If your father is a sci-fi bookworm like me, these science fiction book recommendations will help you knock it out of the park.
It can be tough to find something for someone who has everything.
Nothing compares to escaping into another world. Here are my five top science fiction classics and new releases.
Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard
In the far future, Earth has been taken over by an alien race known as the Psychlos who are stripping the Earth of its mineral wealth. The Psychlos dominate both by their advanced technology and by their physical form, standing nine feet tall and weighing over a thousand pounds. The few human survivors live in scattered, primitive tribes.
In a chance encounter, the chief of security of a mine (Terl) encounters human Jonny Goodboy Tyler and takes him captive. It so happens that Terl plots to mine gold from the Rockies to fund an escape from this backwater world, but his plot requires human miners. Thus Tyler and his small crew begin to learn how to use the Psychlos technology, and more importantly, how to turn it against the aliens in an effort to retake the planet.
Battlefield Earth is a massive book, with as many adventures and close scrapes as intellectual ponderings. For example, late in the story a consortium of intergalactic bankers seeks to repossess the Earth for unpaid debts. They cannot be destroyed by battle the way the Psychlos can, and thus must be outsmarted.
Believe it or not, I first heard about this fantasy novel an announcer on NPR—the only fantasy recommendation I’ve ever heard there.
In a fictionalized China called Kitai, General Shen Tai has just won an impressive victory against invaders. Filled with remorse at the needless death, the general asks for and receives permission to retire. He takes his freedom to move to the site of the now-haunted battlefield and begins burying the dead. He buries Kitai soldiers and their enemies without prejudice. Every time he buries someone, a voice haunting the battlefield falls silent.
Hearing of this honorable deed, a princess gifts General Tai two hundred fifty of her finest horses. He regards this as a death sentence. The horses are so valuable that people will come from hundreds of miles to steal them. But if he refuses the gift or turns the horses loose, he will insult the princess—also a death sentence.
General Tai decides the only way to survive is to drive the horses several hundred miles and present them as a gift to the Kitai emperor. But with only a female warrior as bodyguard, that is a long way to survive.
If you are a science fiction fan, you have probably heard of Pournelle’s The Mote in God’s Eye. This prequel gives us the background of the formidable ex-Marine turned mercenary John Christian Falkenberg.
Imagine a United Federation of Planets-type government happily and peacefully managing a backwater world—until the planet’s resources run low and bureaucracy abandons the planet to its own devices. War ensues, faction against faction, brother against brother, as rival groups vie for dominance. One faction appears to have won power—except that the losers scrape together enough coin to hire the ex-marine turned mercenary John Christian Falkenberg and his men. Making a quick assessment, Falkenberg determines he can win if he strikes hard and fast—and if he manages to convince his opponents he’s landed with overwhelming force when in fact he’s short of about everything.
What I loved about The Mercenary is that Falkenberg is facing overwhelming odds—but he keeps on winning. Modern writing theory dictates that the hero must be beaten down, down, down, nearly to the point of giving up, until in the final scenes he orchestrates a reversal. But some classic works show the hero winning over and over; the joy is in trying to anticipate how he will pull it off. TV shows like Columbo use this technique, as do the Sherlock Homes stories, and the excellent tales of Ole Doc Methuselah from L. Ron Hubbard.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglass Adams
This is probably the funniest book ever written. Aliens plan to demolish the Earth in order to make way for an intergalactic superhighway. The only thing standing in their way is Authur Dent, an Englishman who is far, far from being heroic. Dent carries a Babel Fish to translate languages, and a Electronic Thumb with which he can hitch a ride on just about any spacecraft that flies near—spacecraft that might be powered by an improbability drive.
Adams’ humor is dry, ironic, and full of surprises. If dad hasn’t already read this, he should.
(For those of you under thirty, hitchhikers were people who used to stand by the side of the road holding a thumb out. Automobile drivers, not driven paranoid by the internet, would stop and give them a lift.)
I wanted to include a modern novel in my recommendations. I’ve always loved the Arthurian legends, and this purports to take the Author Pendragon—Merlin stories and move them into modern times. Really, these are new adventures with new characters, while the Arthurian references create resonance and depth.
Teenager Tamsin Lark lives in present-day Boston, a town full of sorcerers and Hollowers—those who can see and hunt ancient magic. Unfortunately for Tamsin, she has no such ability. Without power herself, Lark is viewed as something of a joke by most Hollowers, including (she thinks) her own crew. When rumors begin swirling that Lark’s missing guardian discovered a powerful magic ring, rivals and enemies begin circling. Lark discovers she must find a way to Avalon to unravel both modern and ancient mysteries to have any chance of finding the magic ring—not to mention having to defeat the Wild Hunt and Lord Death himself.
This two-book series has adventure, romance, heartbreak, and most importantly, mystery galore.
By Award Winning Debut Authors, and L. Ron Hubbard, Tim Powers, and Sean Williams
This collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories—most in the vein of adventure—can’t be beat. Several of the stories feature time travel, although that is not its official theme. As the collection is by debut authors, you are guaranteed to read something fresh and new. I’ve read most of the entries, and Volume 41 is one of the strongest.
Game Description: Step into a world where Irish myths and legends burst into modern-day life! In Otherworld Adventures, young Colin discovers he is the reincarnation of an ancient hero destined to face incredible challenges. Supported by steadfast friends and mentored by legendary figures like Lugh and Scathach, Colin embarks on a journey filled with battles, camaraderie, and mythical drama. Gather your courage, select your squad, and let the adventure begin!
The cards featured in The Fifth Cycle: A New Hero is Forgedcan be played on their own or can be part of a larger game when combined with cards based on characters from the author’s other books.
TWO PLAYER GAMEPLAY
Each player shuffles their deck and draws 5-10 cards at random, creating their battle squad.
NOTE: You cannot have any duplicate cards in your squad. They must be replaced at random as well.
Each player draws a card simultaneously and sets it between them. The card with the highest amount of Life Force attacks first.
If both cards have equal Life Force, a second card is chosen. Repeat if needed.
The opposing player has the following choices:
Take the damage from an attack then attack back.
Use their defensive ability to absorb some of the damage. That will be their turn. They cannot attack back that round.
Retreat back to the deck. That will be their turn.
Bring in a reinforcement (Draw another card at random). That will be their turn. They cannot attack back that round.
NOTE: A maximum of three cards can be played at any time.
If a card loses half of its Life Force, they have been weakened, and their attacks and defenses are reduced by half.
Once a card has lost all of its Life Force, it has lost the bout and must leave the battlefield. The other player wins that bout.
The player with the most cards remaining wins the entire battle.
MULTIPLAYER OPTIONS
Every man for himself: Each player takes a turn and attacks whichever opponent they choose.
Alliances: Players can team up against others (They can also betray each other when the time is right. There can only be one winner!)
There are many benefits to using AI to edit your work, the most obvious one being the time saved. An AI tool will give a report on your work almost instantly. Money is also saved, AI typically being cheaper (or free) than an editor. In the current economic climate anything that saves money is a good thing, and AI is no different so long as you understand its limitations.
AI, by its nature, is inflexible. It is excellent to use as a preliminary editing tool, but it can only perform to the limits of its training. AI training uses other authors’ work – a controversial topic on its own given the vast number of authors finding out their books have been used, unauthorised and unpaid, to train AI – and when correcting your work chooses the most standard corrections or substitutions, making your writing also ‘standard’, your unique author voice smoothed out. Do you want your work to read like every other book out there?
An AI tool will use its vast database to offer rewording that may not reflect the original meaning, because it will choose the most frequently used option, and it lacks the finer understanding of nuance that a human reader has. It will also offer a standard option that gives a typically ‘flat’ style.
AI is a tool, which used in the right way will save you both time and money. As a tool, it has limits. Artificial intelligence can’t think, it can only offer solutions based on its programming. It’s a machine so it can’t feel the writing the same way a human will. It will analyse, but within its limitations. It can’t understand nuances in writing, and it doesn’t know when to break the rules of grammar for effect.
Due to the limitations of AI editing, consider using a human proofreader to check your manuscript before publishing. Proofing is typically cheaper than a full edit, and a proofreader will pick up the issues AI misses, including incorrect word choice, minor grammatical errors, and unintentional changes in meaning.
For excellent human proofreading services at surprisingly low prices go to our page here for our publishing services.
Travelling for three months up the Amazon river, I searched for caiman crocodiles along its flooded banks in a tiny boat in the dark of the night, held a baby caiman in my hands, bailed water from the boat as we rowed frantically back to the distant shore through a lightning storm and torrential downpour, hoping to find our camp on the blacked out shoreline, while my local Indian guide shouted “There’s a crocodile chasing us”.
There was real fear in his voice.
Gliding silently over the water through the early morning mist in my canoe, I watched giant otters teaching their young how to build shelters using hollow logs and vegetation by the riverbank.
I’ve slept in a hammock deep in the Amazon jungle during thrashing rain storms, and watched a gigantic tarantula crawling towards me as I tended my fire; I’ve caught piranhas and eaten them for lunch; watched scarlet macaws flocking loudly and joyfully to orange-red cliffs rising vertically from the water, to feast on the clay essential for their diet.
I’ve travelled on chugging riverboats, sleeping on the top deck under a myriad of stars glistening in the black velvet sky.
My book, ‘The Power Within Her‘, will take you deep into this wondrous place – this stunningly beautiful, magical place called Amazonia
In this thrilling adventure of survival in a fight against evil, you will follow in the footsteps of my heroine, Caipora, a 13 year old Amazon Indian girl, as she forges her way through the jungle in her quest to save the rain forest and its inhabitants from destruction. You will shudder as the diabolical evil beings of Brazilian mythology come to life to pursue and capture her. And you will meet blood sucking bats, gigantic pirarucu fish; deadly Brazilian Wandering Spiders and caiman crocodiles.
In this story of courage, resilience and determination, of belief in ones self, you will fight with Caipora as she pits the power of her mind against the power of Fate; your heart will ache as hers does, for the loss of her soul mate, and you will empathise with her as she struggles with her guilt over the annihilation of her tribe.
If you thrive under a challenge, if you seek adventure, if you identify with courage and determination, you will find the thrills you’re looking for in this fight for survival.
Facts RE the Amazon Rain Forest:
The Amazon Rain forest is the largest rainforest in the world, covering an area of over 5.5 million square kilometres. It produces around 20% of the world’s oxygen and is known as the ‘lungs of the world.’ A treasure trove of biodiversity, it provides a home to millions of plant and animal species as well as medicinal plants and exotic fruits. It also provides valuable resources for nearby communities.
Tropical forests capture carbon emissions from the atmosphere. They are natural carbon sinks. Their deforestation releases tonnes of carbon dioxide and reduces the planet’s ability to absorb it from the atmosphere, so contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climatic instability.
The rate of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is one of the most severe worldwide, causing one of the biggest ecological crises of our time. It significantly affects our planet’s health and the wellbeing of all living things, impacting air quality, climate, biodiversity loss, threatened species and Indigenous rights.
From the US Review of Books:
“Thoughts have real energy…. Visualise yourself achieving your goal and you will achieve it. Believe in yourself and the power of your mind. Never doubt your abilities.” Recommended by Joslyn Vann for the US Review of Books.
Recommended by Asher Syed for Reader’s Favourite:
Liene Burbeck’s The Power Within Her is a colourful tale that takes readers deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Burbeck’s writing shines in near-cinematic descriptions of both the beauty and dangers of the wild.I love that Burbeck has made Caipora a fierce and resourceful heroine who has the fortitude and courage to overcome raging rivers and terrifying supernatural creatures, and put her trust in a cornucopia of strangers to save what she holds dear, and what so many depend on for their own survival. The mix of myth and reality feels as organic as one would expect, and, although some of the action scenes are intense, they are never heavy-handed. Burbeck’s ability to balance a message with real entertainment value shines brightly. Very highly recommended.
Recommended by Doreen Chombu for Readers’ Favourite:
“The Power Within Her is a remarkable story that offers life changing lessons about resilience, visualization, and self-belief. Although Caipora is a young girl thrust into a vast jungle with daunting challenges, her spirit is that of a warrior. Each time she confronts her fears, she learns to harness her inner strength and embrace her true potential. Her struggle with fate and its role in her destiny is relatable and will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their purpose and ability to face adversity. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates survival stories that promote personal growth, environmental stewardship, and resilience.”
