Reading is a great hobby, and for many avid readers, book collecting is addicting. Whether you enjoy nonfiction books like biographies or fiction like fantasy and science fiction, reading has so many benefits. It reduces stress, stimulates creativity, and expands your knowledge on various topics no matter the genre.
For science fiction lovers, these are the best science fiction books of 2024. The year is halfway over but there are already some fantastic reads that will blow your mind. Explore unique worlds, futuristic adventures, and endless possibilities from the creative minds of the best science fiction books 2024 has to offer us so far.
6. In Our Stars by Jack Campbell
The New York Times best-selling author is known for his work with The Lost Fleet, a military science fiction series, and Stark’s War, written under his real name, John G. Henry. His newest novel, In Our Stars, released in May 2024, tells the story of Earth that is destroyed, causing a time rift, and sending one ship going back in time.
When naval officer Kayl Owen is sent to investigate the ship, he finds one person alive. When her DNA is tested, Kayl finds that Lieutenant Genji is not human. And while everyone else doesn’t trust the newcomer, Kayl realizes that she’s telling the truth about what’s to come from everything she’s saying. The two join forces to save the Earth from being destroyed once again.
5. Dissonance by Shaun Hamill
Best known for his 2019 work A Cosmology of Monsters, Shaun Hamill is next on the list of having one of the best science fiction books 2024 has in store for us. Shaun Hamill’s most recent novel, released in July 2024, combines the art of science fiction with fantasy, dabbling in futuristic possibilities and magic.
Dissonance follows three characters: Hal, Athena, and Erin. In high school, they were taught a secretive and dangerous magic system by their eccentric professor that harnesses negative emotions like pain and anger.
But when something terrible happens, they now live seepage lives in very different locations living boring lives. However, when teenage Owen ends up bringing something terrible into the world, the three must band together to understand and overcome the entity before it destroys the world.
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4. Lake of Souls: The Collected Short Fiction by Ann Leckie
Sometimes one story isn’t enough. Sometimes having a collection of shorts is preferred. Thankfully Ann Leckie has just what you’re looking for. She’s highly acclaimed for mastering the science-fiction fantasy genre, having ever-changing worlds and groundbreaking ideas.
Now, you can get ahold of all her amazing stories in one novel, featuring her most recent novelette, Lake of Souls, which is the title of the short story compilation. A few of her stories include a journey across the stars to the Imperial Radch universe, learning about the Old Gods that rule Raven Tower, and exploring the mysteries of the Lake of Souls.
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3. Earthflown by Frances Wren
Every journey needs to have a little romance. At least for many readers. A hint of love intertwined with fantastical worlds can be the perfect package. If you’re looking for one of the best science fiction books 2024 has but with a love story, then check out Earthflown by Frances Wren.
The story follows Ethan, a healer who works at a hospital and saves the life of a fire starter with a bullet wound. While he doesn’t think much of it, it turns out he healed Corinna Arden, heiress to a pharmaceutical empire controlling Britain’s water supply.
Her twin Javier, seems to be interested in Ethan, so the two form a connection. But what Ethan doesn’t know is that by romancing Javier, he’s swept up in collusion over the largest reconstruction tender ever seen.
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2. The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard
Released in February, this is one of the best science fiction books 2024 has to offer. As Scott Alexander Howard’s debut novel, The Other Valley it’s already been widely praised by being Jimmy Fallon’s top four picks.
The story follows Odile, a sixteen-year-old who vies for a seat on the Council so she can have control over who crosses the border. But it’s not as simple as you might think, as the East is a town that lives 20 years in the future, and the West is a town that lives 20 years in the past.
When she sees the parents of her friend Edme cross the border and are mourning, she realizes that Edme is going to die. But as she’s sworn to secrecy, Odile will do everything in her power to learn and save Edme.
1. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Speaking of the interesting theory of time travel, one of the best science fiction books 2024 has seen is The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. While receiving awards for her short stories, this is Bradley’s debut novel and has received quite the reviews from sources like The Washington Post.
It tells the story of a civic servant who is offered a salary to watch over and act as an assistant to someone known as an “expat” to figure out if time travel is feasible — for the body and for the fabric of space.
But as she works, she ends up falling in love and quickly realizes that her job is a lot more hazardous than she initially thought. This romance, time-travel, sky novel is one of the best science fiction books of 2024 for all fiction fans.
