Newly arrived science fiction
Take a break from reality with our newest and hottest science fiction arrivals.
A Simple Intervention by Yael Inokai
This subtle yet chilling dystopian story centres on Meret, a young nurse working in a hospital where a groundbreaking surgical procedure is performed to "cure" psychological disorders, particularly in women. This intervention, presented as painless and with minimal risks, promises to make patients calmer, more compliant, and lead productive lives free from suffering. Meret is a staunch proponent of the procedure, when she falls in love with fellow nurse Sarah, and a patient suffers a catastrophic medical accident, she comes to doubt everything she believes in. Elements of Never Let Me Go and The Handmaid's Tale make this a thought-provoking and terrifying read.
The Bones Beneath my Skin by TJ Klune
Nate Cartwright, a disgraced journalist grieving his parents' deaths, seeks solace at his secluded Oregon cabin. Instead, he finds Alex, a gruff ex-military man, and an extraordinary ten-year-old girl named Artemis Darth Vader. Art, as she's called, possesses unusual powers and is on the run from shadowy government forces and a dangerous cult. Nate is drawn into their perilous journey, navigating car chases, conspiracies, and personal healing as he forms an unexpected family with Alex and Art. The novel explores themes of grief, found family, identity, and what it means to be human amidst extraordinary circumstances.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
This LitRPG series following Carl, an ordinary man, and Princess Donut, his ex-girlfriend's cat, after aliens transform Earth into a multi-level dungeon for a sadistic, intergalactic reality TV show. Billions watch as Carl and Donut, who gains sentience, are forced to navigate deadly traps, monstrous creatures, and other ruthless "crawlers." It's a chaotic, often hilarious, and surprisingly heartwarming tale of survival and unlikely partnership and has become a cult hit.
Mechanize my Hands to War by Erin K. Wagner
In a near-future United States where android labor is ubiquitous, leading to widespread human unemployment and resentment Eli Whitaker, leader of an anti-android militia that recruits child soldiers is being hunted. Told through a non-linear, multi-perspective narrative, Wagner explores the complex human-android relationship, focusing on characters on both sides of the conflict, forcing characters to confront their perceptions of morality, humanity, and justice in a world grappling with the implications of advanced AI and corporate control.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
In a chilling near-future world where dreams are under surveillance and used to determine "pre-crime" tendencies Sara Hussein, a Moroccan American historian, is detained at the airport by the Risk Assessment Administration (RAA). Based on an algorithm analyzing data from her dreams (enabled by a sleep-aid device she used), Sara is deemed at risk of harming her husband and sent to a "retention center" – essentially a private prison. As Sara navigates the absurd and dehumanising rules of the facility, her stay is repeatedly extended for minor infractions, highlighting the arbitrary nature of the system. A thought-provoking narrative that questions the true meaning of safety versus freedom in a technologically advanced surveillance society, drawing unsettling parallels to current debates about data collection and predictive policing.
Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
A dystopian thriller set in a grim future where the omnipresent corporation Caerus controls society through accumulated debt. When Inesa's mother accrues a debt she can never pay, Inesa is forced into the "Lamb's Gauntlet," a televised assassination spectacle where a genetically engineered "Angel" assassin hunts her. Inesa, resourceful from surviving in a half-sunken world, flees into the dangerous wasteland with her brother chased by her assigned assassin, Melinoë who is haunted by her past kills. As the hunter and hunted are forced into proximity, a complex enemies-to-lovers romance blossoms, exploring themes of corporate oppression, environmental decay, and the meaning of humanity in a world that commodifies life.
When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi
With his trademark whimsical yet insightful style, Scalzi explores humanity's reaction when, inexplicably, the moon turns into a giant ball of cheese. From scientists scrambling for answers and politicians seeking to capitalise, to ordinary citizens trying to cope with the absurdity, Scalzi satirises society's responses to crisis, showcasing everything from greed and conspiracy theories to unexpected moments of resilience and connection. It's a humorous and surprisingly poignant look at how we process the incomprehensible.
When an accident strands two human crew members, Juna and Mai, a pitch black, high-gravity, zero-oxygen moon called 'Shroud', they face a desperate survival journey. This is a first-contact story unlike most, as the "Shrouded" alien intelligence is profoundly different from anything human. As the women struggle against the environment and mysterious lifeforms, a strange communication begins, forcing both species to confront their assumptions and the true meaning of consciousness amidst a future driven by corporate greed and human expendability.
