Science fiction/fantasy, with a dash of romance?

[Sailor]

I'm looking for some science fiction or fantasy, with a dash of romance recommendations. I'm at a dead end here, as I haven't been able to find anything new (to me) to read in this area.

I adore books by Sharon Shinn and Sylvia Engdahl.

I really dislike Terry Goodkind.

Preferably, I like books with independent, strong female protagonists. Though, men are fine too. Just as long as there isn't too much of the "oh no, the female character was kidnapped/raped/beaten and now the man must save her" kind of stuff.

Anyone have any recommendations or are my criteria too narrow?

If it helps - I read both "junk food" for the brain books, and more "intelligent" ones. I'm not picky in that area. Also - young adult reads are fine by me. I haven't grown out of that section yet.

[sapphire_chan]

Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan books have some romances. Try the trade paperback "Cordelia's Honor"

Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer for Regency romance plus magic.

Of course there's always Mercedes Lackey's Vanyel series if you don't mind a romance where you want to smack the main characters upside the head and tell them they're wasting time. Although, really her Tales of the 500 Kingdoms books are more romancey.


Really, I don't ever see much "save the maiden" stuff in SF/Fan. When it happens it tends to be women saving other women.

[wolfmom]

Oooo - check out Robert Heinlein. Great sci-fi, fabulous social commentary, strong characters, especially the women, and a good bit of romance in some of them. He's my hubby's favorite author!
peace and health,

[Sailor]

Ooooh, these all sound good. Thanks.

Lately, I've just been wandering around aimlessly in book stores and libraries. So, this is a great start. I'm going to check them out today.

I don't mind wanting to smack main characters upside the head. Sometimes that's the charm of a book, lol. Women rescuing women is also fine by me. I just have an issue with the tired old "white knight" theme. Also, though I didn't specify, the romance doesn't have to be heterosexual.

In that vein has anyone read Starhawk's books? (She wrote the non-fiction "The Spiral Dance".)

Thanks again.

[hibana]

Dragonflight by Ann McCaffrey. (and anything else she wrote, it's just nice to start at the beginning)

[JamieCatheryn]

Try the Sword of Truth series starting with Wizard's First Rule, I'm through book 4 now. A lot of original subtleties to it for a fantasy series. Although some parts seem ripped off Wheel of Time, the authors were writing at the same time. The female protagonist in it is pretty strong for sure, no damsel in distress stuff. Oh btw it does get darker as you go on.

[Sailor]

Excellent. I am heading off to the library now. Thanks.

Sword of Truth series is by Goodkind, right? I read through the 3rd book (I think), but there was too much rape in there for my tastes. But, I'll try Wheel of Time.

[kbond]

Richelle Mead has 3 series--2 adult and 1 YA that are classified as paranormal romance and are good--heavier on the fantasy side of things than romance.

Diana Galbadon's Outlander is more historical romance but with a fantastical premise.

I'll second Sorcery and Cecilia and also recommend Stevermeer's (sp.?) other books.

[Panserbjorne]

Outlander! I also loved the Mists of Avalon (though I read it for the first time in 7th grade....I can still happily curl up with it!)

[neverdoingitagain]

Originally Posted by Sailor

Excellent. I am heading off to the library now. Thanks.

Sword of Truth series is by Goodkind, right? I read through the 3rd book (I think), but there was too much rape in there for my tastes. But, I'll try Wheel of Time.

I adore the Sword of Truth series due to strong female characters. I really like Wheel of Time too, but I find the strong female characters are... too much? Too strong? It seems like he makes these characters that are over the top intimidating, whereas I found the female characters in SoT more human? They had a sense of humor and could be feminine. Most of the women in WoT were like nuns on steriods

I recommend The Sword Dancer series by Jennifer Robertson or Clan of The Cavebear series. For something even more different, try The Wraeththu series by Storm Constantine.
Happy Reading!

[Sailor]

Oh, this is so exciting. I have so much to read now! I got quite a few of these recommendations today, and plan on doing absolutely nothing but sitting around and blissfully reading tomorrow. I'm such a bookworm.

Thanks again.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by neverdoingitagain

I adore the Sword of Truth series due to strong female characters. I really like Wheel of Time too, but I find the strong female characters are... too much? Too strong?

