. The Book of the New Sun is considered a hallmark of both high fantasy and sci-fi. The series is an epic in the truest sense and is no beach read. However, The Book of the New Sun so completely creates an unbelievable but insistent world that it’s impossible to turn away from until the story ends.

6

The Golden Compass (1995)

Written by Philip Pullman

Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series is a standby of young adult literature, and The Golden Compass is a 90s kids’ book worth reading today. Though it’s more often lumped into the fantasy genre, this categorization doesn’t do justice to the complexities of the work. Additionally, as the books progress, questions of parallel universes and the ability to travel between worlds become increasingly relevant. Characters from the real world are added in The Subtle Knife, lending credibility to the discussions of science throughout the series.

The line between science and magic is somewhat blurred in The Golden Compass, but Pullman is quick to remind the audience that what seems like magic in the reader’s reality is the work of science in Lyra’s. Though she possesses what appear to be otherworldly abilities, they’re controlled by measurable and concrete forces. The entire journey of the book revolves around Lyra and the other characters’ relentlessly curious minds and their innate desires to explore and learn more about the fabric of the universe.

5

Aether Ones (2020)

Written by Wendi Coffman-Porter

There is a literal divide between science and magic in Wendi Coffman-Porter’s Aether Ones, but it doesn’t take long for one reality to spill into the other. One side of the universe uses advanced technology to fuel its empire, while the other relies on magic to sustain itself. Leilani Falconi resides somewhere in between as a member of the Imperial Investigative Service, monitoring the space between the two realms. However, as this nebulous arena starts to grow more dangerous she finds herself questioning her own role in the organization.

Though Leilani is a resident of the technologically driven empire first, Aether Ones imbues plenty of mystical energy into its narrative and challenges the audience to wrap their head around a multitude of realities. Like many books that cross genres, Aether Ones has to incorporate a lot of exposition and worldbuilding to help the reader understand how to navigate the book. However, once the rules of the story are established, it’s relentlessly exciting to bounce between the lands of sci-fi and fantasy alongside Leilani.

4

Dune (1965)

Written by Frank Herbert

There are many details in the Dune movies only book readers will understand, but the director, Denis Villeneuve, has done an amazing job bringing the acclaimed novel series to a whole new generation of readers. The story of Paul Atreides and his rise to power in Frank Herbert’s revolutionary series is complex and full of intricate descriptions of interplanetary life and political and religious uprisings. Though some might say that Dune falls more closely into the sci-fi category than fantasy, elements like the Bene Gesserit’s abilities and the absence of computing devices bring it into the fantasy sphere.

The future that Herbert imagines is one of prophetic dreams, betrayal, and religious fervor and is frequently misunderstood. Paul’s use of the Fremen to support his claim of the imperial throne and position as a false messiah quickly turns him from an intriguing protagonist to the ultimate villain of the story. As Herbert’s novel series progresses, Paul becomes increasingly irredeemable and begins to believe the fabricated prophecy that he is the king the universe has been waiting for. When watching the recent Dune film adaptations, it’s remarkable to see the atmosphere and conflicts of the story brought to life.

3

Gideon The Ninth (2019)

Written by Tamsyn Muir

The first installment of The Locked Tomb series, Gideon The Ninth​​​​​​, centers on a female necromancer and her rise from servitude to power. Gideon, the titular protagonist, is an expert with her sword but is trapped in her service to the Ninth House, a group of necromancers who serve the immortal emperor of the universe. While necromancy is usually reserved for pure fantasy, Gideon The Ninth pushes the boundaries of its genre by setting its story in space and having Gideon and her unlikely companion, Harrowhark, travel across the stars to compete in a deadly competition.

Gothic overtones are interwoven throughout Gideon The Ninth, as well as a great LGBTQ+ love story at the heart of the narrative. Gideon is a great character who interacts with the world with her sharp wit and deadly blade. Ostracized in her community from a young age, Gideon wants to escape her life and prove her worth. The author, Tamsyn Muir, includes elements of more than just sci-fi and fantasy in the writing, but somehow all angles of the novel come together in one cohesive and explosive story.

2

A Wrinkle In Time (1962)

Written by Madeleine L’Engle

Although A Wrinkle in Time was written for children, the book has become a cultural touchstone for readers of all ages, and for good reason. Described as a science fantasy book, A Wrinkle in Time is the kind of adventure every child dreams of having, but it’s not without its dangers. Despite being published decades ago, in 1962, A Wrinkle in Time is just as relevant and poignant as ever. Much like other sci-fi stories, the novel sees Meg, its protagonist, traveling across time and space searching for her father. However, there are inexplicably magical events along her path.

A Wrinkle in Time has received both praise and criticism for the fact that it uses complex and high-minded descriptions and philosophies about science, math, time, love, and morality. However, the author, Madeleine L’Engle, understood that it’s a mistake to talk down to children and treat them as if they can’t understand the nuance of difficult situations. A classic for a reason, A Wrinkle in Time uses elements of sci-fi to lead its readers through an odyssey of the essential fight between good and evil and has enough enchanting aspects to appeal to audiences bogged down by science.

1

The Fifth Season (2015)

Written by N. K. Jemisin

The Broken Earth trilogy begins with The Fifth Season and encapsulates such strong comments on climate change, inequality, and familial bonds that it’s hard to pick just one genre it belongs to. Luckily, saying that it’s part of both sci-fi and fantasy allows for a deeper discussion about the novel’s themes. Its story revolves around Essun, a woman who embarks on a quest to save her daughter after society collapses and the world begins to end. It’s weighty subject matter, but the author, N.K. Jemisin delivers it was beauty and tragedy.

The Fifth Season could be considered post-apocalyptic, a genre deeply connected to science fiction, as the innovation that’s sparked by the scarcity of resources is often revolutionary. The horrible natural disasters that are faced by Essun and the inhabitants of The Fifth Season‘s world are commonplace, and it’s not a stretch to imagine that this might be the case one day on Earth. At the same time, Essun and the other women the novel follows have power over the Earth, but it comes at the cost of persecution and responsibility.