I have to thank her galley for the opportunity to read this before its publication date.

Robert W. Bly’s The Science Fictionary is an inventive and engaging exploration of scientific concepts presented in a way that’s both accessible and entertaining. Packed with wit and a wealth of knowledge, this book serves as a delightful reference guide for anyone with a curiosity for science or a love for language.

A Unique Concept
Bly blends science and wordplay to create a “fictionary” that’s as educational as it is fun. The book is structured like a dictionary, with entries covering a wide range of scientific terms, ideas, and phenomena. However, Bly’s creativity elevates it beyond a standard reference book. Each entry is infused with humor, clever analogies, and fascinating trivia that make the material highly engaging.

Perfect for Science Enthusiasts and Casual Readers
Whether you’re a seasoned science buff or just someone who enjoys quirky facts, The Science Fictionary has something for everyone. Bly explains complex topics with clarity and wit, breaking them down into bite-sized pieces that are easy to digest. His writing style is conversational and approachable, making even the densest scientific terms feel accessible.

A Treasure Trove of Knowledge
The range of topics covered is impressive, spanning physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, and more. Bly doesn’t just define terms—he brings them to life with interesting anecdotes and connections to everyday life. This makes the book not only informative but also a joy to flip through at random, perfect for sparking curiosity or inspiring further exploration.

Witty and Entertaining Writing
One of the book’s standout qualities is Bly’s humor. The playful tone keeps the content fresh and engaging, making it easy to learn without feeling overwhelmed. Bly has a knack for finding the quirky or amusing side of science, and his enthusiasm is infectious.

Final Thoughts
The Science Fictionary is a brilliant blend of education and entertainment. Robert W. Bly’s ability to make science both fun and relatable ensures that this book will appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge, impress friends with clever trivia, or simply enjoy a good laugh, this book is a must-have for your shelf.

Highly recommended for science enthusiasts, trivia lovers, and anyone who enjoys learning through laughter.

This is a great reference for science fiction writers. I probably will refer to it throughout the semester.

Exactly what it says on the tin. Entertaining descriptions for common (and not so common) science fiction and horror tropes, themes, words, et cetera.

As a science fiction and fantasy writer, this compendium is an amazing resource to have on hand! A definite way to grow one's TBR and Must Watch lists, there are references upon references in this dictionary of terms that frequent classic sci fi, fantasy, and horror publications. I will continue to utilize it as a reference and also as a way to happily explore, for years to come.

As a fan of Ken Liu, however, I was a little underwhelmed by the definition of silkpunk. However, the author encourages readers to reach out to him if we notice such loopholes, or if we'd wish for him to include more references in a future edition. I found this collaborative mindset refreshing.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me preview and early copy of this book.

There were certain areas I liked such as the nonfiction physics and descriptions of the subgenres. The book was most interesting when discussing subjects I was already familiar with, such as Star Trek, etc. However I found the writing uninspiring and the book didn’t get me interested in anything I wasn’t already interested in. Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the digital review copy.

"The Science Fictionary," intended as a comprehensive guide to science fiction terminology, fails to meet the expectations one would have from such a promising premise. Although it covers a wide range of concepts, terms, and references from the genre, the accuracy and depth of its definitions often leave much to be desired.

The dictionary contains broad terms like "anime" and specific ones like "Cylons," but many definitions are surprisingly inadequate or misleading. For instance, the entry on "anime" merely states it as a Japanese style of manga art used in animated TV shows without diving into its distinctive qualities or importance in the sci-fi genre.

Including terms with tenuous connections to the genre, like "Beelzebub" from the Bible, is perplexing. In terms of factual errors, the book claims the series "Battlestar Galactica" is set on Earth, which is incorrect. The definition of "Lilith" also contains inaccuracies, further undermining the book's reliability.

The coverage of community aspects of the genre, such as "conventions" and "fan fiction," is notably insufficient. For example, the term "con" lacks details on what happens at these events, and the "fan fiction" entry barely scratches the surface of this vast and influential phenomenon.

On a positive note, the book is easy to read and comprehend, requiring no prior knowledge of science or the genre. Additionally, including over 50 original illustrations enhances the overall aesthetic appeal.
In summary, "The Science Fictionary" could be a casual, entertaining read for science fiction enthusiasts. Still, it needs to be a more comprehensive, accurate, and deep-dive reference guide. A future edition would greatly benefit from more rigorous research, a broader perspective, and some fact-checking to ensure accuracy. Thanks to the author and BooksGoSocial for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The sci-fi geek in me adores this book.

Some from my favourite universe that haven't been included:

Stargate Atlantis
-ZPM/Zero Point Module (power source)
-Puddle Jumper (spacecraft)
-Control crystals
-Control chair (neural interface)
-Life signs detector
-Daedelus (spacecraft)
-Drone (weapon)
-Pegasus galaxy
-ATA gene (Ancient Technology Activation Gene)

I could go on all day ☺️

A really cool book with a huge collection of sci-fi terms. This would be great to have as a paperback to pick up and flip through randomly. I really like having this ready reference around.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

This book is not an all encompassing list of terms but could be helpful for those entrenched in the sci-fi genre heavily. It included much detail on certain eras of writers but lacked on some others. Could be great for a quick term lookup but should not be the only source you’re receiving for information as some of terms were not listed with creators/credited. Very dry reading with no introductory chapter for like terms with illustrations. Arranged as alphabetical limited dictionary almost. Hope to see one arranged more user friendly.

Fun and intelligent, a nice reference book for the fan of the geek culture out there. I love it and will buy a physical copy of it when I can find one!

As a fan of sci-fi/ fantasy, I had a great time searching terms from my favorite book series& movies. New-to-me entry topics have inspired me to find more titles to read. I plan on purchasing a copy for my desk at work!