The Greatest American "Science fiction, Suspense, 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 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.

Suspense

Suspense is a genre of literature that is characterized by a feeling of tension, uncertainty, and anxiety that keeps the reader on edge and engaged throughout the story. It typically involves a protagonist who is facing a dangerous or threatening situation, and the plot is driven by the anticipation of what might happen next. Suspense novels often feature unexpected twists and turns, and the reader is left guessing until the very end. This genre is popular among readers who enjoy thrillers, mysteries, and crime fiction.

Fiction

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  1. 1. 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.

    The 2422nd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. 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
  3. 3. 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.

    The 6412th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. 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
  5. 5. Caliban's War by James S. A. Corey

    In the gripping sequel to a science fiction series set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system, tensions escalate as Earth, Mars, and the Outer Planets Alliance vie for control and resources. The discovery of a mysterious alien protomolecule has already wrought havoc on human civilization, and now, the fragile peace is threatened by new confrontations. When a high-ranking official's daughter goes missing on Ganymede, a soldier, a detective, a politician, and a rogue scientist must unite to unravel a conspiracy that could lead to war and the spread of the alien substance, risking all of human existence. Their journey takes them across the solar system, where they encounter monstrous creations, political intrigue, and questions about what it means to be human.

    The 10522nd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Network Effect by Martha Wells

    In this science fiction novel, the protagonist, an artificial intelligence with a sarcastic personality and a penchant for self-preservation, finds itself and its human companions embroiled in a complex mystery. The AI, which typically inhabits a humanoid robot body, must navigate treacherous political landscapes and confront its own past while attempting to protect its friends from a multitude of threats. As the group is pulled into a dangerous situation involving an alien artifact and a missing colony, the AI must leverage its unique abilities and wit to unravel the conspiracy and ensure their survival. The narrative combines action, humor, and emotional depth as the AI grapples with its identity and the meaning of personhood.

    The 10549th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Nemesis Games by James S. A. Corey

    In this science fiction thriller, the crew of the Rocinante splits up to address personal matters, only to be drawn back together by a catastrophic event. As Earth reels from an unprecedented attack and the solar system's power dynamics shift, the crew must navigate treacherous political landscapes and confront their own pasts. With humanity's future hanging in the balance, they are thrust into a conspiracy that could lead to war and the possible destruction of the human race, pushing them to their limits as they fight to prevent calamity.

    The 10580th 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. Persepolis Rising by James S. A. Corey

    In the science fiction novel set in a distant future where humanity has colonized the solar system, an aging crew of a well-known ship faces a new authoritarian threat emerging from the shadows of the past. Thirty years after their last major conflict, the crew must come to terms with their own mortality and the evolution of their relationships while confronting the rise of a militant empire. This empire, armed with advanced technology from an ancient alien civilization, seeks to impose a rigid order on the disparate colonies of humans. The crew must navigate political intrigue, shifting alliances, and the moral complexities of war to protect the fragile balance of power and prevent the solar system from plunging into tyranny.

    The 10612th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Leviathan Falls by James S. A. Corey

    In the epic conclusion to a sweeping space saga, humanity faces its greatest challenge as factions within the solar system struggle for power amidst the looming threat of an ancient alien empire. As the fabric of reality itself begins to unravel, the crew of a storied ship must navigate political intrigue, personal demons, and cosmic mysteries to prevent the annihilation of human civilization. With the fate of countless worlds hanging in the balance, alliances are tested, sacrifices are made, and the very nature of existence is questioned as the series culminates in a dramatic showdown that promises to reshape the future of humanity and the universe beyond.

    The 10668th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Authority by Jeff VanderMeer

    "Authority" is the second book in a trilogy that delves into the mysteries of a clandestine government agency tasked with investigating an enigmatic and dangerous region known as Area X. The narrative follows a character brought in to oversee the agency after the tumultuous events of the first expedition. As he attempts to assert control and understand the strange occurrences within Area X, he encounters uncooperative staff, cryptic notes left by his predecessor, and the unsettling realization that the contamination thought to be contained within Area X may have more influence over the agency than previously believed. The protagonist's journey is one of psychological unraveling, as he grapples with the opaque hierarchy of the organization and the increasingly blurred lines between reality and the otherworldly phenomena associated with the area he is supposed to manage.

    The 11070th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

    In this science fiction novel, the protagonist, born in a world where travel between parallel universes is possible, is one of the rare individuals who can traverse these alternate realities due to her counterparts being dead in other worlds. The story delves into themes of identity, privilege, and survival, as she navigates complex relationships and a web of secrets. Her unique position allows her to gather intel across worlds, but it also places her in grave danger, leading her to confront her own past and the stark disparities between different versions of her life and society. As she moves through these spaces, she must grapple with the moral implications of her actions and the true meaning of having a place to call home.

    The 11220th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal

    Set in an alternate 1960s where a meteorite strike has accelerated space exploration, the novel follows a female astronaut as she navigates the complexities of lunar politics, espionage, and personal sacrifice. With Earth facing environmental catastrophe, the space program becomes a beacon of hope for humanity's survival. The protagonist must contend with sabotage attempts that threaten the stability of the lunar colony, while also grappling with societal expectations and her own ambitions. As the space race intensifies, she is drawn into a dangerous game of political intrigue and must use her wits and courage to ensure the success of the mission and the safety of her colleagues.

    The 11220th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey

    The book revolves around a brilliant scientist who specializes in cloning and genetic engineering. Her life takes a dark turn when she discovers that her husband has been having an affair with a clone she created—a replica of herself, but more compliant and tailored to his desires. When a violent incident leaves her husband dead, the scientist and her clone must dispose of the body and cover up the crime. As they work together, they grapple with complex questions of identity, morality, and the ethics of cloning, all while trying to outsmart a world that may not be ready to understand or accept their existence. The narrative delves into themes of betrayal, personal autonomy, and the very essence of what it means to be human.

    The 11232nd Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher

    This novel follows a young woman who, after a personal upheaval, moves in with her uncle to help run his quirky museum of oddities. When she discovers a mysterious hole in the museum's wall, it leads her into a series of surreal, alternate realities filled with terrifying creatures and endless, hollow spaces. Teaming up with a fellow traveler, she embarks on a harrowing journey to find her way back home, facing not just the physical dangers of these other worlds but also confronting her deepest fears and insecurities. The narrative weaves a tale of adventure, horror, and self-discovery, as the protagonist learns the true meaning of courage and resilience in the face of the unknown.

    The 11284th 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