These epic audiobook box sets all deliver great stories and stellar performances; and, with running times of 14 hours to over 55 hours, they deliver tremendous value to boot! Some of these picks are available now and some of them will be released later in the year; any of them would make a great pick for your next road trip! 

Alliance Space by C.J. Cherryh performed by Daniel Thomas May

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Runtime: Almost 22 hours

Two Alliance-Union novels, Merchanter's Luck and Forty Thousand in Gehenna, bound in one omnibus volume for the first time!

Merchanter's Luck

His name was Sandor, and he was the owner and entire crew of a tramp star-freighter that flew the Union planets under false papers and fake names. Her name was Allison, and she was a proud but junior member of the powerful family whose mighty starship, Dublin Again, was the true queen of the spaceways. They met at Viking Station. She seeking a night's dalliance; he desperately in search of a spacer assistant. Their fateful meeting was to lead to a record-breaking race to Pell Station, thereby catching the calculating eye of the grim commander of the Alliance battlecraft Norway and a terrifying showdown at a deadly destination off the cosmic charts.

Forty Thousand in Gehenna

When 40,000 human colonists are abandoned for political reasons on a planet called Gehenna, and re-supply ships fail to arrive, collapse seems imminent. Yet over the next two centuries, the descendants of the original colonists survive despite all odds by entering a partnership with the planet's native intelligence - the lizard-like, burrowing calibans.

She knows they’re humanity's last chance.

Start listening to Alliance Space here on Amazon

Slow Burn by Bobby Adair performed by Phil Thron

Release Date: February 12, 2021

Runtime: Over 55 hours

It was just a random mutation - one of a billion that happen in viruses every day. But this one was different. It exploded out of Somalia and spread across the oceans before anybody thought to look up from their cell phones to see what was going on. 

The infected breathed the virus into the air around them, spreading it through the cities faster than anyone thought possible. Hospitals were overwhelmed. Police lines crumbled. Quarantine sites disintegrated. Cities started to collapse.  

Through the chaos, some, like Zed Zane, discovered the virus wasn't going to kill them, but change them. Change them into something different, and leave them in a world where the word "survival" took on an older, more brutal meaning.

Start listening to Slow Burn here on Amazon.

Science Fiction Classics by Mary Shelley, HG Wells, and Robert Louis Stevenson, performed by Jonathan Waters

Release Date: March 3rd, 2021

Runtime: Over 19 hours

Unearth the timeless science fiction stories that define the sci-fi genre.

Containing some of the most famous and influential science fiction works of the 19th and 20th centuries, this brilliant collection unveils four incredible sci-fi books that have defined and shaped the genre for generations. Drawing on the timeless works of Mary Shelly, H. G. Wells and Robert Louis Stevenson, this collection will take you on a journey into strange and sometimes eerie worlds of alien invasions, monsters, and outlandish concepts.

Books included in this collection:

• Frankenstein, a legendary gothic-inspired novel and perhaps the first science fiction horror story ever written
• The Time Machine, the gripping novella responsible for popularizing the concept of time travel
• The War of the Worlds, H. G. Wells’ world-famous alien invasion novel that sparked generations of films, radio shows and stories
• And The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, which explores the duality of good and evil through an ingenious and strange tale of a man who becomes a monster

Perfect for fans of early science fiction and classical writing, the Science Fiction Classics Collection reveals the fascinating origins of the sci-fi genre, along with the timeless books that gave rise to a rich world of thought-provoking concepts and futuristic technology.

Get your copy of Science Fiction Classics  here on Amazon.

Orbs by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri narrated by Bronson Pinchot

Preorder the Orbs audiobook box set here on Amazon.

Nightfall and Other Stories by Isaac Asimov

Release Date: July 13th, 2021

Runtime: Over 14 hours

A collection of 20 classic short stories by Isaac Asimov, author of the Foundation series, featuring the definitive version of “Nightfall"

From one of history’s most influential writers of science fiction comes this collection of 20 short works of fiction, arranged in order of publication from 1941 to 1967. Compiled by Asimov himself, who prefaced each story with an introduction, it begins with “Nightfall”, the tale of a world with eternal sun that is suddenly plunged into total darkness and utter madness. “Nightfall”, published when the author was only 21, was arguably his breakout work, making such an impression that, almost 30 years later, the Science Fiction Writers of America voted it the best science-fiction short story ever written. 

