Science fiction is a genre that has been around for more than a hundred years. It has evolved and changed with the times, but one thing remains constant – it’s still as popular as ever.
What makes a great science fiction book? There are many different opinions on this topic. Some people think that the best science fiction books have to be about intergalactic travel or time travel while others believe that the best science fiction books are those that explore human nature. There are also those who believe that it’s all about what kind of technology is used in the book; some people like books with advanced technology while others like books with primitive technology. It really depends on what you expect.
There are different types of fiction novels, you can find below some of them.
The Best Science Fiction Books of All Time – Types
– Dystopian novels: These novels explore the future and how it might be like if certain events take place. Dystopia is a world where society has gone wrong in some way and the protagonist tries to fix it.
– Speculative Fiction Novels: Speculative Fiction novels are about ideas, theories, or predictions about the future. They often explore new scientific discoveries or technology that is not widely available today.
– Science Fiction Novels: Science fiction novels are stories that take place in the distant future or present
Let’s look at the best science fiction books of all time. If you find out a novel we forgot, please contact us and we happily update the below list.
1984 by Geroge Orwell
“1984” is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell. It’s set in a world where the government has total control over people’s lives, and there is no freedom of speech or privacy. The protagonist, Winston Smith, rebels against the government and tries to change society by writing “the truth” in secret on his “memory hole.”
The idea of Big Brother watching you all the time is not new. The novel was published in 1949 and has had a huge impact on society.
George Orwell was an English writer who wrote many influential books such as Animal Farm and 1984. He died at age 46 due to tuberculosis which led to his early demise.
Legend by Marie Lu
Legend is a science fiction novel written by Marie Lu. The book is set in a dystopian future where society has been divided into three different classes: those who have the ability to use their gifts, those who are not allowed to use their gifts, and those who are able to control people with their gifts.
The story follows Day, an ordinary teenage boy living in poverty with his family on one of these “gifted” sides of town. Day spends most of his time trying to avoid being recruited by one of the many gangs that roam around his area until he meets a mysterious girl named June from another part of town who offers him hope for escape from his
The Martian by Andy Weir
Andy Weir’s The Martian is a science fiction novel about an astronaut who gets stranded on Mars and has to use his engineering skills and knowledge of science to survive.
The book has been translated into more than fifty languages and is the most popular sci-fi novel in history. It was adapted into a film that was released in 2015, starring Matt Damon as the protagonist.
Ai science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that takes place in a future where artificial intelligence (AI) has become the dominant life form on Earth or some other planet or universe.
Ringworld by Larry Niven
Ringworld is a science fiction novel by Larry Niven. It is the first novel in the Known Space series. The novel was published in 1970 and won both the Hugo Award and Nebula Award for Best Novel of that year.
Ringworld is a story about an engineer who builds a huge ring-shaped structure around a star and then uses it to explore worlds beyond its solar system. The story begins with Louis Wu, an engineer who has created a device which can produce matter from energy, and is trying to sell it to Tonti, who owns the only ship capable of traveling near the sun’s surface. Louis Wu must then leave Earth on an adventure that takes him through space, time, gravity and even hyperspace to discover the secrets of Ringworld’s creation and his own past.
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
Sleeping Giants is a science fiction novel by Sylvain Neuvel. It was released in 2016, and is set in the near future. The story follows a young girl named Rose who discovers a giant metal hand buried in the ground of her backyard. When she touches it, she starts to have strange visions and dreams of an ancient world where humans are at war with giant robots called “the Keepers.”
The plot centers around one woman’s quest to find out what happened to the world and where she came from. Rose’s journey leads her across the country as well as into outer space. Along the way, she encounters new friends and allies who help her learn about herself and how to use her newly found powers for good.
Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
“Altered Carbon” is an American science fiction novel written by Richard K. Morgan in 2002. It has been adapted into a TV series by Netflix.
Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan is set in a future in which human souls, called “sleeves,” are stored away in hard drives and are implanted into new bodies when old ones wear out. The protagonist Takeshi Kovacs is a detective, who has been killed and revived to solve a case before his previous body gets up close and personal with an energy beam that melts through matter. Kovacs hypothesizes that technology may have advanced enough to give the human soul back control of their body, but he doesn’t believe this will happen until 2050 or later.
Amatka by Karin Tidbeck
Amatka is the name of the planet in which Tidbeck’s novel is set. The name means “the end of the world” in an ancient language that no longer has any meaning, but it also symbolizes “the end of a cycle.”
The novel takes place in a futuristic society called Amatka, where people live in a caste system. There are the “heaven-born” who are born with wings and are the ruling class, and there is the “serf” caste that exists to serve them.
Amatka is a dystopia where people live in a caste system as dictated by their wings. The heaven-born have wings, while the serfs have none. The story takes place in this society and follows one protagonist, who has been living on earth for many years but has recently been brought back to Amatka by her superiors.
