Summer is in full swing! Whether you have plans to hit the beach, or head to the mountains, or just chill at home... whatever you plan to do this summer, we hope a good book will always be in reach and that you'll find plenty of time to kick back and enjoy it. Not sure where to start? As always, we have you covered! Here is a list of 10 books publishing this summer that we are stoked about! 

Questland by Carrie Vaughn 

Release Date: June 22nd, 2021

Literature professor Dr. Addie Cox is living a happy, if sheltered, life in her ivory tower when Harris Lang, the famously eccentric billionaire tech genius, offers her an unusual job. He wants her to guide a mercenary strike team sent to infiltrate his island retreat off the northwest coast of the United States. Addie is puzzled by her role on the mission until she understands what Lang has built:  Insula Mirabilis, an isolated resort where tourists will one day pay big bucks for a convincing, high-tech-powered fantasy-world experience, complete with dragons, unicorns, and, yes, magic.

Unfortunately, one of the island's employees has gone rogue and activated an invisible force shield that has cut off all outside communication. A Coast Guard cutter attempting to pass through the shield has been destroyed. Suspicion rests on Dominic Brand, the project’s head designer— and Addie Cox's ex-boyfriend. Lang has tasked Addie and the mercenary team with taking back control of the island at any cost.

But Addie is wrestling demons of her own—and not the fantastical kind. Now, she must navigate the deadly traps of Insula Mirabilis as well as her own past trauma. And no d20, however lucky, can help Addie make this saving throw.

Read Questland  here on Amazon.

Vapor Trails (Terran Scout Fleet Book Three) by Joshua Dalzelle

Release Date: July 5, 2021

Marine Lieutenant Jacob Brown was on borrowed time, and he knew it.

He was a rogue element, disobeying orders and pursuing mission goals of his own. His Scout Team had been burned, disavowed by his chain of command and the owner of the stolen ship he was flying was after them to get it back. To make matters even more complicated, the man Jacob had stolen the ship from is an infamous outlaw and mercenary named Jason Burke… his father.

Being hunted down by both the United Earth Navy and the mercenary group that called itself Omega Force, Jacob has only one chance to keep his team out of a military prison and bring down the head of the One World terrorist faction that always seemed to be three steps ahead of him… and that was only if his father didn't catch him first.

Read Vapor Trails  here on Amazon.

Lost Hope (The Bridge Sequence Book 3) by Nathan Hystad

Release Date: July 6th, 2021

Rex Walker has returned to Earth only to discover it under attack. Time has run out.

With the assistance of his new allies, Rex and his friends race to prevent a widespread invasion. Not to mention save his sister and best friend Marcus from the ultimate sacrifice.

Dirk is on Rimia and finds himself working with someone from his past. A man he thought was dead.

Rex must team with the Freedom Earthers and Special Agent Evan Young to stop the Believers from destroying civilization once and for all.

When everything else is gone, sometimes hope is all you have.

Lost Hope is the gripping conclusion to The Bridge Sequence.

Get your copy of Lost Hope here on Amazon.

We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen

Read We Have Always Been Here here on Amazon.

E-Day by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Release Date: July 6th, 2021

Engines. Genetically modified warriors that keep the great Nova Alliance war machine churning against the enemy Coalition. Most days, Engines are all that stand between salvation and chaos. Led by legendary Engine, Captain Akira Hayashi, Shadow Squad has fought on the frontlines for a decade. They are on the brink of victory when the Coalition launches a series of desperate and devastating attacks that cripple the Nova Alliance restoration sites vital to save the dying planet.

As the sites burn and Earth’s hope of salvation fades, Shadow Squad is equipped with neural implants to connect them to Apeiron, the first hybrid-human-AI entity. She is coded for what Captain Hayashi believes is an impossible task—peace. But war isn’t the only threat to the Earth. Apeiron has uncovered a deadly secret with implications that could end all life. This rapidly approaching threat can be stopped only if humanity bands together on what will become known as E-Day, a pivotal moment that will determine the evolution—or the extinction—of the entire human race.

Grab E-Day here on Amazon.

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The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry

Release Date: July 6th, 2021

"I love you. In every world."

Young real estate agent Madison May is shocked when a client at an open house says these words to her. The man, a stranger, seems to know far too much about her, and professes his love--shortly before he murders her.

Felicity Staples hates reporting on murders. As a journalist for a midsize New York City paper, she knows she must take on the assignment to research Madison May's shocking murder, but the crime seems random and the suspect is in the wind. That is, until Felicity spots the killer on the subway, right before he vanishes.

Soon, Felicity senses her entire universe has shifted. No one remembers Madison May, or Felicity's encounter with the mysterious man. And her cat is missing. Felicity realizes that in her pursuit of Madison's killer, she followed him into a different dimension--one where everything about her existence is slightly altered. At first, she is determined to return to the reality she knows, but when Madison May--in this world, a struggling actress--is murdered again, Felicity decides she must find the killer--and learns that she is not the only one hunting him.

