The 2020s have been a fertile ground for science fiction, with authors drawing on real-world anxieties about AI, climate change, and social upheaval to craft stories that are both thrilling and thought-provoking. Here are the best sci-fi books released since 2020, ranked for your reading pleasure.
6. Sea of Tranquility (2022)
Emily St. John Mandel's Sea of Tranquility is a literary gem that weaves together four timelines—1912, 2020, 2203, and 2401—to explore themes of time, reality, and human connection. The novel follows a novelist on a moon colony and a time-traveling investigator, blending historical fiction with speculative technology. It's a smart, sensitive book that asks profound questions about the nature of existence and the search for meaning in a fleeting life.
5. Alien Clay (2024)
Adrian Tchaikovsky, known for the Children of Time series, delivers a gripping tale of political oppression and alien biology in Alien Clay. Set on the planet Kiln, the story follows dissident scientist Arton Daghdev, exiled by an authoritarian regime. The planet's ecosystem is a cooperative network of lifeforms, challenging our understanding of evolution and offering a stark contrast to the brutal human dynamics. It's a must-read for fans of inventive world-building.
4. Network Effect (2020)
The first full-length novel in the Murderbot Diaries series, Network Effect by Martha Wells, is a hilarious and action-packed space opera. Murderbot, a robot who has hacked its own governor module, prefers watching soap operas to dealing with humans. But when a rescue mission goes awry, it must navigate alien contamination and a planet called "Hell Plague Planet." The book's dry humor and relatable protagonist make it a standout in the genre.
3. Project Hail Mary (2021)
Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary is a survival story with a heart. Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship with amnesia, tasked with saving Earth from a solar-draining microorganism. The novel shines in its portrayal of the friendship between Grace and Rocky, an alien engineer with a similar mission. It's a buddy comedy in space, filled with scientific puzzles and emotional depth.
2. What We Can Know (2025)
Ian McEwan's What We Can Know is a subtle, introspective sci-fi novel set in the 22nd century, where a scholar studies the early 21st century. Through his research into a lost poem, McEwan holds a mirror to our own time, critiquing the eccentricities and flaws of the 2010s and 2020s. It's a gripping story that's more about psychology and character than high-concept ideas.
1. Klara and the Sun (2021)
Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun tops our list. The novel follows Klara, an Artificial Friend designed to be a companion for a child. As she observes the world from a store window, she develops a unique perspective on love, sacrifice, and what it means to be human. Ishiguro's poignant prose and deep philosophical questions make this a modern classic.
These books represent the best of what the 2020s have offered in science fiction, from hard sci-fi to literary explorations. For more recommendations, check out our list of essential hard sci-fi books or dive into underrated fantasy reads. And if you're curious about the genre's influence on screen, see which books Hollywood keeps adapting.
