Guest post by author Julian R. Vaca
Julian R. Vaca has been a creative writer for over a decade. He writes speculative fiction for young adults, and his debut novel, The Memory Index, published on August 9, 2022. Deemed a “clever and empathetic work of speculative fiction” by School Library Journal, it was also described as “cinematic writing, teen sleuthing, and a nostalgic setting make this book a great recommendation to fans of Stranger Things.” Julian lives in Nashville with his family. Connect with him at JulianRayVaca.com; Instagram: @JulianRayVaca; Twitter: @JulianRVaca; and Facebook: @JulianRVaca.
Sci-fi books are among some of the greatest works of art—and not just in literature. The high concepts, human themes, and commentaries on society are just a handful of the many elements that make this genre in fiction so wildly popular.
Personally, I love sci-fi when science and technology are merely the backdrop to relatable stories about grief, race, and the human condition. So, when I reflect on my own list of sci-fi faves, I’m not just looking at the scope of the story and high-flying battle set pieces. I want to feel something, I want to be challenged.
Here’s a roundup of my favorite sci-fi books of all time.
This seminal work of art has stood the test of time, and it’s certainly the author’s most popular work of fiction to date.
In Ender’s Game, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is recruited by Colonel Graff to participate in a militaristic simulation amid a sweeping war. He and his fellow recruits are put through intense training, which includes engaging in a highly-competitive, zero-gravity game.
What’s so brilliant about this influential book is that it tackles a myriad of coming-of-age themes set against impossible stakes. My favorite authors do this so well, and I count Orson Scott Card among the very best. As the reader, you’ll never feel as if Card doesn’t have a handle on the plot—he’s in complete control. And, by the book’s end, you’ll experience a surprising level of empathy you may never have foreseen coming.
It’s also one of only a handful of books where I cried at the close. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more definitive book in this genre.
William Sleator’s House of Stairs is the kind of intense read that you blow through in one sitting. Personally, I knew little to nothing about the plot when a dear friend recommended the title—in fact, I’d never even heard of the author (or his works) before receiving the book as a gift!
But now I cannot recommend this book—and its author—enough. It’s a dystopian tale that’s equal parts phycological thriller and sci-fi mystery that (mostly) takes place in one setting. The five protagonists are multi-dimensional, layered teenagers with very strong voices. I don’t want to give too much away; I’ll say that the characters’ journey into utter madness—and the gut-wrenching twist ending—make this necessary reading for any fans of character-driven sci-fi books.
I cannot recommend it enough.
Brandon Sanderson is one of the most prolific writers working today. He’s also one of my biggest sources of inspiration as an author. He’s written everything from massive, tome-sized fantasy epics for adults to middle grade action-adventure tales.
With Skyward, a YA space opera set in the far future on an alien planet, Sanderson is having a total blast. You can’t turn the pages fast enough. Our heroine, Spensa, wants nothing more than to be a pilot like her disgraced father (who was branded a coward after inexplicably turning on his flight mates). You see, for Spensa, getting enrolled into flight school and becoming a pilot isn’t just about joining the war against the Krell—it’s about clearing her father’s name and fighting for her family’s legacy.
The book tackles many themes that young readers will resonate with, such as identity, heritage, and self-forgiveness. This is definitely required reading and certainly a gateway book into Sanderson’s writing.
David Arnold’s The Electric Kingdom is a beautifully written narrative imbued with love, tragedy, fear, and hope. It is a brilliant love letter to storytelling—a novel that cleverly subverts dystopian conventions and instead paints a wholly original painting of something deeply affecting and inspiring.
I don’t want to mention any plot points at all for fear of giving too much away (the official synopsis should be more than enough to hook you). I will say this: I read the entire second half of the book in one sitting. His characters are fully realized—the secrets and tension always growing in a slow burn.
Arnold masterfully connects all his story elements in a riveting third act. And, once I came to the end, I found the book had changed me in subtle ways—as all the greats do.
I highly recommend The Electric Kingdom. Arnold has written what is nothing short of a masterpiece; this book will be discussed for many years to come.
Released in 2011, Beth Revis’ young adult space mystery may seem curiously familiar (I’m looking at you, Chris Pratt vehicle “Passengers”). But Revis’ wonderful, atmospheric book—published five years before the unrelated movie—deserves to be discussed more.
Frankly, it deserves a second chance.
Told from dual perspectives, Revis’ slowly and intentionally crafts her world with expert pacing. Set on the massive spacecraft aptly named Godspeed, we meet Amy—the book’s heroine—who was just awoken from her frozen state . . . fifty years too soon.
From the back copy: “Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone—one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship —tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn’t do something soon, her parents will be next.”
Revis’ trilogy opener is poignant, epic, and full of intrigue. It’s a story you’ll be thinking about long after you finish it.
