10 Popular Science Fiction Authors Of The 21st Century

Now together in one volume, Monk and Robot includes the  A Psalm for the Wild-Built & A Prayer for the Crown Shy novellas.

Sibling Dex is just trying to figure out their own needs and place in the world. When they come across a robot, Mosscap, they are at a loss for how to proceed. Meanwhile, Mosscap just wants to know what people need. These sci-fi novellas are hopepunk at its best, complete with tea and robots.

When Edie's let out of jail early, she knows there's a catch. Turns out her ex, the same one who landed her in prison, has "one last job" to solve all their problems.

Lacking other options, Edie finds herself in the middle of a new crew, some very high-stakes, and a little bit of sapphic spice.

I love how the story is very much a cyberpunk world with Hawaiian elements blended in so well. Edie will have to make her own luck for one last job.

Full of Little Shop of Horror and Day of the Triffids vibes, don't let their human emotions fool you in this alien invasion tale.

Anastasia Miller is part of the vanguard of alien plant people who will one day invade the earth. She's told everyone since the age of three, but does anyone really believe her? She has a small circle including her boyfriend, best friends, and cat, which makes her human-appearing life reasonably okay.

When an astronomer broadcasts a signal that can only be described as alien, the world will have to decide if they're ready to believe.

I loved the relationships between the characters and enjoyed the writing style and structure of the story. I especially loved Stasia's boyfriend, Graham, a trans man and scientist, whose own struggle with being believed added an interesting parallel to the doubt over being an alien.

Part thriller, all sci-fi, The Deep Sky features a crew of 80 women chosen to save humanity. Their mission onboard the Phoenix is sponsored by multiple countries that want a stake in the new planet.

Halfway there, an explosion knocks the Phoenix off course, killing some of the crew. Was it sabotage or an accident? Asuka, the only eyewitness, finds herself caught up in a mystery she must solve before the crew blames her.

The Deep Sky was such an intriguing story with solid world-building. Everyone on the crew had an implant that controlled how they saw the ship, adding a clever way to visualize just how easy it is to get stuck in our own perspectives.

This complex and clever story weaves an intriguing tale of a secret Chinese military program attempting to make contact with aliens. There are numerous scientific, technological, ethical dilemmas, and political machinations occurring on set during the Cultural Revolution. There's even a game within the story that further addresses the unsolvable three-body problem.

The story is slower-paced with an epic buildup for the series. The English editions of books 1 and 3 were translated by fellow author Ken Liu, and book 2 was translated by Joel Martinsen. I especially enjoy the author and translator postscripts for the American editions of the books.

When you drunkenly joke with your friends about breaking into a decommissioned spaceship a few too many times, somehow it becomes a plan.

Twenty years ago, the crew of the Providence went missing just before launch, leaving the world at a massive loss. When Cleo and her friends decide to go search for answers, they don't intend to steal the spaceship or launch into space.

This tale of trespassing gone wrong is part space opera, part space odyssey, part sapphic rom-com, and overall, a fun read. Be sure to join Cleo and her friends on their accidental mission and learn the truth of the Providence disappearance.

This story follows Zelu, a disabled Nigerian American woman who aspires to be an author. She writes a story of androids and AI, the Rusted Robots, which soon puts her on a path she can't control.

A story within a story, there's definitely a connection to the famous essay by Roland Barthes, "The Death of the Author."

This metafiction tale is part thriller, part literary fiction, and completely science fiction, exploring what it means to be human and a creator.

Described as The Grand Budapest Hotel but in space, don't miss the Grand Abeona Hotel. Providing the best the galaxy has to offer from the comfort of a high-class spaceship, the luxurious hotel travels across the galaxy in mysterious yet stylish fashion. From aristocrats to academic conferences, the hotel caters to a diverse range of guests.

Carl, the longtime manager, doesn't seem phased by anything, but something strange is afoot involving imperial spies and mysterious love poems.

This story is full of whimsical charm, found families, acceptance, intrigue, and lots of deep space.

Just like pandas need human intervention to breed, so do the Kaiju. Jaime's been out of luck since the pandemic.

Working for food delivery apps to make ends meet, Jaime doesn't have a good reason to say no when an old acquaintance lines up a job with an "animal rights organization."

What follows is an out-of-this-world experience as Jaime ends up in an alternate dimension learning all about the very real Kaiju.

Our narrator and main character, Jaime, is gender ambiguous, which was a really interesting addition to the story that fit very well. The story is mostly lighthearted and humorous, with the perfect amount of Jurassic Park vibes and social commentary.

Enter the world of the Royalers, where deadly races through vast, unforgiving terrain are the biggest sporting event around.

The first book in the series follows Ezra Hart and Foster Sterling as their paths collide. Foster's a jaded racer, ready to throw in the towel and walk away from the world of racing. Ezra's willing to do anything to save her beloved planet Belethea and her family. Together, they might be unstoppable.

This is a super fun, fast-paced Young Adult Sci-Fi adventure full of competition, underdogs, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and excellent world-building. This series is like candy to me, and I thoroughly enjoy spending time in its universe.