Within the past week, multiple people have asked me if I’m going to play Starfield. This isn’t surprising considering it’s one of the most highly anticipated video games of 2023. If you have any contact with gamers, you’ve likely heard at least one mention of the new action role-playing game that came out on September 6th. Created by Bethesda, the same studio that crafted the Elder Scrolls and Fallout, Starfield is an open-world game set in the boundless reaches of outer space. If you’re anything like me, playing a really good game can ignite a love for the topic in general. For instance, after playing Red Dead Redemption 2, I became suddenly obsessed with short stories set in the old West. Whether you’re curious what all the sci-fi fuss is about, you suddenly cannot get enough space exploration in your life, or you simply really love Bethesda like myself, these recommendations are for you.
If you want more Bethesda…
Try reading “The Skyrim Libraries.” Bethesda is perhaps best known for their award-winning fantasy RPG, Skyrim. No matter what else they make, I personally don’t know if they’ll ever be able to surpass the cultural impact of that game. Todd Howard himself, one of the main executives at the game studio, has stated that Starfield is “like Skyrim in space.” The comparisons are impossible to miss. Both games are open-world, meaning you can go wherever you desire at any time (though please don’t make my mistake and think that you can take on giants right after leaving the starting area). Both games are focused on exploration. Both games have extensive lore and backstory. Essentially, if you have really loved Starfield, maybe try out Skyrim! One of the best ways to delve into the frankly incredible amounts of lore in Skyrim is to read the books you find throughout the world. Amazingly, each book legitimately tells a story, whether through a single paragraph, or a multi-page play. This probably doesn’t surprise anyone given that I work in a library, but the books in Skyrim were one of my favorite parts. Yes, I absolutely did buy an entire house in that game just so I had a place to store all of them. Luckily for you though, “The Skyrim Libraries” are a compilation of all the in-game books, so you don’t have to buy property to read them in real life! If you haven’t ever played Skyrim, this book will give you a good feel for the vibe of that game. If you have, it’ll be a fun walk down memory lane.
If you are new to science fiction…
You might want to try reading a classic! Science fiction has been around for a long time. There’s a big debate in the literary world as to what counts as science fiction and what does not. Some would say that sci-fi has been around for more than 500 years, since Thomas More wrote “Utopia.” Others espouse that Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is the first true work of science fiction. Regardless of when it began, there’s no doubt that there’s a lot of it. When I began reading sci-fi in earnest, I started with what many consider the “Golden Age” of science fiction. From 1930-1960, science fiction really took off and cemented a place for itself in pop culture. While you may have read Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” in school, for pleasure reading, I would recommend “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” by Robert A. Heinlein. In one of Heinlein’s most famous books, you follow a rag-tag group of lunar people who stage a revolution against their Earthly leaders. Though it was written in 1966, this book still has a lot to tell us today, as it handles the politics of freedom and the sentience and rights of AI. I only have one small note. Despite loving this book, I am not the biggest fan of the author himself. While Heinlein wrote great novels, some people consider his works sexist. He lived in the early 20th century and was very much a product of his time. You may run across ideas that are not very politically correct now. If you can separate the author from the books, then I would still recommend this as a good example of classic sci-fi. If you cannot, however, I would skip this one and try the next few.
If you are interested in space battles…
“Skyward” by Brandon Sanderson is the one for you. Personally, the thing I was most excited for when hearing about Starfield is the ability to have space battles. Big battles in general are cool. But big battles in space, with giant ships and laser rays? That’s even better. I have never read another author who does space battles as well as Brandon Sanderson. In “Skyward,” the human race has been under attack by the Krell for over 400 years. Spensa, the main protagonist, has been dreaming of being a pilot and fighting against them since she was very small. She has been denied access to the corps, however, due to her father’s history as a traitor. Not only do you uncover the secret motive behind her father’s actions as you read, but you also get the privilege of participating in more and more starship battles. If the thrill of space battles is what makes Starfield a winning game for you, then you will love “Skyward.”
If you are a cyberneticist…
Consider “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer, a futuristic retelling of Cinderella. Cinder is a cyborg living in New Beijing. She’s simply trying to survive as a mechanic in a world that is less than kind to her. That is until Prince Kai shows up at her mechanics’ tent one day. Suddenly, she has to deal with a mad lunar queen, a world-destroying plague, and a lot of new and confusing feelings. Even if you’re like me and romance isn’t really your thing, this book is a truly wonderful read. The descriptions of the technology are incredibly interesting. If you are fascinated by the robots in Starfield, then you will love Iko, Cinder’s android assistant. While this book may not be as exploration-focused as Starfield, it will definitely give you your cybernetics fix.
If strange new worlds are your favorite part…
“A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L’Engle may strike your fancy. I have mentioned multiple times that Starfield is very focused on exploration. The player can go to over 1000 planets, each with their own side quests to uncover. Though this classic novel only features 3 instead of 1000, each of the planets is so well crafted that it will fulfill your need to explore alien lands. L’Engle truly did a fantastic job creating unique and fantastical worlds for the reader to explore along with her protagonist, Meg. Not only does it cover planetary exploration, but this accessible novel also includes a lot of self-exploration, as Meg tries to figure out who she is along the way. While this is technically a middle-grade novel, I have read it as an adult and enjoyed every bit.
If you want a little bit of everything…
You have to read “The Warrior’s Apprentice” by Louis McMaster Bujold. Miles Vorkosigan, the disabled 17-year-old son of one of their planet’s biggest military leaders, is desperate to prove himself. However, the space force refuses to accept him due to his physical limitations. Through a long series of misadventures, Miles ends up becoming the leader of a mercenary band, a position which is punishable by death. This novel has everything: alien planets and cultures, technology, space battles and amazing character development. You name it and it probably has it. This series is genuinely one of my all-time favorite sci-fi works. If any book set in space could be considered swashbuckling, it’s this one. On top of that, Miles is an amazing protagonist. Though there are times when he may be more of an anti-hero than a true hero, his mind is incredible through it all. Do be warned that these books are in the adult section. Though Miles begins as a teenager, he ages as the series continues. While the first book is more than appropriate for teenagers, as Miles ages, so do the themes of the book. For instance, Miles does have relations later in the series. If this is something you are ready for, I would highly recommend this entire series. If not, stick to the first book.
The amount of wonderful science fiction books out there is even more vast than the amount of Starfield planets to explore. Whether this selection has given you new content to enjoy or simply reminded you of what you loved before, I hope you find yourself blissfully lost among the stars.
