From books to movies, the sci-fi genre is counted among the most popular and successful genres in terms of providing sheer entertainment value to its audience of every age group.
Readers shower their huge love of the sci-fi stories as all the imaginary elements which don’t exist in the real world, but yet appeal to everyone to accept it as a future possibility.
Related: Science Fiction Story Ideas
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What is Science Fiction?
Science fiction is generally addressed as a genre of speculative fiction, where the story plot follows futuristic ideas, scientific concepts, space explorations & adventures, extraterritorial existence, time travel, cosmic possibilities, etc.
Sci-fi stories are not just limited to books, movies or tv series, but it helps humankind to explore all the possibilities of human aspiration and urges and inspire the professionals in science and technology to look for potential possibilities of new innovations and discoveries.
Elements of Science Fiction-
- Aliens
- Parallel universe
- Time travel
- Space travel
- Extraterrestrial beings
- Telepathy
- Advance technology
- Robots
- Space warfare
- Fictional planets
- Fictional worlds
- Spaceships
- Teleportation
Science Fiction Categories-
- Hard science fiction– Hard science fiction novels are based on scientific facts, realistic and plausible themes or concepts following the laws of science.
- Soft science fiction- Novels of soft science fiction are based on social science like psychology, sociology containing no scientifically accurate or plausible science.
The 4 Popular Subgenres of Science Fiction-
#1 Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is the subgenre of science fiction, which showcases a dystopian futuristic world along with advanced technology.
Examples of Cyberpunk Books-
- Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
- Neuromancer by William Gibson
- Do Android Dreams of Electric Ship by Philip K. Dick
- Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
- Moxyland by Lauren Beukes
#2 Space opera-
Space opera follows the stories set mainly on outer space showcasing space warfare, space conflicts, space adventures, romance and interplanetary battles.
Examples of Space Opera Books-
- Dune by Frank Herbert
- Leviathan Wakes by James S.A Corey
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
- Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
- Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds
#3 Steampunk–
This retro-futuristic subgenre, steampunk showcases the technology blending steam-powered machinery.
Examples of Steampunk Books-
- Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
- Soulless by Gail Carriger
- Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
- His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
- Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
#4 Science Fantasy–
The novels of sci-fi fantasy contain both science fiction and fantasy elements.
Examples of Science Fantasy Books-
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
- Black Sun Rising by C.S Friedman
- Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
- The Gunslinger by Stephen King
- Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
