swap_horiz Probability Moon Alternatives

1

Hyperion

Hyperion is a 1989 science fiction novel by Dan Simmons, structured after The Canterbury Tales, following seven pilgrims...

Space Opera Classic Literary Pilgrimage

9.3 Excellent

2

Exhalation

Exhalation is a 2019 collection of science fiction short stories by Ted Chiang that explores profound themes regarding f...

Philosophical Hard SF Short Stories Hugo Winner

9.2 Excellent

3

The Player of Games

The Player of Games is a 1988 science fiction novel by Scottish author Iain M. Banks, set in his utopian post-scarcity C...

Space Opera AI Game Culture

9.1 Excellent

4

Roadside Picnic

Roadside Picnic is a 1972 Soviet science fiction novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky about the aftermath of an alien vi...

Russian Classic Zone Aliens

9.1 Excellent

5

A Deepness in the Sky

A Deepness in the Sky is a 1999 science fiction novel by Vernor Vinge that explores the emergence of an alien civilizati...

Space Opera Hard SF First Contact Vinge

8.7 Great

6

A Fire Upon the Deep

A Fire Upon the Deep is a 1992 space opera novel by Vernor Vinge, notable for its layered universe and exploration of hi...

Space Opera Aliens Vinge Zones Of Thought

8.5 Great

7

Leviathan Wakes

Published in 2011 by James S. A. Corey, this space opera is the first novel in The Expanse series and was nominated for...

Space Opera Hard SF Solar System Corey

8.5 Great

8

The Vor Game

The Vor Game is a 1990 science fiction novel by Lois McMaster Bujold that won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, continuing...

Space Opera Military SF Hugo Winner Bujold

8.4 Great

9

Revelation Space

Published in 2000 by British author Alastair Reynolds, this novel is the first in the dark, gothic space opera Revelatio...

Space Opera Hard SF Dark Reynolds

8.3 Great

10

House of Suns

Written by Alastair Reynolds and published in 2008, this standalone space opera follows immortal clone lineages across m...

Space Opera Standalone Hard SF Reynolds

8.3 Great

11

The Uplift War

This 1987 science fiction novel by David Brin is set in his Uplift universe and won the Hugo Award for Best Novel.

Uplift Hard SF Aliens Hugo Winner

8.3 Great

12

Redemption Ark

Written by Alastair Reynolds and released in 2002, this novel is the second book in the hard science fiction Revelation...

Space Opera Hard SF Sequel Reynolds

8.2 Great

13

The Warrior's Apprentice

The Warrior's Apprentice is a 1986 science fiction novel by Lois McMaster Bujold that established the beloved character...

Space Opera Military SF Hugo Winner Bujold

8.2 Great

14

Chasm City

This 2001 science fiction novel by Alastair Reynolds is set in his Revelation Space universe and won the British Science...

Space Opera Standalone Hard SF Noir

8.1 Great

15

Old Man's War

Old Man's War is a 2005 military science fiction novel by John Scalzi about elderly citizens recruited into an interstel...

Space Opera Humor Military SF Colonization

8.0 Great

16

The Algebraist

Nominated for the Hugo Award, this 2004 space opera by Iain M. Banks is set in a universe distinct from his Culture seri...

Space Opera Standalone Hard SF Banks

7.9 Good

17

The Ghost Brigades

The Ghost Brigades is a 2006 military science fiction novel by John Scalzi, the sequel to Old Man's War, focusing on gen...

Space Opera Sequel Military SF Clone

7.7 Good

18

Absolution Gap

Published in 2003 by Alastair Reynolds, this novel concludes the Revelation Space trilogy with a cross-galactic chase ag...

Space Opera Hard SF Sequel Religion

7.5 Good

19

Velocity Weapon

Velocity Weapon is a 2019 science fiction novel by Megan E. O'Keefe, first in the Protectorate series, featuring interst...

Space Opera AI Grimdark Military SF

7.5 Good

20

Manifold: Space

Manifold: Space is a 2000 hard science fiction novel by Stephen Baxter that explores the Fermi paradox through a complex...

Space Opera Standalone Hard SF First Contact

7.2 Good