One great one is 'Altered Carbon' by Richard K. Morgan. It's set in a future where consciousness can be digitized and transferred between bodies. The noir - like crime elements blend well with the high - tech, far - flung future setting. There are complex investigations and a gritty, dark atmosphere that makes it a standout in the genre.
Another great one is 'Alien' by Alan Dean Foster (based on the movie). It has the perfect blend of horror in the form of a terrifying alien creature and the sci - fi backdrop of space exploration. The claustrophobic spaceship setting adds to the horror.
The best sci-fi novels depended on one's personal preferences. People would have different answers. However, here are some highly acclaimed science fiction novels that might suit some people's tastes:
1 Galactic Empire series by Isaac Asimov.
2. The Three-Body Problem series.
3. The Wandering Earth series.
4. Star Trek series, George Lucas.
5. Avalanche and Dark Domain.
These novels were classics of science fiction literature, with a wide readership and high praise. Of course, there were many other excellent science fiction novels to choose from.
Some of the 2020 best sci - fi novels include 'Network Effect' by Martha Wells. It continues the story of Murderbot, a self - aware security unit, in an exciting adventure. Another one could be 'The City We Became' by N. K. Jemisin, which is a creative take on cities coming to life in a very strange and magical way.
Some of the well - known ones could be 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It has a complex universe with politics, religion and ecology all intertwined. '1984' by George Orwell, though more of a dystopian novel, is also a great sci - fi work. It warns about totalitarianism. And 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley which shows a future society where people are engineered for specific roles.
One of the best sci - fi novels in 2017 was 'The Collapsing Empire' by John Scalzi. It has an interesting take on an interstellar empire on the verge of collapse, with great world - building and engaging characters.
One of the great ones in 2018 was 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer. It has a really unique and mysterious setting. The way the environment is described makes it seem like a place that's both beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Another good one was 'The Calculating Stars' by Mary Robinette Kowal. It combines the idea of space exploration with some really interesting social and gender issues.
Some of the great ones include 'Ninefox Gambit' by Yoon Ha Lee. It has a complex and unique world - building with a military - focused plot. Another is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead which uses a sci - fi element in the form of a literal underground railroad to tell a powerful story about slavery and freedom.
Some of the best 2019 sci - fi novels include 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood. It's a great follow - up to 'The Handmaid's Tale' with its exploration of a dystopian future. Another one could be 'The Future of Another Timeline' by Annalee Newitz, which plays with time travel and feminist themes. And 'Recursion' by Blake Crouch is also quite good, dealing with mind - bending concepts of memory and time.
'Axiom's End' by Lindsay Ellis is also a notable 2020 sci - fi novel. It tells a story about first contact with an alien species. It explores themes like government secrecy, family relationships, and the far - reaching consequences of making contact with beings from another world. The characters are well - drawn and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish.