Sci-Fi/Fantasy & Paranormal Love Affairs
Are you a fan of love stories that are out of this world? Rachel Dove is and has brought us her top ten list of Sci-Fi romances. Did your favorite couple make the list?
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Ever since Elliott cried for E.T., I have been enthralled by sci-fi and its variations - fantasy, dystopian. The whole genre opens up so many opportunities, but in terms of romantic fiction, what do we look for?
The eyes are on the future, and in today's book market the impetus is on diversity and disability awareness. There are now more complex characters, facing real world issues on race and discrimination in many arenas.
What about aliens to humans? Why do we still root for different species to get together? In my mind, romance is romance - I look for love in everything I see, but if we lived in a world where aliens co-existed with humans, would we be more diverse and cohesive as a society, or even more divided?
I like to think we could co-exist and open up our personal lives and our minds. I decided to list my top ten sci-fi romances. Are yours on here? Can you add any more?
1. Han Solo and Princess Leia - Star Wars:
Let's face it, ever since he saw her in the gold bikini, he spent the majority of his time frozen in carbonite thinking about her - their love affair is poignant and beautiful - despite the many odds they faced.
2. Doctor Who and Rose:
The chemistry might not have been ignited within the book pages, but it sure did on screen. Billie Piper and Christopher Eccleston started it, but when David Tennant came along (my favourite doctor ever, ding dong!) the stage was set. When she was separated from him in another world, not even that distance could dampen their love and affection for each other. It still gives me goosebumps.
3. Fox Mulder and Dana Scully - The X Files:
I love sci-fi, but what kept me reading the books and watching the show was the chemistry between them. They sparked intellectually, challenged each other, and abductions, alien babies and their own fears and desires keep us rooting for them to find the real truth - that they belonged to each other.
4. Jamie and Claire Fraser - Outlander:
This time travelling series of books has enthralled millions of readers, with Claire falling through time and falling in love with a man from the past, a man tortured by demons and fiercely loyal. Did we root for them to get together, despite her already being married? Of course we did. Difficult to read at times, this series pulls no punches and we love it all the more for that.
5. Louise, David and Adele - Behind her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough:
Does it follow that all love affairs end with happily ever after? There is a fine line between love and hate, and obsession dances between them like the devil. This book is definitely out there, and well worth a read.
6. Clare and Henry - The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger:
He has watched and protected her for years, and we were all rooting for their love. The film did the book some justice, but doesn't quite beat the romance and tragedy unfurling in the pages.
7. Neo and Trinity - The Matrix trilogy:
Okay, so the books came after the film but the unlikely romance between the reclusive computer programmer and the kick ass freedom fighter, for me, made the films all the more compelling.
8. Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton - True Blood by Charlaine Harris:
Take a southern telepathic waitress and an original southern vampire gentleman and what do you get? A recipe for some freaky goings on, and a very real relationship facing insurmountable odds. Harris has a knack in the sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal world she builds, of dealing with prejudice and homophobia too, which is not an easy thing to pull off with such aplomb. Well worth diving into, and not a sparkly vampire in sight.
9. R and Julie - Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion:
Just because you're undead, can't remember your name or who you are, it doesn't necessarily mean that you can't still fall in love. This book felt like it was written for me, putting together my love of Zombies and romance together in a funny, endearing sideswipe at modern priorities. R is my hero, and he has qualities we could all learn something from. Aside from the hunger for human brains, of course.
10. Wanderer - The Host by Stephanie Meyers:
I haven't read many alien/human romances, but this one is fantastic. Wanderer is one of the alien race coming to colonise our planet, taking over our bodies, ending disorder, war, famine, greed, and all the evils of the world. What they don't have however, is the understanding of what it is to be human - to loved and be loved. They say it makes the world go around, and the humans in this book are willing to die for it. The two budding relationships along with the love and protection between a sister and brother, make this book for me.
The question for me in terms of sci-fi romance is does it work? In the future will we be more diverse? If my son fell in love with an alien, would I be happy or terrified? Why are we as humans so interested in life on other planets? The question of why we are here has never, and might never be answered, but as a romance writer, I feel that love is the key.
As we move into ever more uncertain times, I always look for the good in people. I hope that when our world expands, we still continue to find things to love in each other.
Rachel's latest release is The Long Walk Back. For more information check out her website, or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
What's your favorite sci-fi romance? Is there a Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Paranormal couple you thought should/shouldn't get together? Tell us in the comments or join the discussion on Social Media.