The other stories in the collection span far and wide: A dedicated scientist who whips up his own love potion. Machines that learn to think for themselves - and direct their thoughts to overturning the establishment. The discovery that Earthlings are being destroyed by a mysterious kind of psychological virus. A day when walking outdoors becomes a sign of psychosis. And many more.

Grab Nightfall and Other Stories here on Amazon.

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this Spring Reading list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a top 10 list or any other articles of interest go 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.

The Wandering Earth by Cixin Lui

Release Date: October 12th, 2021

Runtime: 15 hours

A short story collection from New York Times best-selling author Cixin Liu. The title story, "The Wandering Earth", was a blockbuster international film, currently streaming on Netflix.

These 11 stories, including five Chinese Galaxy Award-winners, are a blazingly original ode to planet Earth, its pasts, and its futures. Liu's fiction takes the listener to the edge of the universe and the end of time, to meet stranger fates than we could have ever imagined. With a melancholic and keen understanding of human nature, Liu's stories show humanity's attempts to reason, navigate, and above all, survive in a desolate cosmos.

Get your copy of The Wandering Earth here on Amazon.

Have you listened to any of these yet? If so, let us know what you thought of it and which one you'll be picking up next; if not, tell us which one you think you'll pick up first. You can 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.

A new season is upon us and with it, plenty of new books to devour! Not sure which ones to pick up first? Our list includes some of the most highly anticipated and promising sci-fi books coming out this spring 2021 and is guaranteed to have something for every sci-fi fan! 

The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes

Pub Date: April 20th, 2021

The Divide.

It’s the edge of the universe.

Now it’s collapsing—and taking everyone and everything with it.

The only ones who can stop it are the Sentinels—the recruits, exiles, and court-martialed dregs of the military.

At the Divide, Adequin Rake commands the Argus. She has no resources, no comms—nothing, except for the soldiers that no one wanted. Her ace in the hole could be Cavalon Mercer--genius, asshole, and exiled prince who nuked his grandfather's genetic facility for “reasons.”

She knows they’re humanity's last chance.

Read The Last Watch here on Amazon

Starship Freedom by Daniel Arenson

Pub Date: April 27th, 2021

The starship Freedom was once a mighty warship. Today she's a tourist attraction.

The space wars ended long ago. The Freedom is now a flying museum. The tourists love it. The Changing of the Guard, the starfighter aerobatics, the starboard cannon salute . . . it's the best show in the galaxy.

James King commands the starship Freedom. He hates his job. He was a real soldier once. Back when the Freedom was a real warship. He never imagined himself running a tourist trap. Right after Christmas, he plans to retire.

Then, on Christmas day, the aliens attack.

Horrifying aliens. Creatures of claws, fangs, and endless malice. Within hours, they devastate Earth's military. Millions die.

So much for retirement.

The aliens spare the starship Freedom. After all, she's only a tourist attraction. But not to Commander King. He will get his beloved starship battle-ready. He will enter the fight. The Freedom will fly to war again!

Read Starship Freedom here on Amazon.

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells

Pub Date: April 27th, 2021

Having captured the hearts of readers across the globe (Annalee Newitz says it's "one of the most humane portraits of a nonhuman I've ever read") Murderbot has also established Martha Wells as one of the great SF writers of today.

No, I didn't kill the dead human. If I had, I wouldn't dump the body in the station mall.

When Murderbot discovers a dead body on Preservation Station, it knows it is going to have to assist station security to determine who the body is (was), how they were killed (that should be relatively straightforward, at least), and why (because apparently that matters to a lot of people—who knew?)

Yes, the unthinkable is about to happen: Murderbot must voluntarily speak to humans!

Again!

Get your copy of Fugitive Telemetry  here on Amazon.

Asylum by Lindsay Buroker

Read Asylum here on Amazon.