Traveling through different realities, Felicity uncovers the opportunity--and danger--of living more than one life.

Get your copy of The 22 Murders of Madison May 
here on Amazon.

The Cost of Freedom (Starship Freedom II) by Daniel Arenson

Release Date: July 13th, 2021

Not long ago, the starship Freedom was a museum ship. A relic of a bygone era. A rusty old warship converted into a tourist trap.

Then the aliens attacked.

Now, once more, the legendary Freedom flies to war.

The war is brutal. The enemy is merciless. The rahs, vicious arachnids from deep space, crave only one thing. Human flesh.

Before this terror, Earth’s fleet crumbles. Starships burn. Millions die.

But the Freedom still flies. James King, her gruff old commander, still fights.

The Freedom will never surrender. The Freedom will never flee. The long, cold night has come to Earth, but the Freedom shines bright.

The survivors of the fleet rally behind her. All brave souls heed her call. The Freedom sounds the cry of Earth: We will win!

Dive into The Cost of Freedom here on Amazon.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built (A Monk and Robot Book) by Becky Chambers

Release Date: July 13th, 2021

It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.

One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered.

But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how.

They're going to need to ask it a lot.

Becky Chambers's new series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?

Get your copy of A Psalm for the Wild-Built 
here on Amazon.

Sentinel (Deadmen's War Book One) by Anthony Melchiorri

Release Date: July 20th, 2021

Born on a forsaken desert planet, Cole Shaw has two options - perish from starvation and disease, or enlist in the New World Republic’s armed forces. He chooses the military. For the first time, he thinks he has a shot at a better life. But survival is not guaranteed.

Leading an elite team of mech operators, he is deployed to a frozen planet called Ferrous where dangerous relics of a past war lurk beneath the ice and savage creatures prowl the barren wastelands. Scientists on Ferrous are chasing rumors of godlike technologies buried in the ruins of a long-extinct civilization. When Shaw and his team are assigned to protect the researchers, they face an unexpected, merciless new enemy desperate to stop them.

An ancient secret has been awakened on Ferrous. The deadly race to claim this terrifying power has only just begun.

Start reading Sentinel here on Amazon.

In the Watchful City by S. Qiouyi Lu

Release Date: August 31, 2021

Anima is an extrasensory human tasked with surveilling and protecting Ora’s citizens via a complex living network called the Gleaming. Although ær world is restricted to what æ can see and experience through the Gleaming, Anima takes pride and comfort in keeping Ora safe from harm.

When a mysterious outsider enters the city carrying a cabinet of curiosities from around with the world with a story attached to each item, Anima’s world expands beyond the borders of Ora to places—and possibilities—æ never before imagined to exist. But such knowledge leaves Anima with a question that throws into doubt ær entire purpose: What good is a city if it can’t protect its people?

Grab In the Watchful City 
here on Amazon.

Which of these summer releases will make their way into your beach bag this year? Which ones are you most excited for? Let us know here in the comments, or over in the Discover Sci-Fi Facebook group! 

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

You cannot invent an algorithm that is as good at recommending books as a good bookseller, and that's the secret weapon of the bookstore - is that no algorithm will ever understand readers the way that other readers can understand readers. —John Green

John Green is absolutely right. When you're looking for book recommendations, who better to look to than other readers? This belief really drives us and we frequently check in with the Discover Sci-Fi community to see which books they are loving and then share their recommendations widely.

Recently, we asked Discover Sci-Fi members which books published so far this year they liked the best, and you guys answered! Of the books that were nominated and then voted on, the following were DSF community members' top picks. Curious to see which book published so far in 2022 Discover Sci-Fi readers loved best? Read on to find out!

10. Infinity (First Colony Book 13) by Ken Lozito

Venturing into the unknown means pushing the limits of everything thought possible.

10 years ago, the Ark II departed on a long journey through interstellar space, but shortly after they reached their destination, all communications ceased. All attempts to re-establish contact have failed.

Utilizing prototypical FTL technology that he invented, one brave man will lead a small expedition into the unknown to discover the colony’s fate.

The challenges of establishing the first interstellar colony nearly destroyed humanity. What new challenges will the second colony bring?

Science Fiction for those who long to explore!

Pick up Infinity here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

9. Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky

After eighty years of fragile peace, the Architects are back, wreaking havoc as they consume entire planets. In the past, Originator artefacts – vestiges of a long-vanished civilization – could save a world from annihilation. This time, the Architects have discovered a way to circumvent these protective relics. Suddenly, no planet is safe.

Facing impending extinction, the Human Colonies are in turmoil. While some believe a unified front is the only way to stop the Architects, others insist humanity should fight alone. And there are those who would seek to benefit from the fractured politics of war – even as the Architects loom ever closer.

Idris, who has spent decades running from the horrors of his past, finds himself thrust back onto the battlefront. As an Intermediary, he could be one of the few to turn the tide of war. With a handful of allies, he searches for a weapon that could push back the Architects and save the galaxy. But to do so, he must return to the nightmarish unspace, where his mind was broken and remade.

What Idris discovers there will change everything.

Get your copy of Eyes of the Void here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

8. Until the Last of Me: Take Them to the Stars Book 2 by Sylvain Neuvel

The First Rule is the most important: Always run, never fight.

For generations, Mia’s family has shaped human history to push them to the stars.

The year is 1968 and she is on the cusp of destiny, poised to launch the first humans into space.

But she cannot take them to the stars, not quite yet. Her adversary is at her heels, the future of the planet at stake, and obeying the First Rule is no longer an option.

For the first time in one-hundred generations, Mia’s family will have to choose to stand their ground, risking not only their bloodline, but the future of the human race.

A darkly satirical thriller, as seen through the eyes of the women who sacrifice all to make progress possible and the men who are determined to stop them.

Always run, never fight.
Preserve the knowledge.
Survive at all cost.
Take them to the stars.

Start reading Until the Last of Me here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

7. Match Game (Expeditionary Force Book 14) by Craig Alanson

For years, the ancient alien AI known as Skippy (the Magnificent, don’t forget that part) has been able to do one impossible thing after another. What is his secret? It’s simple: 100 percent Grade-A Extreme Awesomeness. And, also because he had never been faced with an opponent of equal power. Until now.

This time, he might need a little help from a band of filthy monkeys.

Grab Match Game here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

6. A Call to Insurrection: Book IV of The Manticore Ascendant Series by David Weber, Timothy Zahn and Thomas Pope

Grab A Call to Insurrection
here on Amazon.

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5. Kingdom Come (Backyard Starship Book 7) by J.N. Chaney and Terry Maggert

When the Fafnir responds to a desperate distress call, their act of kindness is turned against them, making Van the most wanted man in the known universe.

Targeted by a vicious, charismatic politician and his shadowy partner, Van and his friends are faced with a decision that carries long term consequences—deliver justice. . . or run and hide.

The choice is easy. The Fafnir will attack, and criminals will pay regardless of the bounty chasing them across the stars.

But first, there’s a little business to take care of in the form of a social event at Milon Estates. Dress is formal, the atmosphere tense, and a choice must be made. And just like Van’s decision to fight, the event on Helso will change his life forever.

The crew is willing, and the ship is ready. Now, all Van has to do is avoid the law, apply the law, and dive headfirst into a conspiracy that will play out on the largest stage of all: The Galaxy itself.

Experience the seventh entry in the ongoing Backyard Starship series from USA Today Bestsellers J.N. Chaney and Terry Maggert. Buckle up and grab your juicebox, because it's time to get out there and save the Galaxy.

Get your copy of Kingdom Come  here on Amazon. 

4. Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

When COVID-19 sweeps through New York City, Jamie Gray is stuck as a dead-end driver for food delivery apps. That is, until Jamie makes a delivery to an old acquaintance, Tom, who works at what he calls “an animal rights organization.” Tom’s team needs a last-minute grunt to handle things on their next field visit. Jamie, eager to do anything, immediately signs on.

What Tom doesn't tell Jamie is that the animals his team cares for are not here on Earth. Not our Earth, at least. In an alternate dimension, massive dinosaur-like creatures named Kaiju roam a warm, human-free world. They're the universe's largest and most dangerous panda and they're in trouble.

It's not just the Kaiju Preservation Society who have found their way to the alternate world. Others have, too. And their carelessness could cause millions back on our Earth to die.

Pick up Kaiju Preservation Society here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

3. The Order by Jeremy Robinson 

Mysterious gateways are appearing throughout the universe, bridging violent civilizations, leading to war, and sowing chaos. While some species succumb to the pandemonium, the Chut'un forge an unholy symbiotic relationship—The Order—with red Europhids, a vast hive intelligence populating the universe's far reaches. Desiring structure and fearing the unknown, they cull everything opposed to their plan, including the Europhids' blue counterparts, carrying out a galactic genocide until only one blue Europhid remains...inside Moses Montgomery, aka 'Dark Horse.'

As a Rapid Reaction Force Marine from 1989, Dark Horse and his team were sent 1000 years into the future where they defeated the Union, an evil fascist empire. Back in the present, after preventing the Union from ever forming, Dark Horse and his team of...unique operators from the past and the future are ready to kick back, listen to some tunes, and enjoy the timeline they saved.

But as the last threat to The Order's machinations, Dark Horse finds himself with an alien target on his back. Joined by Dan Delgado and Wini Finch (The Others), and Owen McCoy (Flux), the team attempts to understand the gates that first appeared in New Hampshire, and now in Antarctica. Despite their vast experience with the strange and otherworldly, none of them are prepared for what comes next. Three members of the team are abducted, whisked away to another planet. Alive or dead, no one knows.

