What is Science Fantasy? When Magic & Science Have a Baby
Bella Rose Emmorey
book editor, rogue behaviorist, digital marketer, writer, brand builder, plant aunt, and cheese enthusiast.
Every now and then—okay, maybe all the time—consumers change the way certain products are marketed, and therefore categorized. If you’re wondering "what is science fantasy?" then you’re just now being introduced to a way this is happening in the book world.
Technically speaking, science fantasy isn’t new. The term for it is what’s new, and it has spread some confusion amongst the readers and writers of the world.
The truth is that you know what science fantasy is because you’ve likely seen it before, but you may have confused it for science fiction or fantasy instead of an obscure mashup of the two genres.
Let’s take a look at answering "what is science fantasy" in a way that helps you understand it better, and therefore $ write it better$ .
What is science fantasy?
Science fantasy is technically the lovechild of both fantasy and science genres where magic is present in an otherwise science fiction setting or vice versa.
Truly think of it like science fiction and fantasy had a baby, and the book or movie got a bit of each of the genres mixed together.
You might want to write a book that takes place in space, aboard a high-tech ship, but you also might have some of the characters possess magical abilities in this setting. That would make this genre science fantasy.
Why use the label science fantasy?
As literature expands, so do the containers stories fit into. Back when there were only a few examples of fantasy, you could label it as just "fantasy". But as more books become published in the "fantasy" genre, you need a way to differentiate the type of fantasy. Why?
Because many readers will seek a certain type of book they like, and these labels help them discover the kind of book they want to read (and buy).
This is the same as it is with the term "romantasy" being coined by fans of fantasy that focus on the romantic element as the main plot. Has romance existed within fantasy for a while? Yes. But has it been the main draw of the book itself? Not until recent years.
So in order for those fantasy fans to find these books, they’ve started using the term "romantasy" to further identify their preferred type of book. These are akin to $ fantasy subgenres$ , but even more specified.
The same is the case with science fantasy. Those who want books that have both elements of science fiction and fantasy—not just one independently—use the term. As the author, if you want readers to find your book that has both of these elements, using "science fantasy" is a great way to $ attract those readers$ .
What’s the difference between science fiction and science fantasy?
It’s easy to confuse the two, especially if you’re unfamiliar with more advanced technology often found in sci-fi because it can seem like magic. But when you get down to it, the difference between science fiction and science fantasy is that science fiction is based on real science and its advancement, and science fantasy is a melding of sci-fi elements with magic unexplainable by science.
For this reason, you’ll see stories like Star Wars, Dune, and The Expanse listed as science fantasy. You know The Force, right? Well, that’s magic in the midst of space travel and advanced weaponry, making Star Wars firmly science fantasy.
It’s easier to understand "what is science fantasy" when you look at examples of how science and magic are used together.
7 Examples of Science Fantasy
Let's look at a few science fantasy stories and break down how they fit into both genres
1. $ Dune$ by Frank Herbert.
Science Element: Interstellar travel
Fantasy Element: Spice, a mystical substance that gives the user psychic powers
Basically, this story is set in a distant future where interstellar travel is possible. It combines politics, ecology, and a mystical substance called "spice" that grants psychic abilities.
2. $ The Book of the New Sun$ series by Gene Wolfe
Science Element: Advanced future Earth
Fantasy Element: The magic Severian possesses
This tetralogy follows the journey of Severian, an apprentice in the guild of torturers, in a far-future Earth where technology and magic coexist. Severian committed a crime of his kind in showing mercy to his victim, and was therefore banished.
While the "science" elements aren’t super heavy, the "advancement of our Earth" is what’s considered the sci-fi element of this book.
3. $ The Dark Tower$ series by Stephen King
Science Element: Advanced technological tools and weapons and inventions
Fantasy Element: Magic that originates with "Prim"
This series blends elements of western, horror, and fantasy, following the quest of Roland Deschain through a post-apocalyptic world that includes both high-tech relics and magical elements.
4. $ The Broken Empire Trilogy$ by Mark Lawrence
Science Element: Advanced technology in a post-apocalyptic world
Fantasy Element: Ancient magic that can be used
Beginning with "Prince of Thorns," this series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the protagonist, Jorg Ancrath, navigates a landscape of both advanced technology and ancient magic.
5. $ The Long Earth$ series by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
Science Element: Advanced technology including parallel Earths
Fantasy Element: Elements within parallel worlds
This series explores a multiverse where individuals can step into parallel Earths, featuring a mix of science fiction and fantasy elements.
6. $ The Expanse$ series by James S.A. Corey
Science Element: Advanced technology taking place in space
Fantasy Element: The "alien" substance is more magical than science
Starting with "Leviathan Wakes," this series combines space opera and political intrigue with the discovery of a mysterious alien substance that introduces elements of the fantastic.
7. $ Hyperion$ by Dan Simmons
Science Element: Advanced technology capable of space travel
Fantasy Element: Supernatural, magical beings
The first book in the Hyperion Cantos series, Hyperion, weaves a tale of seven pilgrims on a journey through a far-future universe, encountering both advanced technology and enigmatic supernatural entities.
Science fantasy only sounds confusing because it’s two distinct genres being coupled together, but that’s exactly what it is. Take some advanced technology and sprinkle in a little magic, and you have science fantasy.
So you don’t have to pick which to write in! If you love both, just merge that love together and make a little science fantasy baby.
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