While Sci-fi books tend to be accompanied by fantasy, various elements differentiate the two genres. Sci-fi has bits that border on magic, but they mainly use scientific logic and hard and soft science bodies – astrophysics, biology and politics, and sociology, respectively – to build their world and plot. So, here we have recommended the 10 best science fiction (sci-fi) books of all time.
Here we bring you the 10 best books that incorporate the genius of science for its world-building. They all have the most well-thought-out plot. And they are sure to leave you wishing to be a part of the revolution, or of the alien civilization. Or just wish to experience the struggles for survival (a little masochist, but interesting nonetheless).
We won’t be including the obvious books like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, or classics like Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, because almost everyone knows them, c’mon!
All the books have been arranged in alphabetical order because they are awesome!
#1 Dune Series by Frank Herbert
About the Book
Title: Dune
Author: Frank Herbert (and Brian Herbert)
Genre: Space, Adventure, Fantasy
Publisher: Ace Books
Type: Series
No. of Books: 8
Books in it: #1 Dune, #2 Dune Messiah, #3 Children of Dune, #4 God Emperor of Dune, #5 Heretics of Dune, #6 Chapterhouse: Dune, #7 Hunters of Dune, #8 Sandworms of Dune
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Paul Atreides, the heir to a noble family, lives in the desert planet Arrakis, where the only meaning lies in a spice capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. The Atreides House is responsible for protecting that spice, and Paul is on his way to succeeding the family. But he is forced to run for his life when his house is betrayed. And the more he finds out about his world and the truth about his family, the more he starts to realize that the only way to survive is by changing the planet as a whole and getting control of his thirst for power.
Why do we recommend this book?
Frank’s son writes the last two books after his passing, and they are just as good as the initial books. The world is vast, and the power struggle and humanity survival themes are executed immaculately. It definitely deserves more love.
If you want to buy/gift Dune Book-1, click on the link below: 👇
#2 Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov
About the Book
Title: Foundation
Author: Isaac Asimov
Genre: Fantasy, Space
Publisher: Bantam Books Publication
Type: Series
No. of Books: 7
Books in it: #1 Foundation, #2 Foundation and Empire, #3 Second Foundation, #4 Foundation’s Edge, #5 Foundation and Earth, #6 Prelude to Foundation, #7 Forward the Foundation
Goodreads rating: 4.2
Hari Seldon, a resident of the Galactic Empire, is the creator of a revolutionary science – psychohistory. He can predict future societal patterns. And the future he sees is filled with war and barbarism. The Galactic Empire is falling, and the destiny of humans lies squarely on the shoulders of Hari Sheldon and his team of geniuses. He has brought them to the other edge of the galaxy to try and make it a sanctuary, but this Foundation slowly starts to crumble just as the Empire is being destroyed. If Seldon wishes to save the future, he would have to fight for it. To death.
Why do we recommend this book?
The characters are filled with potential to the brim, and the author does excellent work with world-building. Sure, there is too much going on throughout the series, but it never gets confusing. And it always gets connected someway.
If you want to buy/gift Foundation Book-1, click on the link below: 👇
#3 Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
About the Book
Title: Manhunt
Author: Gretchen Felker-Martin
Genre: Adult, Horror, LGBT
Publisher: Nightfire Books Publication
Type: Standalone
Pages: 304
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
The whole country has been ravaged by a virus that turns men into ferals. And Beth and Fran spend their days hunting them and harvesting their organs to ensure they don’t face the same fate. Then there’s Robbie, who doesn’t trust anyone. When their paths cross, and they meet other people along their way, their struggle for survival turns even harsh. The search follows various characters throughout their journey of survival, not only from the infected but also from the living. And maybe from their own demons too.
Why do we recommend this book?
The trans representation is done so well here! The book is pretty gory (and lots of mentions of organs that might make one feel ill at times), but it’s a survival story done right! The characters are diverse and layered with enough depth to make you care about them.
