The Intergalactic Academy

When my good friend Rachel Hartman left a comment on my post on science fantasy indicating that she considers her own novel–Seraphina, debuting in July–to be science fantasy rather than “high fantasy,” I was left itching to know more. Rachel’s been kind enough to write us the following post on why she considers herself a sci-fantasy, rather than just plain ol’ fantasy, writer.  Here’s Rachel. -Phoebe [...] More »

Preliminary Scan: Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty’s anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high. Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, [...] More »

In the first part of this post, I brought up some questions you should ask yourself if you’re writing a Neo-Victorian (or Neo-Anything-Else) science fiction story. Today I’ve got a few more questions along with some pertinent examples. The response I got last time was pretty great, so feel free to leave your thoughts on this part as well! 3) Why is the working class a [...] More »

When it comes to science fiction, I tend to like books that have slightly unusual settings. I don’t mean that I’m completely averse to futuristic cyberpunk megacities where gigantic corporations have turned life into a conformist nightmare, just that I’d be reading a book like that in spite of the setting rather than because of it. I love it when authors try to do something a [...] More »

Preliminary Scan: Malora knows what she was born to be: a horse wrangler and a hunter, just like her father. But when her people are massacred by batlike monsters called Leatherwings, Malora will need her horse skills just to survive. The last living human, Malora roams the wilderness at the head of a band of magnificent horses, relying only on her own wits, strength, and courage. [...] More »

If this is your first time dipping into the Animorphs Re-Read, I strongly suggest you head back to the beginning and start there unless you’re already familiar with the books. Alternatively, check out the Animorphs Re-Read tag page for a list of every post in the series. Today might be SOPA-protest day, but that won’t stop me from finishing my recap of The Andalite Chronicles! And why would it? Wait, [...] More »

Arthur C. Clarke stated that “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Larry Niven responded that “any sufficiently rigorously defined magic is indistinguishable from technology.” Either quote could be used in a pinch to describe works of science fantasy. As a subgenre of both science fiction and fantasy, it occupies the overlapping center in the Venn diagram of both genres, often borrowing tropes from each. [...] More »

Preliminary Scan: Martyr—otherwise known as Jason 3:3—is one of hundreds of clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to ‘expire’ in less than a month. To see the sky. Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has a feeling something strange is going [...] More »

If this is your first time dipping into the Animorphs Re-Read, I strongly suggest you head back to the beginning and start there unless you’re already familiar with the books. Alternatively, check out the Animorphs Re-Read tag page for a list of every post in the series. Welcome to the second part of the Intergalactic Academy re-read of The Andalite Chronicles! When we last met our heroes, they were getting [...] More »

Preliminary Scan: A magical breadbox that delivers whatever you wish for—as long as it fits inside? It’s too good to be true! Twelve-year-old Rebecca is struggling with her parents’ separation, as well as a sudden move to her Gran’s house in another state. For a while, the magic bread box, discovered in the attic, makes life away from home a little easier. Then suddenly it starts [...] More »