Dark Horse and his now rag-tag team struggle to track down their missing teammates while being hunted themselves. With the fate of his friends—and all of Earth—hanging in the balance, Dark Horse is forced to take insane risks, create chaos, and do anything to get his people back.

TO SAVE HUMANITY...
...HE MUST SACRIFICE HIS OWN.

Get your copy of The Order here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

2. Aeon Rising by Matthew Mather

Max Carver, a down-on-his-luck truck driver and Army vet, joins a rescue mission into Brazil. The target is a utopian tech village, the Colony, hidden in the rainforest and run by a charismatic genius. Max’s pregnant wife, Talisha Carver, is the NSA analyst who intercepted encrypted Colony messages signaling a mysterious impending event.

Dr. Xin Rou is a Chinese researcher working at the IceCube neutrino experiment at the South Pole. On lucky days a single flash might signal the passage of a ghostly interstellar particle. Suddenly, IceCube’s entire array lights up. A million detectors at once. Which is impossible. The Antarctic sky is clear and calm—but she is already running for the door.

Because the world is about to end.
But the mystery only just begins...

Pick up Aeon Rising
here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

1. Chaotica: Riven Worlds Book 5 by G.S. Jennsen

After an extraordinary encounter with kyoseil in the Oneiroi Nebula, Nika Kirumase is transformed. Now able to understand and harness the true power of the ancient, primordial life form, she finally has the ability to defend her people—if the kyoseil doesn’t destroy her sanity first.

Mesme has long been meddling with the fate of the universe, but the events in the Oneiroi Nebula have exposed its deceptions. A schism erupts between Alex and Mesme over the secrets the Katasketousya keeps—and if their relationship isn’t mended, the world may lose its best chance at salvation.

The fractures threatening Concord’s survival aren’t merely personal, and the ramifications of the Ruda’s betrayal in the last battle prove costly to everyone. The Rasu begin deploying antimatter weapons, thereby neutralizing Concord’s greatest advantage, its impervious adiamene warships. Now losing ships, people and planets as the Rasu close in on the Milky Way, Miriam Solovy finds herself short on options and out of time.

But Alex has never let those kind of odds stop her, and so a desperate plan is hatched—one that will either save civilization, or doom it to annihilation.

In Amaranthe, where exotic alien life, AIs, wormholes, indestructible starships and the promise of immortality rule the day, no feat seems out of reach for humanity. But when the worlds of Aurora Rhapsody and Asterion Noir collide and the Rasu horde descends upon them both, more will be asked of heroes past and future. More will be given and more taken, and when the dust settles the very fabric of Amaranthe will be altered forever.

Pick up Chaotica here on Amazon

What did you think of the top 10 selections as decided by your fellow Discover Sci-Fi readers? Will any of these new reads make your summer reading list this year? Share you thoughts in the comments here on the blog, or visit us here in our Facebook group.

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

“It is pointless to worry about the possible malevolent intentions of an advanced civilization with whom we might make contact. It is more likely that the mere fact they have survived so long means they have learned to live with themselves and others.” ―Carl Sagan, Cosmos

It may be pointless to worry, but it sure is fun to imagine! Or rather, it's fun to get caught up in the imaginings of our favorite sci-fi authors. Curious to see which imagined first contact scenario the Discover Sci-Fi community loved best? Read on to find out!

Here, without further ado, based on the combined nominations and votes here on the Discover Sci-Fi blog and in the Facebook group, are the top 10 first contact books of all-time! 

10. Live Free or Die by John Ringo

First Contact Was Friendly.

When aliens trundled a gate to other worlds into the solar system, the world reacted with awe, hope and fear. But the first aliens to come through, the Glatun, were peaceful traders and the world breathed a sigh of relief.

Who Controls the Orbitals, Controls the World.

When the Horvath came through, they announced their ownership by dropping rocks on three cities and gutting them. Since then, they've held Terra as their own personal fiefdom. With their control of the orbitals, there's no way to win and earth's governments have accepted the status quo.

Pick up John Ringo's Live Free or Die here on Amazon

9. Footfall by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

An alien craft is approaching Earth. Attempts to communicate go unanswered. The welcoming committee of Americans and Russians at a space station is blasted, its occupants killed or captured. Soon the entire Earth, with special emphasis on the United States, is bombarded by asteroids, destroying dams, highways, and infrastructure. The message to humans: total surrender or death to all. A giant rock, the “footfall”, is launched towards Earth, causing even more damage. The aliens land, determined to conquer or utterly eliminate the human race. Understanding a truly “alien” culture and learning how to confront such an overwhelming power make FOOTFALL stand out as an exciting and truly original novel.

Pick up Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's Footfall here on Amazon.

8. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles is a classic work of twentieth-century literature whose extraordinary power and imagination remain undimmed by time's passage. In connected, chronological stories, a true grandmaster once again enthralls, delights and challenges us with his vision and his heart-starkly and stunningly exposing in brilliant spacelight our strength, our weakness, our folly, and our poignant humanity on a strange and breathtaking world where humanity does not belong.

Get your copy of Ray Bradbury'sThe Martian Chronicles here on Amazon.

7. Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper

One day Jack Holloway, prospector on the planet Zarathustra, finds what seems to be a small monkey with golden fur; these new introductions (for the first brings a family) are tiny hunters, and prove to be curious and capable tool users. Why is this so important to the new human settlers? - Because a planet inhabited by a sapient race cannot be monopolized by the Zarathustra Company.

Start reading H. Beam Piper's Little Fuzzy here on Amazon.

6. Expeditionary Force by Craig Alanson

We were fighting on the wrong side, of a war we couldn't win. And that was the good news.

The Ruhar hit us on Columbus Day. There we were, innocently drifting along the cosmos on our little blue marble, like the native Americans in 1492. Over the horizon come ships of a technologically advanced, aggressive culture, and BAM! There go the good old days, when humans only got killed by each other. So, Columbus Day. It fits.

Grab Craig Alanson's
Columbus Day
here on Amazon.

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this top 10 list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a new top 10 list, or any other articles of interest goes up on our site. It's free to sign up and you'

ll also get recommendations for new releases and discounted ebooks from our expert editorial team, from bestsellers to hidden gems.

5. Contact by Carl Sagan

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and astronomer Carl Sagan imagines the greatest adventure of all—the discovery of an advanced civilization in the depths of space.

In December of 1999, a multinational team journeys out to the stars, to the most awesome encounter in human history. Who—or what—is out there? In Cosmos, Carl Sagan explained the universe. In Contact, he predicts its future—and our own.

Get your copy of Carl Sagan's Contact here on Amazon.

4. Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke

In the near future, enormous silver spaceships appear without warning over mankind’s largest cities. They belong to the Overlords, an alien race far superior to humanity in technological development. Their purpose is to dominate Earth. Their demands, however, are surprisingly benevolent: end war, poverty, and cruelty. Their presence, rather than signaling the end of humanity, ushers in a golden age . . . or so it seems.

Without conflict, human culture and progress stagnate. As the years pass, it becomes clear that the Overlords have a hidden agenda for the evolution of the human race that may not be as benevolent as it seems.

Dive into Arthur C. Clarke's
Childhood's End here on Amazon.

3. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

The War of the Worlds (1898), by H. G. Wells, is an early science fiction novel which describes an invasion of England by aliens from Mars. It is one of the earliest and best-known depictions of an alien invasion of Earth, and has influenced many others, as well as spawning several films, radio dramas, comic book adaptations, and a television series based on the story. The 1938 radio broadcast caused public outcry against the episode, as many listeners believed that an actual Martian invasion was in progress, a notable example of mass hysteria.

Get your copy of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds here on Amazon.

2. Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke

An enormous cylindrical object has entered Earth’s solar system on a collision course with the sun. A team of astronauts are sent to explore the mysterious craft, which the denizens of the solar system name Rama. What they find is astonishing evidence of a civilization far more advanced than ours. They find an interior stretching over fifty kilometers; a forbidding cylindrical sea; mysterious and inaccessible buildings; and strange machine-animal hybrids, or “biots,” that inhabit the ship. But what they don’t find is an alien presence. So who—and where—are the Ramans?

Often listed as one of Clarke’s finest novels, Rendezvous with Rama won numerous awards, including the Hugo, the Nebula, the Jupiter, and the British Science Fiction Awards. A fast-paced and compelling story of an enigmatic encounter with alien technology, Rendezvous with Rama offers both answers and unsolved mysteries that will continue to fascinate readers for generations.

Pick up Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous With Rama here on Amazon.

1. The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

The united 'Second Empire of Man' spans vast distances, due to the Alderson Drive which has enabled humans to travel easily between the stars. After an alien probe is discovered, the Navy dispatches two ships to determine whether the aliens pose a threat… Called by Robert A. Heinlein: "Possibly the greatest science fiction novel ever written," this magnificent exploration of first contact and a truly alien society is a "must read" for science fiction fans.

Pick up Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's
The Mote in God's Eye here on Amazon

What did you think of the top 10 selections as decided by your fellow Discover Sci-Fi readers? Any you strongly agree or disagree with? Any you're eager to pick up now that weren't on your radar before? Share you thoughts in the comments here on the blog, or visit us here in our Facebook group and make sure to check out our most recent poll while you're there!

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

"Just about every collaboration I've done has been done because I believed that the final product would be stronger in some ways than either of us would have produced on his or her own. The fact that the final book will be stronger in some ways doesn't necessarily mean that I expect it to be stronger in all ways, but it does mean that my collaborator and I are each going to be bringing different strengths to the table with us." —David Weber

It’s always fascinating to get a glimpse inside an author's writing process, be it solo or collaborative, and these words from Weber confirm that the best collaborative writers are choosing a collaborative path because they believe—for a variety of reasons—that, for some stories, it’s the way toward a stronger book.