If you want to buy/gift Manhunt, click on the link below: 👇
#4 Mind Bullet by Jeremy Robinson
About the Book
Title: Mind Bullet
Author: Jeremy Robinson
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Publisher: Breakneck Media
Type: Standalone
Pages: 441
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
A telekinetic assassin, Jonas has a strange ability to kill people with his mind. It’s an interesting ability, but it also leaves Jonas utterly lonesome and depressed, aside from Bubbles, the sarcastic AI. So Bubbles arrange for Jonas to meet up with Madee, a delivery girl, to help him cope with his loneliness. Until people Madee robbed, catches up to them. The three are now on the run, with a 10 million dollar hit called on them. The more they run, the more they delve deeper into the dangers from Jonas’s past. As he starts to uncover the secrets of his ability, he realizes that he isn’t just a danger to the people around him but also to himself.
Why do we recommend this book?
Mind bullet is filled with many exciting characters, and they are all easy to fall and root for. It’s a great blend of sci-fi and supernatural and a must-read for new readers. Just Bubbles is also enough reason for you to read this, honestly.
P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.
If you want to buy/gift Mind Bullet, click on the link below: 👇
#5 Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
About the Book
Title: Project Hail Mary
Author: Andy Weir
Genre: Space, Adult, Thriller
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Type: Series
Pages: 476
Goodreads rating: 4.5/5
Ryland Grace wakes up from a coma with no memories of his name or what he is doing in space. Until he slowly starts to piece together the fragments of his mind and realizes that he is sent on a mission on which the entire human survival depends. And all his other teammates are dead. And now he is stuck in outer space with no idea where to go from thereon until help comes in a strange ally, and Ryland starts to wonder whether he might be able to save the world. But first, he needs to do his maths. He has got his priorities, after all.
Why do we recommend this book?
Andy Weir’s nerdiness is pretty evident in Ryland’s nerdiness, which is honestly such a treasure. The science stuff is pretty cool, and the adventure was part thrilling and part comedy. One of the best-written novels on this list, definitely.
If you want to buy/gift Project Hail Mary, click on the link below: 👇
#6 Razorland Series by Ann Aguirre
About the Book
Title: Razorland
Author: Ann Aguirre
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Fiwel and Friends
Type: Series
No. of Books:
Books in it: #1 Enclave, #2 Outpost, #3 Horde, #4 Vanguard
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5
War and Plague have driven humans to retreat to underground enclaves, where life expectancy at most is till the early 20s. So when Deuce, a 15-year-old huntress, is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter, to go on a mission, she thinks she is ready. But when they both are exiled from the enclave after getting accused of lying that the tunnel monsters have decimated a neighboring enclave, Deuce realizes she isn’t ready for life overground. And the more she struggles to survive in the ruined city with Fade, the more she starts to understand that she has never been ready.
Why do we recommend this book?
Sci-fi and zombies plus romance, what’s not to like? The characters are flawed, and the world of Razorland is vast, with potentials that are well realized. An excellent read for young adults!
If you want to buy/gift Enclave Book-1, click on the link below: 👇
#7 Texicalaan Series by Arkady Martine
About the Book
Title: Texicalaan
Author: Arkady Martine
Genre: Space, Mystery, Adult, LGBT
Publisher: Tor Books
Type: Series
Books in it: #1 A Memory Called Empire, #2 A Desolation Called Peace
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
Mahit Dzmare is an ambassador who has been sent to the imperial city of Teixcalaanli Empire to investigate the mysterious death of her predecessor. In the middle of political instability in the empire, Mahit knows that their death isn’t an accident and that she could be next. But, as she gets more and more pulled in the politics, Mahit realizes that if she wishes to return home alive, she would have to uncover the secrets of the empire, and the mystery of her predecessor’s death, all the while trying not to succumb to the temptation of this seductive world.
Why do we recommend this book?
It’s so gorgeously written that the mystery element almost doesn’t matter. Nearly, because it very much does, and it’s a damn good part of this novel. The author has a way with words, and the lyrical writing only enhances the beauty of this outer world empire.
