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TOP books and authors mixing sci-fi, fantasy, noir, cyberpunk, and more.
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items I've picked them for interesting and unexpected combinations, both from classic and modern authors. Great finds for experienced readers!
“Hugo” award-winning novel by the grandmaster of science fiction. One of the best sci-fi/fantasy novels ever written. I've read and reread it many times in THREE languages. Nothing to add.
Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
The first three novels of the Hawk and Fisher series are a great mix of “sword and magic” fantasy and noir crime stories, taking the best from both sides. Somewhat obscured and forgotten, but a really great read.
The Swords of Haven by Simon R. Green
Really funny and entertaining mix of hard-boiled crime story and techno-fantasy set in an alternative Earth where science and technology are replaced by magic, but still keeping all the features of capitalist society. Definitely worth reading!
The Case of the Toxic Spell Dump by Harry Turtledove
Brilliant collection of short stories from the author of “Quantum Thief”. Cyberpunk, space opera, hard sci-fi, fantasy, myths: you name the genre, and it will be mixed up in one or another of these stories. Awesome journey into many wonderful and/or ...
Hannu Rajaniemi: Collected Fiction
The first novel of the great series about the Majipoor planet. A distant planet with different aliens sounds like science fiction, but it also bearing a taste of classical fantasy quest, with great characters and an interesting plot.
Lord Valentine's Castle by Robert Silverberg
Unexpected (and really enjoyable) fantasy experiment from arguably the GOAT of science fiction Robert Heinlein. What happens AFTER the hero defeat all villains and marry the princess?
Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein
Fun read about the secret agency dealing with all kinds of paranormal threats, including demons, warlocks and sleeping Chtluhu. Lots of laughs and lots of satire. All books are good, but let's start from the first, shall we?
The Atrocity Archives (Laundry Files) by Stross
A great novel by a great visionary author. The closest genre would be techno-fantasy, but it's Swanwick! So the novel is a separate genre in itself.
The Iron Dragon's Daughter by Michael Swanwick
The last collaboration of the two great authors, combining the “pyrotechnical” style of Alfred Bester with the humour and poetic metaphors of Zelazny. Must-read for fans of both writers.
Psychoshop by Alfred Bester and Roger Zelazny
The first book of the big series called Bookworld. Very interesting and non-standard concept about individuals able to travel in and out of fiction. Imagine travelling into the Lovecraft's Innsmuth and changing something there, or bringing something ...
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Pretty much a noir crime mystery set in the near-future on the (as you probably guessed already) colonized Mars. All the attributes are in place: the crime, the weary detective, the bleak atmosphere. Very good read for those who are both fans of sci-...
Red Planet Blues by Robert J. Sawyer
Not exactly mixing the genres, this book is still an absolute classic, defining novel for steampunk, and it's definitely mixing the creativity of two of the greatest modern sci-fi writers.
The Difference Engine by Gibson & Sterling
Necromancers on the spaceships. What could be cooler? Almost like the Warhammer 40k novels, but with way better characters and plot (in my opinion at least). Even though dark fantasy is not really my thing, I was pleasantly surprised by this one.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Pretty obscure and mostly forgotten novel, yet it's definitely worth reading. The title says it all: in the distant future, a military cyborg is landing on the planet that he considers the enemy of Earth (though the war is long gone). But beware: her...
The Cyborg and the Sorcerers by Lawrence Watt-Evans
An absolute masterpiece from the great classic author, mixing the time opera, the satire, the romance, and almost all the concepts of the immense Eternal Warrior metaverse created by Moorcock. A really fascinating book, funny and philosophical at the...
The Dancers at the End of Time by Michael Moorcock