The best science fiction books with political intrigue and a touch of adventure

This novel is not as well-known as others, but it should be. I’d describe it as a dystopian thriller set slightly in a future where technology has become part of every single aspect of life. Detective Carl Dremmler is tasked with the complexities of investigating a murder by an advanced AI assistant (which should not have been possible).

This fast-paced and thought-provoking story addresses the themes of human autonomy, morality, and the dangers of technological advancement. The writing is excellent, with its premonition of where we might be heading and some of the issues we might encounter. It is thrilling and enjoyable.

This was one of my favorite SF books from the last five years. Cloning technology has reached the point where a new body can be grown and brain info transmitted, enabling lengthy travels to explore other star systems. Six crew members aboard one of the ships wake up to find their previous bodies murdered.

The novel weaves together science fiction and murder mystery (a whodunit) while exploring ethical and philosophical themes of cloning and identity. The characters are well done, most of them have some secrets, and the plot is imaginative and complex. The confined setting aboard a spaceship heightens the tension. Some wonderful reveals and surprises kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend this Hugo Award-winning novel for its entertainment and thought-provoking presentation.

I love science fiction which incorporates skilled protagonists against larger forces—the David/Goliath theme. Part of a space opera series about a political and military family from two different planets, there is political intrigue, battles, and an epic story.

Though technology and space play a role, the character development and portrayal are excellent: complex, realistic, and relatable. The protagonist, Miles, is brilliant but physically flawed. Much of the story is a well-written mystery as Miles, on an ambassadorial visit to a foreign planet, tries to uncover the culprit and purpose of a murder and the politics behind it. At the same time, he must try not to get caught by his hosts or punished by his own government, since he is only there as a representative. Highly recommended!

I have enjoyed Kuang’s books—her careful research into every topic with protagonists who struggle to fit in and experience mistreatment. The characters are relatable, and while the technology and magic add uniqueness, it is really a story about humans. Like her other novels, this one is an imaginative “alternative history” involving science and magic.

Set in China’s often inhuman activities of the 20th century, the protagonist is a young peasant girl sent to a military academy. There, she experiences mistreatment because of her skin color and low social status, but she has the magical skills of a shaman. (Kuang implies that magic may be merely an unknown science.) Together with a military teacher who sees her value, they seek to find a way to avoid a coming war.

This is a well-known book (and the film even more so), but I read it when it was first published, and it captured me. The basic plot is not uncommon (lone figures fighting against an overpowering and oppressive government), but Collins placed it in a fictional world with enough similarity that we could see our own world becoming this way. The setting is that of a lottery in which teens are sent to battle to the death for the honor of their district.

Themes of the elite versus the common people, human survival, and the human condition are explored throughout. The film is fairly faithful to the book, but like most adaptions, much detail, meaning, themes, and background are diminished or left out, making the book a must-read.