Something Different

[rowyn]

I love fantasy and science fiction, but combat themes and life-or-death struggles don't grab my attention like they used to. I'm curious about fantasy or science fiction stories that don't have violence as the source of their action and drama. I'd particularly like to see magic systems that are explored for their potential to improve lives, rather than for their potential to fight wars or defend against them. Bonus points for magic that does this without feeling like a substitute for technology, as I have no idea how to make that sort of thing myself. :)

Anyone have recommendations for books or other fiction that would fit into a "non-violent" theme? Or if you have an idea of your own that you'd like to share for a story along those lines, I'd be interested in hearing it. I'm kind of vaguely noodling with story ideas (because, you know, one can never have too many unfinished projects) and looking for inspiration. I may resort to reading straight fiction or even (horrors!) nonfiction, to see what they do for plot. >:)

Comments

[tetsujinnooni.livejournal.com]

Similar to the back side of a question that's been noodling around in my head: positing Anne Bishop's rather /oh no Anne Bishop no/[1] magic system and culture in her Black Jewels books... what would it take for the rule of law to take hold over the rule of individuals of raw strength?

(Basic overview: 'craft' can be used for just-about-everything by those who can use it at all; and very few limits are placed on what craft users may do by society. It seems to have some very visible flaws in its viability for a stable society, and I've considered filing the numbers off the magic system and going exploring when I have time to think about a fiction project instead of finishing my adventure writing project)

[1] (see here for the explanation of that - a review of Ghost and sequels which Ringo agrees with...)

[rowyn]

Bwahahaha! I shall take that as a warning about Anne Bishop, although not necessarily a rejection of her. >:)

Also, the review cemented my conviction that I didn't want to read any more books in the Paladin of Shadows series.

In A Man of His Words and the sequel series, the author pretty thoroughly explores his magic system, which posits a limited number of people capable of using magic, with another mechanism for dramatically increasing their power to literally god-like levels. The end result is "ZOMG THE LAWS OF THIS UNIVERSE SUCK". It's interesting to watch in a trainwreck sort of way. Good series, both of them.

[sythyry.livejournal.com]

Not offhand (and my brain's not really usable today -- maybe more suggestions when it is). Tell me if you track something down, though. I'm curious!

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Some random titles that come to mind:

Nick O'Donohoe's Crossroads series (magic and medicine, but more about a magical place where fantasy creatures mingle with the human veterinary students that are brought over to help them)

Sheri S. Tepper's way-back-when Mavin Manyshaped books, and the True Game books feature people born with many different talents, who have their roles to play out in the great game between their rulers - I loved these, I've always been a sucker for books which play on the 'game as world' theme, but her later books got all preachy and boring. These are well out of print though, unfortunately.

Lyndon Hardy's 'Master of the Five Magics' and 'Secret of the Sixth Magic' has violence but does explore different magic systems and how they are used in their society. It may come across as kind of a 'these are the basic kinds of magic' primer though.

[rowyn]

I've read those two books by Hardy. They were definitely interesting in the sense of exploring what could be done with the magic at their disposal. I'll give the Crossroads books a try, those sound cool and "in print" makes it easier. =)

[terrycloth.livejournal.com]

The Golden Age series by John C. Wright. It has violence of course, but most of the conflict isn't about that (at one point a fleet of giant battleships combine their main guns and all fire in unison at the enemy starship... as a comm laser, so that the enemy can't not listen to their arguments).

It's just a lovely, thoroughly explored posthuman manifesto.

...which I suspect you've already read. Actually.

[rowyn]

I haven't read it, in fact. Oddly, I've heard of the author, but via his livejournal; I didn't even know he was a published author. I'll give the book a try, thanks!

[level-head.livejournal.com]

I understand that "The Book of Night with Moon" is magic (magical cats, in fact), not violence-based, and good. There are others in the series, including "Wizards at War" that seem to be rather more in a violent vein, but I don't know.

As far as ideas are concerned, while "man against man" is a common struggle, "man against Nature" is also good. For example: A newly arrived spaceship brings magic wielders from home to help tame a hostile planet -- but there are unexpected challenges.

No war, no violence in the normal sense, and it could still be made interesting. And you could invent both the planet and the magic system and be listed in both categories (SF and Fantasy). ];-)

===|==============/ Level Head

[koogrr.livejournal.com]

Woot! Cats!

[rowyn]

I haven't read that book, but I've seen it around. I wonder if Lut has a copy?