If there is one thing that I hear from non sci-fi/fantasy readers is that so many books within these genres are series. It can be intimidating to know that you might have to read 1,000+ pages over three books to get to the conclusion. That is probably on the low end for most series. I’m looking at you Wheel of Time – 13 books! So I’ve pulled together 9 sci-fi fantasy standalone books. This will give you a chance to dip your toes into the sci-fi and fantasy genres without the huge commitment.
9 Sci-Fi Fantasy Standalone Books
I’ve linked to the Goodreads page for each book to make it nice and easy for you to add to your to-read list 🙂
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson: If I had to pick a favorite writer, it would be Brandon Sanderson. Which is why he has two books on this list. A wonderful magic system, intrigue, mystery and politics make this a fantastic novel.
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson: This feels like an epic fantasy series without the multitude of books. An interesting take on Atlantis with good characters and world building.
The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin: Ok, this one is a bit of a cheat because it is actually a duology. But Jemisin’s writing is so fantastic I needed to include one of her books in this list. This one has a fantastic magic system, multi-layered characters, and great world building.
The Last One by Alexandra Oliva: You heard (err read) me spout my love for this book in my review here. The Last One probably straddles the line between science fiction and thriller, so if you are into that, this would be a great one to try.
Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornhern-Stace: I haven’t read this one yet, but it is on my to-read list. I have seen praise all over the place for it. There is a female main character, ghost hunting, a religion that might not be what it seems, and you really can’t go wrong with that beautiful cover.
The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson: I gushed about this book here. If you love fascinating characters and geopolitical fighting, you will love this one. Did I mention that the main character is an female accountant? #awesome
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: Yes, yes, this is part of the Lord of the Rings world, but you don’t need to read all of them to just enjoy The Hobbit. And it is only one book, even if they somehow made it into 3 movies (that still boggles my mind). Join Biblo on his adventure through middle earth and learn to love this entire world again.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: To enjoy this book, you need to love descriptive writing. What better place for fantastical things than a circus? This book has magic, a love story, and competition.
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison: Another one on my to-read list, but one that has a ton of awards thrown at it and everyone clamoring over it. If this blurb doesn’t have you interested, I don’t know what would! A vividly imagined fantasy of court intrigue and dark magics in a steampunk-inflected world, by a brilliant young talent.
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Have you read any of these books? Any other standalone books that you love in sci-fi/fantasy?
Linking up: Jana Says
I am totally going to read a sci-fi book this year.
Yes! Good goal 🙂
Ohhh thank you for this list!! Pinning for later!
You are welcome!
I am always looking for suggestions! Thanks for sharing these, definitely saving this list!
You’re welcome! Hope you fine one to enjoy.
This list was a fantastic idea! I am not an avid science fiction reader, so reading a lengthy series is definitely intimidating. I have read The Hobbit and The Night Circus was already on my TBR list so I’ll start there! Thanks for the suggestions!
Thanks Lori! I hope you enjoy the Night Circus.
i love the LOTR trilogy but the hobbit was one that i struggled to get through.
It is certainly different than LOTR. You would likely enjoy Brandon Sanderson if you liked LOTR.
oh my gosh, yes! i am so sick of series, but i feel like everything is a series nowadays so you can’t escape it. i was not a fan of the night circus, huge fan of the hobbit (seriously how did they make that tiny book into 3 movies, no peter jackson, NO) though it took a bit longer to get into than LOTR for me. added the rest to my list!
I have yet to understand how they made 3 Hobbit movies! It is so nice to pick up a book and know that you get the full story without having to get more books sometimes.
I loved The Night Circus.
I really enjoyed that one too.
Oh I love this! Everything seems to be a series now and days. Thanks!
It really does! It’s too bad $$ sometimes speaks louder than a good story.
Sci-fi is not my thing, never mind sci-fi fantasy, but I have read a few sci-fi stand alones over the last couple of year and you know, they’re not too bad. I just can’t get into ones that are a series.
Series are definitely something that takes some getting used to. I think it takes a good writer to be able to build an entire world in just 1 book when it comes to sci-fi.
I read Warbreaker a long time ago and I remember loving it. Brandon Sanderson is so good. I loved the sarcastic and witty characters. There are several on here I haven’t heard of, so I will have to check them out.
I read Warbreaker a long time ago as well. As I was writing this post, I wanted to throw my current reads out the window and just read Warbreaker again 🙂
I really loved The Night Circus. Such beautiful writing!
It really does have wonderful writing!
Great post!!! I have added at least half of these to my TBR. Brandon Sanderson? Hells yeah! And steampunk goblin emperor sounds fascinating. It totally is intimidating sometimes to get started on a new sci-fi or fantasy book because so few are stand-alone. I don’t think I’ll ever tackle the Wheel of Time series because 13 is just too much (and because I accidentally picked a random one in the middle up in the airport a few years back and it had me all kinds of confused), but I’ve accepted that series are a requirement of loving this genre.
It really does seem to be a requirement for the genre. And I can’t even image picking up a random WOT book. Totally confusing!
AWESOME list. I’m looking at all of these on goodreads now… then only one I have read is Night Circus, which I loved. I saw she is writing a new book which is exciting. 🙂 I have had the first mistborn on my TBR forever, and I just can’t convince myself to start it… but a friend really wants me to… so I know I need to but…. ugh I guess I need motivation. I am off to goodreads now. XO – Alexandra
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I didn’t know she was writing a new book! I’ll have to check it out. Hope you find one to enjoy 🙂
I’ve heard great things about some of these! I always wanted to read The Night Circus but never got around to it. Thanks for the list 🙂
You are welcome! Hope you find a few to read.
One of my fondest memories is reading The Hobbit with Lauren every night before bed. It was a school assignment and I dreaded it because this genre isn’t my cup of tea or so I thought. But we enjoyed every minute of our time together reading that book. In the high school library where I am subbing right now, the shelves are full of series. Nice to see some stand-alones.
I think The Hobbit is actually what got me into these genres when I read it for school 🙂
I haven’t read any of these. They sound really interesting though!!
They really are!
I have not. I’m not a big fan of sci-fi fantasy. Not even the Hobbit. I should look for it on audio though. Narnia is as fantasy as I get.