“I love fantasy romance, but I just can’t get into sci-fi.”
I’ve heard some version of this statement from so many fantasy readers!
It’s surprising, since science fiction and fantasy are often grouped together as one category by publishing houses, libraries and bookstores. But not so in the minds of romantasy readers!
When I ask about their aversion to science fiction, romantasy readers usually tell me they can’t get into the “complex worldbuilding” and “techy jargon.”
But most of these readers haven’t actually picked up a sci-fi romance novel. In fact, my debut sci-fi romantasy, A Symphony of Starlight, has been many readers’ first foray into sci-fi romance, and they’re finding they love it. Many readers have told me “I didn’t know I liked science fiction until I read your book!”
What really intimidates romantasy readers, I think, is a lack of familiarity with how the sci-fi genre has changed in recent decades.
Sci-fi romance author Constance Fay agreed with that thought in our recent interview. “They have previous experience with an older style of the genre which features a lot of white men spending ten pages telling you how their spaceship works.” Faye said.
“I could argue that that older style exists in fantasy as well, just replace the word ‘spaceship’ with ‘magic system.’ What romantasy has done so well is re-brand fantasy to make it accessible to new readers to the genre.”
Sci-fi romance definitely needs a rebrand, but in the meantime, I’m challenging romantasy readers to keep an open mind with a little Science Fiction With Heart mini-series.
Once a month, I’m going to highlight a different trope or microtrope that sci-fi romance and fantasy romance share, to show you how similar the two genres truly are!
If you’re a romantasy reader interested in dipping your toes into the world of sci-fi romance, I hope this series helps you find great reading options that include your favourite tropes. And I challenge you to be brave and give them a try!
You might find a whole universe of books out there just waiting to become your new favourites!
Romantasy Trope Spotted in Sci-fi Romance Episode 1: Court Intrigue.
No matter how much we know that IRL money won’t buy happiness and a marriage proposal won’t save us, when it comes to fiction, there’s something undeniably romantic about the idea of marrying a prince.
Make that a dark and cruel fae prince, and the idea becomes even sexier. Top it off with the twists and drama of court intrigue, and you’ve got yourself an unputdownable fantasy romance novel! (Can you tell I’m a huge fan of Holly Black’s Cruel Prince series?)
Fantasy romance readers are well aware of the appeal.
But did you know you can indulge in the same intrigue and romance in a sci fi novel?
Here are a few stellar options from my favourites list and my TBR:
Only Bad Options by Jennifer Estep
This series is plugged as “Star Wars meets Bridgerton,” and that’s a perfect description. It has sword fights and court intrigue enough to satisfy any romantasy reader, and a dose of space magic, to boot.
When a chance encounter ignites a fated-mates style bond between lowly lab technician Vesper Quill and Regal Lord Kyrion Calderon, Vesper is whisked away to the lush royal planet of Corios.
But these enemies are not interested in becoming lovers. There’s plenty of banter and sword fights on their path to teaming up to face the machinations of the Regal court and eventually confront emperor Callus Holloway himself.
The Queen’s Gambit by Jessie Mihalik
This one is on my TBR and it’s calling my name!
It’s about young queen Samara, who, to save her starving people, snatches the kidnapped emperor of a neighbouring system from under the nose of a group of mercenaries holding him hostage.
As the two evade bad guys together, Samara realizes the emperor is not the bad guy she imagined.
According to the book blurb, she ends up “torn between duty and desire.” So I’m definitely hoping for a “fuck it” moment with this one.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
If a “fuck it” moment sounds a little to steamy for your taste, try Cinder by Marissa Meyer!
This clean YA sci-fi romance is a futuristic retelling of the classic Cinderella story. But in this version, Cinderella is a cyborg and, you guessed it, the lost slipper is her robotic foot!
This retelling has way more going on than the original fairytale, though, so there are plenty of surprises! I recommend this one for adult readers, but it’s also clean enough to buddy read with your teen.
And just as a bonus, I have something exciting to share! A Hymnal of Frostbite is coming soon, and it’s going to be bursting with court intrigue! Here’s a little teaser:
A Hymnal of Frostbite by Amy Zed
If you’ve read A Symphony of Starlight, you know we left Gemma in a very exciting predicament–a “fake” engagement that’s about to throw her back into her old life among the nobles.
A Hymnal of Frostbite follows Gemma and company as they travel to the icy home planet of the Grand General, where the rich and famous are gathering to celebrate Gemma’s coming-of-age and her official engagement ceremony.
But Gemma’s real motive is to wrest control of her mother’s House Council from the uncle who has seized the reigns in her absence, and a mysterious assassin will do anything to stop her.
I’m writing and releasing book 1.5 in the series before this one, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek just so you know that our snarky heroine will be back. Her love story continues in this one, and so does her bid to save her planet! I know you’re going to love it!
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What great insights. You’re absolutely right. I know for me when I see sci fi I do often thing of books like A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, wonderful, but definitely “sci-fi jargon”. I have kept seeing the cover for Cinder but never actually knew what it was. You’re opening my eyes up to the sci-fi realm and my ever growing TBR thanks you haha
Yes there’s so much more sci fi out there that’s not so… manly? lol