Preference - fantasy or science fiction?

For March 2020 we will be reading books in the fantasy/science fiction genre.
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Heidi M Simone
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Preference - fantasy or science fiction?

Post by Heidi M Simone »

Which of the two genres for this month (fantasy or science fiction) do you prefer? Why do you prefer one over the other?
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Post by Jeremie Mondejar »

I will try to read science fiction first. This is a bit challenging for me. I have a hard time deciphering fantasy books as well as sci-fi.

I need tips, guys. :bookclub-square:
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Post by gali »

I love both. Each has its own merits.
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Post by Emaz_17 »

I prefer fantasy, I like to place myself into the story and act as if I’m the main character. Ever since I was younger I’ve always been drawn to fantasy books sometimes about them has always brought out the kid in me. Science fiction is still a really good read but nothing will ever top fantasy for me.
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Post by ms_vinkel »

I really want a combination of both, scifi and fantasy done well. I don't think I've read anything like that actually. I guess I have anime and Final Fantasy games to credit for that since those shows can really build up a good world.

But, my default would be fantasy. Magic and creatures are the ones I am most exposed to. I blame fairy tales and those moral stories, :lol: Anyway, I find it easier to dive into fantasy compared to sci-fi. With science fiction, there needs to be some heavy tension or familiar element for it to pull me in.
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Post by NetMassimo »

I prefer science fiction because I feel more comfortable with scientific and technological stuff, and I like space exploration.
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

It's interesting because I really love fantasy, so this is definitely my preference, but I have this part of me that wants to find a sci-fi that I could like. Does Dystopian count as sci-fi? That I do like. :)
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Post by vermontelf »

I have always preferred fantasy over science fiction although I do enjoy both. I tend to believe (or want to believe) the fantasy more. Wouldn't it be fantastic to have magical abilities, understand talking animals, and live in these fantastic homes. There are dangers either way.
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Post by ms_vinkel »

hsimone wrote: 08 Mar 2020, 10:01 Does Dystopian count as sci-fi? That I do like. :)
I think some (if not most) sci-fi works can also be dystopian fiction.

I often think of dystopia as either its own subgenre or an added element (but not the main feature) in another genre. For instance, Philip K Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - loosely adapted into the Blade Runner movie - or The Minority Report - adapted into movie of same name - are science fiction stories set in a dystopian world. Then, we have The Hunger Games which is more of a dystopian novel that has science fiction elements because of its advance technology. But we also have The Martian by Andy Weir that is science fiction but not set in a dystopia.

What do you have in mind as a dystopic science fiction?
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Post by Namaste23 »

I like both, but would lean more towards sci-fi over fantasy. The best scenario would be some of both.
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

Ms Vinkel wrote: 09 Mar 2020, 10:13
hsimone wrote: 08 Mar 2020, 10:01 Does Dystopian count as sci-fi? That I do like. :)
I think some (if not most) sci-fi works can also be dystopian fiction.

I often think of dystopia as either its own subgenre or an added element (but not the main feature) in another genre. For instance, Philip K Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - loosely adapted into the Blade Runner movie - or The Minority Report - adapted into movie of same name - are science fiction stories set in a dystopian world. Then, we have The Hunger Games which is more of a dystopian novel that has science fiction elements because of its advance technology. But we also have The Martian by Andy Weir that is science fiction but not set in a dystopia.

What do you have in mind as a dystopic science fiction?
I was thinking The Hunger Games , The Giver, Divergent, and books like that.
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Post by DragonLight877 »

I honesty love both fantasy and science fiction. I just love the creativity in both. It depends on the day and the mood I'm in for which one is my favorite.
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Post by DragonLight877 »

hsimone wrote: 13 Mar 2020, 08:33
Ms Vinkel wrote: 09 Mar 2020, 10:13
hsimone wrote: 08 Mar 2020, 10:01 Does Dystopian count as sci-fi? That I do like. :)
I think some (if not most) sci-fi works can also be dystopian fiction.

I often think of dystopia as either its own subgenre or an added element (but not the main feature) in another genre. For instance, Philip K Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - loosely adapted into the Blade Runner movie - or The Minority Report - adapted into movie of same name - are science fiction stories set in a dystopian world. Then, we have The Hunger Games which is more of a dystopian novel that has science fiction elements because of its advance technology. But we also have The Martian by Andy Weir that is science fiction but not set in a dystopia.

What do you have in mind as a dystopic science fiction?
I was thinking The Hunger Games , The Giver, Divergent, and books like that.
I love The Giver series. I do think they are considered in the sci-fi genre if you ask me.
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

DragonLight877 wrote: 16 Mar 2020, 12:18 I honesty love both fantasy and science fiction. I just love the creativity in both. It depends on the day and the mood I'm in for which one is my favorite.
It's great that you love both! I have a tougher time with science fiction, but I'm trying to be more open with this genre.
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

DragonLight877 wrote: 16 Mar 2020, 12:20
hsimone wrote: 13 Mar 2020, 08:33
Ms Vinkel wrote: 09 Mar 2020, 10:13
I think some (if not most) sci-fi works can also be dystopian fiction.

I often think of dystopia as either its own subgenre or an added element (but not the main feature) in another genre. For instance, Philip K Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - loosely adapted into the Blade Runner movie - or The Minority Report - adapted into movie of same name - are science fiction stories set in a dystopian world. Then, we have The Hunger Games which is more of a dystopian novel that has science fiction elements because of its advance technology. But we also have The Martian by Andy Weir that is science fiction but not set in a dystopia.

What do you have in mind as a dystopic science fiction?
I was thinking The Hunger Games , The Giver, Divergent, and books like that.
I love The Giver series. I do think they are considered in the sci-fi genre if you ask me.
Oh nice! I did like The Giver. I tried reading the second in the series, but remember that I wasn't as big of a fan, so I stopped reading the rest. However, it's good to know that it can considered as science fiction since this is the genre that I tend to stay away from.
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