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Are questions about The 39 Clues book series on-topic here? They are arguably science fiction, as one central theme is a DNA-altering serum giving people amazing powers.

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The series itself, from a cursory glance at the Wiki, appears to be a light-sci-fi light-fantasy series, so I think questions about the series itself are on-topic here.

However, I caution you that the questions you ask must pertain to the story itself, or to elements of the story that are sci-fi or fantasy related.

We've had a few questions lately asking about real-world materials in sci-fi shows, and the conclusion we've reached is that just because something happens in a sci-fi or fantasy series does not make it sci-fi or fantasy. This question and the answers to it are a good primer for that.

However, the best way to find out if your question is valid is to simply ask away! Well-formatted questions are always welcome, and if they are off-topic, the worst that can happen is that we'll politely inform you of it and close the question. So it doesn't hurt to ask.

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    I've posted a question based on your advice. We'll see how it goes.
    – Scimonster
    Sep 30, 2014 at 19:16
  • @Scimonster - Your question seems well on topic.
    – Valorum
    Oct 1, 2014 at 22:30
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one central theme is a DNA-altering serum giving people amazing powers.

Generally speaking, the books sound to be on-topic. I would caution, however, that based on looking over the Wikipedia entry, it sounds as though much of the books themselves may fall outside the scope. Questions not specifically about a SF/F related element of the book may be deemed off-topic.

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  • So what would a question like "Why did person X do Y in location Z?" be on- or off-topic? Y being something about the story, and not 100% sci-fi.
    – Scimonster
    Sep 30, 2014 at 18:04
  • IMO, it would be on-topic, but there have been a few questions lately which were closed for not being strictly SF/F related. I'll try to dig up some examples if I have some time today.
    – phantom42
    Sep 30, 2014 at 18:10
  • @scimonster I'd say at a glance no that's off-topic... But it's hard to say that without seeing the question, do you have a question in mind?
    – AncientSwordRage Mod
    Sep 30, 2014 at 18:46
  • @Pureferret The user has posted this question scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/68692/… so take it as you will.
    – Zibbobz
    Sep 30, 2014 at 20:25

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