SFF: Best Settings (50 books)

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What are the best worlds of the science fiction/fantasy genre?

What are your favorite science fiction/fantasy books with creative settings?

Feel free to include books in genres that are adjacent to the science fiction/fantasy genre (like paranormal horror, YA dystopia, alternate history, magical realism, etc).

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1	The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.30 avg rating — 4,642,833 ratings score: 400, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland, #1) by Catherynne M. Valente (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 42,006 ratings score: 298, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein 3.92 avg rating — 331,098 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1) by L. Frank Baum really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 526,254 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster 4.20 avg rating — 314,062 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 1,565 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	The City of Dreaming Books (Zamonia, #4) by Walter Moers 4.40 avg rating — 25,511 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Doppelgänger: An Orphan, a Prodigy, a Murder by Chip Walter (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 122 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Discovery (D Notice, #1) by Louise McLaughlin (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 75 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Angela's Arm by Roland Allnach (Goodreads Author) 4.86 avg rating — 36 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Inferno's Silence by Rainer Meri (Goodreads Author) 4.62 avg rating — 26 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Sincerely Yours...Written In The Stars And Inked In. Destiny! by Sonia D. Hebdon–Award-Winning AUS Author, Readers' Favorite 2026 Gold Medal Winner for YA : UF (Goodreads Author) 4.79 avg rating — 77 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	American Survivor (Raven's Record #1) by Debbie Hightower (Goodreads Author) 4.62 avg rating — 73 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	The Life And Times Of Gunnery Sergeant Jackson Mason: Darkness Light and Fire by Mark Jordan (Goodreads Author) 4.90 avg rating — 48 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	The Penitent: Part I by A. Keith Carreiro (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 27 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Motherland: 3696 A.D. by Jonathan Korbecki 4.31 avg rating — 54 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Galaxies Collide by Aaron L. Bratcher (Goodreads Author) 4.94 avg rating — 48 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Neon Los Angeles: Synthetic Truths: Lethal Cybernetic Scandals and Bio Locked Secrets by M.G. Phillips (Goodreads Author) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Bloodline: An Epic Urban Fantasy (Omniverse Chronicles Book 5) by William Grace 4.95 avg rating — 19 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1) by Brandon Sanderson (Goodreads Author) 4.66 avg rating — 729,682 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	To Kill a Shadow (Mistlands, #1) by Katherine Quinn (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 10,344 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear (Zamonia, #1) by Walter Moers 4.33 avg rating — 28,897 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Witch Is When It All Began (A Witch P.I. Mystery, #1) by Adele Abbott 3.91 avg rating — 19,685 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Life and Times of Gunnery Sergeant Jackson Mason: The Quest For Freedom by Mark Jordan (Goodreads Author) 4.49 avg rating — 45 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Penitent: Part II (The Immortality Wars Book 1) by A. Keith Carreiro (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Galaxies Collide: Song of the Boshag by Aaron L. Bratcher (Goodreads Author) 4.94 avg rating — 16 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Evergreen by Devin Greenlee (Goodreads Author) 3.59 avg rating — 806 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures (Zamonia, #3) by Walter Moers 4.53 avg rating — 14,040 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The Penitent: Part III (The Immortality Wars Book 3) by A. Keith Carreiro (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Glass Town Game by Catherynne M. Valente (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 1,489 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers, #1) by Becky Chambers (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 198,297 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Pilgrim – Part I: A Christian Military Science Fiction Epic of Galactic War, Spiritual Power, and the Quest for Immortality (Book IV of the Immortality Wars Series) by A. Keith Carreiro (Goodreads Author) 4.78 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 5,697 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Going Postal (Discworld, #33; Moist von Lipwig, #1) by Terry Pratchett 4.42 avg rating — 139,759 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Summer in Orcus by T. Kingfisher 4.47 avg rating — 3,142 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Guards! Guards! (Discworld, #8; City Watch, #1) by Terry Pratchett 4.34 avg rating — 246,145 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	The Habitation of the Blessed (A Dirge for Prester John, #1) by Catherynne M. Valente (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 1,076 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Small Gods (Discworld, #13) by Terry Pratchett 4.32 avg rating — 137,858 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Swordheart (Swordheart, #1) by T. Kingfisher 4.05 avg rating — 58,970 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #1) by Matt Dinniman (Goodreads Author) 4.42 avg rating — 655,143 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M. Valente (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 4,197 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Fluff (Fluff, #1) by RavensDagger 4.33 avg rating — 374 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	In an Absent Dream (Wayward Children, #4) by Seanan McGuire (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 38,084 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	All the Skills (All the Skills, #1) by Honour Rae 4.50 avg rating — 11,486 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Maximillian Fly by Angie Sage 4.01 avg rating — 514 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Early Riser by Jasper Fforde (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 17,668 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher 4.04 avg rating — 75,374 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	The Cloud Roads (Books of the Raksura, #1) by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 16,911 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #1) by Jessica Townsend (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 79,483 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 5,307 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars