While Science Fiction isn't my favorite genre (since fantasy romance and horror exist), it still holds a special place in my heart. I personally lean toward soft science fiction (nothing too analytical or scientific) with a focus on characters and adventure or mystery. If you have similar tastes, here are some recommendations you should check out.
(Who I am: My name is Jaysee Jewel and I am an author/reviewer. I specialize in romantasy (romance fantasy) and horror but also write science fiction on occasion. If you want more recommendations like these, check out my website or any of my socials.)
Honorable Mentions
(These are books I have already described in my dystopian lists, so I won't add details here. However, they are still recommended.)
1. Borne by Jeff Vandermeer
My Rating: A Tier (9/10)
Genres and Tropes: Science Fiction / Romance / Science / Horror / Post Apocalypse
Two survivors trying to live in a city full of horrific, human-animal-machine hybrids discover a strange blob and learn to care for it.
This story has a special place in my heart. It is one of the few "weird scifi" books I read. I stumbled across it from The Strange Bird (a novella by the same author set in the same world) and fell in love with the odd worldbuilding. The mixture of human/animal/machine hybrids running amuck, mixed with the horror of being unable to trust any of the surviving humans, makes for a really cool immersive world. The character of Borne (the blob who absorbs everything he touches) is also adorable and has such fun dialogue. This book was a breath of fresh air and I highly recommend it.
2. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
My Rating: S Tier (9.5/10)
Genres and Tropes: Science Fiction / Battle School / Child Soldiers / Action / War / Aliens
A young genius trains to fight aliens and learns to grow while also suffering from depression.
I loved this first book and the one that came after (Ender's Shadow). While I didn't enjoy any of his other books, this one in particular makes for a great, short read. I especially love seeing children who are so brilliant academically struggle so much emotionally. Seeing Ender's mind fall apart despite being the best at everything he does was what stuck out to me. (If you don't feel like reading the parts about his siblings, I'd recommend skipping them. They weren't my cup of tea.)
3. The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling
My Rating: B Tier (8/10)
Genres and Tropes: Science Fiction / Horror / Exploration / Caves / Diving
A woman desperate for money and prestige tries to explore a cave that has killed everyone who came before.
I'll preface this by letting you know that the story can get very slow and repetitive after a while. However, if you enjoy dark, spooky exploration and survival, you'll enjoy it regardless. As a fan of games like Subnautica and The Forest, I got the same feeling reading this book as I did playing those games. The book is tense, immersive, and eerie. If you liked the film The Descent, you'll probably enjoy this.
4. Renegades by Marissa Meyer
My Rating: B Tier (8/10)
Genres and Tropes: Science Fiction / Romance / Superheroes / Action / Villain main character
Desperate to bring down a society of superhero government officials, the MC takes on the role of a villain to infiltrate the group she hopes to destroy.
This one definitely leans into the YA genre (it has a romance, enemies to lovers, clunky dialogue, and a lot of action). Teens will absolutely love it and adults might enjoy it. While I didn't dig the romance, the worldbuilding and powers were able to make up for it.
5. The Martian by Andy Weir
My Rating: A Tier (9/10)
Genres and Tropes: Science Fiction / Space / Realistic / Humor
After becoming trapped alone on Mars, a martian must try to survive with the few tools left behind.
My expectations coming into this book were super low because I didn't like either of the author's other books. However, thankfully, this book ended up being enjoyable. It has a strong voice, humor, and pacing that is quick and entertaining. The movie is also enjoyable (but make sure to watch it after you read the book).
6. Lost Stars by Claudia Gray
My Rating: A Tier (9/10)
Genres and Tropes: Science Fiction / Romance / Magic / Action / Morally grey characters
Two child soldiers live through the rise and fall of the empire.
This story is set in the Star Wars universe during the original trilogy but if you're not a Star Wars fan, you can still enjoy this. It follows two completely unrelated characters and doesn't require a lot of lore knowledge. The slow burn romance was really enjoyable and I loved the struggle each character had about being on the wrong side of the war. This is a pretty good example of writing a story set in an established world, while not disrespecting everything that came before.
Bonus: Humanity's Last Hope by Jaysee Jewel
Genres and Tropes: Science Fiction / Battle School / Child Soldiers / Action / Aliens / Post Apocalypse
After their planet is wiped out by an oceanic parasite, the few survivors must train to retake their home world.
This shorter read follows a group of kids as they train for a battle that will likely end in their deaths. However, as they train under the watchful eye of their alien saviors, Indi realizes their situation may be more complex than he initially assumed.
Thanks for reading. I hope you found at least one story that interested you. If you're looking for more reads, check out my books on this site or on Amazon. If you want to see more recommendation lists, you can subscribe below!
