Books like The Serpent Mage by Greg Bear

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune follows Paul Atreides as he rises from betrayed heir to the enigmatic Muad'Dib, guarding the precious spice melange that fuels galactic politics and extends life.

In the 29th century, humanity’s vast Hegemony spans dozens of worlds connected by farcaster portals, while the enigmatic Shrike guards the Time Tombs on the lone planet Hyperion. A diverse pilgrimage of chosen individuals must each recount why they were summoned to witness the tombs’ reverse time cycle.

William Gibson’s debut Sprawl novel, *Neuromancer*, blends cyberpunk with a visionary digital future, following a hacker’s final job against a powerful AI. It earned Hugo, Nebula, and Philip K. Dick awards.

Ursula K. Le Guin’s landmark 1969 novel explores a gender‑fluid alien society on the ice‑bound world of Gethen, challenging human assumptions about sex, politics, and humanity through a compelling diplomacy adventure.

In a 24th‑century United States where telepathy is law enforcement’s secret weapon, entrepreneur Ben Reichs plans a murder so audacious the only question is whether he can evade the mind‑reading police.

Ben Holiday becomes king of the wandering realm of Landover, but the barons refuse to recognize his rule and the people are left hopeless. Facing the demonic Iron Mask, he must duel to protect his new kingdom.

A stone reveals a parallel world where ancient humans faced a devastating war that threatens the future of humanity.

Blood Music follows a scientist who injects himself with a powerful genetic creation, unleashing a cell‑based intelligence that threatens humanity’s future.

In the Death Gate Universe, Alfred the Sartan and Haplo the Patryn navigate a fragile peace among humans, elves, and dwarves, uncovering a deeper, ancient threat to all four worlds.

A fairie princess embarks on a quest to save the world from invaders from other dimensions, battling demons, dwarves, and elves to prove her magical abilities and save her family and friends.

In the near‑future city of Hope, a famed poet’s brutal murder triggers a perilous investigation that exposes hidden gods, underground psychosis, and a scientist’s descent into the killer’s mind.

A Wisconsin teen inherits her late father’s dragon puzzles and, by assembling them, is transported to ancient Babylon to continue a sworn duty to a dragon and protect the world.

Ken Grimwood blends science and fantasy in *Into the Deep*, following scientists who connect with dolphins and confront humanity’s stewardship of the ocean.

In a lonely desert, ruined cities linger, their forgotten programs awakening as humanity’s ancient creators reemerge—a battle of survival and destiny.

In the final chapter of an eight‑part saga, the last of four destined brothers, Morg, faces the most perilous challenge yet as he battles for his foretold bride Hope while the family confronts a looming destiny.

James, a high school senior, went looking for a job. But instead, embarks upon an adventure of a lifetime. Whisked unexpectedly to a world where magic works, he must learn to master its power, all the while searching for the meaning behind why he was brought there and what he must do.

Mereth, a Dales trader, and Kasarian, an Alizonder hound lord, must unite when ancient forces threaten their world and a stolen Magestone is key to a looming war.

In Los Angeles, ghosts, half‑ghosts, and their hunters collide in a frantic chase for immortality, involving a boy who inhales the last breath of Thomas Edison during a series of disasters.

"Irreverently juggling magical realism, film noir, hip hop, and chicanismo, Karen Yamashita presents an L.A. where the homeless, gangsters, infant organ entrepreneurs, and Hollywood collide on a stretch of highway struck by disaster. The Harbor Freeway crisis becomes the apex of events - caused by an orange, which has been brought to L.A. from just north of Mazatlan, dragging with it the Tropic of Cancer." "Rafaela, caretaking Gabriel's getaway home in Mexico, discovers a dealer of human body parts and flees north, joining a performer/laborer named Arcangel. Meanwhile, Gabriel, a news reporter in L.A., has been following leads in which seemingly unrelated events mysteriously unite as the homeless take up residence in abandoned Mercedes, lowriders, and Cads, and an aged Asian American sansei conducts symphonies from a freeway overpass." "Emi, T.V. executive and Gabriel's girlfriend, along with Buzzworm, his connection to the streets, get caught in the middle of this mounting wildfire just as the cast of characters - diverse as the city itself - assembles for the final event. Tropic of Orange is an apocalypse of race, class, and culture, fanned by the media under the harsh L.A. sun."--BOOK JACKET.

Serpent's Curse, a children's fiction book by Lisa Maxwell.