Recommended by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favourite:
The Power Within Her by Liene Burbeck is a wonderful read, a stunning tale of survival, freedom, and finding your true purpose in life. The action starts on page one, and the author’s descriptive writing lands you right in the middle of the story, following Caipora on her journey as she fights to save her rain forest. Expect the unexpected in this tale as you follow Caipora on an exciting, terrifying journey, a tale of unconditional love and courage with an environmental theme running through it. This story will lead you to look deep within yourself and ask: are you all you were meant to be? Have you found your true purpose in life? I enjoyed this story; it gave me hope for a better world for all of us, and Caipora embodies everything every teenage girl should aspire to be.
This is a wildly imaginative and utterly delightful work of young adult fiction. Burbeck’s skillful, descriptive writing style vividly captures the lush scenery of the Amazon Rainforest. Painstakingly detailed character portrayals draw readers into a world that is a creative blend of nature, mystical creatures, and South American culture. The author weaves gender roles, arranged marriages, culinary traditions, cultural beliefs, and spiritual rituals into an engaging tapestry of female empowerment and strength. The character development is both skillful and compelling. Burbeck leaves young adult readers with the clear but powerful message that they are capable of so much more than they could ever imagine.
The Wake of Expectations by Javier De Lucia is perfect for readers who appreciate emotionally intense, unconventional coming-of-age stories that reward patience with a raw and resonant exploration of identity, adolescence, and the messy realities of growing up.
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Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
So many relationships over the years, some positive, others negative. Some to do with coming-of-age adolescent behavior, definitely, as well as misguided attempts to achieve certain goals (getting laid, etc). One sentence in particular begins the start of one semi-friendship: “There were moments of genuine camaraderie over the years, but the friendship usually was tenuous at best”. (I’d probably call it superficial).
General Summary for Context:
This novel brims with characters—friends, flings, frenemies, and fleeting encounters—woven through a narrative that spans years of change and growth. At the center of it all is Cal, our dry-witted narrator, who’s just learned that his parents have won the lottery (cue envy), and that he’s been accepted into his dream college. You’d think he’d be celebrating. But no—Cal is too busy reflecting.
Told in his signature self-deprecating tone, Cal’s story is less about triumph than it is about navigating the chaos of life: parties, heartbreaks, awkward encounters, moments of connection and confusion. The novel unfolds as a patchwork of seemingly insignificant events that, together, chart the messy process of growing up.
Some might call it a coming-of-age story. To me, it feels more like a rude awakening—especially when, after a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows, Cal finds himself asking, “Wait… what happened to the money?”
Concise Review:
This is a highly original and engaging journey into the life of one (seemingly average?) young man. At first, I struggled to keep track of the many people he meets and how they shape—or slip through—his life. The sheer number of encounters can feel dizzying, and initially, I felt the main character lacked depth. But as the story unfolded, I realized that might be the point: he’s still figuring himself out, stumbling through a maze of interactions, often awkward, sometimes tender, and frequently tinged with confusion.
Coming from a family of all girls, I may simply be more familiar with the emotional dramas of growing up female. The adolescent male experience portrayed here—hormonal, uncertain, occasionally crass—felt unfamiliar and, at times, jarring. But it’s also raw and honest in a way that’s hard to look away from.
This isn’t a tidy coming-of-age tale—it’s messier, funnier, and sometimes more frustrating. But it’s real. Maybe that’s what makes it resonate, even if it takes a moment to adjust to the rhythm of the world the author has created.
General Thoughts on the Novel:
Initially, the sheer volume of characters and shifting relationships made the narrative somewhat difficult to follow. However, once I began keeping a mental ledger of who was who and how each individual related to the protagonist, the story gradually drew me in. The emotional turbulence, the fleeting connections, and the often-conflicted decisions began to cohere into something compelling.
In particular, I found myself deeply frustrated—perhaps even incensed—by the events toward the end, particularly the loss of the money (a mild spoiler, though its impact is central to the story’s arc). That sense of frustration underscored how emotionally involved I had become. I wanted to shake certain characters, to urge them into self-awareness and maturity. In doing so, I realized the narrative had achieved something significant: it had made me care.
This is not a conventional coming-of-age tale. It is raw, sometimes chaotic, and frequently disorienting. But beneath that surface lies a poignant meditation on adolescence, identity, and the often-painful process of growing up. Once emotionally invested, the story resonates with clarity and meaning—and that, perhaps, is the clearest indication that it is a work of real merit.
Rules for Eternity by John Hunter is perfect for for critical thinkers, philosophy enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the interplay between natural laws, societal rules, and the grey areas where interpretation shapes our understanding of order and freedom.
