The Greatest "Science fiction, Fiction" Books Since 2010

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 284 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Science fiction

Science fiction is a genre of literature that explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations on society and individuals. It often features futuristic or imaginary settings, advanced technologies, and scientific concepts that are not yet fully understood or realized. Science fiction can encompass a wide range of themes, including space exploration, time travel, artificial intelligence, and alternate realities. It is a genre that allows authors to speculate on the future of humanity and the impact of scientific progress on our lives.

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  1. 1. The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin

    A woman searches for her kidnapped daughter in a world ravaged by a catastrophic climate change event known as the Fifth Season. Simultaneously, the narrative follows a young girl with destructive powers and a man struggling to control his own similar abilities. The story explores themes of oppression, survival, and the destructive power of nature, all set in a dystopian world where the earth is constantly in flux, and society is strictly divided and controlled.

  2. 2. The Martian by Andy Weir

    A gripping tale of survival and resilience, this book follows the story of an astronaut left stranded on Mars by his crew who believed him dead after a fierce storm. With limited supplies, he must utilize his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to survive and signal to Earth that he is alive. The narrative is a thrilling testament to human willpower and the relentless fight for survival against all odds.

  3. 3. Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel

    "Station Eleven" is a post-apocalyptic novel that revolves around the lives of several characters before and after a devastating flu pandemic wipes out most of the world's population. The narrative jumps back and forth in time, exploring the interconnectedness of the characters' lives through their shared memories and experiences. The story also follows a traveling Shakespearean theatre company as they navigate the dangers of a collapsed civilization, emphasizing the importance of art and human connection in times of crisis.

  4. 4. 11 22 63 by Stephen King

    "11/22/63" is a science fiction novel by Stephen King that follows the story of Jake Epping, a high school English teacher who discovers a portal that leads to 1958. After being convinced by his friend Al to use the portal to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Jake embarks on a journey through time to change the course of history. Along the way, he falls in love with a woman named Sadie and faces various obstacles that threaten to alter the timeline he is trying to change. The book explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of trying to change the past.

  5. 5. The Broken Earth Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin

    The Broken Earth Trilogy is a captivating science fiction series set in a post-apocalyptic world where a woman with the power to control seismic activity is on a quest to rescue her kidnapped daughter. This world, called the Stillness, regularly experiences catastrophic climate change events known as Seasons, which its inhabitants constantly prepare for. The series explores themes of oppression, survival, and the human capacity for adaptation, all while providing a thrilling and poignant narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

  6. 6. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

    The book is a science fiction novel that follows the story of Breq, who was once a powerful starship AI controlling many bodies, but is now trapped in a single human body and driven by a quest for vengeance. Set in a vast interstellar empire where ships and stations are inhabited by ancillary AIs, the narrative explores themes of identity, gender, and colonialism. Breq's journey intertwines with flashbacks to her past experiences as an AI, revealing her complex relationship with a former officer and the events that led to her current mission. As she navigates political intrigue and battles, Breq challenges the empire's rigid structures and seeks to address the injustices within it.

  7. 7. The Power by Naomi Alderman

    "The Power" by Naomi Alderman is a speculative fiction novel that imagines a world where women develop the ability to produce electrical shocks from their bodies, giving them a newfound physical power over men. The novel follows the lives of four characters as they navigate this new reality and the societal and political upheaval that comes with it. Through their experiences, the book explores themes of gender, power, and the corrupting nature of authority.

  8. 8. Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor

    This novel is a coming-of-age narrative set in a post-apocalyptic Africa. It follows the journey of a young woman born from a violent act, who is prophesied to bring an end to a brutal regime. As she grows, she discovers her magical abilities and must learn to control them in order to fulfill her destiny. The narrative explores themes of race, gender, and power, while incorporating elements of African mythology and culture.

  9. 9. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

    In a dystopian future, the world has turned to a virtual reality game for solace and escape. The game's creator has passed away and left his massive fortune to the player who can solve his complex puzzles and challenges hidden within the game. The protagonist, a young, impoverished boy, becomes a contender in this high-stakes competition, battling corporate entities and other players in a race to claim the ultimate prize. As the lines between the virtual and real world blur, the protagonist must use his wits and courage to succeed.

