“Time could bifurcate, like a pair of trousers. You could end up in the wrong leg, living a life that was actually happening in the other leg, talking to people who weren't in your leg, walking into walls that weren't there any more. Life could be horrible in the wrong trouser of Time." —Terry Pratchett . 

Well, we have a winner! Haha! Perhaps not the one we expected, and while you guys direct the outcomes with your nominations and votes, we think many of you will be head-scratchingly surprised by the results here as well.

The unexpected.

Isn't that one of the things that keeps whatever universe we're conscious in exciting? Is your curiosity sufficiently piqued? Want to know why we are so perplexed by the results? Why our "Top 10" is a "Top 8 + Bonus Read?" Read on! 

As always, these top ten lists are not meant to be all-inclusive or definitive, but give a great finger on the pulse of our community's interests and favorites. Want to see who missed out? Here's the original nomination list from the blog.

And now, without further ado, based on the combined nominations and votes here on the Discover Sci-Fi blog and the Facebook Reader group, here are your top choices for the best books or series employing parallel universes... 

8. The Crossroads of Time by Andre Norton

We were surprised this short, adventure driven novel didn’t get more love! Andre Norton's The Crossroads of Time landed on the list with just a handful of votes; perhaps that simply means many of you haven't had a chance yet to enjoy it.

In an odd twist on the theme of time travel, Norton has her characters traveling across time, rather than forward or backward. The dates do not change as the men travel from one timeline to another, but the histories of those worlds differ from each other. Tacitly postulating a kind of two-dimensional time, Norton anticipated Hugh Everett III's many-worlds interpretation of the quantum theory by one year. She called it the "possibility worlds" theory of history.

7. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

“And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!"

In 7th place, we have a more contemporary selection: Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch. In Crouch's mind-bending science fiction thriller Dark Matter, Jason Dessen is living the lyrics of the famous Talking Heads song. I mean, sure, parallel universes wasn’t really what they were on about, they weren’t talking about waking up in and finding that, literally, your house was not your house, your wife was not your wife, and so on. Still, we think of him now when we hear that song…

Jason Dessen is walking home through the chilly Chicago streets one night, looking forward to a quiet evening in front of the fireplace with his wife, Daniela, and their son, Charlie—when his reality shatters.

It starts with a man in a mask kidnapping him at gunpoint, for reasons Jason can’t begin to fathom—what would anyone want with an ordinary physics professor?—and grows even more terrifying from there, as Jason’s abductor injects him with some unknown drug and watches while he loses consciousness.

When Jason awakes, he’s in a lab, strapped to a gurney—and a man he’s never seen before is cheerily telling him “welcome back!”

Jason soon learns that in this world he’s woken up to, his house is not his house. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born.

And someone is hunting him.

Read Dark Matter here on Amazon.

6. The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks

Of all the books that lean toward fantasy on this list, the title landing in 6th place leans the hardest. Perhaps a little too hard to be properly included in a list celebrating science fiction works, and while we generally attempt to ferret out all pure fantasy titles, this one slipped through but is, nevertheless, a splendid example of a book employing parallel universes.

The Sword of Shannara is an epic fantasy novel by American writer Terry Brooks. It is the first book of the Original Shannara Trilogy, followed by The Elfstones of Shannara and The Wishsong of Shannara.

Living in peaceful Shady Vale, Shea Ohmsford knew little of the troubles that plagued the rest of the world. Then the giant, forbidding Allanon revealed that the supposedly dead Warlock Lord was plotting to destroy the world. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness was the Sword of Shannara, which could only be used by a true heir of Shannara--Shea being the last of the bloodline, upon whom all hope rested. Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of Evil, flew into the Vale, seeking to destroy Shea. To save the Vale, Shea fled, drawing the Skull Bearer after him.

Get your copy of The Sword of Shannara  here on Amazon.

TIE! 5A. Apprentice Adept by Piers Anthony

And here we have the first of our selections which tied for 5th place! Once again, if hard sci-fi is more your jam, this is another great book that might have gone unnoticed by you.

The Apprentice Adept series by English American author Piers Anthony takes place on Phaze and Proton, two worlds occupying the same space in two different dimensional planes. Phaze is a lush planet of magic, where Proton is a barren mining planet of science. As the series opens, each person born on Phaze and Proton has an alternate self living on the other world. But if a person on either world lacks a duplicate (for instance if a Proton citizen immigrated there from another planet, or a counterpart from the opposite frame died), he can cross to the other through an energy "curtain" that circumscribes each frame.

On the technological, decadent world of Proton, someone was trying to destroy Stile, serf and master Gamesman. His only escape lay in Phaze, a world totally ruled by magic. Soon he learned that his alternate self had already been murdered, and that he was next. On Proton, his fate depended on winning the great Games. On Phaze, he must master magic to survive. And if he used any magic at all, his friends were determined to kill him at once!

Get your copy of Split Infinity, book one in the Apprentice Adept series,  here on Amazon.

TIE! 5B. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan 

Sharing 5th spot is the EPIC sci-fi fantasy series, The Wheel of Time. While some members questioned the inclusion of Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series to this poll, we feel that—unlike other questionable nominations that found their way onto the list—this one is in keeping with the theme of the poll. Of course, if you have strong opinions either way, we'd love to hear more from you in the comments here or in our facebook group! 

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Grab the first book in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, The Eye of the World, here on Amazon.

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4. The World of Tiers by Philip José Farmer

Coming in at number 4 on our list is The World of Tiers, a series of science fiction novels by American writer Philip José Farmer. Farmer is known for his incredible world-building, and this series is no exception!

The World of Tiers novels are set within a series of artificially-constructed universes, created and ruled by decadent beings who are genetically identical to humans, but regard themselves as superior, who are the inheritors of an advanced technology they no longer understand.

When Robert Wolff found a strange horn in an empty house, he held the key to a different universe. To blow that horn would open up a door through space-time and permit entry to a cosmos whose dimensions and laws were not those our starry galaxy knows.

Get your copy of Volume One of Philip José Farmer's The World of Tiers  here on Amazon.

3. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R. Donaldson

If you’re a sci-fi purist, you may have missed reading this award-winning series, another which blends science fiction and fantasy. That said, clearly enough of you have read it that it made and placed high on the final list; for those of you who haven’t though, maybe the stamp of approval from your fellow sci-fi fans is the push you need to consider diving in?

Lord Foul’s Bane, the first book of Stephen R. Donaldson's series, follows Thomas Covenant on a journey through another land, one in which he wakes following an accident where he is hit by a police car. Believing that he is unconscious from his collision with the police car, and therefore experiencing a fantastical dream or delusion, Covenant refuses to accept the reality of the Land. Appalled and indignant at the expectations the people of the Land have for him as their new-found saviour, he gives himself the title of "Unbeliever."

Yet the Land tempted him. He had been sick; now he seemed better than ever before. Through no fault of his own, he had been outcast, unclean, a pariah. Now he was regarded as a reincarnation of the Land's greatest hero--Berek Halfhand--armed with the mystic power of White Gold. That power alone could protect the Lords of the Land from the ancient evil of Despiser, Lord Foul. Only...Covenant had no idea of how the power could be used!

Pick up your copy of Lord Foul's Bane here on Amazon.

2. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King 

Many fans cite this deeply immersive series as being their favorite work by the author, Stephen King, so we definitely expected to see this one here. How about you? The main story takes place in a world somewhat similar to the Old West but in an alternate timeframe or parallel universe.

In the first book of this brilliant series, The Gunslinger, Stephen King introduces readers to one of his most enigmatic heroes, Roland of Gilead, The Last Gunslinger. He is a haunting figure, a loner on a spellbinding journey into good and evil. In his desolate world, which frighteningly mirrors our own, Roland pursues The Man in Black, encounters an alluring woman named Alice, and begins a friendship with the Kid from Earth called Jake. Both grippingly realistic and eerily dreamlike, The Gunslinger leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter

Get your copy of The Gunslinger, the first book in this iconic series, here on Amazon.

1. The Number of the Beast by Robert A. Heinlein

The subtitle says it all: "A Parallel Novel About Parallel Universes." How could this, written by a sci-fi master no less, NOT have made the cut? Based on the votes this title landed in second place, but considering the criteria and adjusting for that, this excellent selection easily takes the place it deserves: Number 1! 

The Number of the Beast, by legendary author Robert A Heinlein follows the adventures of Zeb, Deety, Hilda, and Jake when they are ambushed by the alien “Black Hats” and barely escape with their lives on a specially configured vehicle (the Gay Deceiver) that can travel along various planes of existence, allowing them to visit parallel universes.

Heinlein had already wrote a “parallel” novel about the four characters and parallel universes in 1977. He effectively wrote two parallel novels about parallel universes. The novels share the same start, but as soon as the Gay Deceiver is used to transport them to a parallel universe, each book takes the readers to a totally different parallel world.

When two male and two female supremely sensual, unspeakably cerebral humans find themselves under attack from aliens who want their awesome quantum breakthrough, they take to the skies -- and zoom into the cosmos on a rocket roller coaster ride of adventure and danger, ecstasy and peril.

The novel lies somewhere between parody and homage in its deliberate use of the style of the 1930s' pulp novels. How can you NOT read this?

Read Heinlein's legendary, pulp fiction inspired The Number of the Beast, here on Amazon.

BONUS Selection: Foundation by Isaac Asimov

“How does the Foundation series qualify?” 

“A very good series, but no indication that it was in a parallel universe.”

“Can't vote because Foundation is not a parallel universe!” 

Indeed.

The statements above are just some of the many comments some of you added to the thread about this poll in the Discover Sci-Fi Facebook Group. And rightfully so!

We concede that despite pulling in the most votes in the opening poll and landing in top spot here in the final account, Isaac Asimov's Foundation doesn’t fit the criteria.

We take full responsibility for letting this slide into the final round of voting, but we are curious to hear from those who did nominate and vote for this selection, and we hope you will chime in in the comments: what made you select Foundation for this particular best of poll?

Maybe all that means is that it is time for a refresher. When was the last time you read this award-winning and, one might say, “foundational” work of science fiction? Decades ago? <gasp> Never? Parallel universes or not, perhaps it’s time to take a read. (or re-read).

For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future -- to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save mankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire -- both scientists and scholars -- and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the Galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for a future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation.

