Survival is also key. The characters have to figure out how to stay alive in a war - torn world. They might face scarcity of food, water, and shelter. In many 2nd civil war sci - fi novels, the protagonists have to be resourceful and make difficult choices just to make it through another day.
I really like 'Red Rising' by Pierce Brown. While not strictly about a second civil war in the traditional sense, it has a similar feel of a society in upheaval and conflict which could be seen as a form of civil war on a different planet. The caste system and the rebellion in the story create a very engaging sci - fi narrative.
Survival is also key. After the chaos of war, characters often have to find ways to survive in a devastated land. They may face shortages of food, water, and shelter. For example, in some novels, people have to scavenge for resources and protect themselves from other desperate survivors. Another important theme is the redefinition of society. The old social order is usually shattered during a second civil war. Novels may explore how new communities form, what values they uphold, and how they deal with the remnants of the old society. It could involve things like new forms of governance, different social hierarchies, and changing cultural norms.
Another theme is the impact on relationships. War can strain or strengthen relationships between men and women. There can be romances that form under the duress of combat, or long - standing friendships that are tested. Also, the shared experience of war can create a unique bond between the characters, regardless of gender.
One common theme is division. In a 2nd civil war novel, the nation is often split along ideological, political, or social lines. Another theme is power struggle. Different groups fight for control over the country. Also, there is the theme of sacrifice. Characters may have to sacrifice their personal beliefs, relationships, or even their lives for the cause they believe in.
One common theme is the idea of nature fighting back. For example, in some novels, the grass might be genetically modified or affected by some scientific experiment gone wrong, and then it starts to exhibit abnormal behavior, like overgrowing and choking out human settlements. This shows nature's power and how it can be a force to be reckoned with when we mess with it.
One common theme is coming - of - age. In YA sci - fi novels like 'The Hunger Games', the main character, Katniss, grows from a somewhat naive girl to a strong - willed survivor. Another theme is dystopia. Many such novels, such as 'Divergent', depict a future society that has gone wrong in some way. Social inequality is also a theme, as seen in 'Red Rising' where there are huge disparities between different classes.
A theme that often comes up is self - discovery. When adrift, characters have time to reflect on who they are. In 'Solaris', the protagonist discovers a lot about his own psyche while being adrift on the strange planet. Also, the theme of the unknown is prevalent. Sci - fi adrift stories usually involve characters facing things they don't understand, like in '2001: A Space Odyssey' with the mysterious monolith.
One common theme is the blurring of reality and illusion. In schizophrenia, sufferers often struggle to distinguish between what is real and what is in their minds. Sci - fi novels play with this idea, like in 'A Scanner Darkly' where the main character's drug - addled mind makes it hard for him to tell if his experiences are real or hallucinations.
Another theme is the role of faith in a high - tech or futuristic setting. In a world full of advanced technology and new scientific discoveries, these novels often explore how faith can still be relevant. For instance, in some novels, characters may use their faith to make moral decisions in the face of complex technological or scientific situations. This shows that Christian values can still hold significance even in a world that is constantly evolving due to science and technology.
One common theme was alien invasions. Many 1950's sci fi novels explored the idea of extraterrestrial beings coming to Earth, often with hostile intentions. For example, in 'The War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells (which was also very influential in the 1950s), the Martians invaded Earth, causing chaos and destruction. Another theme was space exploration. As the space race was starting to heat up during that decade, novels like 'Rocketship Galileo' by Robert A. Heinlein inspired readers with the possibilities of humans traveling to other planets. And then there was the theme of technological dystopia, where advanced technology went wrong. Some novels showed how robots or other technological creations could turn against humanity.