Books Like...

In the book 'A Memory Called Empire' by Arkady Martine, Mahit is a young diplomat from a small space station who is sent to a colonizing empire after the mysterious death of her predecessor. Equipped with a brain implant that contains her predecessor's memories, Mahit finds herself immersed in palace intrigue and political complexities, struggling to navigate a world obsessed with language and cultural nuances. The story unfolds as Mahit questions her loyalty to her own people while trying to uncover the truth behind her predecessor's death and the empire's hidden agendas.

'A Memory Called Empire' is a complex science fiction saga that delves into themes of political intrigue, cultural identity, and personal relationships. The book follows Mahit's journey as she grapples with the complexities of the Teixcalaanli Empire, where every action and conversation holds deeper meanings, and trust is a scarce commodity in a world of shifting allegiances and hidden motives.

'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin is set on the planet Winter, populated by humanoids of a single gender that can become male or female during their reproductive phase. The story follows an envoy named Genly Ai on a mission to convince the inhabitants of Winter to join the Ekumen. The narrative delves into themes of gender, social constructs, political intrigue, and the complexities of first contact with an alien civilization. The writing style is described as beautifully spare, with intricate world-building and thought-provoking speculations on gender and societal norms.

In "All Systems Red," readers are introduced to Murderbot, a rogue cyborg struggling to navigate its identity and emotions while protecting a survey team on a routine mission that quickly turns into a complex web of conspiracy and danger. The novella delves into themes of artificial intelligence, personhood, empathy, and the blurred lines between human and non-human entities. Through Murderbot's unique perspective and wry narration, the story unfolds as a mix of action, mystery, and character exploration, offering a fresh take on the sci-fi genre.

'The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet' by Becky Chambers follows the journey of the crew aboard the Wayfarer, a mixed species group traveling through space to a distant planet. The novel is a character-driven science fiction tale that delves into themes of relationships, personal growth, and diverse cultures. With a focus on the crew's interactions and daily lives, the story unfolds as a cozy and intimate exploration of the universe where humans are a minor part of the Galactic Commons. The narrative combines elements of space opera with episodic adventures, providing insightful glimpses into human and sapient nature.

The writing style of the book is described as light and engaging, with a strong emphasis on character development and world-building. The author intricately introduces multiple alien species, each with distinct characteristics and cultural backgrounds, creating a rich tapestry of diverse perspectives and experiences. Despite the lack of traditional dramatic tension, the novel offers a heartfelt and enjoyable read that resonates with fans of character-driven narratives and space exploration.

In a universe where math and weapons depend on the calendars and rituals observed by people, a math genius captain proposes a wild strategy to recapture a heretic fortress, and ends up inhabited by the ghost of a disgraced general. The rituals include torture, though it's never seen or described in any detail, and there's a lot of emphasis on protocol and different castes, as well as on the exotic effects of exotic calendrical weapons like the amputation gun. The story follows Captain Kel Cheris who is disgraced and given the chance to redeem herself by hosting the mind of a long-dead tactician, Shuos Jedao. Together, they form a new alliance that will change things in a universe where technology itself depends on belief.

'Consider Phlebas' by Iain M. Banks is a space opera set in a universe where different civilizations clash and complex political intrigues unfold. The story follows a shapechanging agent named Horza who embarks on a dangerous mission to find a fugitive machine that could change the course of a galactic conflict. The narrative is filled with immense world-building, multi-civilization history, and philosophical elements, creating a rich backdrop for the action-packed plot. explores themes of war, politics, religion, and the struggle for power, all set against a grandiose sci-fi setting.

'A Closed and Common Orbit' by Becky Chambers is a heartwarming and introspective science fiction novel that delves into the lives of two characters, Pepper and Lovelace, as they navigate their search for purpose and identity in a universe filled with diverse life forms and cultures. The book intricately weaves together their stories, exploring themes of friendship, found family, self-determination, and the meaning of personhood, all while offering insightful glimpses into human nature and the AI experience. Through dual timelines and parallel narratives, the author crafts a moving and humane tale that challenges traditional space opera tropes by focusing on the emotional journeys of its protagonists rather than space battles or galactic intrigue.

"Leviathan Wakes" is a space opera set in a future where humanity has colonized the Moon, Mars, and the Asteroid Belt. The story follows the crew of the Rocinante as they become entangled in a conspiracy involving Earth, Mars, and the Belters. The narrative is fast-paced, featuring elements of political intrigue, alien encounters, zombie horror, and epic space battles. The writing style is described as compelling, with realistic physics and vivid world-building that explores the complex relationships between humans living in different regions of the solar system.

'We Are Legion (We Are Bob)' in the series 'Bobiverse' by Dennis E. Taylor follows the story of Bob, a newly wealthy tech millionaire who agrees to have his head cryogenically stored, only to wake up as the mind in a computer controlled by a theocratic government. Bob is faced with the choice of becoming the AI in a self-replicating space probe or being turned off forever. Choosing the former, Bob embarks on a journey to survive in space, replicating himself to explore the universe, dodging attacks from other countries, and pondering on concepts of self, soul, and personhood. The writing style of the book is humorous, engaging, and filled with pop culture references, making it a delightful and thought-provoking read for fans of sci-fi.

As Bob multiplies himself, each of his incarnations goes on different adventures, exploring various scenarios of space exploration and AI existence. presents a unique angle on the sci-fi genre, blending humor, geeky references, and philosophical questions about humanity's future and the nature of artificial intelligence. With a mix of wit, adventure, and exploration, 'We Are Legion (We Are Bob)' sets the stage for a series that delves into the complexities of identity, technology, and the boundless possibilities of the universe.

Gideon the Ninth is a fantasy sci-fi novel about lesbian necromancers entangled in a Battle Royale cum murder mystery in a haunted mansion in space. The book follows the irrepressibly snarky goth jock lead, Gideon, through action sequences that could rival the best of shounen anime. Despite a hand-wavy world-building at times, the extremely metal plot turns and great ending keep readers hooked. The storytelling style is described as a new level of reading, encouraging readers to give it a try, especially through the audio version for better comprehension.