The books in this week’s top 10 list are an indication of success in that aim, the two selections co-written by Weber included. Curious to see how each of these 10 co-written books ranked? Read on to see and let us know if you agree! 

Without further ado, based on the combined nominations and votes here on the Discover Sci-Fi blog and the Facebook group, here are the top 10 co-written sci-fi books of all time! 

10. Ruins of the Galaxy by J.N. Chaney and Christopher Hopper

“Absolutely masterful storytelling cadence that you two gentlemen have learned how to write and play off of each others style... It has been rare that I have enjoyed a book as immensely as I did this one.”
—Eugene Hunter

Whether it’s the nominated series, Ruins of the Galaxy, or Ruins of the Earth, or Resonant Son, Eugene Hunter’s words ring true: Chaney and Hopper do an incredible job of playing off each one another, each of their strengths as writers and storytellers shining though. If you haven’t read anything by this duo, Ruins of the Galaxy is a really great place to jump in. 

The mission is simple. Escort an emissary to an intergalactic peace summit. Try not to get in the way. But when an explosion rocks the tower and sends everyone into a panic, Magnus and his asset find themselves cut off from the rest of the team.

Worse still, a dying alien chieftain gives them a priceless drive of intel, marking them for death.

The mission has officially changed.

With enemies on all sides, Magnus must do everything in his power to protect the emissary and escape the tower. There is no back up. There is no chance for failure.

The fate of the entire galaxy now lies in the hands of a Republic Marine and a diplomat.

All they have to do is survive.

Pick up Ruins of the Galaxy here on Amazon

9. A Time Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter

What could be better than a collaboration between one of the most esteemed sci-fi writers of all time and a serious, talented up-and-coming hard-science fiction writer? Stephen Baxter had several titles under his belt before his collaboration with Arthur C. Clarke, but the A Time Odyssey trilogy they wrote together remains a fan favorite. If you haven't read this one yet, start with Time's Eye. 

In an instant, Earth is carved up in time and reassembled like a huge jigsaw puzzle. Suddenly the world becomes a patchwork of eras, from prehistory to 2037, each with its own indigenous inhabitants. The explanation for this cataclysmic event may lie in the ancient city of Babylon, where two groups of refugees from 2037—three cosmonauts and three U.N. peacekeepers—have detected strange radio signals. The peacekeepers find allies in nineteenth century British troops and in the armies of Alexander the Great. The cosmonauts join forces with the Mongol horde led by Genghis Khan. Both sides set out for Babylon, vowing to win the race for knowledge—as a powerful and mysterious entity watches, waiting.

Pick up Time's Eye  here on Amazon.

8. Footfall by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

“Niven and Pournelle are one of the seamless entertainment teams that makes it look a great deal easier than it is. That is because Larry Niven is a quality writer and Jerry Pournelle was an established scientist. When they bring their talents together the effect is fantastic and, in my opinion, very re-readable.”
—Jon, Goodreads

Footfall is the first of three books on our top 10 co-written by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. It introduced us to Fithp: alien invaders that resemble baby elephants with multiple prehensile trunks. The Fithp don’t sound especially menacing, but they did make last year’s list of Top 10 Most Terrifying Alien Invaders. 

It may not be the very best book to come from this team, but it’s absolutely a classic worth a reading, especially if alien invasion is your jam. 

They first appear as a series of dots on astronomical plates, heading from Saturn directly toward Earth. Since the ringed planet carries no life, scientists deduce the mysterious ship to be a visitor from another star.

The world's frantic efforts to signal the aliens go unanswered. The first contact is hostile: the invaders blast a Soviet space station, seize the survivors, and then destroy every dam and installation on Earth with a hail of asteroids.

Now the conquerors are descending on the American heartland, demanding servile surrender--or death for all humans.

Get your copy of Footfall here on Amazon.

7. 1633 by David Weber and Eric Flint

The 1632 series is a popular alternate history series. So popular it made our reader generated list of the Top 10 Historical Sci-Fi Books of All Time last September. Each book is written either by Eric Flint alone, or with one of a number of co-authors. Two of the earliest and most popular of these—1633 and 1634—were written with David Weber. The first book was written to be a standalone, so many who loved 1632 didn’t go on to read the collaborations which didn’t start rolling out until two years later. If you are new to the series, it’s recommended you start with 1632 before picking up 1633.

AMERICAN FREEDOM AND JUSTICE VS. SEVENTEENTH CENTURY TYRANNY

The new Confederated Principalities of Europe-an alliance between Gustavus,king of Sweden, and the West Virginia town, led by Mike Stearns, which was hurled back through time to the thirty years war - has big problems. As the greatest naval war in European history erupts, Cardinal Richelieu has created an alliance to destroy the CPE, and only American technology can save Gustavus from ruin.

