Slough Borough Council

Science fiction - alternative reads

Do you normally only read romance or thrillers or historical novels? Have a look at our list of science fiction alternative reads and take a risk.

For love story readers:

The Time-Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (‘richly woven and beautifully written’)

Son of the Morning by Linda Howard (‘a wonderful blend of rich time-travel fantasy, steamy sex and mystery thriller’)

Time and Again by Jack Finney (‘a very entertaining thriller/mystery/romance’)

Killing Time by Linda Howard (‘amazing novel of romantic suspense’)

For horror readers:

Meredith Gentry series by Laurell K Hamilton (‘will make your imagination soar’)
A Kiss of Shadows (2000)
A Caress of Twilight (2002)
Seduced By Moonlight (2004)
A Stroke of Midnight (2005)
Mistral's Kiss (2006)

Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts (will ‘keep you awake at night’)

For crime/thriller readers:

The Scavenger series by K J Parker (‘superb; very original and at times very funny’)
Shadow (2001)
Pattern (2002)
Memory (2003)

Neuromancer by William Gibson (‘best sci-fi tech-noir ever’)

Slant by Greg Bear (‘worth reading for the idea of a 'therapied' population alone’)

redRobe by Jon Courtney Grimwood (‘dizzying, gruesome and slightly tongue-in-cheek action’)

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (‘immensely entertaining’)
Storm Front (2000)
Fool Moon (2000)
Grave Peril (2001)
Summer Knight (2002)
Death Masks (2003)
Blood Rites (2004)
Dead Beat (2005)
Proven Guilty (2006)
White Night (2007)

For historical readers:

Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon (‘a wonderful adventure story interspersed with actual historical events and authentic period detail’)
Cross Stitch (1991) aka Outlander
Dragonfly in Amber (1991)
Voyager (1993)
The Drums of Autumn (1996)
The Fiery Cross (2001)
A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005)

Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine ('Fascinating, absorbing, original - and hypnotic')