# Help Me Find Pure Escapist Fantasy **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 22, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630 "2017-06-22T19:31:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/1 "2017-06-22T19:31:47Z")
I’m stressed out and have just arranged for a week long staycation. I’m hoping to do very little of value during this time. I’m seeking fun, escapist movies, TV, books, video games - anything that pulls me out of reality. Bonus points if any of these things involve smoking hot men. Examples may include: Supernatural - the far-fetched adventures of a smoking hot man and his whiny brother The Sims/Sim City - light timewasters that won’t break my brain Romance novels that don’t suck. Good luck there. Whatever else comes to mind. I’ve considered Sons of Anarchy or something like True Blood. Let me know if those are any good. Violence is great, I love well choreographed fights, though nothing too realistic. I love Daredevil, for example, but it’s too much of a downer for these purposes. Strong female characters a must. Preferably hooking up with smoking hot men. Much obliged. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/2 "2017-06-22T19:35:41Z")
Alex Marshall’s book **A Crown for Cold Silver** may be exactly what you’re looking for. Plenty of violence, kickass lead characters include several women (including a trans woman at least in the sequel), raunchy, hilarious times. After the 2016 election when I was feeling pretty shitty about the world, this series was my escapism. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/3 "2017-06-22T19:40:10Z")
Well, I assume you have seen the TV show Supernatural. Was that your example or the genre you were looking for? If you just have awhile, I’d skip to the second season on Netflix and watch. Lots of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/4 "2017-06-22T19:43:36Z")
Harry Harrison’s _Deathworld_ trilogy or any of his _Stainless Steel Rat_ books. They’re great fun and move at a fast pace. And you always know who’s gonna come out on top without knowing quite how. For films, how about _Scott Pilgrim vs. The World_? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/5 "2017-06-22T19:45:11Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Well, I assume you have seen the TV show Supernatural. Was that your example or the genre you were looking for? If you just have awhile, I’d skip to the second season on Netflix and watch. Lots of fun. An example of a show I liked that would qualify if I hadn’t seen it. The seriousness is always subverted by the shameless and hilarious fourth-wall breaking so it never gets too heavy. And yes, I’ve seen Buffy and Angel. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/6 "2017-06-22T19:47:09Z")
Did you watch Legend of the Seeker? It’s a great, fun show. It’s based off the not-so-good Sword of Truth series, but really surpasses it. I highly recommend it. Strong female lead actress. Handsome lead actor who does a great job. And Bruce Spence playing a wizard. It’s really good. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/7 "2017-06-22T19:52:11Z")
Jessica Amanda Salmonson — _The Swordswoman_[Amazon link](https://www.amazon.com/Swordswoman-Jessica-Amanda-Salmonson/dp/0523485263/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=). Open book cover and fall in. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/8 "2017-06-22T19:55:13Z")
_The Dresden Files_ (Jim Butcher) would seem to meet most of your requirements. Plus there are plenty of books in the series to keep you occupied for a week. > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Supernatural - the far-fetched adventures of a smoking hot man and his whiny brother. Features the far-fetched adventures of a kind of normal looking man and his whiny, smoking hot brother (need to get a few book into the series for the brother to show up. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/9 "2017-06-22T20:04:25Z")
Have you seen the movie **300**? There are at least 300 shirtless smoking hot men in this film, maybe even more. There’s action. And even some strong ladies. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/10 "2017-06-22T20:11:26Z")
These are wonderful suggestions! Can’t wait! I’ve heard great things about the Dresden Files. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/11 "2017-06-22T20:12:55Z")
I would ask how one smokes a hot man, but… How about _Hercules: The Legendary Journeys_ or the _Beastmaster_ series? I don’t know for sure if the male stars would count as “smoking hot” (not being exactly my thing) but the shows are fun enough mindless fluff. Or _Dark Angel_. Mainly about Jessica Alba, but it has Tony DiNozzo, too. How about the _Highlander_ series? _True Blood_ isn’t bad. You might want to try the quite different source novels, too–they are short, you could knock out the whole series in a week. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/12 "2017-06-22T20:19:11Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I would ask how one smokes a hot man, but… There are numerous examples on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/13 "2017-06-22T20:21:37Z")
Furies Series, by Jim Butcher. Epic Fantasy, with some romance. Books. I love. Dresden Files, same author. Fair warning, these get dark. The guy can’t catch a break. They’re inspired by the “noir” detective novels. Kate Daniels novels by Ilona Andrews. Urban Fantasy with romantic elements. Frickin’ awesome. (Any of the Andrews’ series are good for that matter.) Mercedes Thompson and Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs. Urban Fantasy with romantic elements. Also frickin’ awesome. Anything by Nalini Singh. All are romances, some paranormal, some urban fantasy. The “Rock” series is modern with a lot more sex. I may read a lot. If you give me an idea of what you like, I’ll throw some more at you. TV series: Killjoys, Winona Earp, Black Matter, Dresden Files TV show (if you missed it). Limitless tv show and movie. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/14 "2017-06-22T21:41:29Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I would ask how one smokes a hot man, but… It’s all in the rub… ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/15 "2017-06-22T22:18:35Z")
The [Iron Druid Chronicles](https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Druid-Chronicles-Book/dp/B015TGO51E) would fit the bill nicely. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/16 "2017-06-22T22:46:56Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Dresden Files, same author. Fair warning, these get dark. The guy can’t catch a break. They’re inspired by the “noir” detective novels. Yeah, but Harry’s a consummate smartass all the freaking time so it’s never unbearable. And as for some of your other requirements, **Spice Weasel** , the Dresden Files has almost nothing in the way of female supporting characters BUT ones that are kickass and, often, not someone you want to get cute with in a dark alley. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/17 "2017-06-22T22:53:31Z")
OP: are there any amusement parks within reasonable distance? If so you might want to visit one and act like a kid again. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/18 "2017-06-22T22:58:35Z")
For video games, Saints Row IV. The best superhero video game ever made, in my estimation- just kick back and wallop aliens, very little thinking required. It’s been my go-to mindless stress reliever/escapist fantasy for a while now. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/19 "2017-06-22T23:00:16Z")
Word of warning about _The Dresden Files_- it takes a couple books to get good. I’d say maybe #3, _Death Masks_, is where it starts to take off (plus there’s a Highly Future-Plot-Significant Party), and by #4, _Summer Knight_, it’s gotten there. Don’t want you to just pick the first book, say “huh, don’t see the appeal”, and stop reading there. So yeah, thirding _Dresden Files_. And seconding the Kate Daniels books and the Mercy Thompson books. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2017, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630/20 "2017-06-22T23:04:27Z")
[Abzu](http://store.steampowered.com/app/384190/ABZU/) is a very relaxed game: dive, explore, play with the fish, ride turtles through kelp forests. On sale on Steam right now as well. [Rime](http://store.steampowered.com/app/493200/RiME/) is also great, some puzzles, mystery and a mysterious fox spirit guide. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-pure-escapist-fantasy/789630.md?page=2)