Start reading 1633 here on Amazon.

6. Extinction Cycle: Dark Age by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri

“The absolute acme of achieving an amazing co-written book is quite simply that the readers and the diehard fans don't realize that it is in fact a co-written book. A smooth transition from each writer's talents and co-editing efforts must ultimately come together to provide not necessarily a much better work than either have presented before but again a seamless and fresh take on what has come before. And for me, the "Extinction Cycle: Dark Age" books by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri do just that. Of course I had read the heart-pounding books that NSS produced before but honestly, if I didn't have the cover 'credits' in front of me, I would have never noticed that the Dark Age books were being co-written. Instead, I would have just lived on in blissful ignorance, enjoying a fresh and just as exciting take on what was already a universe that I had become literally addicted to!”
—Ziggy, DSF Reader

“Holy Cow my mind is just destroyed. What kind of book do you get when you combine Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J Melchiorri. A freaking barn burning , stomach churning , head exploding , heart pounding roller coaster ride from Hell.”
—Billy Barfield, Goodreads

We couldn’t have said it better! Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri are an incredible team. Fans of Smith's tense, emotional and high-action Extinction Cycle Universe might have picked this one up with some trepidation, wondering if the addition of a co-author would hurt the flow, depth and impact of storytelling, but anyone who knew Melchiorri's previous work, either that which he wrote alone or his previous collaboration with Smith (Orbs VI: Exodus) knew there was nothing to fear. The combination of these two writers is absolute fire! While we think everyone should read Extinction Cycle at some point, if you haven't you can still jump right in here with Extinction Shadow as Extinction Cycle: Dark Age works well as a standalone series.

Eight years ago, an engineered virus ravaged the globe, infecting and transforming humans into apex predators called Variants. Billions died, civilization collapsed, and the human race teetered on the brink of extinction. 

Nations banded together and heroes rose up to fight these abominations. On the front lines, Captain Reed Beckham and Master Sergeant Joe "Fitz" Fitzpatrick of Delta Force Team Ghost fought against the Variant hordes. With the aid of CDC Doctor Kate Lovato, they helped lead humanity to victory. 

Now, almost a decade after the end of the war, civilization has slowly clawed toward recovery. In the Allied States of America, survivors live in outposts where they have rebuilt industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. The remaining Variants are believed to be dying off under destroyed cities and the abandoned frontier. 

But evil and intelligent forces dwell in the shadows with the starving beasts, scheming to restart the extinction cycle and end humanity forever. And once again, Beckham, Fitz, and Kate will rise to fight them, joining forces with new heroes to try and save what's left of the world.

Grab Extinction Shadow
here on Amazon.

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5. Empire of Man by David Weber and John Ringo

“When March Upcountry published in 2001, David Weber was well-established in Military Science Fiction, with nine books of his Honor Harrington saga plus an additional 10 novels published. In short, he was a Military SF brand name. John Ringo, his ‘apprentice’ partner in crime for March Upcountry, was a relatively new writer, having published the first two books of his Legacy of Aldenata/Posleen War series. For Ringo the rest, as they say, is history.”
—Robert H. Bedford

John Ringo and David Weber have each written with other authors, but the series they wrote together Empire of Man really helped establish Ringo as a household name in science fiction. Pick this one up next time you’re looking for a fast paced, military sci-fi adventure, starting with book 1, March Upcountry. 

Roger Ramius MacClintock was young, handsome, athletic, an excellent dresser, and third in line for the Throne of Man. It probably wasn't too surprising that someone in his position should react by becoming spoiled, self‑centered, and petulant. After all, what else did he have to do with his life? Then warships of the Empire of Man's worst rivals shoot his crippled vessel out of space and Roger is shipwrecked on the planet Marduk, whose jungles are full of deadly predators and barbarian hordes with really bad dispositions. Now all Roger has to do is hike halfway around the entire planet, then capture a spaceport from the Bad Guys, somehow commandeer a starship, and then go home to Mother for explanations. Fortunately, Roger has an ace in the hole: Bravo Company of Bronze Battalion of The Empress' Own Regiment. If anyone can get him off Marduk alive, it's the Bronze Barbarians.

Get your copy of March Upcountry here on Amazon.

4. Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

“Every collaboration is different… Jerry and I trade scenes and choose characters, and so forth.”
—Larry Niven

As well as his solo efforts, Larry Niven is known for his collaborations with other authors, a process he describes as being unique each time. Lucifer’s Hammer is one of his earlier collaborations with Jerry Pournelle and it’s interesting to read his comments on working with Pournelle, to read how they “trade scenes.” Keen readers have noted that it is pretty easy to determine which writer is responsible for which scenes (maybe especially true with Lucifer’s Hammer), but even with the obvious difference in style, the books work. 