The novel explores themes of futurism, dystopia, and travel through its protagonist’s journey from earth to Amatka
The evolution of Amatka in Tidbeck’s literary career reflects her own journey with writing. In her first novel, she was able to create a dystopian world that was both familiar and strange, much like our own. By the time she wrote her second novel, she had become more experimental with how to explore this world through different lenses.
Tidbeck has always been interested in exploring how we can use technology and science to explore new possibilities for storytelling.
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
The Plot Against America tells the story of an American family living in New York during World War II who are faced with an alternate history where President Franklin D. Roosevelt has been overthrown by Nazi sympathizers, and later dies from natural causes. It was published in 2004 and won the National Book Award for fiction.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The novel Frankenstein is a classic work of fiction that has been adapted into countless films and TV shows.
The book was published in 1818, more than 200 years ago, and it still remains one of the most popular works of fiction today. The story follows Victor Frankenstein who makes an artificial man out of body parts he finds in a graveyard.
In the novel, Victor’s creation is named “Adam” and he falls in love with him. Adam eventually becomes his enemy as he becomes more intelligent than humans and begins to resent humanity for creating him.
Ammonite by Nicola Griffith
Ammonite is a science fiction novel by British author James Tiptree Jr. that was released in the 1960s. It is a hybrid genre of science fiction and fantasy, which also includes elements of romance, horror, and satire.
The novel’s protagonist, Alice Bradley, travels to another planet where she meets an amorphous creature called an ammonite that is capable of transforming into anything it wishes.
Ammonite has been described as a “classic” science fiction novel for its time period and has influenced many other authors in the decades since its release.
The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord
The key teaching of this book is that the world is not a place where we are all on equal footing. We have to take care of each other and make sure that everyone has a fair chance at life.
In this book, Karen Lord tells the story of three different worlds: one where women do not exist, one where women are in charge, and one where men rule. The story follows three different groups of people who live in these different worlds: the people who live in the best world, those who live in the worst world, and those who come from somewhere else. Karen Lord argues that it is our duty as humans to create a best possible world for everyone.
Karen Lord talks about how imagination is the key to happiness and success.
Shikasta by Doris Lessing
Doris Lessing’s Shikasta is one of the best science fiction novels to date. The novel follows the story of a woman who is born on Earth during a time of great difficulties and turmoil for humanity. After being born, she travels to the planet Shikasta, which is located in the far reaches of space. On her journey there, she meets many different characters – some good, some bad – and learns about different cultures.
This novel takes place in a world where humans have colonized other planets throughout the universe. The protagonist’s journey takes her from Earth to Shikasta and then onto other planets on her search for answers about herself as well as humanity’s future.
The 5th Colony Novels are an award-winning science fiction series written by Doris Lessing
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Slaughterhouse-Five is a satirical science fiction novel written by Kurt Vonnegut. The book is about Billy Pilgrim, an American soldier captured during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
The plot of Slaughterhouse-Five follows Billy Pilgrim as he travels through time and space, witnessing history and participating in it. He is forced to relive his life over and over again, as a prisoner of war in Dresden after the bombing of Germany, as a POW in Africa, and as a captive on an alien planet.
The book explores themes such as time travel, free will versus determinism, the nature of memory, humane treatment of prisoners-of-war (POWs), war crimes committed by both sides.
Otherland: City of Golden Shadow by Tad Williams
Otherland is a science fiction novel that was written by Tad Williams in 1987. The book is set in the near future where people can go to virtual worlds called “The Grid.”
The novel follows four people who are brought into The Grid to solve the mystery of a missing girl. They are then forced to go back into The Grid because of their actions and have to fight for their lives against the forces that run it.
In 2018, Tad Williams released a movie adaptation of Otherland with an all-star cast including James Franco, Stephen Lang, and Mila Kunis.
Pandora’s Star by Peter F. Hamilton
Written in 1986 and published in 1987, “Pandora’s Star” is a science fiction novel by British author Peter F. Hamilton that takes place in an alternative universe where humans colonized other planets before Earth was destroyed by nuclear war.
The Blazing World and Other Writings by Margaret Cavendish
Margaret Atwood is one of the most influential and beloved authors in the world. She has written more than thirty novels, including The Handmaid’s Tale, Oryx and Crake, and The Blind Assassin. Her work has been translated into over forty languages.
Atwood’s writing is often characterized as dystopian because it is set in a future where society has regressed to a medieval-like state.
A classic is typically defined as an author or work that has withstood the test of time and continues to be popular today. Margaret Atwood’s work fits this definition because it continues to be read by people around the world.
In The Blazing World, the narrator is a woman who has lived through many centuries and is now in the year 2000. She tells us about the various events that have happened during these centuries.
The story begins with a woman telling us about her life, explaining how she has lived through many different centuries, and how she has seen the world change. The narrator explains how she was born into a world where women were not allowed to read or write.
The narrator goes on to describe how in her lifetime, women were freed from their servitude as they learned to read and write.
Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
Leviathan Wakes is a science fiction novel written by James S. A. Corey, which was released on May 2nd, 2016. It is the first book in the Expanse series and has been met with critical acclaim for its plot, characters, and worldbuilding.
Leviathan Wakes takes place in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system and Mars is undergoing terraforming to make it habitable for human life. The story follows James Holden and his crew on board the Rocinante as they investigate an alien protomolecule that has appeared in space near Mars.
The novel explores themes of colonization, power dynamics between corporations and individuals, and the consequences of interplanetary war through its main character James Holden.
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller
“A Canticle for Leibowitz” is a novel written by Walter Miller. It is set in the year 2061, when the world has been destroyed by nuclear war and only a few human survivors remain. The story follows the history of humanity through three generations of monks, who preserve knowledge and culture by living in a monastery that was built after the nuclear war.
The Children of Men by P. D. James
The World of the Children of Men is a science fiction novel by English author P.D. James that was first published in 1995 and has been adapted into films, television series, and comic books.
The story is set in a dystopian future where most people are infertile due to the depletion of the Earth’s natural resources. The few fertile human beings are forced to live underground, while society is divided into two classes: those who live above ground, who have access to technology and food, and those who live below ground, who lack both.
In the book, The Children of Men, by P. D. James, the world is ruled by a totalitarian state where the government has completely taken over society and women are no longer able to have children.
The novel is set in a dystopia where society is ruled by a totalitarian state with all of its citizens under surveillance and controlled through technology. The novel’s protagonist, Theo Faron, struggles to understand how he can survive in this new world as he tries to find his wife and son who have both disappeared from their home.
In order to survive in this new world Theo must learn how to live without technology and rely on his own skillsets alone. He learns that he must adapt quickly or risk death if he does not keep up with the changing times
Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Hyperion is a science fiction novel written by Dan Simmons. It is set in the future and follows the story of one man’s struggle to survive in a world where humans have been replaced by robots and other artificial intelligence technologies.
Hyperion has been reviewed as an epic, dense and complex novel. The themes explored in this book include life, death, technology, religion, love and identity.
Dan Simmons’ works are often considered to be highly philosophical novels that have deep social implications. Hyperion is no exception as it explores the idea of humanity’s struggle against machines while asking questions about what it means to be human.
The City & The City by China Miéville
Urban fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that typically features supernatural occurrences in a modern-day setting. Urban Science Fiction is a subgenre of Science Fiction that focuses on urban settings as opposed to the more traditional space-based settings. The City and the City is a novel by German author China Miéville which has been described as “a work of urban science fiction”
In The City, China Miéville takes you through an enormously complex universe and makes it worth the effort.
The novel is massive in size, but the author manages to make it seem manageable. He tells a story of revolution and resistance in a sprawling city that is constantly changing and evolving.
Darwin’s Radio by Greg Bear
The Darwin’s Radio story is a science fiction short story written by Daniel H. Wilson. It is about a group of scientists who discover that the human race has evolved and has become capable of evolving in the future as well.
The Darwin’s Radio story is based on the idea that evolution can happen through technology. This idea was first introduced by Charles Darwin in his book “On the Origin of Species”. The radio part of the title refers to how radio waves are used to transmit information across space and time.
Darwin’s Radio could be seen as a way to explore what could happen if humans were able to evolve through technology and make it easier for them to do so.
Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany
Dhalgren is a science fiction novel by Samuel R. Delany. It was written in 1966 and published in 1969. The novel follows the protagonist, John Keats, as he wanders through a dystopian post-apocalyptic society that has descended into chaos following a mysterious plague.
In 1966, Samuel R. Delany published Dhalgren, his first major work of science fiction and one of the most influential books of the 20th century. A post-apocalyptic story set in an unnamed city in North America, it follows the protagonist John Keats as he searches for his missing sister Elisabeth and becomes embroiled in a wide-ranging conspiracy involving government officials and scientists who are trying to cover up their role in creating the plague that has destroyed society
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
In the book, Philip K. Dick wrote about a future where AI has taken over the world. This led to the creation of a new class of androids that have been programmed to love their owners and serve them without question.
Philip K. Dick was a science-fiction writer who wrote many novels and short stories that explore a variety of themes such as identity, human nature, consciousness, metaphysics, and technology. His most famous work is “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” which explores questions about what it means to be human in an era where artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly.
The author also wrote about how society would change due to this advancement in technology and what it means for humans when they are replaced by machines in his novel “Blade Runner.”