Lost Contact by Nathan Hystad

Pub Date: May 4th, 2021

A mysterious object in space.
An archaeologist in search of answers.
A cult hailing the end of the world.
The Bridge awaits...

Rex Walker always wanted to be like his father: a daring, adventurous man, traveling the world in pursuit of mysterious relics. Now Rex is the same age his father was when he disappeared without a trace.

While teaching anthropology at a Boston college, Rex attempts to bury the past, until he discovers a hidden clue he can’t ignore.

With the help of his sidekick Marcus, a former student turned protégé, he teams up with an alien-obsessed billionaire, and they search for the fabled Bridge.

As an unidentified object nears Pluto, speculation surges. The Believers, a fanatical cult, hail it as the homecoming of a distant alien race.

Will Rex solve the puzzle before it’s too late? Find out in Lost Contact, the first installment of The Bridge Sequence by Nathan Hystad, the best-selling author of The Event and Final Days.

Grab Lost Contact here on Amazon.

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this Spring Reading list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a top 10 list or any other articles of interest go 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.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Pub Date: May 4th, 2021

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone.

Or does he?

An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could deliver, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian—while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

Get your copy of Project Hail Mary  here on Amazon.

Skystorm by Steven Konkoly

Pub Date: May 11th, 2021

A Wall Street Journal bestselling series.

Unmasking a treasonous American conspiracy is a dangerous move in a heart-pounding thriller about greed, power, revenge, and murder.

After covert investigators Ryan Decker and Harlow Mackenzie demolished APEX, a billion-dollar criminal enterprise, a tenuous truce between the two factions suggested the battle was over. But not for Decker’s director, Senator Margaret Steele. She’s uncovered an even deadlier operation—code name Skystorm.

Dive into Skystorm here on Amazon.

We Are Satellites by Sarah Pinkser

Pub Date: May 11th, 2021

Val and Julie just want what’s best for their kids, David and Sophie. So when teenage son David comes home one day asking for a Pilot, a new brain implant to help with school, they reluctantly agree. This is the future, after all. 

Soon, Julie feels mounting pressure at work to get a Pilot to keep pace with her colleagues, leaving Val and Sophie part of the shrinking minority of people without the device.  

Before long, the implications are clear, for the family and society: get a Pilot or get left behind. With government subsidies and no downside, why would anyone refuse? And how do you stop a technology once it's everywhere? Those are the questions Sophie and her anti-Pilot movement rise up to answer, even if it puts them up against the Pilot's powerful manufacturer and pits Sophie against the people she loves most.

Get your copy of We Are Satellites  here on Amazon.

Breakaway by Craig Alanson

Pub Date: June 1st, 2021

The Merry Band of Pirates offered the bad guys a ceasefire. We won’t mess with them, if they don’t mess with us. Easy, right? NO. The aliens chose to do things the hard way. So, the Pirates are racing around the galaxy to clean up the threat to Earth. The infant UN Navy has their own mission with the Alien Legion: get humanity some allies in the fight. And the Ethics & Compliance Office might have to do something...ethical. Unless they can find a way around it.

Start reading Breakaway here on Amazon.

Boundless by Jack Campbell

Pub Date: June 15th, 2021

Geary believed in the Alliance. Even when he uncovered overwhelming evidence that the highest echelons of the government and fleet command were involved in secret programs and prison camps, he believed it was worth saving. And that his duty was to see that justice was served even though some factions feared that revealing the truth would cause the Alliance to crumble.

But after narrowly surviving two assassination attempts when he brings evidence of the misdeeds to the capital star system, Geary realizes that some have decided the easiest way to make the Alliance's problems go away is to get rid of him. He finds himself ordered to undertake a perilous new mission outside of the reaches of human-occupied space while the Senate clashes over the evidence.

Geary's warships must escort a diplomatic and scientific mission across the dangerous, disintegrating remnants of the Syndicate Worlds empire. But even if he can make it to Midway Star System, the gateway to alien-controlled space, Geary will face former Syndicate officials who have rebelled and regard the Alliance with deep suspicion. And that will be the easy part. . . .