If you want to buy/gift A Memory Called Empire Book-1, click on the link below: 👇
#8 The Expanse Series by James S.A. Corey
About the Book
Title: The Expanse
Author: James S.A. Corey (Daniel Abraham and Ty Frank collab pen name)
Genre: Space, Mystery, Adult
Publisher: Orbit book publication
Type: Series
No. of Books: 9
Books in it: #1 Leviathan Wakes, #2 Caliban’s War, #3 Abaddon’s Gate. #4 Chiola Burn, #5 Nemesis Games, #6 Babylon’s Ashes, #7 Persepolis Rising, #8 Tiamath’s Wrath, #9 Leviathan Falls
Goodreads rating: 4.3/5
Set hundreds of years in the future, The Expanse Series follows various characters in a changed universe, where the universe has changed as humans knew it – having been colonized by humans. Although life on other planets is within their grasp, the stars are still out of reach. When Jim Holden and his crew come across a derelict ship, they find themselves finding a secret they never needed. And as their path crosses with Detective Miller, they are thrown in the middle of conspiracies ongoing between the Earth government, Outer planet Revolutionaires, and everyone else in between.
Why do we recommend this book?
Wonderfully written space opera, The Expanse Series has also been adapted as a TV series. The space organizations are well made, and the characters are diverse enough to make you invested in them. It’s a long series, but it’s completely worth the time and effort!
If you want to buy/gift Leviathan Wakes Book-1, click on the link below: 👇
#9 The Marrow Thieves Series by Cherie Dimaline
About the Book
Title: The Marrow Thieves
Author: Cherie Dimaline
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Cultural
Publisher: Dancing Cat Books
Type: Series
No. of Books: 2
Books in it: #1 The Marrow Thieves, #2 Hunting by Stars
Goodreads rating: 4/5
In an apocalyptic world where global warming has had severe effects on the environment and the human mind, people have been devoid of dreams. The dreamlessness drives them to madness until the government finds out that North American indigenous people still retain the ability to dream, and they have it in their bone marrow. As the hunt for them to be brought in begins, a fifteen-year-old and his companions struggle to survive. Because becoming a dream donor means losing your life.
Why do we recommend this book?
The concept is fantastic, and the sequel even better. The themes of environmentalism and ancestor-related ethnicism are well incorporated, and the world-building is pretty intelligent. Suitable for young readers who have just started to discover this genre.
If you want to buy/gift The Marrow Thieves Book-1, click on the link below: 👇
#10 The Murderbot Diaries Series by Martha Wells
About the Book
Title: The Murderbot Diaries
Author: Martha Wells
Genre: Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Tor Books
Type: Series
No. of Books: 6 (and ongoing)
Books in it: #1 All Systems Red, #2 Artificial Condition, #3 Rogue Protocol, #4 Exit Strategy, #5 Network Effect, #6 Fugitive Telemetry
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Murderbot, the misanthropic construct, contracted to provide security detail for a small expedition to a planet, is a failure as a killing machine. The Murderbot Diaries Series follows a self hacking AI Robot who is absolutely not interested in his job, although made to be a heartless killer. He is trying to find meaning in his life. He would much rather be sitting around watching entertainment channels than go around following orders and killing people. The series follows the same protagonist in this series of short novellas, each book having the robot solve the various crises that it would rather not deal with.
Why do we recommend this book?
How often can you say that a robot is whom you reconnect with the most? The Murderbot is absolutely adorable and so so relatable, and one need not think twice before starting this series. It’s a short, fun ride from the first book to the last (though still ongoing), and you are sure to fall in love with this AI, whom we really can’t see as a killing machine, no matter what its name is. Cute!
If you want to buy/gift All Systems Red Book-1, click on the link below: 👇
That’s all for the recommendations for now. Now you tell us, would you not love to be a part of these fascinating, but ruined universe and actively try to make it a better place? Or would you rather sleep the hard work off?
So, to conclude here is the list of the best science fiction books of time:
| 1. | Dune series by Frank Herbert | Buy book-set |
| 2. | Foundation series by Isaac Asimov | Buy book-set |
| 3. | Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin | Buy now |
| 4. | Mind Bullet by Jeremy A. Robinson | Buy now |
| 5. | Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir | Buy now |
| 6. | Razorland series by Ann Aguirre | Buy book-set |
| 7. | Texicalaan series by Arkady Martine | Buy first book |
| 8. | The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey | Buy book-set |
| 9. | The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline | Buy first book |
| 10. | The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells | Buy first book |
Read all the books on this list of best science fiction books of all time. You are going to like them.
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