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Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
Too many to list here, but I’ll try. Each sentence is as fascinating as the one before it, and the one that comes after it. “The astronomical distances and huge travel times suggest the near impossibility that two civilizations from different star systems might ever be able to interact.” If this is indeed the case, are we spending billions of dollars chasing our tale.
General Summary for Context:
A Thought-Provoking Exploration of Life’s Big Questions
This book delves into questions that are typically reserved for philosophers, scientists, astronomers, and physicists—people who naturally gravitate toward the complexities of existence. As an average, everyday person (though I like to think of myself as reasonably intelligent), I hadn’t often considered how simply existing means following certain rules and laws.
What surprised me most was learning that while some of these rules are absolute, others can be bent or even broken. The author wisely cautions against venturing too far into realms beyond human comprehension, suggesting instead a more grounded approach: analyzing what we can understand and philosophizing our way to a partial, yet valuable, grasp of the bigger picture.
This book challenges the reader to think critically about the unseen forces shaping our reality. While it doesn’t promise all the answers, it offers a thoughtful perspective on how to make sense of the world around us.
Concise Review:
This book presents numerous scenarios, each attempting to explain complex ideas in a logical and accessible way. It poses intriguing questions: Which rules are absolute and must be followed without question? Which ones can be safely bent or broken? Are there “grey areas” where interpretation and personal judgment come into play?
The author explores not only the natural laws that govern our existence but also the societal rules that bind us together. The book makes a compelling argument that for a society to thrive, its rules must be clear and understandable. When rules become too ambiguous or difficult to grasp, society risks fragmentation, eroding the very foundation of communication and cooperation among its people.
This book encourages readers to reflect on the balance between order and freedom, challenging us to think critically about the structures that shape our lives. It’s a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in understanding the boundaries of both physical laws and societal norms.
General Thoughts on the Novel:
A Fascinating Journey Through Complex Ideas
I could go on and on (and on), but I hope I’ve provided a glimpse into the truly captivating ideologies and insights this book offers. Each sentence and every paragraph introduces fresh ideas, thought-provoking concepts, and nuanced explanations about the universe and the roles we play within its grand structure.
The author masterfully challenges readers to explore ideas they may never have considered before—ideas that, upon reflection, deserve our attention. This book is not just a collection of theories but a guide to seeing the world through a different lens.
I highly recommend this thought-provoking and enlightening read to anyone ready to expand their understanding of the universe and their place in it. It’s a book that sparks curiosity and invites deep contemplation—an experience not to be missed.
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Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard
Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
This is probably the funniest book ever written. Aliens plan to demolish the Earth in order to make way for an intergalactic superhighway. The only thing standing in their way is Authur Dent, an Englishman who is far, far from being heroic. Dent carries a Babel Fish to translate languages, and a Electronic Thumb with which he can hitch a ride on just about any spacecraft that flies near—spacecraft that might be powered by an improbability drive.
I wanted to include a modern novel in my recommendations. I’ve always loved the Arthurian legends, and this purports to take the Author Pendragon—Merlin stories and move them into modern times. Really, these are new adventures with new characters, while the Arthurian references create resonance and depth.
By Award Winning Debut Authors, and L. Ron Hubbard, Tim Powers, and Sean Williams
Scott T. Barnes
Game Description: Step into a world where Irish myths and legends burst into modern-day life! In Otherworld Adventures, young Colin discovers he is the reincarnation of an ancient hero destined to face incredible challenges. Supported by steadfast friends and mentored by legendary figures like Lugh and Scathach, Colin embarks on a journey filled with battles, camaraderie, and mythical drama. Gather your courage, select your squad, and let the adventure begin!
TWO PLAYER GAMEPLAY
MULTIPLAYER OPTIONS
From the US Review of Books:
“Thoughts have real energy…. Visualise yourself achieving your goal and you will achieve it. Believe in yourself and the power of your mind. Never doubt your abilities.” Recommended by Joslyn Vann for the US Review of Books.
Recommended by Asher Syed for Reader’s Favourite:
Initially, the sheer volume of characters and shifting relationships made the narrative somewhat difficult to follow. However, once I began keeping a mental ledger of who was who and how each individual related to the protagonist, the story gradually drew me in. The emotional turbulence, the fleeting connections, and the often-conflicted decisions began to cohere into something compelling.