  10. 10. How To Live Safely In A Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu

    In this metafictional novel, a time machine repairman, trapped in a time loop, searches for his father and the meaning of his existence within a universe that operates on science fiction tropes. As he navigates a landscape filled with paradoxes, dog-eared pages of his life, and a self-aware narrative, he confronts his past and the nature of reality itself. The book blends emotional depth with quantum mechanics, exploring themes of family, memory, and the passage of time, all while breaking the fourth wall and challenging the conventions of storytelling.

  11. 11. Saga Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan

    In a war-torn galaxy, two soldiers from opposite sides fall in love and have a child, igniting a dangerous pursuit by various factions who seek to control the child's extraordinary powers. With a mix of fantasy, science fiction, and romance, "Saga Vol. 1" takes readers on a thrilling and visually stunning journey through a vast and imaginative universe.

  12. 12. Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

    In a future where humanity has colonized the solar system, tensions rise between Earth, Mars, and the Belt, a region of space where resources are mined. The story follows a weary detective and an idealistic ship's officer who become embroiled in a vast conspiracy after a distress signal from a missing young woman leads them to a derelict spaceship and a potentially lethal alien life form. As the political situation deteriorates, they must navigate through the intricacies of interplanetary intrigue, terrorism, and an impending war, all while trying to prevent the spread of an extraterrestrial virus that threatens all of human civilization.

  13. 13. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

    In the novel, a team of four women—an anthropologist, a surveyor, a psychologist, and a biologist—embark on an expedition into Area X, a mysterious and remote region cut off from civilization. The area is known for its strange occurrences and the disappearance of previous expedition members. As the team delves deeper into the wild and enigmatic landscape, they encounter bizarre creatures, cryptic signs, and the remnants of a lost civilization. The biologist, serving as the narrator, documents their discoveries and her own personal transformations, driven by the unseen forces of Area X. The novel explores themes of nature, mutation, and the unknown, as the expedition's members confront the limits of knowledge and the consequences of seeking to uncover the inexplicable.

  14. 14. The Ministry For the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

    The book is a speculative fiction narrative that explores the global response to a catastrophic climate crisis through the lens of an international organization tasked with advocating for future generations. Set in the near future, the story weaves together a tapestry of perspectives, from bureaucrats and activists to ordinary citizens, as they confront ecological disasters, economic upheaval, and social transformation. The organization at the heart of the novel employs a mix of diplomacy, policy, and direct action to mitigate climate change, showcasing the complexities and moral dilemmas associated with stewarding the Earth for both present and future inhabitants. The narrative grapples with themes of responsibility, sustainability, and the interconnectedness of global communities in the face of unprecedented environmental challenges.

  15. 15. Feed by Seanan McGuire

    In a world where humanity has been ravaged by a zombie apocalypse, a team of bloggers sets out to cover the presidential elections, offering a unique perspective on the state of a society where the undead are a constant threat. The protagonist, a young woman with a passion for the truth, navigates a landscape of danger, political intrigue, and conspiracy, all while dealing with the challenges of living in a post-apocalyptic environment. As they delve deeper into the heart of America's reanimated politics, they uncover a plot that could have dire consequences for both the living and the undead, forcing them to confront the question of what it truly means to be human in a world overrun by zombies.

  16. 16. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

    This novel blends science fiction and fantasy, telling the story of two outcasts, a witch and a tech genius, who meet as children and then part ways, only to reunite as adults in a world teetering on the brink of catastrophe. As the planet faces environmental collapse and the threat of war, the pair must navigate their differences and their past to harness their extraordinary abilities. Their friendship becomes the key to survival, as they confront forces that could either save humanity or lead to its destruction, blurring the lines between magic and science in an uncertain future.

  17. 17. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

    This novel weaves together the lives of diverse characters through a narrative that spans decades, centering on a teenage runaway with psychic abilities. As she becomes embroiled in a covert war between immortal factions, the story explores themes of mortality, power, and the interconnectedness of human lives. The intricate plot moves through different times and places, revealing a hidden world of mysticism and a looming apocalyptic crisis, all while examining the impact of our actions on the future of the planet.