Get your copy of the sci-fi classic, Foundation  here on Amazon.

With infinite possibilities, is there ever a real conclusion?

What do you think of that list? Do you agree, or do you feel as though your best-loved parallel universe narrative should have placed higher on the list? What do YOU think of Foundation showing up here? Are you a hard sci-fi lover shaking your head at all the sci-fi fantasy selections? We want to hear from you! Feel free to join us here in our Facebook group to chime in on the debate, and then check out our most recent poll while you're there. Don't have Facebook? Feel free to add to the comments below

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

10. Ender (Ender’s Game)

Ender Wiggin is a child soldier in the ground-breaking novel Ender’s Game. When alien bugs attack Earth, select children are trained to lead fleets in battle. Ender proves himself a maverick, a tactical genius who can lead Earth to victory. He might only be a kid, but his brilliance in battle earns him a spot in our top ten.

Get Ender's Game here on Amazon

9. Starbuck (Battlestar Galactica)

8. Captain Kirk (Star Trek)

Kirk isn’t only a capable starship captain. He’s also an accomplished brawler, and he never shies away from a fight. Whenever the chance arises, he beams down to a planet to fight his enemies hand to hand. Perhaps his most memorable fight was against the infamous Gorn.

Watch Star Trek now here on Amazon Prime Video.

7. Jayne Cobb (Firefly)

Jayne is a hulking, gruff mercenary serving aboard the Serenity. He helps the crew on their various smuggling missions and heists, usually by providing the muscle. He best friend seems to be Vera, his beloved rifle. Despite his tough-guy persona, Jayne loves wearing an adorable beanie hat, which his mother knitted for him.

Watch Firefly now here on Amazon Prime Video.

6. Commander Adama (Battlestar Galactica)

Bill Adama is the laconic commander of the Battlestar Galactica. His stony exterior belies his kind, compassionate nature. He truly cares about his soldiers, seeing them as his children. In times of battle, he is calm, competent, and willing to make the necessary sacrifices. With his decades of experience, Adama inspires loyalty from his troops, who affectionately refer to him as “the old man.” Adama’s leadership helped humanity survive the devastating Cylon attack.

Watch Battlestar Galactica now here on Amazon Prime Video.

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5. Admiral Ackbar (Star Wars)

Admiral Ackbar is only a secondary character in the Star Wars saga but an important one. He was one of the high commanders of the rebel alliance, leading fleets into battle. During his many years of service, Ackbar was regarded as a brilliant tactician and courageous officer. He famously commanded the rebel fleet during the Battle of Endor. Despite inadvertently flying into a trap, Akbar eventually led the fleet to victory.

Watch Star Wars now here on Amazon Prime Video.

4. Addy (Earthrise)

Addison “Addy” Linden is a heroic warrior from the Earthrise series. Following a devastating alien invasion of Earth, Addy joins the army as a humble private. She fights in many battles, rises through the ranks, and becomes a war heroine and leader. Addy is loud, foul-mouthed, and covered in tattoos. She loves beer, hot dogs, and good old-fashioned hockey fights. Despite her coarse exterior, on the inside Addy is deeply compassionate and loyal to her friends. Her leadership, courage, and determination give Earth a fighting chance against the alien menace.

Get your copy of Earth Alone, the first book in the Earthrise series, here on Amazon.

3. Juan Rico (Starship Troopers)

Juan Rico is a young soldier from Robert Heinlein’s seminal novel Starship Troopers. Earth is battling a race of alien bugs. Juan enlists, goes through gruelling bootcamp, and learns how to operate a mech suit—a powerful robotic exoskeleton. He eventually becomes an officer and heroically leads his platoon to victories on the battlefield. He is the archetypical space marine, inspiring many heroes in the genre of military science fiction.

Get your copy of Starship Troopers here on Amazon.

2. The Terminator

The Terminator is nearly unstoppable. Bullets, fire, explosions—he can survive almost anything. He just keeps going until his mission is fulfilled. If he’s your enemy, you’re in deep trouble. If he’s your ally, he’ll protect you until the very end. The Terminator is definitely one of the toughest characters in the genre.

Watch The Terminator now here on Amazon Prime Video.

1. Ripley (Alien)

Topping our list is Ripley from the Alien franchise. When an unknown creature infiltrates the starship Nostromo, Ripley manages to survive while the alien kills everyone else, one by one. On the colony LV-426, which has been overrun with aliens, Ripley proves herself a valiant warrior. She battles an alien infestation, faces off against the alien queen, and even saves the orphan Newt, the colony’s sole survivor. When it comes to pure grit, Ripley is impossible to beat. We give her the crown of toughest sci-fi warrior.

Watch Alien now here on Amazon Prime Video.

What do you think? Do you agree with our list? Who do you think is the toughest warrior in science fiction? 

Sound off the in the comments below, or chime in with your 2¢ in the Discover Sci-Fi Reader Group on Facebook. 

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home." —Anna Quindlen

In our current world of limited travel, books are one way we can continue to experience whole other worlds: the possible, the not-yet-possible, and the completely fantastic. What a gift. This year has gifted us with many incredible new reads and along with them, worlds to slip into. Some of these worlds are familiar—as with the highly anticipated continuation of series set in universes we already love—some are completely new and novel. In a perfect world, there would be time to read them all, but if your time is limited, it's nice to know which ones are worth spending that time on, and you needn't look any further than your fellow Discover Sci-Fi readers for help with that. We asked, you answered, and based on your votes both here and in the Discover Sci-Fi facebook group, we present the top 10 books published in 2020 (so far!) determined by you!

As always, these top ten lists are not meant to be all-inclusive or definitive, but give a great finger on the pulse of our community's interests and favorites. Want to see who missed out? Here's the original nomination list from the blog.

Without further ado, based on the combined nominations and votes here on the Discover Sci-Fi blog and the Facebook group, here are your top choices for the best sci-fi books of 2020 so far! 

10. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games #0) by Suzanne Collins

Given how highly anticipated The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was, we’re surprised by its 10th place standing on the list!

Fans exploded with excitement when the prequel to Suzanne Collins' wildly successful Hunger Games trilogy was announced last year, many marking their calendars for the 2020 release date. The newest addition to the series, released May—ten years after the last book in the original trilogy—centres on Coriolanus Snow, the brutal nemesis of beloved heroine Katniss Everdeen. Was he always the villainous monster we came to know and loathe through the trilogy, or did something make him that way? This is the year we find out.  

"It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined - every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes."

Read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes  here on Amazon.

9. Final Days by Nathan Hystad and Jasper T Scott

This year two of our favorite writers, each accomplished authors in their own rights, came together to write an absolutely killer new series and the first book, which launched June, is already a huge hit both with sci-fi readers and with readers of other genres as well.

Final Days by Jasper Scott and Nathan Hystad captures the essence of both a near-future thriller and a sci-fi adventure. This genre-straddling makes it appeal to a much wider audience than the average science fiction novel. And the characters, being that they come from what is essentially present-day Earth, are all highly relatable.

Adding to its appeal, the sequels to Final Days take the reader on a richly-imagined journey beyond Earth. The book and the series itself meet all the criteria for escapist fiction without touching too closely on current events, making it ideal reading at a time when more than ever people are looking to take their minds off the pressures and stresses of real life.

No matter where your reading tastes land, this is a must read!

"The countdown to the end of the world has begun. 

A mysterious convergence of natural disasters threatens to destroy life as we know it, and people across the United States are going missing. With no one left to investigate, Special Agent Kendra Baker takes the case, trying to solve the disappearances before she’s out of time."

Read Final Days, the first book in the Final Days Trilogy  here on Amazon.

8. The Last Emperox (The Interdependency #3) by John Scalzi

Maybe better known for his military sci-fi epic, Old Man's War series, Hugo Award winning author John Scalzi's most recent series, The Interdependency Series, is another fast-paced, page turner and as much as fans have been looking forward to this year's release of the third and final book, we're pretty sure many will be sad that it is over! 

"Emperox Grayland II has finally wrested control of her empire from those who oppose her and who deny the reality of this collapse. But “control” is a slippery thing, and even as Grayland strives to save as many of her people form impoverished isolation, the forces opposing her rule will make a final, desperate push to topple her from her throne and power, by any means necessary. Grayland and her thinning list of allies must use every tool at their disposal to save themselves, and all of humanity. And yet it may not be enough.

Will Grayland become the savior of her civilization . . . or the last emperox to wear the crown?"

Get your copy of The Last Emperox here on Amazon

7. Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5) by Martha Wells

"I would vote for Network Effect by Martha Wells several times if I could, loved the whole series and it was wonderful to finally get a full length novel, I don't think I've enjoyed any sci fi as much since Iain Banks Culture series or maybe even further back with Dune.”  —Discover Sci-Fi Reader, DSF Facebook Group 

Martha Wells published All Systems Red, the first book in her Murderbot Diaries series, back in 2017 (which feels like a lifetime ago), and in 2018 it won multiple awards: A Hugo, a Nebula, an Alex, a Locus...

Critically acclaimed and beloved by fans, the only complaint about the first book, and those that followed, was that they were too short. This most recent instalment, published May, is the first full length novel and as with those before it, Wells has wowed fans with her dry humor, her incredible character development, and her ability to craft a tight, complex and layered narrative. While you should definitely read all the books in the series, this one works as a standalone so if haven't started yet, you needn't wait to pick it up!

"You know that feeling when you’re at work, and you’ve had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you're a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you're Murderbot.

Come for the pew-pew space battles, stay for the most relatable A.I. you’ll read this century."

Continue the adventure with Network Effect  here on Amazon.

6. Freefall (Expeditionary Force: Mavericks #2) by Craig Alanson

Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force shows up on these polls a lot. Don't call him prolific—he is just doing his job—but he puts out a number of books a year and each one is met with well earned fanfare.

Freefall, the first of Alanson's books to be released this year, came out in June and was a huge hit with fans. The book is the second in the Mavericks series, which is a spinoff from Expeditionary Force. If you haven't read Exforce yet, don't let that stop you from picking up this new series. Reading the parent series may give you some background that will enhance your enjoyment of the spinoff, but Mavericks does work as a standalone as well.

"The Alien Legion has a new mission, and this time, they are working for the enemy. Also against the enemy. Like every operation that Emily Perkins plans, it’s complicated. But plans require good intel, and when the plan falls apart, the Mavericks are in Freefall…"

Grab Freefall here on Amazon.

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5. Descent Into Darkness (Blood on the Stars Book 17) by Jay Allan

There is no hunger like that of Jay Allan's fans for a new book by the author and it's something for which Allan has said, time and again, he is very grateful!

Jay Allan's fans have been known to stay up late into the evening the night of a book release, grab the book immediately, and polish it off in a day. Blood on the Stars might just be his most popular series yet and so book 17, Descent Into Darkness—the penultimate book in the series—was destined to be one of the most hotly anticipated books of 2020. The set up for the grand finale! 

Victory or Death.

An experimental virus or a desperate battle…which is the way to go, the route offering the best chance of victory against the enemy?  Tyler Barron and his wife, Andi Lafarge, find themselves on different sides, as the universe screams toward the stunning conclusion of the Blood on the Stars series in the next book, Empire Reborn.

Get your copy of Descent Into Darkness, book 17 in the epic Blood on the Stars series here on Amazon.

4. Sons of War by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Nicholas Sansbury Smith has been turning out one expansive, original, and totally gripping sci-fi series after another. Our 4th spot title is from his newest series, Sons of War, which launched just this year and Smith says it’s his favourite to date! Considering his body of work so far, we think this says a lot. We caught up with Smith to ask what he felt might have stood out to fans about this title and he shared some thoughts with us:

“Sons of War is a post-apocalyptic story about how the end of the world becomes an opportunity for some people. Told from two viewpoints, a Marine and his family, and an organized crime boss, SOW is meant to give readers a unique perspective. Often in my stories I like to show the good and bad of survival in these scenarios, and how some good people turn evil, and some evil people transform into better humans. We never know how we would react in the apocalypse, and that's part of what's fascinating, I think, about these stories.”

It’s true: you really never know how you are going to react to something until the day is upon you and we agree that the tension of that makes for a fascinating story! 

"All empires eventually fall...
The United States is no exception...
And out of the embers, a lawless new empire will rise…

Across the world, the United States recalls troops to combat civil unrest after the biggest economic meltdown in history. Marine Sergeant Ronaldo Salvatore's platoon comes home to a powder keg that could ignite a civil war.

While some see the coming collapse as the end, others see opportunity. Fleeing Naples after rival crime lords decimated his family, Don Antonio Moretti settles in Los Angeles to rebuild his criminal empire. But he is far from alone in his ambitions--the cartel and rival gangs all want the same turf, and they will sacrifice their own soldiers and the blood of innocents to get it."

Start The Sons of War series with Sons of War  here on Amazon.

3. Insurgent (First Colony #10) by Ken Lozito

We have heard from many fans who feel that Ken Lozito's EPIC First Colony series just gets better with every book, so it was no surprise that book 10, released April, placed so high up on our list. Insurgent delivers on fan's expectations, with a fast-paced story that also allows for continued world building and a greater understanding of the characters you know and love. 

"As Connor secretly searches for the enemy homeworld, he launches clandestine military operations to liberate other worlds in hopes of gaining allies before the enemy can find the last human colony.

The humans cannot hope to compete with the enemy’s vast empire, but with the discovery of a new ally, Connor believes their luck has finally changed.

Instead, when new allies clash with the old, Connor finds himself caught in the middle. Connor will have to choose whether doing what’s necessary to ensure the colony survives is worth compromising his loyalty to allies close to home, but the price could ultimately tear the colony apart."

Get your copy of Insurgent, book 10 in the First Colony Series,  here on Amazon.

2. Boneshaker (Terran Scout Fleet #2) by Joshua Dalzelle

Joshua Dalzelle has earned a loyal following thanks in large part to his wildly entertaining Omega Force series; an incredibly fun, high action space opera currently at 11 books. Our 2nd place entry, Boneshaker, is the second book in Dalzelle's Terran Scout Fleet series. We had an opportunity to ask Dalzelle to share his thoughts on the success of this new book and he was happy to give us some insight:

"Boneshaker is the second book in the Terran Scout Series, a companion series to my popular Omega Force series. I think the books have a built-in audience from the Omega Force series and that’s helped quite a bit when it comes to the book gaining visibility and readers. It has a lot of the same things that appeal to those readers, capturing the humor, action, and heart of its parent-series without being a carbon copy.

What I like about writing this series is bringing a more traditional military sci-fi story into the evolved (and quite large) Omega Force universe. It’s a chance to explore it all over again from a fresh perspective, but this time from the POV of a small, elite forward recon unit instead of a wide-eyed civilian who was abducted from his home. The books have been incredibly fun to write so I’m delighted they’ve been so well-received by the readers."

If you have read either of these two series, you know how much fun they are to read so it's no surprise that they are so fun to write!   

"The Talon's captain has gone rogue and is operating within a fleet of ships bent on open rebellion against the quadrant's only remaining superpower. If that ship is discovered within the rebel fleet, Earth will bear the brunt of the ConFed's reprisal. Jacob's team is in a race against time to locate the missing ship and her rogue captain so that a Navy strike force can swoop in and reclaim her… or destroy her."

Start reading Boneshaker, book 2 in the Terran Scout Fleet Series, here on Amazon.

1. Inversion: Riven Worlds Book Two (Amaranthe 15) G. S. Jennsen

“Voting for Inversion, GS Jennsen. It's part of an awesome series. Strong character development, creative technology, intriguing plot, and exciting space battles.” —DSF Facebook Group Member

We agree!  Jennsen’s mastery of her craft has earned a loyal and passionate fanbase, and they turned out to support Inversion in record numbers, casting nearly a third of over 1000 votes for the entry. We reached out to Jennsen to ask what she thought it was about this story that resonated with readers and she had this to share:

"Inversion resonates with readers because it grounds the classic “triumph over impossible odds” story arc in the personal struggles of a cast of characters those readers have come to care deeply about. The book opens with our heroes facing some of the most dire circumstances they’ve ever encountered (which is saying something). Trapped underground beneath a city besieged by powerful aliens. Held captive in an enemy prison and thought dead by the world. Killed in action only to be resurrected in a new body using risky and unproven technology. 

It’s dark, it’s ugly, it’s desperate. But no one is willing to give up and accept their fate. Instead they climb to their feet, brush the dirt off and, together and alone, fight and claw their way back to freedom, to safety, to victory. And because the readers were there alongside the characters as they fought those battles, they feel like they earned the triumph as much as the characters did."

If you haven’t started the series yet, these results should tell you: you are missing something really special! 

"Nothing has prepared humanity for an enemy on the scale of the Rasu. Now, after a devastating defeat no one saw coming, the dream of victory has become a battle for survival."

Continue the adventure with Inversion  here on Amazon.

So many books so little time, but if you haven't read them yet, we assure you the 10 on this list are worth carving out that time for! What do you think? Did your favorite of the year (so far!) miss the cut? Weigh in on the comments here on the blog, or visit us  here in our Facebook group to chime in on the debate, 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.

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." —Oprah Winfrey. 

Leave it to Oprah to accurately and succinctly get at the heart of what makes a true friend. The friendships you submitted as examples of the very best in science fiction ran the gamut, but what is true for all of them is this: no matter circumstance or the risk—be it to their person or to their pride—they show up for one another. Still, only one can take top spot. Curious to find out who? Read on to find out! 

As always, these top ten lists are not meant to be all-inclusive or definitive, but give a great finger on the pulse of our communities interests and favorites. Want to see who missed out? Here's the original nomination list from the blog.

Without further ado, based on the combined nominations and votes here on the Discover Sci-Fi blog and the Facebook group, here are your top choices for the best friendships found in the pages of science fiction.

10. Alex and Julien from The Silver Ships

When asked in a reddit AMA about the inspiration for Julien, the SADE of his Silver Ships series, author S.H. Jucha had this to say, "Julien is the 'stalwart man' even though he's a SADE (self-aware digital entity). He's the kind of friend each and everyone of us wishes they had ... always with us and dependable through thick and thin, but his trust has to be earned." Knowing that Julien was written to be, above all else, a loyal and reliable friends, it is no surprise that this pair made the top 10; yet, the fact that they only just made it suggests that just maybe there are a fair number of you in our community who are unacquainted with the series. If you are one of those folks, be sure to put The Silver Ships on your TBR list!

An explorer-tug captain, Alex Racine detects a damaged alien craft drifting into the system. Recognizing a once in a lifetime opportunity to make first contact, Alex pulls off a daring maneuver to latch on to the derelict.

Alex discovers the ship was attacked by an unknown craft, the first of its kind ever encountered. The mysterious silver ship's attack was both instant and deadly.

What enfolds is a story of the descendants of two Earth colony ships, with very different histories, meeting 700 years after their founding and uniting to defend humanity from the silver ships.

Start The Silver Ships here on Amazon

9. Kim and Casmir from the Star Kingdom Series

Fans of Lindsay Buroker know she often puts some romance in her series, but she told us that when she started plotting out the first Star Kingdom book Casmir and Kim came to mind, that she knew right away that they would be roommates and best friends, and that things would stay that way. 

We readers aren't treated to a lot of male-female buddy relationships in fiction, and so to come across one like the Kim and Casmir's makes for a refreshing change! Their world (universe) goes crazy and their lives change forever, but they can always lean on each other. They don’t always agree with each other’s choices, but they’ve got each other’s backs, and we think everyone can agree that we all need friends like that.

What if being a hero was encoded in your genes?

And nobody told you?

Casmir Dabrowski would laugh if someone asked him that. After all, he had to build a robot to protect himself from bullies when he was in school.

Fortunately, life is a little better these days. He's an accomplished robotics engineer, a respected professor, and he almost never gets picked on in the lunchroom. But he's positive heroics are for other people.

Until robot assassins stride onto campus and try to kill him.

Read Shockwave, Book One in the Star Kingdom Series here on Amazon.

8. Alex, Amos, Jim and Naomi from The Expanse

While most of the friendships nominated were between two, we were not surprised to see a few ensemble selections, and we were especially unsurprised to see the crew of the Rocinate on the list. This team has been through it all, and it’s only served to deepen their bonds.

The first book in the revolutionary New York Times bestselling Expanse series by James S.A. Corey, is a modern masterwork of science fiction. Leviathan Wakes introduces Captain James Holden, his crew, and Detective Miller as they unravel a horrifying solar system wide conspiracy that begins with a single missing girl. Now a Prime Original series.

Get your copy of Leviathan Wakes here on Amazon.

7. The crew of The Phoenix from Omega Force

Courageous, loyal, stalwart, and implacable. These are terms that describe the men and women that have served in elite fighting units since the beginning of warfare. They are not, however, terms that apply to Omega Force.  

The Omega boys are a collection of borderline sociopaths that, while trying to mostly do the right thing, would just has happily knife each other as they would the enemy. This has actually happened twice over suspected cheating at cards. The mercenary crew operates under a loose mandate to help those that can't help themselves… and if they can turn a quick buck by killing some scumbag that had it coming? All the better. They are a team forged in the fire of common purpose, individuals so completely different from each other they would have never been friends otherwise. But after fighting and bleeding together for years, they've formed an unbreakable bond. If you come at one of them, just know that they would all die protecting each other.

Jason Burke was a man hiding from himself in a small cabin high in the American Rocky Mountains when his simple, quiet life was shattered one night by what he first assumed was an aviation mishap. But when he investigates the crash, what he finds will yank him out of his self-imposed exile and thrust him into a world he could have never imagined.

Start the adventure with Omega Rising here on Amazon.

6. Elijah Baley and Daneel from the Robot Series

What began as an unlikely friendship, became one for the literal ages when thousands of years after Baley’s death Daneel is asked about the now mythic figure of Baley (whose existence is now questioned), and he states that Baley was greater than any myth claimed him to be.

Daneel is introduced in Issac Asimov's book The Caves of Steel, where he is tasked to assist Elijah Baley in the investigation of the murder of his creator, Roj Nemennuh Sarton. Initially, Baley is suspicious of Daneel and constructs two separate theories in which the Robot is responsible for the murder. After both theories are disproven, Baley begins to feel a friendship with Daneel. At the same time, watching Baley gives Daneel a more nuanced view of justice, coming to understand that it is better to convert evil to good than to simply destroy evil.

Baley's and Daneel's friendship grows with each novel, ultimately leading to Daneel being the first of only two robots to ever set foot on a Settler world when Elijah Baley specifically asks to see him on his deathbed.

A millennium into the future two advancements have altered the course of human history: the colonization of the galaxy and the creation of the positronic brain. Isaac Asimov’s Robot novels chronicle the unlikely partnership between a New York City detective and a humanoid robot who must learn to work together.

Grab the first book in Issac Asimov's Robot Series, The Caves of Steel, here on Amazon.

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5. Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Publisher’s Weekly described Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as “a whimsical odyssey” and we couldn’t agree more! At the center of it, are friends Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect, an unlikely pair perhaps, but one which readers through the years have become incredibly fond of.

Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? For all the answers, stick your thumb to the stars!

Seconds before Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together, this dynamic pair began a journey through space aided by a galaxy full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox—the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian (formerly Tricia McMillan), Zaphod’s girlfriend, whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; and Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he’s bought over the years.

Get your copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy here on Amazon.

4. Honor Harrington and Nimitz from the Honorverse

The bond of a treecat to a human might be one of the most intense described in science fiction, and one that is, in most cases, only broken through death. Nimitz and Honor Harrington shared just such a bond, forged when she was 12 T-years old, and maintained through her distinguished life and career; through her most trying and triumphant times, Nimitz was by her side.

You see Nimitz perched on Honor’s shoulder on the cover of the first book of David Weber's bestselling Honor Harrington series, On Basilisk Station, and upon cracking the cover, you are immediately introduced to him in a scene that gives you a sense of exactly how important these characters are to each other and how instrumental the friendship is to the story.

The book finds Honor Harrington exiled to Basilisk Station in disgrace and set up for ruin by a superior who hates her. Her demoralized crew blames her for their ship's humiliating posting to an out-of-the-way picket station. The aborigines of the system's only habitable planet are smoking homicide-inducing hallucinogens. 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!

Get your copy of On Basilisk Station here on Amazon.

3. Han and Chewbacca from Star Wars

These two go together like peanut butter and jelly. Seriously. Can you even think of one without thinking of the other? And when it comes to a willingness to put everything on the line for the other without question, is there really any competition? Apparently so! While the fan favorite twosome landed in the top three they fell a whopping 100 votes short of 1^st place. Still a pair worth celebrating and definitely one worth reading about!

With so many Star Wars books out there, it can be hard to know where to start, but if you really want to get an idea of Han and Chewbacca and what makes their relationship one worth aspiring to, we suggest you start with The Han Solo Adventures by Brian Daley.

Han Solo trusts no one, and does no favors. But when the best illegal ship rebuilder in the galaxy disappears, Han and Chewbacca agree to go after him—after all, the Millennium Falcon needs some very special repairs. Their search pits them against powerful and ruthless enemies out to destroy them, and finally leads them to an airless speck of desolate asteroid—the Authority prison planet known as Stars’ End.

Get your copy of The Han Solo Adventures  here on Amazon.

