Best Science Fiction Books of All Time

Dune by Frank Herbert

Set thousands of years in the future, Dune takes place in a vast interstellar empire where faster-than-light travel has made colonization of countless worlds possible, with the desert planet Arrakis at the center of it all. Despite its harsh environment and giant sandworms, Arrakis is the only source of “spice,” a life-extending drug that boosts mental abilities and is essential for space navigation.

When House Atreides takes control of Arrakis, Paul Atreides is thrown into a world of political intrigue, ecological challenges, and ancient prophecies, navigating both prophetic visions and the unforgiving desert.

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Foundation by Isaac Asimov

In the year 12,067 G.E., mathematician Hari Seldon develops psychohistory, a science capable of predicting the future behavior of large populations. Using it, he foresees the Galactic Empire collapsing into 30,000 years of Dark Ages. To reduce the chaos, Seldon devises a plan – later called “Seldon’s Plan” – to shorten the period of turmoil to just 1,000 years.

When he reveals the Empire’s impending fall, Seldon is exiled to the remote planet Terminus, where he and his loyal followers establish the Foundation, a beacon of hope to guide humanity through the coming collapse.

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Red Rising by Pierce Brown

In the future, society is divided by a strict color-based caste system, with Golds at the top and Reds at the bottom. Darrow, a young Red working in the mines of Mars, believes his people are helping to terraform the planet for future generations. But he soon discovers that Mars has been habitable for centuries and that the Golds have been exploiting his people all along.

Determined to fight back, Darrow infiltrates the Institute, a brutal school where Golds are trained to rule. There, he faces the ruthless politics of his new world – all while striving to bring justice to the oppressed Reds.

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Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio

Hadrian Marlowe, heir to a prestigious family in a vast interstellar empire, is trained as both soldier and scholar to follow a life mapped out for him. But unwilling to accept a destiny he never chose, he sets out across war-torn worlds, uncovering secrets older than humanity itself.

As Hadrian faces political conspiracies and alien threats, he must balance honor, survival, and rebellion. His journey transforms him into a figure capable of shaping the fate of entire civilizations across the galaxy.

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Hyperion by Dan Simmons

In the year 2732, the Hegemony of Man rules an extensive network of planets linked by farcaster portals, though some isolated “Outback” worlds remain unreachable. One of these is Hyperion, home to the mysterious Time Tombs that move backward through time and are guarded by the blade-covered Shrike.

For centuries, pilgrims have sought answers within the Tombs, but none have ever returned. As a looming invasion threatens, a final pilgrimage is organized, and seven travelers set out – each sharing their story as they approach the fateful confrontation.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Arthur Dent, a typical Englishman, wakes to find his house about to be demolished for a bypass. He tries to stop it by lying in front of the bulldozer, but his friend Ford convinces a bureaucrat to take his place and suggests they head to the pub. Ford casually mentions, “The world’s about to end,” and urges Arthur to grab a towel, essential for any intergalactic traveler.

Soon, Earth is destroyed by a fleet of alien ships making way for a hyperspace expressway. Hitching a ride on a spaceship, Arthur discovers that Ford is a researcher for the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and together they embark on a cosmic journey in search of the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything.

The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein

In 2075, the Moon is a penal colony for Earth, home to three million people – mostly former criminals, political exiles, and their descendants. Without a central authority, Luna has developed its own self-regulated society and unique culture.

A self-aware supercomputer named Mike helps a small group of rebels plan a revolution against Earth’s oppressive government, all while navigating the lunar environment, scarce resources, and the challenges of building a society from scratch on an unforgiving world.

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Solaris by Stanislaw Lem

Solaris is a distant alien planet covered by an ever-changing ocean that hints at a form of communication beyond human understanding. When scientists probe its depths, their experiments have unintended consequences, cutting off contact with the orbiting crew.

Psychologist Kris Kelvin arrives at the station to find the remaining scientists isolated and unsettled. Soon, he experiences Solaris’s true power: the planet can manifest people’s deepest thoughts, leading to a haunting realization that they may not be alone.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

In a future where Earth is at war with the insectoid Formics, humanity has united under the International Fleet to defend against further invasions. The threat of the Formics looms, and gifted children are selected for intense military training in space to prepare for the Third Invasion.

Ender Wiggin, a highly intelligent and strategic young boy, is chosen for the program despite being a “Third.” As he undergoes grueling training and simulated battles, Ender emerges as humanity’s most promising hope in the fight for survival.

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I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

I, Robot is a collection of short stories that explore the concept of artificial intelligence. Asimov delves into the ethical implications of human-robot interactions and corresponding dilemmas that arise as technology advances. The stories are linked by the Three Laws of Robotics:

1. A robot may not injure a human or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by humans except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

After a devastating nuclear war, Earth is turning into a barren wasteland, driving humanity to settle on other planets. To encourage emigration, governments provide a free personal android – advanced robots virtually indistinguishable from humans. Rogue androids are hunted down by bounty hunters working for law enforcement.

Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter with the San Francisco Police Department, is assigned to “retire” six escaped androids. As he tracks them, Deckard confronts the growing blur between human and machine, forcing him to question what it truly means to be human.

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The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Shevek, a physicist from the barren, anarchist world of Anarres, leaves his utopian society in search of intellectual freedom. On Urras, he is dazzled by wealth and beauty but soon encounters vast inequalities and sees his work exploited by the elite.

The story shifts between his life on Anarres and Urras, contrasting communal ideals with capitalist excess, as Shevek struggles to pursue knowledge while facing complex moral and social challenges.

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The Left Hand Of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Sent as an envoy to the frozen planet of Gethen, Genly Ai must persuade its leaders to join an interplanetary alliance. But he faces unique challenges in a society where individuals have no fixed sex, becoming male or female only during reproduction.

As Genly navigates the complex political landscape and confronts his own biases, the novel explores themes of gender, identity, and the nature of humanity, imagining a society that transcends conventional norms and social structures.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

In 2026, a team of scientists, engineers, and visionaries sets out on a mission to make Mars habitable for humanity’s first colony. Led by John Boone, they establish the initial base and expand to Phobos, Mars’ hollowed-out moon.

The story explores the complex relationships among the colonists as they face the challenges of survival, wrestle with the ethical questions of terraforming, and navigate their fragile connection to Earth.

Neuromancer by William Gibson

Set in a dystopian future where virtual and physical worlds collide, Neuromancer follows Henry Dorsett Case, a former “console cowboy” whose nervous system was damaged after a failed job, leaving him a low-life hustler.

When a mysterious figure named Armitage offers to restore his abilities in exchange for his hacking skills, Case accepts, risking everything to regain his life. Neuromancer helped define the cyberpunk genre and anticipated the rise of the internet and virtual reality, influencing works like The Matrix.

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

Valentine Michael Smith, a Martian, returns to Earth with extraordinary abilities and an alien perspective on life. Confronted with human laws, social norms, and political intrigue, he must navigate curiosity, manipulation, and greed to survive.

As Smith gains followers and shares his radical ideas, he challenges religion, morality, and human behavior, sparking cultural upheaval. His journey explores love, freedom, and identity, forcing humanity to confront its own assumptions.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

In the 2040s, the world is plunged into social unrest after an energy crisis caused by pollution, global warming, and overpopulation. People escape into OASIS, a virtual reality that serves as a refuge, school, workplace, and one of the few stable economies left.

When OASIS creator James Halliday dies, he leaves behind a complex quest: the first person to solve it will inherit control of the virtual world. After five years with no success, teenager Wade Watts discovers the first clue, sparking a high-stakes race filled with pop culture, danger, and global attention.

1984 by George Orwell

In the dystopian world of Oceania, Winston Smith lives under constant government surveillance, where Thought Police, telescreens, cameras, and hidden microphones ensure obedience and erase dissent.

Working at the Ministry of Truth, Winston alters historical records to fit the Party’s shifting version of reality. Yearning for truth and individuality, he rebels against Big Brother, begins a forbidden love affair with Julia, and risks everything to challenge a regime that seeks to control every aspect of human life.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

In a future where buildings are fireproof, firefighters no longer fight fires – instead, they start fires to burn books and the homes that hold them, suppressing ideas deemed dangerous.

Fireman Guy Montag’s life begins to change when he meets Clarisse, a free-spirited young woman, and witnesses his wife’s suicide attempt. Inspired by a woman who chooses to die rather than surrender her books, Montag secretly keeps one for himself, discovering the transformative power of independent thought.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

In a genetically engineered society, citizens are born into predetermined castes and conditioned for their roles. Lenina Crowne, a popular hatchery worker, embodies the population’s conformity, while Bernard Marx questions the methods used to maintain peace.

When Bernard and Lenina visit a “Savage Reservation,” they encounter natural birth, disease, aging, diverse languages, and unfamiliar religious practices – experiences entirely foreign to them. They return with John, a man raised on the reservation, who is shocked by what he sees as the emptiness of their engineered society.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

After an attack that kills the President and most of Congress, the Sons of Jacob seize control, creating the Republic of Gilead. This new regime reshapes society through a strict, Old Testament–based system, severely restricting women’s rights, including ownership, literacy, and control over their own bodies.

Narrated by Offred, one of the few remaining fertile women, the story follows her struggle to survive in a society where handmaids are forced to bear children for the ruling class.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Set in the 18th century, the story begins with Captain Robert Walton’s Arctic expedition, where he rescues a nearly frozen Victor Frankenstein, who begins to recount his story.

After his mother’s death, Victor becomes consumed by grief and immerses himself in his studies, eventually mastering the creation of life from non-living matter. His experiment, however, produces a towering, grotesque creature with yellow eyes and disfigured features. Horrified, Victor flees, only to find his creation gone, forcing him to confront the ethical consequences of his actions.

Mary Shelley is one of the most famous female authors of all time.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

In a near-future dystopian city, 15-year-old Alex leads a gang with Dim, Georgie, and Pete. Intelligent and quick-witted, he also has a taste for classical music – but his life is defined by “ultra-violence.”

After a series of brutal crimes, Alex is imprisoned and subjected to an experimental behavior-modification treatment. The story raises profound questions about free will, morality, and the consequences of manipulating human behavior.

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne

In 1866, a US-led expedition hunts a mysterious sea creature with Professor Aronnax, whaler Ned Land, and servant Conseil. After months of pursuit across the Pacific, the beast attacks, throwing the men into the water.

Surviving by clinging to the creature, they discover it is a futuristic submarine. Captured by its enigmatic commander, Captain Nemo, the group is taken on a journey through the ocean’s depths, encountering extraordinary marine life, underwater societies, and ethical dilemmas.

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

During a snowstorm, a mysterious man named Griffin arrives at an inn run by Mr. and Mrs. Hall. Covered in bandages and working with chemicals in his room, he ventures out only at night. His strange behavior leads to a confrontation with his landlady, during which he reveals his shocking secret: he is invisible.

On the run from the police, Griffin’s initial euphoria at his power gives way to madness. As society turns against him and his morality unravels, he begins using his invisibility for increasingly sinister purposes.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

The Martian Chronicles is a collection of interconnected stories chronicling humanity’s colonization of Mars.

The first section covers exploratory missions from the United States, during which humans accidentally devastate the Martian population with a chickenpox outbreak. Over the next several years, colonizers attempt to Americanize Mars, but as war erupts on Earth, most return home and interplanetary contact is lost. The final section explores the aftermath of a global nuclear war on Earth, as some survivors seek refuge on Mars.

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

An unnamed Victorian scientist invents a machine that can travel through time. Demonstrating it to his dinner guests, he recounts a journey to the distant future, where he discovers the Eloi – a gentle but unintelligent society. Puzzled by their weakness and lack of curiosity, he speculates that humanity has declined without challenge.

Returning to his machine, the Traveller finds it missing and soon realizes that humanity has split into two species: the delicate Eloi and the savage Morlocks. As he ventures further into the future, he confronts the complexities of societal decay and human evolution.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

The War of the Worlds begins with Martians planning an invasion of Earth due to dwindling resources. Years later, a meteor lands on Horsell Common, England, revealing a cylinder from which the Martians emerge. Struggling with gravity, they soon encounter the local military.

The narrator witnesses the Martian tripods wielding heat-rays and deadly “black smoke,” devastating the army and ravaging cities. The story follows the invasion as England is destroyed and organized resistance collapses.

The novel famously inspired panic during a 1938 CBS radio broadcast, when listeners believed the Martian invasion was real.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Paleontologist Alan Grant and his colleague are invited by billionaire John Hammond to Isla Nublar, home to Jurassic Park – a theme park filled with dinosaurs cloned from ancient DNA. Although the creatures were genetically altered to prevent reproduction, Grant discovers an eggshell, suggesting they can breed.

When a tropical storm disables the park’s systems, the dinosaurs escape, unleashing chaos. Grant and Hammond’s grandchildren must navigate the jungle, while others face deadly encounters with the park’s prehistoric inhabitants.

Jurassic Park is one of the most recognizable movies inspired by literature.