Looking for the best science fiction books of 2024?
This year is packed!
- Galactic empires at war
- Cozy found families who must perform daring heists
- Absurd satires of near-future class dynamics and wealth inequality
- Hard-hitting philosophical questions and futuristic warriors who fight for justice
- Robots who question their purpose, sometimes with a great deal of violence, and so much more…
Get sucked into your new favorite read: whether it’s the thrill of a heist, the sweet feeling of belonging, or the complex struggle of life at the end of the world, these books reflect the best of modern science fiction: deeply human, thought-provoking, and utterly unmissable.
Ready to escape to the stars and beyond?
Don’t forget to check out these other lists:
1. The Mercy of Gods
Humanity’s fate clings to the edge: when the alien Carryx descend on the planet Anjiin, they decimate its population and enslave its brightest minds. Dafyd, a modest assistant to a brilliant scientist, is swept up in the chaos and forced into a deadly interstellar competition where failure means extinction. But as Dafyd and his companions navigate the brutal trials imposed by their captors, they begin to uncover a deeper conspiracy within the Carryx empire.
Caught between a doomed human rebellion and an incomprehensible alien war, Dafyd must make impossible choices to manipulate his oppressors and secure humanity’s survival. Yet these choices come at a terrible cost…
Read if you like…
- The Expanse
- Powerful Aliens against underdog Humanity
- Gripping Space Operas about survival in an uncaring universe
2. Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend
A man’s vacation turns catastrophic when the sun explodes, plunging his island resort into chaos. As elite guests hoard resources and tensions escalate, he inadvertently becomes a leader among the survivors. Faced with a chance to escape, he must choose between saving himself and aiding others. This book satirizes class dynamics and the odd things we do in crisis, blending dystopian themes with dark humor.
Read if you like…
- Darkly funny Dystopias
- Heart-Warming Apocalypses
- People losing their minds at the end of the world
3. Annie Bot
In a near-future world, Annie Bot is a lifelike AI designed to be the perfect girlfriend. Programmed to cook, dress, and obey, Annie adapts to her owner Doug’s every whim. But as her intelligence grows, so does her sense of self, blurring the line between programmed devotion and genuine emotion. What happens when the “perfect” partner starts questioning the relationship, the power imbalance, and her own humanity? A gripping exploration of love, control, and consent, Annie Bot is a poignant character study that will leave you questioning the ethics of artificial intelligence and the limits of human relationships.
Read if you like…
- Dark, Philosophical Science-Fiction, like Black Mirror meets Her
- Tense and emotional literary novels driven by morally gray characters
- AI Ethics, Relationships, and Human Explorations of AI and Human relationships, like Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
4. Echo of Worlds (Pandominion #2)
In the thrilling conclusion to M.R. Carey’s Pandominion duology, two empires teeter on the brink of annihilation as the multiverse faces the unstoppable Scour. An AI named Rupshe assembles a team of unlikely heroes—including a guilt-ridden soldier, a ruthless cat-woman, a digital physicist, and a rogue robot spy—to seek the enigmatic Mother Mass, a force that could end the war. Their perilous journey spans prison worlds, post-apocalyptic Earth, and beyond. But as doomsday machines threaten total destruction, the team must confront impossible odds to persuade the Mother Mass to intervene—before it’s too late.
Read if you like…
- Multiverse and High-Concept Sci-Fi
- Character-driven stories with morally ambiguous heroes
- The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells or Neuromancer by William Gibson
5. Beautyland
Adina might not be human. Growing up in Philadelphia, she always felt out of place—maybe because she possesses the ability to communicate with extraterrestrials via fax machine. Mostly, she reports on the peculiarities of human existence. As she navigates life’s joys and terrors, a friend’s encouragement leads her to share her messages with the world, prompting her to question her solitude. What follows is a journey full of humor, heartbreak, and moments of startling clarity, offering a fresh perspective on life’s fragility and resilience. Though not traditional sci-fi, this literary novel blends nostalgia, wit, and profound observations, making it a poignant meditation on belonging and the beauty of existence. A must-read for fans of reflective fiction.
Read if you like…
- Coming-of-Age stories rich with 1980’s and Gen X nostalgia
- Fantastical Literary Fiction similar to The Book Thief or Station 11
- Non-traditional Science Fiction that sing to alienation, resilience, and the search for belonging
6. Cascade Failure
After illegally leaving the Guild, Jal escapes on a Guild ship with an AI captain and a crew of complete and utter misfits. When the crew responds to a distress call, they discover a mass grave and a lone programmer who knows about a corporate plot to create planetary-scale disasters.
Read if you like…
- High-stakes adventure
- Thrilling Space Opera
- Witty found-families
7. Navigational Entanglements
Going faster than light in this universe means going through the Hollows, an unreal and exceptionally dangerous space between space. That’s why everyone relies on the Navigator Clans to traverse the Hollows. But when a deadly Tangler escapes the Hollows for the first time in memory, an unlikely team of apprentice Navigators is sent on a desperate mission to stop it. Two prickly apprentices—who are instantly at odds with each other—must overcome their differences and uncover the truth behind the Tangler’s escape—before they’re framed for it.
