Books Like...
'Shards of Earth' by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a space opera set in a far future where humanity faces a threat from the Architects, moon-sized aliens that destroyed Earth and other inhabited planets. The story follows Idris, known as The Intermediary, who made mental contact with the Architects and is now trying to navigate the war alongside a crew on the salvaged ship, The Vulture God. The book features complex world-building, intriguing characters, and a plot filled with political schemes, mysterious aliens, and personal and world-saving drama.
If you liked Shards of Earth, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
Save:'Children of Ruin' is a science fiction novel and a sequel to 'Children of Time', where readers encounter vivid non-human aliens and thrilling action between planets. The story delves into a space-faring octopus species and a terrifying parasite species, exploring the complexities of different intelligences and societies. The narrative is told through multiple timelines, showcasing the evolution of species and the challenges of space exploration.
So many stories start with a waking. Disra Senkovi had been asleep for decades. Something like a lifetime passed back home while he slumbered; a fraction of a lifetime passed around his oblivious form...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Children of Time ) - #2
Save:'Children of Time' by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a captivating science fiction novel that delves into the concept of speculative evolution. The story follows two parallel plotlines - one focusing on the remnants of humanity aboard a generation ship facing conflicts and challenges, and the other highlighting the evolution of hyper-intelligent spiders on a terraformed planet. The intricate worldbuilding, complex societal structures, and unique biotechnologies showcased in the book offer a thought-provoking exploration of themes such as evolution, terraforming, and the consequences of human actions on distant planets. Tchaikovsky's writing style seamlessly weaves together these two narratives, creating a compelling and immersive reading experience that keeps readers engaged till the satisfying conclusion.
There were no windows in the Brin 2 facility—rotation meant that “outside” was always “down,” underfoot, out of mind. The wall screens told a pleasant fiction, a composite view of the world below that... - #3
Save:Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton is a space opera that delves into a future where humanity has built a galactic empire, exploring advanced technologies, intricate alien societies, and interstellar politics. The plot revolves around the discovery of a Dyson Sphere encasing two neighboring stars, leading to a space investigation to uncover the intentions behind this mysterious structure. With a vast array of characters and subplots, the book weaves a complex narrative that gradually converges towards a climactic cliffhanger ending, setting the stage for the sequel.
The star vanished from the centre of the telescope’s image in less time than a single human heartbeat. There was no mistake, Dudley Bose was looking right at it when it happened. He blinked in surpris... - #4
Save:'To Sleep in a Sea of Stars' by Christopher Paolini is an epic space opera featuring a strong female protagonist, Kira Navarez, who discovers an alien artifact that binds with her, turning her into a superweapon. The story unfolds as humans make first contact with an alien species, leading to a war that puts the fate of humanity in Kira's hands. The book is set in a futuristic world filled with advanced technology, aliens, and intense conflicts, with elements of science fiction and fantasy woven throughout. The narrative is fast-paced, with skillful world-building and well-developed characters that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.
The orange gas giant, Zeus, hung low above the horizon, huge and heavy and glowing with a ruddy half-light. Around it glittered a field of stars, bright against the black of space, while beneath the g... - #5
Save:In "The Collapsing Empire" by John Scalzi, readers are taken on an intergalactic journey through an empire that relies on a natural space highway called the Flow. The story follows multiple characters in different areas of the universe, all leading separate but interconnected lives that eventually converge. As the empire faces the impending collapse of the Flow, politics, intrigue, and the survival of colonies become central themes. Scalzi's writing style weaves together humor, emotion, and engaging storytelling to keep readers captivated from start to finish.
For the week leading up to his death, Cardenia Wu-Patrick stayed mostly at the bedside of her father, Batrin, who, when he was informed that his condition had reached the limits of medical competence ... - #6
Save:'Revelation Space' by Alastair Reynolds is a space opera that delves into a complex universe filled with alien civilizations, advanced technologies, and mysterious ancient artifacts. The story follows characters like Dr. Dan Sylveste, Ana Khouri, and Sajaki as they navigate through a plot that involves lost civilizations, rogue AIs, and interstellar conflicts. The writing style of the book is often described as imaginative and intricate, with a focus on detailed descriptions of futuristic settings and technologies.
Sylveste stood on the edge of the excavation and wondered if any of his labours would survive the night. The archaeological dig was an array of deep square shafts separated by baulks of sheer-sided so... - #7
Save:THE DOORS OF EDEN by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a science fiction novel that explores the concept of parallel universes and multiple Earths on alternative timelines. The story follows two friends, Lee and Mal, who investigate supernatural occurrences and get caught up in a mysterious adventure involving interdimensional aliens, portals, and the collapse of the multiverse. The narrative weaves together themes of speculative biology, paleobiology, and deep time, creating a complex and intricate world filled with diverse characters and thought-provoking ideas. The book is structured around allusions to Lewis Carroll's Alice books, with chapters interspersed with excerpts from a fictional book on speculative evolution.
For three billion years the only life here has been microscopic. Bacteria have been leaching sustenance from strange chemicals in the bowels of the Earth or the depths of the sea. Ice comes, ice goes;... - #8
Save:A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge is a science fiction novel set in an interstellar trading culture where two human civilizations, the Qeng Ho traders and the authoritarian Emergents, clash over a planet inhabited by a spider-like alien species. The story weaves between the intricate politics and intrigues of the human groups, particularly the Qeng Ho traders trying to cooperate with the Spiders and undermine the Emergents, all set against the backdrop of a fascinating thought experiment of a setting with layers of politics and compelling characters.
The Qeng Ho fleet was first to arrive at the OnOff star. That might not matter. For the last fifty years of their voyage, they had watched the torch-plumes of the Emergent fleet as it decelerated towa...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Zones of Thought ) - #9
Save:'A Fire Upon the Deep' by Vernor Vinge is a space opera set in a galaxy richly populated with diverse alien species. The novel introduces the concept of separate zones in space, where the laws of physics change, allowing for FTL travel and communication. The story follows a group of characters as they navigate through different civilizations, encountering transcendent 'Powers', interstellar traders, ancient civilizations, and unique alien races, all while facing a looming threat to the entire galaxy.
The book is praised for its grand scale, imaginative world-building, and complex alien cultures. Vinge's writing style is described as engaging, with a mix of hard science fiction elements and space opera themes. The novel explores various societal constructs, modes of thought, and cosmic theological ideas, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre.
The coldsleep itself was dreamless. Three days ago they had been getting ready to leave, and now they were here. Little Jefri complained about missing all the action, but Johanna Olsndot was glad she’... - #10
Save:"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.
A hundred and fifty years before, when the parochial disagreements between Earth and Mars had been on the verge of war, the Belt had been a far horizon of tremendous mineral wealth beyond viable econo...
