I loved Children of Time and I really enjoyed Ruin for the most part. Memory has some good moments, but for the most part I kind of feel like nothing happens. I'm a bit over halfway through and there have been multiple teases of major plot progressions, and basically none of them have paid off. Is there a pay off at all or should I just read a synopsis and skip to Children of Strife?

EDIT: thanks for the suggestions everyone, lots for me to check out!

I ask because I read one recently and wondered if anyone knows any books which uses that dynamic.

To be clear what I'm talking about, the book was Hands Tied by Rhys Harper. In it, an AI has taken over the world, and using nanobots has restructured it so that there are mythical creatures, magic, portals, no high tech, etc etc. It's kind of meta lit-rpg.

I don't really like much fantasy anymore because I find the suspension of disbelief to be shaky, but this really worked for me.

Do we know any other similar setups?

Do not fear the end. Dune: Part Three only in theaters and IMAX December 18. Tickets on sale now around the world.

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes Dune: Part Three, bringing Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s epic trilogy to a breathtaking conclusion.

Dune: Part Three is set nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seized control of the Imperium. Now a ruthless Emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. Haunted by visions of Imperial collapse and the reappearance of his long-lost love, Paul is drawn into a sweeping conspiracy, with Chani at the heart of its unfolding mystery. As rebellion brews and enemies close in, Paul must confront the true cost of power and the fate of those he loves the most.

The film stars Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Oscar nominee Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Isaach de Bankolé, with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling, with Anya Taylor-Joy, and Robert Pattinson, and Oscar winner Javier Bardem.

Villeneuve directs from a screenplay by Villeneuve and Brian K. Vaughan, based on the novels written by Frank Herbert. The film is produced by Oscar nominees Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Villeneuve and Tanya Lapointe, and Joe Caracciolo, and executive produced by Joshua Grode, Thomas Tull, Herbert W. Gains, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, Richard P. Rubinstein, John Harrison and Jessica Derhammer.

Joining Villeneuve behind the camera are Oscar-winning director of photography Linus Sandgren, Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermette, Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker, Oscar nominated costume designer Jacqueline West, Oscar-nominated casting director Francine Maisler, and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present A Legendary Pictures Production, A Film By Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Three, only in theaters and IMAX® across North America on December 18, 2026 and internationally beginning 16 December 2026. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and in China by Legendary East.

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I just finished a reread of Ender’s Game and searched up some opinions on Reddit (and yes, the author is a piece of shit, I already know that). I was really surprised to see the harsh opinions. A lot of old threads think it’s a shallow space battle book and call it a “nerd fulfilment fantasy” (some threads like this one or this one. I personally agree with the top comment on the second one). Like if you read the book at face value, then yeah, I guess. There are some cringe (and mildly sexist) moments, sure, and the battle games do take up a big portion of the story.

But now as an adult reading it, I don’t understand this criticism at all. It’s nowhere close to a power fantasy to me because Ender has absolutely NO agency in his life at all. He’s genetically engineered for it, first of all. Then every single “win” he accomplishes, from bonding with the launchies or pushing back against his bullies, is encouraged or manipulated by the adults around him. Every act of violence occurs because the adults have deliberately made Ender aware that no one will ever help him. I don’t think the author intends for us to derive satisfaction from these moments when the author makes it soooo clear over the novel that Ender has been a victim of so many people making decisions for him. Ender is awfully naive (because he’s still a child) and flawed and I fail to see how anyone could criticise him for being a Mary Sue.

I'm nearly done with Children of Dune. The first three books have been fantastic and my first introduction to reading sci-fi. The lore, politicking, religion, subterfuge, and overall world building blew my mind considering these books are from the 60s.

What else are you into and where has sci-fi been since these books came out?

Eventually I'll return to the series but looking to take a break for a bit.

Decades ago I started reading, but it turned out not to be a trilogy so I was stuck waiting for book 4. That didn't end it either so I quit. Never read a series before it's finished. (Glaring at Patrick Rothfuss.) He kept cranking out books for so long that I forgot this existed.

Now it occurs to me I might like to revisit the series. But **is it done yet?**

I'm honestly not sure if this counts as Sci Fi or not. Its dystopian satire that includes technology... but also vampires and demons and whatnot. Anyway the iHunt feature film was announced this morning and I just wanted to bring it to peoples attention/find out what people thought.

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/ihunt-killing-monsters-in-the-gig-economy-movie-1236930441/

For years now, Babylon 5 has been one of my bucket list shows. I've been wanting to put it on and watch for a while now. I've heard great things. I've heard that is very similar to Deep Space Nine in some regards (and yes, I'm aware of the old controversies in which some accuse DS9 of copying, but I try not to pay those stories much mind), and as DS9 is easily my favorite Star Trek series, and one of my favorite shows in general, I've never really had a reason to doubt that I'd enjoy Babylon 5.

I think I've always just kinda struggled with the pilot. But I'm gonna try and buckle down and finally give this series the proper watch it's always deserved. And with the news yesterday that Walter Koenig has sadly passed, I think it's an appropriate time as I know he had a recurring role here.

So... wish me well! I hope to finally dedicate proper time to this show!

I've been working through this and have got 2/3rds of the first book done (it's a looong one). I have strong vibes I've read this but at the same times lots of details seem different/new. Is there another book that uses the motile/immobile alien species concept or have I just forgotten all about it in mere decade or two? Some of the characters seem familiar like the sex Barbie kneeing nuts, but she's only got brief appearance so far. I can't remember the conspiracy angle either.

One of the reasons I keep coming back to Battlestar Galactica is that a lot of the characters feel competent without feeling invincible. People make bad calls, get exhausted, panic, argue, and still somehow have to keep everything moving.

I like sci-fi with big ideas, but honestly I’m usually more interested in how normal people react when the situation gets completely abnormal.

What show do you think does that especially well?