In today’s Article, we’ve curated a list of Top 10 sci-fi books of 2021 so far. These are among the best sci-fi novels until June. This is an eclectic bunch – there’s a bit of aliens, alternate realities and post apocalyptic stories all clubbed together. We’re more than sure that you’ll find something in this list that you like and will want to pick up.
List of Top 10 Sci-Fi Books of 2021 So Far | Best Sci-fi Novels Until June:
Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor
This is a short, crisp sci-fi novella on the surface. But encased within it is a brilliant and provocatively imaginative story of Fatima, turned Sankofa after an encounter with Death. Now, she lives as the Adopted Daughter of Death, with mysterious powers and strange ideas. Now, she searches for an object that fell from the sky with her companion, a fox. Treading delicately the space between modern sci-fi and African folklore, Nnedi creates a story that’s unforgettable for both its content and context.
A Master of Djinn by P DJeli Clark
This novel is a blend of steampunk sci-fi and fantasy, and takes place in Cairo of 1910s, which is interesting because the novel isn’t futuristic, but historical. It follows our protagonist Fatma El Sha’arawi who works for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. She is then recruited to solve the case of the murder of the famous Al-Jahiz, who blurred the lines between magic and mundane. A killer now rises, claiming to be Jahiz, and condemns the world for its social oppressions. It falls on Fatma and her girlfriend to find out the truth.
A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine
The second novel in the Teixcalaan Series, this one follows an alien armada that lurks on the edges of the Teixcalaan galaxy. This armada is absolutely hostile, unwilling to either communicate or leave the area. In an attempt at diplomacy, the fleet captain sends an envoy. What happens thereafter, the story unveils.
The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers
This story takes place on the planet Gora, an absolutely unremarkable place with no water, air or food. This planet acts as a stopover for alien ships, for refuelling and getting other supplies. When a piece of technology goes awry, all traffic to and from Gora stops entirely, circumstances force three strangers together at Five-Hop. These include an exiled artist with an appointment, a cargo runner and an alien striving to help people. Their relationships with each other, and their individual stories now drive the plot.
The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He
This science fiction novel is a story of two sisters – separated from each other and isolated. Cee is stuck on a remote, abandoned island with no memory of what came prior, except the existence of her sister. Her sister Kay lives a life of isolation in an eco-city, built for people who protect the planet from ecological disasters by reducing their environmental footprint. The novel follows each of the sisters and their efforts to meet each other in alternating points of view.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
This novel follows Ryland Grace through interstellar journey. Assigned with a mission to save the planet and the last vestiges of humanity, Grace goes off on a spaceship. However, when he wakes up, two corpses surround him and he has no memory of his identity or his mission. As his memories begin to return, he realizes the mammoth nature of the task that he faces and races against time to complete his mission. With fantastic worldbuilding that is replete with sound scientific explanations, this seems less a fantasy and more a mystery. But one that will force your imagination to run wild.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
This book is the latest addition to the Nobel laureate’s outstanding oeuvre. It’s set in a dystopian future where children are genetically engineered to be smarter and deliberately kept away from socialization. Klara is our protagonist and one such Artificial Friend. This novel, which has created a lot of buzz in the reading community, chronicles her experiences in the dystopian world.
Unity by Elly Bangs
This story unfolds in a multiverse where one planet, Iskat dominates the politics of the whole world. However, under Prince Taam’s rule, Thea and some other planets have begun to drift apart. After Prince Taam’s death, his widower Jainan must marry Taam’s cousin Kiem in order to foster peace. But it soon comes to light that Taam’s death may actually be a murder and that Jainan himself is a suspect. Jainan and Kiem must navigate the choppy waters of their marriage to prevent an interplanetary war.
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
This novella follows Murderbot as he discovers a murder at Preservation Station. Now he must help the security guard to unfurl its details – who did it and why? This is the sixth novella in the Murderbot series, and definitely a welcome addition to it. In fact, so many people have loved this universe that it’s absolutely essential to include this book in the list!
Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff Vandermeer
Combining eco-fiction with sci-fi, the author of ‘Annihilation’ weaves a wonderful story involving endangered animals, an ecoterrorist and a security guard. As a dark conspiracy unfolds, the security guard and our protagonist, Jane and her family fall into hot waters. This feels like an escape room hunt converted into a book, and should definitely be on your bookshelf.
Also Read: 9 Most Anticipated Young Adult Novels Of June 2021