Grab Boundless  here on Amazon.

How many of these spring releases will you pick up? 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.

“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” ― Mark Twain

The good friends and the sleepy conscience, you'll have to manage on your own, but good books, we—and your fellow Discover Sci-Fi community members—well, we have you covered there! Curious to see which book published so far in 2021 Discover Sci-Fi readers loved best? Read on to find out!

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 books of 2021 (so far!)  

10. Lost Contact by Nathan Hystad

Lost Contact is the first book in a new series by Nathan Hystad and we have to agree with readers that it is one of the best reads so far this year! Last month, we published a list of the Top 10 First Contact Books of All Time which, as you would expect, is a goldmine of great titles; if you worked your way through those and are looking for one more action-filled first contact story, this is it! 

Rex Walker always wanted to be like his father: a daring, adventurous man, traveling the world in pursuit of mysterious relics. Now Rex is the same age his father was when he disappeared without a trace.

While teaching anthropology at a Boston college, Rex attempts to bury the past, until he discovers a hidden clue he can’t ignore.

With the help of his sidekick Marcus, a former student turned protégé, he teams up with an alien-obsessed billionaire, and they search for the fabled Bridge.

As an unidentified object nears Pluto, speculation surges. The Believers, a fanatical cult, hail it as the homecoming of a distant alien race.

Will Rex solve the puzzle before it’s too late?

Pick up Nathan Hystad's Lost Contact here on Amazon

9. Asylum by Lindsay Buroker

Last September, Lindsay Buroker blew us away with Layers of Force, the stunning conclusion to her Star Kingdom series. It was hard to say goodbye, and so fans were thrilled at the release of Asylum, a standalone novel set in the Star Kingdom universe. 

A young woman with cybernetic upgrades, Mari Moonrazor has decided to flee the restrictive machine-worshipping cult she was raised in. She longs to know what it’s like to live among normal humans and experience simple biological pleasures like consuming alcohol, kissing a boy, and—most importantly—eating chocolate.

But her mother, the infamous astroshaman leader Kyla Moonrazor, is determined to get her back, even if it means sending a bounty hunter after her.

Mari’s only hope for freedom is to be granted asylum from the leaders of the powerful Star Kingdom. First, she must prove that she has knowledge and resources she can offer them. Second, she has to earn their trust.

This all would have been easier if her people hadn’t bombed their planet…

Get your copy of Lindsay Buroker's Asylum here on Amazon.

8. Starship Freedom by Daniel Arenson

Looking for a fast-paced page-turner? If you haven't already, definitely give Daniel Arenson's newest series a shot! Word to the wise: you'll want to carve out a full day to devour this as the first book, Starship Freedom, is one of those reads that is almost impossible to put down!

The starship Freedom was once a mighty warship. Today she's a tourist attraction.

The space wars ended long ago. The Freedom is now a flying museum. The tourists love it. The Changing of the Guard, the starfighter aerobatics, the starboard cannon salute . . . it's the best show in the galaxy.

James King commands the starship Freedom. He hates his job. He was a real soldier once. Back when the Freedom was a real warship. He never imagined himself running a tourist trap. Right after Christmas, he plans to retire.

Then, on Christmas day, the aliens attack.

Horrifying aliens. Creatures of claws, fangs, and endless malice. Within hours, they devastate Earth's military. Millions die.

So much for retirement.

Start reading Daniel Arenson's Starship Freedom here on Amazon.

7. Monroe Doctrine by James Rosone and Miranda Watson

James Rosone and Miranda Watson knocked it out of the park with their new technothriller series, Monroe Doctrine! The first book came out in January and the second was released in March; if you haven't yet, start now with book one and get caught up before book three comes out this fall! 

Was an attack on the U.S. imminent?

In a lab deep in the heart of China, a brilliant engineer had a breakthrough. It was the most powerful AI ever created. Ma Young believed the Jade Dragon could solve the world’s most dire challenges. There was just one problem…

The president of China had other ideas.

Was this their chance to conquer? 

Grab James Rosone and Miranda Watson's Monroe Doctrine here on Amazon.