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
The Doomsday Book is a post-apocalyptic novel by Connie Willis featuring an alternate history of the world in which World War III started in 1962.
The novel follows a group of people who are trying to build a new society in the aftermath of the war. One person, Roberta, has written a guide for surviving an apocalypse and believes that it will be helpful to those who are trying to rebuild society.
Connie Willis is a British author who has written many books, including the Time Traveler’s Wife and Blackout. The Doomsday Book is a post-apocalyptic novel that follows the story of a group of people who are trying to survive in an apocalyptic world.
The Doomsday Book is one of those books that you can’t put down. It’s well-written with lots of twists and turns.
The Doomsday Book is not just about survivalism – it’s also about how humans can survive in the aftermath of any disaster and what we can do to make sure that there won’t be another one.
Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
The Dragonflight series is a trilogy of science fiction novels written by Anne McCaffrey. The first book was published in 1967, and the last one was published in 2008. It is considered to be one of the most influential works in the field of fantasy literature.
Dragonflight is a science-fiction novel written by Anne McCaffrey in 1967, which was the first book in her series called the Dragonriders of Pern. The story follows two characters from different worlds who fall in love and decide to live on Earth together. This book has been influential for other authors, as it has been one of the most successful books ever written, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide.
Dune by Frank Herbert
Dune is a science fiction novel by Frank Herbert that was originally published in 1965. It is considered to be one of the best-selling novels of all time, with over 8 million copies in print.
Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, whose family accepts control of the desert planet Arrakis. As Duke Leto, Paul and his family battle for control of Arrakis with House Harkonnen.
The novel explores themes of politics, religion, ecology, and human nature while presenting an epic struggle between two families competing for control of Arrakis’s natural resources: melange (a powerful all-purpose spice) and the “spice of life” (water).
Dust by Elizabeth Bear
In this novel, the protagonist is a young woman who is trying to escape from a life of crime and poverty in her home country. She sets out for a new life in the United States, but she quickly realizes that her new home is not much different from where she came from.
The protagonist’s story takes place in the desert near Tucson, Arizona. The desert provides an immersive setting for Bear’s story of survival and hope.
In Dust by Elizabeth Bear, we follow the protagonist as she travels across America by bus and foot before finally settling down in Tucson, Arizona. The protagonist struggles with how to live within society while also trying to maintain her own identity.
The Fold by Peter Clines
The Fold is a secret book that Peter Clines published in 2015. It is a novel about a group of people who are trying to figure out what happened to the world and why they have been left behind.
The Fold is an intriguing concept because it’s not just about the story, but also about the book itself. The Fold was created with “secret ink” and each page has a different illustration on it, which makes it seem like each page of the book has its own story.
The Heart Goes Last, by Margaret Atwood
In her science fiction novel, The Heart Goes Last, by Margaret Atwood, the protagonist, Stanislas Cordova, is a scientist who has been experimenting with a machine that can kill people. He’s just about to finish his experiment when he realizes that he’s been used as a test subject and the machine goes haywire.
This book is an interesting read for anyone who enjoys science fiction or dystopian novels. It has lots of twists and turns and will keep you on your toes throughout the whole book.
The Heart Goes Last is one of Margaret Atwood’s best books so far. She takes the reader on a journey through this dystopian world where people are controlled by technology and love is something that you have to find in secret because it’s illegal to express it openly.
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
The Foundation Trilogy is a science fiction book series written by Isaac Asimov. The three books in the trilogy—Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation—are science-fiction novels that are set in the fictional universe of Asimov’s “Robot” series.
The trilogy tells the story of psychohistorian Hari Seldon who has developed a method of using mathematics to predict future events. He believes that humanity needs to be protected from itself and to preserve itself as a species, he creates a galactic empire known as the Foundation which uses his predictions to guide its actions.
The trilogy has been adapted into several other media including television series, comic books, video games, and films
The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch
The Gone World is a novel that takes place in the year 2039. In the novel, the world is ravaged by a pandemic that kills over 99% of humanity. The survivors have to live in a world where technology has been destroyed and they are left to fend for themselves.
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh
Downbelow Station is a science fiction romance novel by C. J. Cherryh that was first published in 1976. The story takes place on an Earth-like planet where two people, Raul and Seba, meet and fall in love while exploring the planet’s surface.
Downbelow Station is a classic sci-fi romance novel that has been around for more than 40 years but still captivates readers today with its complex characters, gripping plot and rich world building.
C.J. Cherryh created this series to explore themes like how technology can be used for good or bad purposes and how humanity will deal with it in the future.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid’s Tale is a novel written by Margaret Atwood in 1985. It tells the story of a dystopian society where women are forced to bear children for infertile couples.