  18. 18. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

    "Binti" is a science fiction novella that follows the journey of a young Himba girl named Binti, who defies her family's wishes and leaves her home to attend the prestigious Oomza University. As the first of her people to be accepted, Binti faces various challenges and cultural clashes as she navigates the complexities of interstellar travel and encounters an alien race known as the Meduse. Through her unique abilities and determination, Binti becomes a bridge between two civilizations, ultimately transforming her own identity and challenging societal norms.

  19. 19. Klara And The Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

    The novel centers around Klara, an Artificial Friend with keen observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, watches the behavior of those who come in to browse, and those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change forever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans. Set in a dystopian future, the story explores complex themes such as the nature of love, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and what it truly means to be human, all through the eyes of an AI protagonist yearning to understand the people she is meant to serve.

  20. 20. Children Of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

    "Children of Time" by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a science fiction novel that explores the evolution of two species, humans and spiders, on different planets. When Earth faces destruction, a group of humans embarks on a mission to terraform a new planet and create a new civilization. However, an experiment involving a virus meant to accelerate the evolution of monkeys goes wrong, leading to the unintended uplift of spiders. The story follows the parallel development of both species, highlighting their struggles, conflicts, and eventual convergence as they vie for dominance in a rapidly changing world.

  21. 21. Death's End by Cixin Liu

    In this science fiction epic, humanity confronts an uncertain future as the universe teeters on the brink of destruction. The narrative weaves through time and space, following a complex tapestry of characters and civilizations as they grapple with advanced alien technologies, cosmic dilemmas, and philosophical quandaries. The story explores the depths of human ingenuity and the vastness of the cosmos, culminating in a profound examination of survival, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of life in the face of an unfathomable cosmos. With a blend of hard science fiction and imaginative speculation, the novel pushes the boundaries of human understanding and presents a grand vision of the ultimate fate of the universe.

  22. 22. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

    Set in a dystopian future along the Gulf Coast, the story follows a young scavenger named Nailer who works on the light crew, stripping copper wiring from grounded oil tankers for a living. The world is ravaged by climate change, with rising seas and devastating hurricanes. After a brutal storm, Nailer discovers a luxury clipper ship washed ashore with a wealthy girl barely alive amidst its wreckage. Faced with the decision to strip the ship for its wealth or rescue the girl, Nailer is thrust into a high-stakes adventure that challenges his understanding of loyalty, morality, and his own survival. As he navigates through treacherous waters, both literal and metaphorical, he confronts ruthless enemies and forms unexpected alliances, all while dreaming of a life beyond the squalor and brutality of his current existence.

  23. 23. The Lone Way To A Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

    In this character-driven space opera, a diverse crew aboard a tunneling spaceship embarks on a treacherous mission to punch wormholes through the far reaches of the galaxy. As they journey to a distant planet fraught with conflict, the crew members—each with their own unique backgrounds, species, and perspectives—navigate the complexities of their interpersonal relationships, cultural differences, and personal struggles. The narrative delves into themes of friendship, family, and acceptance, painting a vivid picture of life in a vast, multicultural cosmos where the vastness of space is matched only by the depth of individual experiences and the bonds that form in the most unlikely of circumstances.

  24. 24. Legend by Marie Lu

    Set in a dystopian future where the United States has fractured into warring nations, the story follows two teenagers from radically different backgrounds. One is a notorious criminal, known for his intelligence and ability to elude capture, while the other is a prodigious student and soldier, working for the government in hopes of avenging her brother's death. Their paths cross when the soldier is tasked with hunting down the criminal, leading to a cat-and-mouse game that unveils a web of lies and corruption. As they learn more about each other and the dark secrets of their society, they must decide where their loyalties lie and what they're willing to fight for.

  25. 25. Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

    In a universe where necromancers hold power, Gideon, a skilled swordswoman, is reluctantly paired with her childhood rival, Harrow, to compete in a deadly trial that could grant them immortality. As they venture into an ancient, decaying mansion filled with secrets and puzzles, they must unravel the mysteries of their world and face sinister forces lurking within. With a blend of dark humor, complex characters, and a gripping plot, "Gideon The Ninth" is a thrilling and unique blend of science fiction and fantasy.

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

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