The lines between science fiction and fantasy blur in some of the most popular entertainment franchises, including Star Wars, Warhammer 40,000, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as classic book series like Dune and Dragonriders of Pern. Arthur C. Clarke's assertion that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" often serves as a foundational concept for these genre-bending narratives. For readers seeking new worlds that incorporate elements of both spaceships and dragons, this list explores some of the best science fantasy books published in the 21st century.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (2012)
Marissa Meyer’s debut novel reimagines the Cinderella fairy tale with a science fiction twist. Set in New Beijing, the story follows Cinder, a cyborg mechanic who uncovers a royal conspiracy involving inhabitants of the Moon with the ability to manipulate people through bioelectricity. This novel launched Meyer’s extensive series, The Lunar Chronicles, which is currently being adapted into an animated television show. Subsequent books in the series introduce elements like satellites, genetic engineering, and spaceships to reimagine classic fairy tales such as Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Snow White.
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin (2015)
N. K. Jemisin’s Hugo Award-winning novel presents a bleak vision of a world facing destruction, focusing on the struggles of three women in its aftermath. The first book in the Broken Earth series delves into the severe consequences of climate change and intolerance, depicting individuals with world-shattering abilities forced to conceal their powers to survive. What initially appears to be magic is revealed to be tied to forgotten technology.
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders (2016)
Charlie Jane Anders' Nebula Award-winning book explores the complex relationship between Patricia, a young witch, and Laurence, a gifted inventor who creates a time machine. Their story unfolds against a backdrop of a world slowly unraveling due to war and severe storms. The narrative follows their intertwined lives as their love potentially becomes the key to merging magic and science, offering a path to saving humanity.
Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee (2016)
The first installment of the Machineries of Empire trilogy centers on Kel Cheris, a soldier tasked with reclaiming a fortress from heretical enemies. To achieve this, she must merge her consciousness with that of General Shuos Jedao, a renowned tactician executed for using a devastating weapon. Cheris navigates a dangerous mission, balancing trust in Jedao with her own survival instincts. This space opera incorporates Korean folklore, blending science and magic through calendrical workings that power mind control and defy the laws of physics.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (2019)
Gideon has long desired to escape the Ninth House, a world serving as the prison for a powerful ancient foe. Her opportunity arises when she is assigned to protect the necromancer Harrow as the empire's heirs undergo trials for immortality. Initially hostile, Gideon and Harrow must collaborate to survive and uncover the identity of those eliminating their rivals in this darkly humorous murder mystery. The saga continues with subsequent novels and a fourth book is planned.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (2020)
Matt Dinniman's self-published series, which received a commercial printing in 2024, popularized the LitRPG genre. The story follows Carl, a Coast Guard veteran who finds himself participating in an alien reality show alongside a cat. The unlikely companions battle monsters, strive to impress a complex AI, and gain a following among galactic viewers. An adaptation of the series is in development for Peacock.
Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2021)
Princess Lynesse Fourth-Daughter embarks on a quest to find Nyrgoth Elder, an ancient sorcerer believed capable of saving her people from a demon. Nyr, an anthropologist from Earth monitoring an abandoned colony, is forbidden from intervening in local affairs. However, abandoned by his homeworld, Nyr joins Lynesse, seeking rational explanations for the perceived monster.
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (2021)
Aliens and demons intersect in this queer love story involving three women. Shizuka Satomi, a renowned violin teacher, trains her final student, a runaway prodigy, while attempting to avert a pact with hell. Her mission is complicated by her developing feelings for a doughnut shop owner who is also a former starship captain. Together, they may find a way to alter their destinies.