The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian book that reflects on the power of religion and how it can be used to control people. The protagonist, Offred, is an example of how religion can be used as a tool to subjugate women and keep them from living their own lives.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a science fiction comedy novel by Douglas Adams. It was originally published in 1979, and it became an instant hit.
The story follows the adventures of Arthur Dent and his friend Ford Prefect as they are transported from Earth to the planet Magrathea by a guide who is also an alien. They are forced to hitchhike their way around the galaxy with Zaphod Beeblebrox, Trillian, Marvin the Paranoid Android, Slartibartfast, and of course The Hitchhiker’s Guide itself.
The book is renowned for its humor and its exploration of issues such as time travel paradoxes, parallel universes, and existentialism.
If you are looking for the meaning of life, the books give that answer. The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything is 42.
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
This sci-fi novel is set in the year 2099 and follows a huge data hack that has taken place on a space station. It’s a story of love, loss, and revenge.
In this book, Kaufman doesn’t shy away from difficult topics such as family relationships and romantic relationships. She also doesn’t hold back when it comes to futuristic technology or the consequences of these technologies being used for evil purposes.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton was the author of Jurassic Park and other novels. He has written over 70 books in his career and has received numerous awards.
Michael Crichton is one of the most prolific authors in the world, with more than 70 published books to his name. He is known for writing thrillers, science fiction, and horror novels. His best-known work is “Jurassic Park,” which has sold over 11 million copies worldwide since its release in 1990.
The story of Jurassic Park takes place in the late 1990s. It starts with a man named John Hammond who had the idea to create a park full of living dinosaurs.
In the late 1990s, John Hammond made his dream come true by opening Jurassic Park, a world-renowned theme park where visitors can see live dinosaurs and have fun.
The story unfolds as he struggles to keep control over his creation and avoid creating a dangerous and chaotic situation that could lead to the destruction of both humans and dinosaurs alike.
The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters
The Last Policeman is a futuristic thriller by Ben H. Winters that tells the story of a detective who tries to solve the mystery of a missing child in an overpopulated and technologically advanced world.
The novel introduces readers to a society where people are living in an endless cycle of survival, where everyone has been forced to live in communal shelters, and where the police are working at the behest of corporations.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where most people live underground due to global warming and overcrowding. The protagonist, Ray Velcoro, is a detective with no memory of his past life or family but still searches for his missing daughter while investigating cases that don’t make sense. He also struggles with addiction and PTSD as he tries to solve crimes while avoiding corporations who want him dead.
A Scanner Darkly, by Philip K Dick
This science fiction novel is the story of an undercover agent who is tasked with infiltrating a group of people who are planning to take over the United States. The protagonist, Bob Arctor, is struggling with addiction problems and has mental health issues. He is trying to figure out what happened to his reality.
“A Scanner Darkly” was first published in 1977. It has been adapted into a film three times: in 2006, 2012, and 2016.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Ursula K. Le Guin’s science fiction novel, the Left Hand of Darkness, depicts the society where humans are divided into two genders: male and female.
The novel was first published in 1969 and has since been translated into many languages. The protagonist is Genly Ai, a human who has been raised by an alien race called the Tarsi as a man but later learns that he is actually a woman.
The novel’s themes of gender and sexuality have been controversial since its publication.
Vurt, by Jeff Noon
Vurt is a science fiction novel written by Jeff Noon. The story is about a world where people can enter the virtual reality called Vurt. The protagonist, Arby, enters Vurt for the first time to find his old friend, Steak.
The book was originally published in 1994 and has since been translated into over 20 languages. It is one of Jeff Noon’s most popular novels and has been adapted into a comic book series, a play and film.
Neuromancer by William Gibson
Neuromancer is a sci-fi novel written by William Gibson in 1984. It was the first publication of what is now called the cyberpunk genre.
Neuromancer follows Case, a hacker and professional “cyberjack” who takes on a case for his boss Armitage. Case is hired to find the mysterious Mr. Johnson, who has disappeared after an attack on Armitage’s corporate headquarters. Over the course of the book, Case finds himself in a world that he doesn’t understand and must adapt to survive in this strange new environment.
A masterpiece of cyberpunk literature and cyberpunk culture that has influenced many other works since its release, Neuromancer is one of William Gibson’s best works.
Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction that typically features advanced technology and a high-tech, dystopian urban environment.
It is a genre of science fiction that often explores the potentialities and pitfalls of advanced technology as well as the contrast between old and new forms of society
Borne, by Jeff VanderMeer
Borne is a science fiction novel that was written by Jeff VanderMeer. It is about Rachel, a scavenger living in the city of Borne, who finds an unusual creature that starts to change her life and the world around her.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans have been replaced by various animal-like creatures and machines. The main character Rachel discovers an unusual creature that she names Borne. Since then, she has been trying to figure out what he really is and how he came to be there.
Borne is an example of dystopian science fiction novels which are becoming more popular as technology advances and society becomes more complex.
