9 Modern Science Fiction Novels That Will Blow You Away

9 Modern Science Fiction Novels That Will Blow You Away

5 Classic Works of Sci-Fi

The authors on this list stand on the shoulders of many famous writers who came before them and influenced the genre. Here are a few works that made science fiction what it is today:

1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
2. Dune by Frank Herbert
3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
4. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
5. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

Great Sci-Fi Films

• Alien (1979)
• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
• Rogue One (2016)
• Contact (1997)
• Interstellar (2014)
• Star Trek (2009)
• The Martian (2015)
• The Matrix (1999)
• Ready Player One (2018)
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

The Evolution of Science Fiction

In Depth

Reading science fiction can change the way we look at the world. It can also raise numerous questions that not only ignite our creativity, but also challenge us to look beyond the current state of technology. So whether you want to explore outer space or dystopian worlds, or simply want to engross yourself in a thrilling adventure tale, take a look at these nine modern sci-fi novels, listed in no particular order.

At #1 is "Fortune's Pawn." It follows the viewpoint of Devi Morris, an ambitious mercenary who dreams of being one of their king's personal guards. In order to advance in her career, she accepts a security position at The Glorious Fool, a trade ship that is notorious for the high mortality rate of its wardens. With the ship's diverse crew of aliens and humans, the book takes readers along on dangerous planetary journeys, while unfolding dark mysteries that Devi gets tangled up in. Rachel Bach combines intergalactic travel with romance in this gripping military sci-fi.

At #2 is "Dark Eden," a thought-provoking story about the rebuilding of society on an alien planet by Chris Beckett. The story begins with five astronauts, who find themselves on a sunless planet called "Eden." Three of them return to Earth in their damaged ship to get help, leaving Tommy and Angela behind.

Three of them return to Earth in their damaged ship to get help, leaving Tommy and Angela behind.

More than a hundred years later, the population has grown to 532, and tales of their ancestors and a bright paradise called Earth are almost a myth. While most inhabitants still believe in Angela's promise about people from the sky who will come to rescue them, young John Redlantern defies his community's laws, and hopes to create a new way of living.

At #3 is "Outriders," which tells the story of Captain Lincoln Suh who is selected for special military training. However, after being dismissed for mysterious reasons, he is recruited to lead a small, secret intelligence unit called the Outriders. As they find answers to seemingly unrelated terrorist attacks, Suh and his crew discover their enemy's goal of an interplanetary war between humans and Martians. Written by Jay Posey, the tale weaves spy thriller with futuristic technology and action-packed episodes set in space.

Next, at #4 is "Fluency" by Jennifer Foehner Wells. In the 1960s, NASA discovers an alien ship lurking in the asteroid belt and keeps it under surveillance for decades. Preparing to make the first contact with its occupants, they recruit an outstanding linguist, Dr. Jane Holloway, to join a team of military scientists on an expedition to the spacecraft. As the crew lands on board, Holloway begins receiving mental communications from an intellectual alien navigator, unaware of her destiny and what she is being groomed for.

In the 1960s, NASA discovers an alien ship lurking in the asteroid belt and keeps it under surveillance for decades.

At #5 is "The Book of the Unnamed Midwife." Meg Elison presents a post-apocalyptic world that focuses on the story of an unnamed woman who survives a plague that wipes out most of humanity, and hits women especially hard. Waking up with everyone around her dead, the unnamed nurse, who identifies herself with various pseudonyms, wanders for several years dressed as a man after learning that females are enslaved, raped, and sold by various gangs of men. As she searches for her place in the new world, she makes it her mission to help women in giving birth.

At #6 is "The Wanderers" by Meg Howrey. It follows the alternating perspectives of three astronauts who are being prepared for the first mission to Mars. Helen, Yoshihiro, and Sergei are chosen by aerospace giant Prime Space based on their personalities and skills. They participate in a realistic simulation set in a Utah desert, and practice dealing with challenges like equipment malfunctions, personal crises, and atmospheric abnormalities. As their psychological and emotional behaviors are also examined, readers explore what it truly means to leave behind a legacy.

At #7 is "There Before the Chaos," the first book in K.B. Wagers' the Farian War series, which is a sequel to the Indranan War trilogy. It tells the story of Hail Bristol, an interplanetary gunrunner who is forced to take over the empire's throne after her family is murdered. As she rules over Indrana, she finds her kingdom in the middle of two powerful alien societies that wage war against each other, affecting humans with disastrous consequences. With Hail's dark humor and fiery nature, the tale engages readers with a lot of space action and political intrigue.

As she rules over Indrana, she finds her kingdom in the middle of two powerful alien societies that wage war against each other, affecting humans with disastrous consequences.

At #8 is "The Bees," a highly imaginative novel that portrays the life of bees through a dystopian lens. The story focuses on Flora 717, a smart and curious lowly sanitation worker who is considered ugly and deformed for being too big and dark. After being saved from execution by a high priestess, Flora begins working as a feeder to the Queen's newborns. However, after learning that she can also produce eggs, which is something that only the Queen is meant to do, Flora does what she can to escape her impending death sentence. Written by Laline Paull, the novel explores a fascinating society, where obedience and sacrifice are valued above all else.

Finally, at #9 is "Archivist Wasp" by Nicole Kornher-Stace. Wasp, an Archivist who is forced to fight and kill young girls every year to keep her life and position, has been told that she is unique, and that goddess Catchkeep is always looking after her. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where no one knows what happened to the previous society, the Archivist's job is to hunt and interrogate ghosts, in hopes of learning anything about the earth's demise.

In exchange for a chance at freedom, she makes a deal with a supersoldier ghost to find his long-dead partner in the underworld, only to find out that everything she knows is a lie.