I see a lot of big series, but what about portal fantasy in reverse? 'The Dragonriders of Pern' by Anne McCaffrey is the classic example. For generations, it reads as straight-up fantasy with dragons and medieval hold life. Then you discover the colonists came from space, the dragons are genetically engineered, and 'Thread' is an alien spore. The later books get more into the sci-fi origins. The blend is a masterclass in hiding the science under the fantasy until the right moment.
The 'Star Wars' expanded universe, now called Legends, had some deep cuts that explored this. The 'Jedi Academy' trilogy really leaned into the mystical side of the Force, treating it like a magic that interacts with ancient technology and alien ecosystems. Some stories involved Sith alchemy creating monsters or Force-sensitive trees that could guide ships through hyperspace. It's not always the main plot, but the blend is foundational—laser swords and telekinesis exist alongside starfighters and hyperdrives.
The 'Revelation Space' universe by Alastair Reynolds is hard sci-fi, but it features the Melding Plague—a nanotech virus that corrupts both organic and synthetic matter—which feels like a malevolent curse. There are also the Inhibitors, ancient alien machines that behave like a force of cosmic, almost mythological, annihilation. The 'magic' is all extremely advanced, forgotten technology that operates on scales and with purposes so vast they appear supernatural to the human characters.
The 'Demon Princes' series by Jack Vance is a quintessential space opera revenge saga, but Vance's prose is so archaically elegant, and the worlds so vividly strange, that they feel like fantasy realms. The protagonist uses cunning and a wide array of skills rather than overt magic, but the antagonists often have powers or presences that feel sorcerous. It's more a tonal and stylistic blend than a literal one, but it's unforgettable.
2026-07-20 09:57:05
12
View All Answers
Scan code to download App
Related Books
Wolves & Magic (Ambersky Pack Series Book 1-3)
Valencia Robertson
10
6.6K
Sierra desired everything out of life; love, happiness, and a family. She always assumed everything she wanted was within reach and worked her hardest to achieve it. However, life threw a wrench into her plans. Thus, it changed her entire perception of the future she desired. Little did she know that wasn't the only problem she would endure if she followed the path of her destiny.
Alpha Sebastian, bereaved and distraught following the death of his beloved mate and Luna, forsook love and happiness because he believed they were anything but what he deserved. Regardless of his feelings about having a second mate or accepting a chosen mate, he could not deny his pack’s fate now laid with a mere human.
One unexpected evening, their paths crossed. What would happen should Alpha Sebastian discover the truth about not only his mate but also his father’s death? What would happen when Sierra learned that everything she believed and knew about herself was untrue? Could they potentially heal each other’s wounds, or would their pasts continue to stand in their way?
Soleil Summer is a rather ordinary 17 year old School girl, a bit shy and unassuming … at least until her world is turned upside down. First she meets the very handsome Luca, the New boy in school … and she also can’t help but notice the alluring King of the vampire goths.
And then of course there is the fact that on her 18th birthday a coven of witches comes to knock on her door.
Soleil is a witch, fated to kill the werewolves, what she doesn’t know is that her beloved Luca is a wolf and her mate, a mate she has to kill to break the ancient curse.
And in the background the dark one, an immense evil power lurks, and he has his eyes on Soleil.
This is a full series of 3 books in one … each New book starts with a chapter marked 1.
Warning: Every chapter starting with *The vampire* may contain violent murders and kinky sex
Beyond Earth, there is an alien species known as the Dagerstanteens. These mighty warriors are wise, strong, and powerful. Unfortunately, they're dying out slowly. Just as the royal family accepts that they will be the last, a new hope arises. Humans. As each of these aliens discovers love, humans will sacrifice much, and both worlds will change forever.This story contains graphic sex, violence, non-consent, and erotic scenes with tentacles. 18+The Alien Love Series is created by C.M. Moore, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.
The Academy of The Ascendant - Book 1 Marked by Starlight
Moonlight Gold
0
1.2K
She was never meant to survive their world.
Now she’s the only one who can burn it down.
Lyra thought she was just a girl with strange dreams and a birthmark that shimmered beneath moonlight. But when a celestial event rips her from Earth and drops her into the brutal halls of the Academy of the Ascendant, she discovers a deadly truth: she’s the lost heir of a realm that erased her bloodline—and she’s carrying the forbidden magic that could unravel it all.
The Academy is ruled by power and hierarchy. The weak are crushed. The strong ascend. And the Triad—three elite heirs born of elemental fire, storm, and air—will do anything to break her. Until they realize she’s more powerful than all of them.
Mocked. Hunted. Desired.
As Lyra unlocks the four elemental affinities no student should possess, she becomes the center of a prophecy that the Council has killed to keep buried. But it’s the fifth element—the forbidden Void—that marks her for something more.
Survival means mastering her magic.
Love could cost her everything.
And rebellion might just start with a kiss.
Perfect for fans of Zodiac Academy, Throne of Glass, and The Cruel Prince, Marked by Starlight is the explosive first book in a dark fantasy romance series filled with elemental magic, enemies-to-lovers heat, and a heroine who refuses to bow.
The World is set in the modern days.
Earth who has a tragic love story was given a chance to reclaim his love for Sky.
However, Earth will soon discover that he is the chosen Guardian of the Destiny Coin. He will enter the Academy together with Sky through the portal in his university after he was transported back to the past where he will be discovering the world of the supernatural.
There will be witches, warlocks, wizards, and many more.
Earth's power is not easy to manifest or control as he is a unique being. He will be having problems being accepted in this new world as he doesn't show any signs of magic and is branded as being a mistake and was just lucky to enter the Academy.
Then Sky is discovered to be a genius, a talented wizard, and will be liked by many people, hindering Earth from achieving his goal. Since Earth is having a hard time manifesting his power, this will become a rift between them.
But with the help of his newfound friends, he will discover his powers step by step through the people around him.
Follow them and their friends on this full of action and emotional ride to conquer his power and Love for Sky.
“Lily never imagined that her quiet life would change the moment she stepped into a hidden realm of magic. There, danger and desire collide, and every choice could cost her everything. Can she master her new powers and uncover the secrets of her world before it destroys her?”