Moonrise: The Golden Age of Lunar Adventures, by Mike Ashley
Moonrise is a science fiction novel that takes place in the near future. The story follows the story of a group of individuals who are chosen to live on Earth’s moon and to study its natural resources for humanity. This book is set in an alternate world where humans have colonized other planets and moons, such as Mars and Jupiter’s Europa moon, but they have not yet reached their destination, Earth. The protagonist, Jack Harper, is one such colonist who has been selected to work on Earth’s moon with his wife Kate Harper and daughter Alina Harper-Baker.
Exhalation, by Ted Chiang
Ted Chiang’s short story “Exhalation” is a science fiction novella. It is a story about human civilization in the distant future and how the people live in this world.
The story begins with a man named Rene, who is sitting on the porch of his house in Australia. He starts to tell his wife and daughter about how he has been working on a project for years and it has finally come to fruition. He explains that he has found an alien life form that can be used as an energy source for humans. He goes on to explain how this will change everything and change humanity as we know it.
This short story was published in 1999 and won multiple awards including Hugo Award, Locus Award, British Science Fiction Association Award, Seiun Award, Sturgeon
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Oryx and Crake is the dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood. It was released in 2003 and has been translated into more than 40 languages.
The novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humans have evolved from a genetically modified species of animals. The main character, Oryx, is a young girl who lives in the city of Snowman. There are also many other characters that are introduced throughout the course of the story.
Oryx and Crake is an important work because it presents an alternate future to what could happen with human evolution if we do not take care of our planet and ourselves
Planetfall by Emma Newman
“Planetfall” is a science fiction novel written by Becky Chambers. It is an exploration of humanity’s need to explore the universe, and the dangers that come with it.
The story follows Rosemary Harper, a young woman who has just graduated from Earth’s university and is on her way to her first job out in space on the planet of New Terra. Along with her friend, she travels through space for a year before they make contact with another planet. The story follows their journey as they learn about themselves and each other as well as what awaits them at the end of their long journey.
The Real Story by Stephen R. Donaldson
“The Real Story” is a novel by Stephen R. Donaldson that was published in 2008. It is about a young man who discovers the truth about his family’s past and their involvement with the mythical world of Faerie.
The Real Story is a book that tells the story of a family who lives in a small town in Texas. There’s something strange about this family, and it’s only after they move to New York City that the reader discovers what it is.
The lessons you can learn from The Real Story are many, but they all come down to one thing: people should not judge others without knowing them first.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Red Rising is a science fiction novel by Pierce Brown. The story takes place on Mars, where the protagonist, Darrow, must fight for the freedom of his people.
Red Rising is set in a dystopian society where humans are divided into five castes: Golds, Silvers, Browns, Reds and Grays. The Golds are the rulers of society who live in lavish houses and have access to technology while the others are treated as slaves.
The protagonist Darrow is a Red who has been raised to believe that all things are equal and that he can achieve anything. He is considered an outcast because of his red hair and skin color but he does not let this stop him from achieving his dreams.
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Snow Crash is a science fiction novel written by Neal Stephenson in 1992. It is set in the near future and follows pizza delivery boy, Hiro Protagonist, who has to fight against an oppressive totalitarian government.
In the novel, he discovers a mysterious computer virus that has the potential to destroy civilization as we know it.
Snow Crash is a science fiction novel which was published in 1992 by Neal Stephenson. It is set in the near future and follows pizza delivery boy, Hiro Protagonist, who has to fight against an oppressive totalitarian government. In the novel, he discovers a mysterious computer virus that has the potential to destroy civilization as we know it.
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
“The Sparrow” is a science fiction novel by Mary Doria Russell. The story is set in the 22nd century and follows a Jesuit priest, Emilio Sandoz, as he travels to a planet called Rakhat to find God.
The Sparrow is an award-winning science fiction novel by American author Mary Doria Russell. It is set on the planet Rakhat in the 22nd century and follows Jesuit priest Emilio Sandoz as he travels to the planet to find God.
The Stand by Stephen King
The Stand is a science fiction novel written by Stephen King. It is the third novel in his epic series The Dark Tower. It was released on September 18, 1978 by Viking Press and became a bestseller.
The Stand follows a group of people as they try to survive the aftermath of an apocalyptic event that wipes out most of humanity.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Station Eleven is a science fiction novel which revolves around the aftermath of a mass extinction event. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where civilization has been reduced to small pockets of survivors, who are struggling to maintain their existence.
Station Eleven is the story of one such group of people and their journey through the devastating aftermath of an EMP attack that wiped out all electronic devices. The book tells us about how they cope with the new world and what they do to survive.
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
Stories of Your Life and Others is a science fiction novel by Ted Chiang. It was published in 1999 and deals with the question of how much choice people have in their lives.