The gigantic comet has slammed into Earth, forging earthquakes a thousand times too powerful to measure on the Richter scale, tidal waves thousands of feet high. Cities were turned into oceans; oceans turned into steam. It was the beginning of a new Ice Age and the end of civilization

But for the terrified men and women chance had saved, it was also the dawn of a new struggle for survival—a struggle more dangerous and challenging than any they had ever known….

Dive into Lucifer's Hammer here on Amazon.

3. The Expanse by James S. A. Corey

“‘I was trying to write enough story for a $100 million dollar MMO, which never happened,’” Franck elaborates, “‘but you wind up creating as much content as you possibly can.’” 

Abraham then stepped in and pulled Franck’s rich background into the setting for a longer narrative. Abraham explains, “‘I said, ‘You’ve done all this research; I’ve written some novels. I know how to do that. Let’s put these two together – it’s already done.’”
—Excerpts from Michael Ahr’s interview with Franck and Abraham at Comic Con for Den of Geek 

In just 10 years The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey— aka writers Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck—has become a wildly successful franchise with eight books (so far), three novellas, and a popular T.V. series adapted from the novels, not to mention the Hugo nominations and, as of 2020 a Hugo win for best series. Not too shabby! Not sure where you’ve been if you haven’t heard of this one but if you haven’t or have but haven’t picked it up, start with Leviathan Wakes to see what the buzz is about! 

Jim Holden is XO of an ice miner making runs from the rings of Saturn to the mining stations of the Belt. When he and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli, they find themselves in possession of a secret they never wanted. A secret that someone is willing to kill for—and kill on a scale unfathomable to Jim and his crew. War is brewing in the system unless he can find out who left the ship and why.

Get your copy of Leviathan Wakes
here on Amazon.

2. The Mote in God’s Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

“I had 4 kids to get through college. So I do journalism and write articles -- or did, until we hit the bestseller list. I told Niven stick with me and I'll make you rich and famous. He was already rich.”
—Jerry Pournelle

The Mote in God’s Eye was the first in the three book Moties series and, relevant to this poll, the first of many collaborations between longtime friends Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. True to Pournelle’s prediction, the work they produced together eventually made both of them rich (and famous) and this, their first joint effort, was lauded by Robert A. Heinlein as being “a very important novel, possibly the best contact-with-aliens story ever written.” Not a bad way to kick off a partnership!

In 3016, the 2nd Empire of Man spans hundreds of star systems, thanks to faster-than-light Alderson Drive. Intelligent beings are finally found from the Mote, an isolated star in a thick dust cloud. The bottled-up ancient civilization, at least one million years old, are welcoming, kind, yet evasive, with a dark problem they have not solved in over a million years.

Start The Mote in God's Eye here on Amazon.

1.Galaxy’s Edge by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole

“Jason came to my attention because his writing is outstanding. He really loves the art of the story. And he’s got an excellent narrative voice and one of the most agile minds I’ve encountered. He’s the David Spade to my Chris Farley.”  —Nick Cole

And so began one of the most kick-ass modern day sci-fi collaborations. Readers of Jason Anspach and Nick Cole’s
Galaxy’s Edge quickly turn into die-hard fans: fans, who are richly rewarded as this writing duo manages an incredible publishing schedule, turning out book after book, each as fast-paced and engrossing as the last. If you haven't read the series yet, begin at the beginning, with Legionnaire.

The Galaxy is a Dumpster Fire.

A hot, stinking, dumpster fire. And most days I don’t know if the legionnaires are putting out the flames, or fanning them into an inferno.

A hostile force ambushes Victory Company during a reconnaissance-in-force deep inside enemy territory. Stranded behind enemy lines, a sergeant must lead a band of survivors against merciless insurgents on a deadly alien world somewhere along the galaxy’s edge. With no room for error, the Republic’s elite fighting force must struggle to survive under siege while waiting on a rescue that might never come.

Grab Legionnaire  here on Amazon.

What did you think of the top 10 selections as decided by your fellow Discover Sci-Fi readers? Any you strongly agree or disagree with? Any you're eager to pick up now that weren't on your radar before? Share you thoughts in the comments here on the blog, or visit us here in our Facebook group and make sure to check out our most recent poll while you're there!

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

Collaborative writing has resulted in some truly excellent books, but it takes just the right team to get there. Last week we asked you to nominate and vote for your favorite co-written books and you turned in dozens of great nominations!

Before we get to the list of our final contenders, we'd like to give honorable mention to two writing teams nominated in the opening round: Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Anne Scarborough, and Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson were two teams nominated without specified titles and so despite receiving dozens of votes, we did not advance them. Nonetheless, both writing teams succeeded in writing compelling and adventurous sci-fi worth checking out if you haven't already. 

Now, it's time to decide.

We narrowed down the list of your nominations to the ten most voted for, and now it's time to figure out what the best ones are out of this group!

*As alway this list is made up by combining votes from this blog and our Facebook group.