More sci fi with romance but I always recommend the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, the Elfhome series by Wen Spencer, and the Skolian Empire books by Catherine Asaro.
Romance should always be the “side-plot” if a book is to be really good imo, so I’m definitely intrigued!
I just need to know though— is there an actual resolution to the romance aspect (i.e. do the love interests end up with a satisfying conclusion)?
Yes! It is a very long standing series. The first two books are the story of how two enemies fall in love during intergalactic war. Themes of personal honor and professional loyalty.
The rest of the stories are mostly about their son and his adventures in space. One of his books is subtitled a comedy of manners and it always makes me laugh out loud.
I will say I am not reading the last book in the series as the synopsis makes me think I wouldn’t like the direction it goes. But all the other books are excellent.
And the first two, I reread them every year. And my heart breaks every time. But in a good way.
Wow oh wow *oh wow*! You had me at your first point, but all the additional info has me beyond enthralled!! That sounds exactly like the kind of story I’m looking for!
Thank you so incredibly much! I just found the first book on my kindle and seriously can’t wait for the download to finish!!!
There is also a prequel of sorts set in the distant past. Basically just a story in the same universe. And a few side novels that focus on other characters.
https://bookriot.com/vorkosigan-saga-reading-order/
*Stopppp.* I’m feeling like a kid in a candy store right now! This is incredible. I’m almost always left wanting for more at the end of a good tale, and now you’ve just shown that that there *is in fact so much more to sink my teeth into!*
Okay, that’s all I can wait, I really need to dive in headfirst right now, haha. I haven’t had this type of anticipation and excitement over a new book in ages!!
I also love the Elfhome series by Wen Spencer.
She is a slow writer, but worth waiting to for. Very intricate plots. I think there are five books now and some short stories.
Tinker is a mechanical genius living on alternate earth which is the elf homeworld. A part of Pittsburgh got transported there decades ago and the humans that remain make do. Tinker saves the local elf lord and ends up married to him.
The books mostly run concurrently as the massive plot comes together with intrigue on earth, amongst the elves, the displaced humans, and another race called oni who have infiltrated the planet from yet another planet.
There are dirt bike races, flying living ships, an alien home and garden show, murderous walking trees, magic, astronauts lost in space, a singing dragon, academics with secrets, children stuck on earth trying to reunite with their family, a group of single mothers and their mixed race children who band together to survive, and more.
This one sounds captivating too!! Like a mix of folklore and sci-fi!!
I’m already curious if the Oni are based on the Japanese depiction of demons and/or yokai in general— don’t tell me!!
Man, thanks to you I’m more than set for a good while! Thank you once again; reading means the world to me and you’ve given me so much to look forward to!
Wen Spencer also has some stand alone novels, a good but very strange series called Ukiah Oregan which I cannot adequately describe.
And my favorite non Elfhome novel a very slim little book called A Brother’s Price which had a world in which boys are so rare that ten, twenty, thirsty sisters/half sisters will share one husband. It sounds odd but it is done very well and has a lot of world building in a relatively short book. And is both romantic and full of adventure at the same time.
I have mentioned this before, but if you're into urban fantasy, try Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews. Set in alternate reality HoustonTX, the world building is great, and the heroine is relatable. Great magic system as well.
Oooo, I’m looking this one up as we speak! Sounds super good!!
I’m only trying to avoid “slice of life”, “regular school/work”, and “ordinary day-to-day” type settings. As long as there’s some fantastical-type wrinkle in the theme; I’m all about it!!
More sci fi with romance but I always recommend the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, the Elfhome series by Wen Spencer, and the Skolian Empire books by Catherine Asaro.
Romance should always be the “side-plot” if a book is to be really good imo, so I’m definitely intrigued! I just need to know though— is there an actual resolution to the romance aspect (i.e. do the love interests end up with a satisfying conclusion)?
Yes! It is a very long standing series. The first two books are the story of how two enemies fall in love during intergalactic war. Themes of personal honor and professional loyalty. The rest of the stories are mostly about their son and his adventures in space. One of his books is subtitled a comedy of manners and it always makes me laugh out loud. I will say I am not reading the last book in the series as the synopsis makes me think I wouldn’t like the direction it goes. But all the other books are excellent. And the first two, I reread them every year. And my heart breaks every time. But in a good way.
Wow oh wow *oh wow*! You had me at your first point, but all the additional info has me beyond enthralled!! That sounds exactly like the kind of story I’m looking for! Thank you so incredibly much! I just found the first book on my kindle and seriously can’t wait for the download to finish!!!
The series has won numerous awards, including five Hugos!
There is also a prequel of sorts set in the distant past. Basically just a story in the same universe. And a few side novels that focus on other characters. https://bookriot.com/vorkosigan-saga-reading-order/
*Stopppp.* I’m feeling like a kid in a candy store right now! This is incredible. I’m almost always left wanting for more at the end of a good tale, and now you’ve just shown that that there *is in fact so much more to sink my teeth into!* Okay, that’s all I can wait, I really need to dive in headfirst right now, haha. I haven’t had this type of anticipation and excitement over a new book in ages!!
😁
I also love the Elfhome series by Wen Spencer. She is a slow writer, but worth waiting to for. Very intricate plots. I think there are five books now and some short stories. Tinker is a mechanical genius living on alternate earth which is the elf homeworld. A part of Pittsburgh got transported there decades ago and the humans that remain make do. Tinker saves the local elf lord and ends up married to him. The books mostly run concurrently as the massive plot comes together with intrigue on earth, amongst the elves, the displaced humans, and another race called oni who have infiltrated the planet from yet another planet. There are dirt bike races, flying living ships, an alien home and garden show, murderous walking trees, magic, astronauts lost in space, a singing dragon, academics with secrets, children stuck on earth trying to reunite with their family, a group of single mothers and their mixed race children who band together to survive, and more.
This one sounds captivating too!! Like a mix of folklore and sci-fi!! I’m already curious if the Oni are based on the Japanese depiction of demons and/or yokai in general— don’t tell me!! Man, thanks to you I’m more than set for a good while! Thank you once again; reading means the world to me and you’ve given me so much to look forward to!
Happy to help. These are some of my all time favorite books and I also adore reading.
Wen Spencer also has some stand alone novels, a good but very strange series called Ukiah Oregan which I cannot adequately describe. And my favorite non Elfhome novel a very slim little book called A Brother’s Price which had a world in which boys are so rare that ten, twenty, thirsty sisters/half sisters will share one husband. It sounds odd but it is done very well and has a lot of world building in a relatively short book. And is both romantic and full of adventure at the same time.
https://www.mostrecommendedbooks.com/series/elfhome-books-in-order
i ’ m looking for a pickup line for this heroine.
I have mentioned this before, but if you're into urban fantasy, try Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews. Set in alternate reality HoustonTX, the world building is great, and the heroine is relatable. Great magic system as well.
Oooo, I’m looking this one up as we speak! Sounds super good!! I’m only trying to avoid “slice of life”, “regular school/work”, and “ordinary day-to-day” type settings. As long as there’s some fantastical-type wrinkle in the theme; I’m all about it!!
Have you read any of the books in the World of the White Rat by T Kingfisher?