Tales from the Middle Ages: 5 Marvelous SFF Books with Older Characters

The three main characters of Howrey’s third novel are training to be the crew of the first-ever mission to Mars. But first, they must spend seventeen months in a simulation of their mission, which puts a strain on them all. And if they start cracking under the pressure of a replication of the long journey, how will they ever take the actual trip?

This fairy tale novella features Red Riding Hood and the Archer, who have been “blessed and burdened with the hindsight of middle age.” Both consider themselves retired, but when dangerous sunbirds begin burning the world down around them, they must join forces to put an end to their destruction.

When fifty-year-old samurai Isako’s client suddenly retires, that means it’s time for Isako to hang up her swords, too. Normally, a samurai walks into the frozen abyss, with their family being provided for after their death. But then Isako is offered one last job that she can’t pass on, because it involves her worst apprentice and secrets of corporate espionage that could forever alter humanity.

In this award-winning fantasy, the first in a trilogy, the holy city of Tova is preparing for the Winter Solstice and a solar eclipse. And as the wise and aged Sun Priest prepares for the celebration, he doesn’t know a ship is headed in Tova’s direction, carrying a potentially dangerous passenger who will change the city’s plans.

Before Martha Wells published her beloved Murderbot Diaries, which features many characters of a certain age, there was this excellent fantasy! The Celestial Empire recreates the Wheel of the Infinite once a year to keep the world turning smoothly. But this year, a menacing black storm threatens the process, and Maskelle, a murderer and traitor, and Rian, a swordsman of some renown, are called on to help fix the problem.