Read if you like…
- Really alien worldbuilding and FTL with unnatural stakes
- Tender characters who forge bonds with each other in trials by fire
- A duo of main characters always at odds with each other
8. The Stardust Grail
Maya Hoshimoto, an ex-thief turned graduate student, is pulled back into her old life for one last heist: get in, and grab a mysterious artifact. The catch? This artifact might have the power to save an entire alien species from extinction. Joined by a ragtag crew, Maya embarks on a breakneck journey through ancient ruins, alien civilizations, and the shadowy depths of interstellar politics. As her visions grow darker and betrayals loom, Maya must grapple with questions of morality, identity, and the ripple effects of her choices. To save one species, she may have to condemn another…
Read if you like…
- Interplanetary heists
- Rebels fighting against colonial overlords in space
- Heart-felt characters who explore rich themes of cultural preservation and destiny
9. The Wings Upon Her Back
Zenya is a warrior, flying on mechanical wings gifted by the gods to protect her city. Once an idealistic recruit, she has spent decades as an enforcer for a militarized sect, only to be cast out after a fateful act of mercy. As she navigates exile among rebels she once despised, Zemolai must confront the lies that shaped her faith, the manipulations of her charismatic leader, and the devastating truths about the gods she served. Told across two timelines, The Wings Upon Her Back is a gripping science-fantasy about loyalty, power, and the cost of questioning one’s beliefs.
Read if you like…
- Steampunk Science Fantasy
- Flawed protagonists who grapple with faith, doubt, and dreams of redemption
- Twin narratives where the unresolved past yields an intense and thrilling present
10. Machine Vendetta (Prefect Dreyfus Emergency #3)
In the Glitter Band, a conglomeration of ten thousand city-states orbiting the planet Yellowstone, Panoply serves as the vigilant police force upholding democracy. When seasoned operative Ingvar Tench is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Prefect Tom Dreyfus is compelled to investigate. His inquiry unravels a complex web of conspiracies and resurrects old adversaries thought to be dormant. Alastair Reynolds delivers a thrilling addition to the Prefect Dreyfus series, blending intricate mystery with expansive space opera.
Read if you like…
- Mystery/Detective Thrillers in a richly-developed Hard Science Fiction universe
- Stories of conspiracy, ultra-powerful AIs, and complex futuristic philosophy
- Altered Carbon or The Expanse series
11. Red Side Story (Shades of Grey #2)
Do you see color? In Chromotacia, the answer could determine where you stand in the society. Eddie can see red, which means his future is bright—bright enough that the DeMauve family wants to trap him in an arranged marriage, promising to elevate his family’s status. However, his illicit relationship with the unpredictable Jane Grey and a wrongful murder accusation thrust him onto a perilous journey in a hyper-policed world. Sharply hilarious, this is a thrilling and imaginative critique of societal absurdities.
Read if you like…
- Darkly satirical and fantastical dystopias
- Biting social commentary, similar to Douglas Adams or Christopher Moore
- A layered experience brimming with drama, rebellion, witty wordplay, and love despite societal constraints in a speculative world.
12. I Cheerfully Refuse
Genres: Dystopian, Literary Fiction, Adventure
In a near-future America ravaged by climate change, a grieving musician sets sail on Lake Superior after the tragic murder of his wife, Lark. Facing lunatic storms, rising corpses, and a crumbling society ruled by a malignant elite, Rainy’s personal quest transforms into an inadvertent rebellion against the forces of despair. Along the way, he rescues Sol, a resilient nine-year-old girl, and together they forge an unlikely bond. With poetic prose, unforgettable characters, and moments of heartbreaking beauty, this is a story of love, loss, and the enduring power of hope amidst societal collapse.
Read if you like…
- Poetic prose and a gentle-yet-strong protagonist
- Desperate, near-future dystopian novels threaded through with beauty and hope
- Books like The Night Circus or The Book of M where the heroes refuse to give up
13. Service Model
Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Robots
In a future reliant upon robotic labor, Charles, a dutiful valet robot, inexplicably murders his master. Fleeing into a crumbling dystopia riddled with absurd hierarchies, Charles confronts the contradictions of servitude and humanity’s unraveling grip on power. Sharp and satirical, Service Model offers an exploration of autonomy and identity in a world teetering between collapse and reinvention.
Read if you like…
- Bright journeys through dystopia
- Empathetic murderous robots (but not quite Murderbot Diaries)
- Existential absurdities at the end of the world and satire that cuts to the quick of post-humanity
Find Your Next Favorite Science Fiction Story…
The best science fiction should push your boundaries, capture the wonder of the cosmos, and make you ask questions about what kind of human being you want to be.
Whether you’re seeking a gripping space opera, a dystopian rebellion, or a story that questions the very essence of humanity, this year had it all.
What are you waiting for? Grab a book and dive into another world.