I'm in the minority, I think, but I don't find the female characters in Wheel of Time to be strong at all. They're just annoying and...smothering, I guess? They all remind me of the kind of mom who can't accept that her 22 year old doesn't need her to kiss his owies anymore. And, they're all so condescending and...smug. Mind you, I freely admit that I refer to the Wheel of Time as the "Wheel of Tedium" on a regular basis, and am absolutely boggled at the popularity of the series. The only good thing I can say about the female characters is that they're not the male characters, who are equally annoying, in a different way. And, I hate all the braid tugging and skirt smoothing. OMG...how pointless and irritating. I don't like one character in the whole series.

Okay - that's my WoT rant for this year.

I like Goodkind, but they do get a bit grim in places.

I can't think of anything that hasn't already been mentioned, honestly. I know there are lots of others, but my brain just isn't clicking on them.

[Amaranth]

Sharon Lee & Steve Miller's "Liaden" series are great (especially if you like Bujold).

You might also check out Linnea Sinclair's books - just ignore the hideous covers.

[neverdoingitagain]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

I'm in the minority, I think, but I don't find the female characters in Wheel of Time to be strong at all. They're just annoying and...smothering, I guess? They all remind me of the kind of mom who can't accept that her 22 year old doesn't need her to kiss his owies anymore. And, they're all so condescending and...smug. Mind you, I freely admit that I refer to the Wheel of Time as the "Wheel of Tedium" on a regular basis, and am absolutely boggled at the popularity of the series. The only good thing I can say about the female characters is that they're not the male characters, who are equally annoying, in a different way. And, I hate all the braid tugging and skirt smoothing. OMG...how pointless and irritating. I don't like one character in the whole series.

yup, I agree. Sounds about right to me. Still enjoy the series despite the personality flaws of all the characters...who you just want to smack at one point or another or many times in between.

[Sailor]

My problem with the Sword of Truth series was that I spent the first two books in anxious suspense of whether or not the confessor would get raped/mutilated/killed in a horrific way. It's all I could focus on. And then in the second book, I spent an equally anxious time wondering when she'd be thrown down that hole with those men.

I had to stop after that. I think I barely skimmed the third book. To me, at least, there seemed to be a lot of focus on rape when it came to any of the female characters.

I just can't read fiction like that. I've never been able to, though I have no issues with non fiction books that contain a similar theme or even fiction books that are more ... "literary" I suppose.

But, when I read just for fun - I don't want to see it. Or if it's there, make it a minor part of the plot.

This is probably just my own issues coming to light.

Anyway, thanks for more recommendations. I'm so excited - I think I have enough books to take me through the summer.

[Amaranth]

I thought of a few more good authors:

Ann Aguirre (LOVED "Blue Diablo", especially)

Eve Kenin's "Driven" and "Hidden"

although they're more futuristic mystery than sci fi, there's also J.D. Robb's "Death In" books (Nora Roberts)

You might also check out this blog: http://www.thegalaxyexpress.net/

[philomom]

Originally Posted by Amaranth

Sharon Lee & Steve Miller's "Liaden" series are great (especially if you like Bujold).

Yes, I like those.

And if you really need a futuristic scorcher... try Dara Joy's Mine to Take.

And pick up The Time Traveler's Wife. Dh and I both were sobbing at the end.

[Amaranth]

I thought of a few more - these are more fantasy than sci fi -

Poison Study (first of a trilogy), by Maria V. Snyder

Cry Wolf (or any of the Mercy Thompson series), by Patricia Briggs. Or almost anything else by Patricia Briggs. She's really underrated, I think.

And I just posted in the "literary romance" thread, but it's more fitting here - Megan Whalen Turner. Her YA trilogy (starts with The Thief, goes on to The Queen of Attolia, and then The King of Attolia) is the one of the best things I've read for years. And I read a lot.

The Thief starts out a little slow, but keep going. It just gets better and better, and the plot twists are unbelievable. The other two books I couldn't put down.

[Sailor]

I'm really starting to bemoan the fact that there's a 20 book limit at the library for check out. I want to try them all, right away, right now, lol. I'll pace myself, though.

I usually go away in the summer, but since we're hoping I get pregnant soon, we thought we'd stay home, and just enjoy ourselves. I was worried about not having enough good books to read. But, you all took care of that for me! Thanks.

[AuntNi]

Originally Posted by Sailor

Just as long as there isn't too much of the "oh no, the female character was kidnapped/raped/beaten and now the man must save her" kind of stuff.

Well, I was going to say "Outlander," but pretty much every character gets raped at some point in that series. It's one of my big beefs with Diana Gabaldon, actually.

What about the Anita Blake books by Laurell K. Hamilton?