Every week, The Broke and the Bookish hosts a weekly meme. This week I’m taking their starter and plugging in my own idea.
Ten (*cough*EIGHT*cough) recommendations for books NOT based on Earth. Because who doesn’t want to visit another world.
The Eyes of Light and Darkness
Ivan Cat & Darren Sarvari
Okay, so there’s a smidge of Earth history in this one, but it takes place in the ring belts near Jayvee9.
The Companions
Sheri S. Tepper
Again, a smidge of earth in the beginning, but most of this story takes place on Moss – a phenomenal world where plants have their own language of scent and sound.
Into the Rain
M. U. Riyadad
Takes place on the world of Phantasia, where the underbelly is alive and so creepy and gorgeous.
Ilavani
Kaelan Rhywiol
Ilavani is a world of genetically engineered humanoids culturally entrenched in politics and sexuality, but Rhywiol brings out the beauty of her world-building.
The Morgaine Cycle
C. J. Cherryh
Follows the remnants of the Qual Empire across many worlds in this beautiful series.
Iron Cage
Andre Norton
Story takes place on the frontier planet after Jony has escaped his cage aboard a space ship. This book was one of my favorites as a child, and still holds a special place in my heart.
The Book of D’ni
Rand Miller & Robin Miller
Takes place in the lost D’ni empire, this book was my favorite in the trilogy for it’s beautifully crafted world and vivid detail.
The Outstretched Shadow
Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
A war between the World of Light and the World Without Sun, this book steps into a beautifully crafted series of familiar races and all the Elven tea I’m dying to try.
Beneath Green
A. J. Super
*Note: This book is not yet in publication. Will update with release information in the future.
I had the honor to read a draft copy and the world building and terraforming process for Capitol is stunning. It has the same feel as Ivan Cat’s book at the top of this list, but the monsters are more human than you might imagine. ^_^
Okay, so I only have eight listed here, and might add two more later. Confession: the less Earth in a book, the more I always enjoy it. We need more of these – books about fantastical worlds and improbable creatures. In my opinion, they make stories so much richer and beautiful to read.
If you know of anymore books out there with Zero de Earth, send them my way so I can keep growing my To Be Read pile. ^_^
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