6. Acheron Salvation by Ken Lozito

Grab Ken Lozito's Acheron Salvation here on Amazon.

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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. The Emissary by G J Ogden

We love it when we get a chance to connect with authors whose books have been nominated by our community to chat about their work and why it might resonate with fans the way it does. Landing in 5th place on our list, G J Ogden's fantastic new book, The Emissary was a big hit with readers and this week we got to speak with Ogden about why that might be! 

I think The Emissary has resonated with readers partly because it’s just a straight-up fun, action-packed story. However, beneath this there’s a darker element as readers get to know the crew of unique ‘Omega officers’, all chosen for their cold-hearted ruthlessness and willingness to ‘do whatever it takes, no matter the cost’. They are a necessary evil in the war against an unstoppably brutal enemy. Fans of the book love this depth, and the moral and ethical questions it poses, along with the fact the captain is still human and struggles with PTSD. I think it’s this layer of depth, on top of the fun and action, that makes it so compelling.

– GJ Ogden

The Sa’Nerra were close to defeat, then everything changed. Armed with a unique neural weapon, the merciless alien warriors turned Fleet crew against their own. Entire warships went rogue. Suspicion and fear ran riot. Surrender seemed like the only option.

But Captain Lucas Sterling knows that in the fight against the Sa’Nerra there is only victory or death.

Sterling is an Omega Captain. His rank and his command of the Fleet Marauder Invictus were both won in a depraved and monstrous trial of grit and determination.

Sterling will do anything to ensure the Sa’Nerra do not prevail. Even if that means killing Fleet crew that have been “turned”. Even if that means killing the people he loves.

But the neural control weapon is not the only danger Fleet faces. Deep inside the Void the aliens are building a super-weapon. Sterling and his crew must destroy it at all costs.

Back on Earth, the United Governments are desperate for peace. Then after fifty years without a single word of contact between the two races, the Sa’Nerra finally send an emissary.

But the belligerent alien race sent an emissary of war, not peace.

The fate of humanity now lies in the hands of Captain Sterling and the Omega officers of the Invictus. But victory is only possible if he is willing to do anything it takes to win.

Get your copy of G J Ogden's The Emissary  here on Amazon.

4. No Quarter by Joshua Dalzelle

Joshua Dalzelle proves the old adage that "good things come to those who wait" with release of No Quarter, the second book in The Unification War Trilogy. This incredible second entry came almost two years after the first book, but we think it was well worth the wait, and clearly Discover Sci-Fi readers agree! 

As with Ogden, we had a chance to chat with Dalzelle this month and found his thoughts both on second books in general, and this second book in particular, super interesting!

No Quarter is the dreaded second act in the final trilogy of the Black Fleet Saga. The series has been quite popular overall, but the second books in each trilogy always seem to be polarizing because they necessarily end on bleak prospects for the protagonists and this one is no different. I think this book stood out for readers because there were some twists they weren’t expecting this far into the series. As a purely military sci-fi novel I’m not looking to pull a bait and switch or to trick the readers like a thriller might, but it’s still fun to keep them guessing going into the last book of the saga.

Humanity is fractured and on the brink of war…

The United Terran Federation and the Eastern Star Alliance have been fighting in minor skirmishes along the border region for the last few years, but now it threatens to break out into a full-on war with the victor assuming control of all human space.

The Alliance has fired the opening shots with a horrific strike on a civilian target, killing millions and shocking the Federation's parliament into action. Now mighty fleets of starships are moving against each other, ready for the final battle that will settle the conflict once and for all.

The venerable Admiral Jackson Wolfe prepares himself for one last fight as his nemesis, Admiral Vadim Kohl, looks to make a name for himself by defeating the infamous Federation officer in battle. Jackson knows events are now in motion that can't be stopped and only one thing is certain: win or lose, nothing will ever be the same again.

No Quarter is the second book in the Unification War Trilogy and the eighth book in the overall Black Fleet Saga.

Pick up Joshua Dalzelle's No Quarter here on Amazon.

3. CyberWar by Matthew Mather

You're missing out if you haven't read our 3rd place pick. The long awaited, highly anticipated CyberWar is the 3rd book in Matthew Mather's World War C series, which is currently in development with Netflix.  We can't wait to watch and we know it'll be amazing, but you know the book is always better so make sure you read the series before it hits the screen! 

Chechen separatists destroyed thousands of satellites in orbit, the effects crippling the world's militaries. Power and communications failures sweep the planet, while emergency services are hobbled as fires and powerful storms rip across America.

Still recovering from his injuries, Mike Mitchell returns to his family at Senator Seymour's residence in Virginia, the place a fortress secured by dozens of Secret Service agents. The CIA has tracked down the terrorists that launched the attacks and offers a front-row seat to watch events unfold as a SEAL team closes in--but the video feed goes dead.

Outside the senator's house, thudding detonations as an attack begins.

Scrambling to stay alive, Mike realizes the onslaught isn't only against the Seymour residence in Virginia, but that a furious blitz has begun all over the country. As the full weight of America's military presses on stopping these terrorists, how are the attacks possible? Is it an invasion? Or something more sinister?

With their lives and the fate of the nation hanging in the balance, the bigger question becomes--who is the real enemy?

Get your copy of Matthew Mather's CyberWar here on Amazon.

2. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Okay, so we were a little—scratch that—more than a little surprised that Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary didn't top this list. The response to the release was off-the-charts. Readers quickly snapped up and binged the book and as they did, in came a torrent of glowing reviews and commentary as readers posted their thoughts to the Discover Sci-Fi facebook group. You'd be hard pressed to find another recent release that elicited that much enthusiasm among the group as a whole. Nevertheless, 2nd place is not too shabby, and if you haven't already, you really need to read this! 

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone.

Or does he?

Pick up Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary here on Amazon.

1. Breakaway (Expeditionary Force Book 12) by Craig Alanson

It's hard to keep track of how many times Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force series has landed in 1st place in these reader's choice polls! This recent win is for Breakaway, the incredible 12th book in the aforementioned series. Alanson is a damn fine storyteller with the ability to keep hungry fans happy with regular releases in this, his wildly popular series—clearly a winning combination! 

The Merry Band of Pirates offered the bad guys a ceasefire. We won’t mess with them, if they don’t mess with us. Easy, right? NO. The aliens chose to do things the hard way. So, the Pirates are racing around the galaxy to clean up the threat to Earth. The infant UN Navy has their own mission with the Alien Legion: get humanity some allies in the fight. And the Ethics & Compliance Office might have to do something...ethical. Unless they can find a way around it.

Pick up Craig Alanson's Breakaway 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 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.

Whether it's to see where they began, or where they ended up, or what happened in between, these ten extraordinary secondary characters are the ones the Discover Sci-Fi community voted as being most deserving of their own spin-off book or series. But which one did readers deem most deserving? You'll have to read on to find out!

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 secondary or ensemble characters who deserve their own spin-off! 

10. Gregor Vorbarra from the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold

Given the amount of fanfic devoted to exploring Gregor Vorbarra, the esteemed Emperor of the Barrayaran Imperium in Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan Saga, it is no surprise to see him on this list. There is a ton to mine here! There’s some debate around where to start with this series, but here we’ll defer to the author, who recommends starting with Shards of Honor and then moving right into Barrayar. For paperback lovers, these are available in an omnibus edition called Cordelia’s Honor. 

Ravaged by the Barrayaran-Betan War and turned into outcasts, Cordelia Naismith and Lord Aral Vorkosigan have no idea what vile plans are being hatched around their cell-damaged son.

Pick up Cordelia's Honor here on Amazon

9. The Mother Thing from Have Space Suit—Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein

Many of you will have cut your teeth on Robert A. Heinlein’s juveniles, so it’s no surprise to see at least one character from one of those books on our list. The Mother Thing—described as an alien who speaks in a kind of birdsong—is resourceful, protective, comforting and bold. If you missed Have Space Suit—Will Travel as a kid, you’ll find this quick read is still worth picking up as an adult.

Kip Russell wants nothing more than to go to the moon. But after entering a contest to help realize his dream, he is thrust into a space adventure he could never have imagined—with the most unlikely of friends and enemies. A favorite among Heinlein readers.

Pick up Have Space Suit—Will Travel here on Amazon.

8. Anne, the “Fair Witness” from Robert Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land

“So? “Anne!”

Anne was on the springboard; she turned her head. Jubal called out, “That house on the hilltop — can you see what color they’ve painted it?”

Anne looked, then answered, “It’s white on this side.”

Jubal went on to Jill, “You see? It doesn’t occur to her to infer that the other side is probably white, too. All the King’s horses couldn’t force her to commit herself . . . unless she went there and looked — and even then she wouldn’t assume that it stayed whatever color it might be after she left.”

 “Anne is a Fair Witness?”

“Graduate, unlimited license, and admitted to testify before the High Court.”—Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

Anne the “Fair Witness” is a character from Robert A.Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land. Gifted with an eidetic memory and the ability to perceive events accurately and with complete objectivity, Anne certainly would be a fun character to explore in greater depth and in a different context.  

Raised by Martians on Mars, Valentine Michael Smith is a human who has never seen another member of his species. Sent to Earth, he is a stranger who must learn what it is to be a man. But his own beliefs and his powers far exceed the limits of humankind, and as he teaches them about grokking and water-sharing, he also inspires a transformation that will alter Earth’s inhabitants forever...

Get your copy of Stranger in a Strange Land here on Amazon.

7. Trillian from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

The brilliant mathematician and astrophysicist Tricia Marie McMillan aka Trillian Astra aka Trillian has made regular appearances in the books, radio, television and film versions of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Intelligent, insightful, confident and charming, she’s definitely a character who deserves a greater share of the limelight!  

It’s an ordinary Thursday morning for Arthur Dent . . . until his house gets demolished. The Earth follows shortly after to make way for a new hyperspace express route, and Arthur’s best friend has just announced that he’s an alien.

After that, things get much, much worse.

Start reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy here on Amazon.

6. Stockton from Blood on the Stars by Jay Allan

Jake Stockton is a dynamic character who has had some excellent storylines and suffered a LOT throughout the course of Jay Allan’s epic military space opera series, Blood on the Stars. As with Andi Laforge, a fan favorite who was treated to her own Blood on the Stars spinoff series, without a doubt, Jake would make a compelling central character for a series of his own. We had the pleasure of chatting with Jay Allan about Jake Stockton, and he had this to say:

"Jake Stockton has been one of my favorite characters to write.  He has come a long way, changing considerably in some ways, and remaining the same in others.  Jake has come close to becoming a main character, but in the end, he has remained a supporting cast member in all of the books, if a major one.  He has appeared in 17 books all together, and the 18th and final one is coming out later this year. Duel in the Dark is the first book, both of the series and also with Jake as one of the characters." – Jay Allan

If you are new to the series, definitely start with book one, Duel in the Dark. Given the binge worthy nature of the series, you could be all caught up by the time book 18 comes out!

A duel, in the deepest darks, a savage fight between two veteran warriors, two captains, two heroes.

An epic battle that only one can survive. A fight to determine if there is peace, or a bloody war where billions will die.

Grab Duel in the Dark here on Amazon.

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5. Hazel Stone from The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert 

Hazel Stone, nominated here for her role in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a compelling character who appeared first in Robert A. Heinlein’s book The Rolling Stones, popping up in later works as well, including The Cat Who Walks Through Walls where she, using the alias Gwendolyn Novak, plays a central role. As Discover Sci-Fi blog reader Jim Ellis commented:

 “We know where Hazel Stone winds up later in life. The tale from TMIAHM [The Moon is a Harsh Mistress] to then would be a fun adventure, probably several volumes.” 

We agree!

