Alien Invasion - Yes, Please!

Another Sub-genre deep dive, Sci-fi Romance style!

Hello Monsters!

Happy Friday! How is life treating you these days? I’m amazed to find us nearly through the month of August already. Here in the US, we have a long Labor Day weekend staring us in the face and I can hardly believe we’re at this point in the year so soon. I know that I’m looking forward to cooler climes coming up as we get closer to fall, because the heat is not my friend. How about you? Are you eager for some seasonal changes where you’re at?

Well, enough chitchat. Onto book business! As promised, I am diving into another fantasy romance sub-genre today, and this time, we’re heading into the great unknown. Dun-dun-DUNN! Yup, get ready for some sci-fi, space world romance, people.

When I think of the major, super genres in fantasy literature, I think of the big three. There’s high fantasy which always drums up medieval style court intrigues in my mind. I know not all fantasy takes place in a historical setting, not by a long shot, but enough high fantasy stories have that feel that it’s what comes to mind for a lot of readers. From there, we move into one of my personal favorites—urban fantasy. Magical worlds within real-world settings have always been really fun reading for me personally, and I love writing them too, as you all know. The next big main-stay fantasy genre is, of course, Science Fiction. Extra-terrestrials, outer worlds, and far off planets, some with futuristic tech, others more primitive, are all fertile ground for prime storytelling.

What’s funny is that I don’t usually think of books about aliens as my go to, but whenever I read one I think, “why don’t I read more of these?” In fact, I was pleased to find stories in this genre are really popular right now, and although I haven’t written any alien romances myself, I have a few personal favorites and doing this deep dive has me thinking of dipping a toe into the proverbial waters of off-world romance. We shall see what the muse brings me in the days ahead.

But how about you? Are you a sci-fi aficionado or do you avoid the genre when it comes to romance reads? Do tell.

Love or hate, unknown worlds with terrains and species completely foreign species fire up our imaginations with these books. The sky is the limit to how wildly creative these intergalactic stories can get. Or, actually, I guess it isn’t. (Stop it. I can feel your eye rolls, heh heh.)

Now, before I show off an array of genre stars, let’s do something fun. Hot as the seven suns alien characters aside, I know we all love tropes. What’s been interesting to me is that this genre has a unique list of characteristics all its own for readers to glom onto. Have a look at some of them:

Stranded Explorers -

I realize this one hits close currently, but in fictional worlds, the premise presents a whole host of possibilities, wouldn’t you agree?

Good old - fashioned abduction -

Right. It strikes me as a bit funny how sci-fi (of all things!) carries the ability to hearken back to some of the themes one used to find solely in historical romance. Erm, can we say “medieval bodice rippers”? Anyway, alien abduction brings about the same scenarios in romance novels today as kidnapping and conquered kingdoms do in stories of yore. And, I have to say, the possibilities of futuristic tech make things all the more intriguing. Not expounding on that, because you all have great imaginations.;)

Bad aliens vs good aliens -

We’re all so glad there are nice, strong, compassionate aliens out there in the universe, ready, willing and just standing at the ready to save us from evil. That they’re all incredibly sexy doesn’t hurt either!

Mail order bride scenario or the exchange program -

Oh, dear! There’s a shortage of females on my planet. Earth is dying and gross. Wanna hop in my spaceship and make babies so my entire race doesn’t die out, pretty lady? Okay, I’m a confessed weirdo, I know, but this has to be my absolute favorite trope in alien romance. I loved it in good old western historicals and I love it here. Not sorry.

Prisoner -

Mmm, prisoner / captor falling for each other. Nuff said.

These are just a few. Can you think of more? Share with the group, down in comments.

Tropes aside, going on a treasure hunt for alien romance books turned up so many stories I have yet to read. And they all look so good! Here’s a list of fan favorites from my search. I know quite a few of these have huge followings. Hopefully, there are a couple that are new to you. Have you read any of them?

Links and descriptions starting from upper rt:

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline

Dark Planet Warriors by Anna Carvin

Taken by the Alien Warrior by Hope Hart

Dark Horse by Michelle Diener

Grim by M.K. Eidem

The Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith

Captive of the Horde King by Zoey Draven

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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That’s what I found this go round, friends. Do you have any recs to add into the mix? If you’re a writer and have written an alien romance, whether it be a book or serial, please share the link down in comments.

Thanks so much for reading, Beautiful Monsters! Till next time…

Stay in the magic!

Amanda V Shane