Stories of Your Life and Others is a science fiction novel by Ted Chiang published in 1999. The book is about how much choice people have in their lives. In the story, there are two “stacks,” one where people live out their lives without any choices, and one where they are able to make choices for themselves throughout their life. The story explores what it means to be human, but also the idea that humans may not be as free as they think they are.
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
Stranger in a Strange Land is a science fiction novel by American author Robert A. Heinlein. It tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, an Earthman who is rescued from life-threatening injuries and brought to a planet called Mars where he is raised by Martians and becomes one of them.
Stranger in a Strange Land has been called “the first science-fiction novel” and “the first mature novel” of its genre, and is often regarded as the first modern science fiction novel.
Survival by Julie E. Czerneda
The main character in this novel is a biologist who has to experiment with the only two survivors of an apocalyptic event.
Julie E. Czerneda is an author of science fiction novels and short stories. Her first published novel was “Survival” which was followed by “The Queen of the Darkness” and “The Queen’s War”.
This novel is about a biologist who has to experiment with two survivors of an apocalyptic event.
Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon
Trading in Danger is a science fiction novel by Elizabeth Moon. It is set in the future where traders are no longer needed, and technology has made trading obsolete.
This novel explores the idea of what would happen if people were not needed to trade anymore, and how society would change because of it.
This book is perfect for those who enjoy science fiction novels with a dystopian society and futuristic technology.
Valor’s Choice by Tanya Huff
Valor’s Choice is a science fiction novel written by Tanya Huff. It is the first book in her Valor’s Choice series.
The story is set in a world that has been colonized by Earthlings and the native species, the Valors. The Valors are humanoid animals with multiple tails, which they use for balance and communication.
The story follows two main protagonists who must work together to stop an impending war between their two races.
Viriconium by M. John Harrison
M. John Harrison’s novel, Viriconium, is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel published in 1984. It is the first installment of the Viriconium tetralogy and it explores various themes such as religion, gender, and society.
It takes place in a world where a virus has destroyed most life on Earth and humans are forced to live in a few cities situated around the world. The story follows three main characters: Two boys who live in one of these cities called Viriconium, where they are cared for by an immortal woman called Mother Yayah; and an old man who lives on the outskirts of this city with his granddaughter.
The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
The War of the Worlds is a science fiction novel by H. G. Wells, first published on 29 October 1898. It is about a Martian invasion of Earth and the struggle between mankind and the Martians
The War of The Worlds is an iconic piece of science fiction literature that has been adapted into many different forms over time, including radio drama, comic books, films, television series, video games, and even board games.
Watchers by Dean Koontz
Watchers is a science fiction novel by Dean Koontz. It was first published in 1984 and it became one of the best-selling novels of the 1980s.
In this novel, an alien race is known as “Watchers” has come to Earth to observe humanity and make sure that they are not destroying the planet. They can take human form and interact with humans as if they were humans themselves, but their true form is a giant spider-like creature that can take on any shape it wants.
It has been said that Watchers is about the fear of being replaced by technology.
Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy
Marge Piercy’s Woman on the Edge of Time is a science fiction novel that takes place in a dystopian future where women are used as breeding machines.
This novel follows the story of one woman who escapes to the past and tries to change the future. It is part of a series of books that explore how women are treated in society.
The main character, Joan, has her own thoughts and opinions about how society should be run, and she tries to fight back against those who try to control her.
World War Z by Max Brooks
World War Z is a science fiction novel by Max Brooks that is a compilation of oral histories from survivors of the zombie outbreak.
The book was published in 2006 and it has been adapted into a film, video game, and comic book.
World War Z follows United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Lane who travels the world in search of his wife and son after they are taken while he was in Africa.
The Blazing World, by Margaret Cavendish
The Blazing World, by Margaret Cavendish, is a science fiction novel that was written in the 17th century. It tells the story of a young woman who is transported to an alternate world that she names The Blazing World.
The story begins with the protagonist getting into an argument with her father and leaves home to start a new life. She then meets and falls in love with a man named Mr. Middleton, but he has already been married for many years and has children. After her father sends her back home, she decides to live on the outskirts of town where she meets two other women – one who seems to be in love with Mr. Middleton and another who claims to be his daughter from his first marriage.
The Stars My Destination, by Alfred Bester
The Stars My Destination is a science fiction novel by Alfred Bester. It was first published in 1956 and was reprinted in 2006. It is an example of the type of genre literature that has been called “space opera.”
The Stars My Destination tells the story of Gully Foyle, a washed-up ship’s cook who is rescued from a life of slavery by a mysterious man named Valentine Michael Smith. He takes Gully on an adventure through space and time to find his lost love, Joi, who disappeared after she was taken away for her own protection.