The rollicking adventures of the Stone Family on a tour of the Solar System. It all statred when the twins, Castor and Pollux Stone, decided that life on the Lunar colony was too dull and decided to buy their own spaceship and go into business for themselves. Their father thought that was a fine, idea, except that he and Grandma Hazel bought the spaceship and the whole Stone Family were on their way out into the far reaches of the Solar System, with stops on Mars(where the twins got a lesson in the interplanetary economics of bicycles and the adorable little critters called flatcats who, it turned out, bred like rabbits; or perhaps, Tribbles....), out to the asteroids, where  Mrs. Stone, an M.D., was needed to treat a dangerous outbreak of disease, even further out, to Titan and beyond.

Get your copy of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress here on Amazon.

4. Stilgar from Dune by Frank Herbert

Stilgar is a born leader with a magnetic personality, respected thanks to his honest and trustworthy nature. He plays a significant role in Frank Herbert's Dune, but would definitely be worth exploring further via a spin-off. 

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for....

Dive into Dune here on Amazon.

3. Bobbie Draper from The Expanse by James S. A. Corey

“Bobbie was not the right shape to fit into one of the standard suits, and the Marines made her jump through a series of flaming hoops every time she requisitioned a new custom one. At a bit over two meters tall, she was only slightly above average height for a Martian male, but thanks in part to her Polynesian ancestry, she weighed in at over a hundred kilos at one g. None of it was fat, but her muscles seemed to get bigger every time she even walked through a weight room. As a marine, she trained all the time.” —James, S. A. Corey, Caliban’s War

First appearing in Caliban's War, book two of James S. A. Corey's series The Expanse, Roberta “Bobbie” Draper is a long time fan favorite and widely regarded as one of the most badass characters of sci-fi, let alone the series. While Bobbie doesn’t appear until the second book, if you are new to this series, you’re definitely going to want to start at the beginning with Leviathan Wakes! 

Humanity has colonized the solar system -- Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt and beyond -- but the stars are still out of our reach.

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. Scotty Tremaine and Horace Harkness from the Honor Harrington series by David Weber

Sir Horace Harkness and his mentee Prescott “Scotty” Tremaine made their first appearances in On Basilisk Station, the first book of David Weber’s Honor Harrington series, and were regular characters throughout the series. These two are scrappy, resourceful and seasoned, and it would absolutely be cool to see a spinoff featuring either or both. 

Having made him look a fool, she's been exiled to Basilisk Station in disgrace and set up for ruin by a superior who hates her.

Parliament isn't sure it wants to keep the place; the major local industry is smuggling; the merchant cartels want her head; the star-conquering, so-called "Republic" of Haven is Up To Something; and Honor Harrington has a single, over-age light cruiser with an armament that doesn't work to police the entire star system.

But the people out to get her have made one mistake. They've made her mad.

Start On Basilisk Station here on Amazon.

1. Agent Pike from the Black Fleet Saga by Joshua Dalzelle

Fans of Joshua Dalzelle’s outstanding, adventurous and fast-paced Black Fleet Saga have long called for a spinoff exploring Agent Pike’s backstory and, rumor has it, this is an idea Dalzelle has actually considered so maybe there is reason to be hopeful! New to the series? Start with Warship and be ready to binge read from there! 

In the 25th century humans have conquered space. The advent of faster-than-light travel has opened up hundreds of habitable planets for colonization, and humans have exploited the virtually limitless space and resources for hundreds of years with impunity.

So complacent have they become with the overabundance that armed conflict is a thing of the past, and their machines of war are obsolete and decrepit. What would happen if they were suddenly threatened by a terrifying new enemy? Would humanity fold and surrender, or would they return to their evolutionary roots and meet force with force? One ship—and one captain—will soon be faced with this very choice.

Grab Warship 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.

"Teamwork makes the dreamwork." —John Maxwell

Teamwork really does make the dreamwork... most of the time. Though this isn't always the case when it comes to writing books, which is probably why writing is such a solitary practise and why most authors choose to work alone. That said, when two authors join forces and they're well-suited to the task of co-writing, the results are magic. This week, we want to hear about those magical moments. What are the best co-written sci-fi books of all time?

We're dying to hear your favorites, so if yours aren't listed yet, add them to the poll below or in our Facebook group. This round, you can nominate and vote for as many as you'd like; we'll pin you down to one selection next week.

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