The Greatest American "Science fiction, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic" 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 300 '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.

Fiction

Post Apocalyptic

Post Apocalyptic is a genre of literature that explores the aftermath of a catastrophic event that has destroyed civilization as we know it. These stories typically take place in a world where resources are scarce, society has collapsed, and survivors must navigate a dangerous and unpredictable landscape. Themes of survival, morality, and human nature are often explored in Post Apocalyptic books, as characters struggle to rebuild their lives and make sense of a world that has been forever changed.

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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.

    The 1253rd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. 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.

    The 3152nd Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. 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.

    The 6246th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. 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.

    The 7845th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin

    In this concluding volume of a groundbreaking fantasy trilogy, the fate of a world hangs in the balance as a mother and daughter find themselves on opposite sides of an apocalyptic war. The mother, an orogene with the power to control seismic activity, embarks on a quest to end the perpetual disasters plaguing the earth by harnessing the power of an ancient, mythical obelisk. Meanwhile, her daughter, who possesses similar abilities, is manipulated by forces seeking to use her powers for their own ends. As their paths converge, the complex layers of oppression, survival, and the struggle for freedom are revealed, culminating in a climactic battle that will determine the future of their world.

    The 8138th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Seveneves by Neal Stephenson

    In this science fiction epic, humanity faces an existential crisis when the moon suddenly explodes, triggering a catastrophic chain of environmental disasters on Earth. With only two years before the planet becomes uninhabitable, nations unite to launch a daring plan to preserve human life by sending a select group of survivors into orbit. The narrative spans thousands of years, chronicling the efforts of these initial survivors to maintain the human race in space, the political and social challenges they face, and the eventual attempt by their far-future descendants to return to a drastically changed Earth. The story is a sweeping examination of human resilience, ingenuity, and the enduring quest for survival against insurmountable odds.

    The 8423rd Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. The Passage by Justin Cronin

    "The Passage" is a gripping post-apocalyptic novel that follows the journey of a young girl named Amy, who holds the key to humanity's survival. Set in a world ravaged by a government experiment gone wrong, the story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the fight for redemption. As Amy grows older, she embarks on a perilous quest to find her purpose and confront the sinister beings known as Virals, while a group of survivors battles against the darkness that threatens to consume them all.

    The 9664th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. Babylon's Ashes by James S. A. Corey

    In the science fiction saga, the aftermath of a catastrophic interplanetary war threatens the fragile balance of power among the various factions of humanity spread across the solar system. The book follows the crew of a rogue ship as they navigate the political turmoil and confront the radical faction responsible for using an alien technology to hurl asteroids at Earth, causing massive devastation. As the crew seeks to unify the divided human colonies and prevent further chaos, they must also deal with personal demons and shifting alliances. The narrative weaves together the perspectives of diverse characters, each grappling with the consequences of the conflict and the need for cooperation to ensure the survival of the human species amidst the ruins of the once-great civilizations of Earth and Mars.

    The 10589th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. Aftermath by Chuck Wendig

    "Aftermath" is a science fiction novel set in the Star Wars universe, taking place after the events of "Return of the Jedi." The story explores the chaos and power struggles that ensue following the destruction of the second Death Star and the death of Emperor Palpatine. Through the eyes of a diverse cast of characters, including a former Rebel pilot, a grieving Imperial loyalist, and a streetwise teenager, the narrative delves into the efforts to build a new government and the rise of a new threat that seeks to fill the power vacuum left by the fallen Empire. The novel weaves together personal stories of redemption, survival, and the quest for peace, setting the stage for the new era in the galaxy.

    The 10622nd Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Tiamat's Wrath by James S. A. Corey

    In this science fiction epic, humanity is embroiled in an interstellar conflict with an authoritarian regime seeking to control ancient alien technology. The story follows a band of renegade heroes who struggle against the oppressive Laconian Empire, which has harnessed the power of the mysterious protomolecule to assert its dominance over the human colonies. As the empire faces an unforeseen threat from the alien entities that created the protomolecule, the protagonists must navigate political intrigue, personal loss, and the complexities of human and alien morality to protect humanity's future and unravel the secrets of the universe itself.

    The 10654th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. The Obelisk Gate by N. K. Jemisin

    In the second installment of a groundbreaking fantasy trilogy, the world grapples with an apocalyptic season of catastrophic climate change known as the Fifth Season. The narrative follows a mother searching for her missing daughter while coming to terms with her own seismic powers that could either save humanity or hasten its end. As communes and factions struggle for survival and dominance, the story delves into themes of oppression, resistance, and the complex nature of human relationships, all set against a backdrop of geological and magical upheaval. The protagonist must navigate a landscape of political intrigue and ancient mysteries to unlock the potential of obelisks, powerful artifacts that could be the key to the world's salvation or destruction.

    The 10693rd Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer

    "Acceptance" is the final installment in a science fiction trilogy that delves into the mysteries of Area X, a surreal and ever-changing landscape that defies explanation and has claimed the lives and sanity of many who have ventured into it. As the narrative shifts between multiple characters and timelines, the novel explores the fates of the expedition members, the origins of Area X, and the secretive agency attempting to understand it. The story weaves together the past and present, blending elements of horror, environmental science, and psychological drama to reveal the profound and often terrifying transformations wrought by this enigmatic zone. Through the eyes of a lighthouse keeper, a former director of the agency, and others deeply affected by Area X, the book examines themes of identity, the human impact on the environment, and the unknowable nature of the world around us.

    The 11070th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

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.

Download