Solaris, by Stanislaw Lem
Solaris is a science fiction novel written by Polish author Stanislaw Lem. It is considered to be one of the most significant works of science fiction in the 20th century.
Solaris is a novel about one man’s experience with an alien life form. The protagonist, Kris Kelvin, travels to a research station orbiting Earth and finds that he cannot leave. He becomes obsessed with the planet Solaris, which seems to be sentient and able to mimic everything it sees on Earth.
The book was written in 1961 and has had many adaptations over the years in different media formats such as films, television series, comics, video games and radio plays.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is one of the most influential science fiction novels in American literature. It tells the story of a man who is imprisoned on the moon for a crime he did not commit and his fight to survive and escape back to Earth.
In this novel, Heinlein explores themes of individualism, freedom, and power. This work has been widely studied in schools and colleges because of its themes that are relevant to contemporary society.
Ice, by Anna Kavan
Ice is a science fiction novel written by Anna Kavan in 1978. It has been translated into over thirty languages and sold over 22 million copies.
The novel is about a group of scientists who are working on a project called Ice, which aims to make the Earth uninhabitable for humans by changing the weather patterns. The scientists are trying to find out why the planet has become so cold and what they can do to reverse the effect.
The book is set-in two-time periods, one where humans have already made Earth uninhabitable and one in which they are trying to save it.
Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler
Kindred is a science fiction novel by Octavia E. Butler. It is the story of Dana, a black woman who travels back in time to visit her white ancestor, Rufus, in the antebellum South.
The book explores themes of slavery and racism through the perspective of Dana’s experiences as she visits her ancestor and learns about their life together.
Consider Phlebas, by Iain Banks
“Consider Phlebas” is a science fiction novel by Scottish author Iain Banks. It was first published in 1987 and is the first of a trilogy.
In “Consider Phlebas”, the protagonist, Horza, wakes up on the planet of Salthi after being in cryogenic sleep for 300 years. He has no memory of who he is or what he did to get there. He soon learns that he has been sent to Salthi as part of an interstellar war between two species – the Jain and the Csestriim – and that his mission is to find a weapon called The Box of Ultimate Control which can destroy both sides in one fell swoop.
The novel received mixed reviews upon its release, but it has since been recognized as one of Iain Banks
Under The Skin, by Michel Faber
Under The Skin is a science fiction novel by Michel Faber. It’s about a female alien who takes the form of an ordinary woman to prey on men in Scotland.
Under The Skin is a science fiction novel that explores themes such as gender, identity, and the nature of humanity. It was published in 2000 and has been translated into over 40 languages.
Metro 2033, by Dmitry Glukhovsky
Metro 2033 is a science fiction novel by Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky, published in 2005. It is set in a post-apocalyptic Moscow and tells the story of Artyom and his quest to save the remnants of humanity from a deadly threat known as Dark Ones.
The novel was later adapted into a video game of the same name, which won several awards, including GameSpot’s “Best PC Game of 2007” and “Best Xbox 360 Game of 2007”.
The book has been translated into English, German, Spanish and French.
The Three-Body Problem, Liu Cixin
Liu Cixin’s science fiction novel, The Three-Body Problem, is a classic example of the genre. The book tells the story of a Chinese scientist who invents a time machine and three aliens that come to Earth in order to study it.
This science fiction novel is based on an actual problem: how can we understand and predict the motion of three bodies? This problem has been studied for centuries, but Liu Cixin uses it as a plot device in his novel.
The Three-Body Problem is one of the most popular novels written by Liu Cixin. It was awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015 and 2016.
Children of Time, by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Adrian Tchaikovsky’s novel is a science fiction story about a world where time travel is possible and the consequences of it.
Children of Time is a science fiction novel written by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This book was published in 2010 and has been translated into over 20 languages. The story follows two main characters, one who travels back in time to save the future, and another who travels forward in time to save the past.
Children of Time tells the story of two people – one who travels back in time to save the future, and another who travels forward in time to save the past. They both come across many obstacles that they have to overcome before they can make their way home again.
The Power, by Naomi Alderman
The Power is a thought-provoking science fiction novel that explores what would happen if the world was ruled by women. It is about a dystopian society in which women are in control of everything and men are relegated to the status of slaves.
The author Naomi Alderman, who has previously written on topics such as feminism and racism, explores gender roles and power dynamics in this thought-provoking novel.
The Resisters, by Gish Jen
The Resisters are a group of people who have decided to fight against the government’s plan to control and manipulate the population. They have been fighting for years, but it hasn’t been enough. The government is working on a new technology that will make their efforts futile.
In this science fiction novel, Gish Jen explores how society would react if they knew they were being manipulated with technology and what might happen if they had no choice but to accept it. The novel is told from the perspective of four different characters who are all members of The Resisters, each with their own perspective on why they’re fighting against the government’s plan.