2. Joe and Skippy from Expeditionary Force

The comments section of our poll was alive with Ex-force fans in favor of a more unconventional paring here, but as one fan wisely pointed out, the relationship between Joe and his <ahem> shower, well, “that’s not friendship, that’s love.” Hat tip to the conversation though, because the joke itself originated with Skippy the Magnificent, infamous AI with a biting sense humor—the kind best reserved for enemies, or for the very best of friends. If you like your military sci-fi action packed and your friendship with a side of hard-hitting humor,  Craig Alanson's WILDLY popular Expeditionary Force is definitely the series for you!

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.

Start the series with book 1, Columbus Day, here on Amazon.

1. Kirk and Spock from Star Trek

Is it fair to say that what most people understand about the relationship between Captain Kirk and the Vulcan, Lieutenant Commander Spock, comes from the T.V series or from the Star Trek movies? While the iconic friendship was canonized on screen and only later made into a book series, we felt the friendship was well worth inclusion on this list, fully supporting the nomination and not too surprised to see it shoot to the top of the list, landing in first place! 

The first books were novelizations of the episodes; later, original novels were published, the first of which was Spock Must Die! written by James Blish in 1970. Whether you are feeling nostalgic for an old favorite or <gasp> haven't read it yet, now is as good a time as any to take a read! 

When a freak transporter malfunction during a Klingon attack creates an an imposter Spock, Captain Kirk must discover how to save his friend from the machinations of his exact replica

Read Spock Must Die!  here on Amazon.

The best friends are yet to come?

One thing that jumped out at us about the selections on this list is how representative they are of science fiction, past and present. Starting with The Caves of Steel, published back in the 50s, there is a friendship from almost every decade represented. What does that mean for the future? Among other things, it means that years from now, as new books come out, this list could look very different. We are almost certain that some of these favorites will remain, but who knows? Maybe the best is yet to come. For now, visit us  here in our Facebook group to chime in on the debate, and then check out our most recent poll while you're there. Don't have Facebook? Feel free to add to the comments below.

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

What a close call!

Eric Hoffer said "action is a unifier," Jacques Cousteau said the great unifier was the sea.  While both of these may be true, we have found that a great quote is also a powerful unifier, and united you were in deciding your favorites!  While the top spot was ultimately decided by a margin of only one vote, those top two choices blew the others out of the water.  Curious to see which ones came out on top?  Read on!

As always, these top ten lists are not meant to be all-inclusive or definitive, but give a great finger on the pulse of our communities interests and favorites. Want to see who missed out? Here's the original nomination list from the blog.

Without further ado, based on the combined nominations and votes here on the Discover Sci-Fi blog and the Facebook group, here are your top choices for the best quotes from science fiction books.

10. “It is I, Skippy... The Magnificent!” – Craig Alanson, Expeditionary Force

Skippy the Magnificent, or simply Skippy, is an advanced artificial intelligence created by the Elders millions of years prior to the series' beginning. Skippy really brings the "I" in AI and is known for having a quick and biting sense of humor which has earned him a legion of fans.  Skippy is central to Alanson's wildly popular military sci-fi series Expeditionary Force.

Start the Ex-Force series with book 1, Columbus Day here on Amazon

9. "Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so." – Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

It should be no surprise that this quotable classic made the top 10! You'll never read funnier science fiction; Douglas Adam is a master of intelligent satire, barbed wit, and comedic dialogue.  The Hitchhiker's Guide is rich in comedic detail and thought-provoking situations and stands up to multiple reads. Required reading for science fiction fans, this book (and its follow-ups) is also sure to please fans of Monty Python, Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, and British sitcoms.

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

8. “He who controls the spice controls the universe.” – Frank Herbert, Dune

This endlessly memed quote can be dropped into all manner of conversations so it's no wonder it's a favorite.  The uninitiated among you may be wondering "what is 'the spice'" (and where can I get some!) Read on...

Set in the distant future amidst a feudal interstellar society in which various noble houses control planetary fiefs, Frank Herbert’s Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides, whose family accepts the stewardship of the planet Arrakis. While the planet is an inhospitable and sparsely populated desert wasteland, it is the only source of melange, or "the spice", a drug that extends life and enhances mental abilities. As melange can only be produced on Arrakis, control of the planet is a coveted and dangerous undertaking. The story explores the multi-layered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion, as the factions of the empire confront each other in a struggle for the control of Arrakis and its spice. From thus comes this infamous quote repeated by sci-fi fans the world over.

Get your copy of Dune here on Amazon.

7. "Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right." – Isaac Asimov, Foundation

The aptly named Foundation is a science fiction novel by American writer Isaac Asimov.  Aptly named as it has been the gateway for so many to the world of science fiction, and not only that, but its influence can be seen in so many works that have come after.  

Foundation is a cycle of five interrelated short stories, first published as a single book in 1951. Collectively they tell the early story of the Foundation, an institute founded by psychohistorian Hari Seldon to preserve the best of galactic civilization after the collapse of the Galactic Empire.

Find Foundation here on Amazon.

6. “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” ― Isaac Asimov, Foundation

Leave it to Asimov to deliver the truth with brevity, artistry and precision.  Among one of the most powerful works in science fiction is the quotable masterpiece Foundation and Empire by American writer Isaac Asimov. Originally published by Gnome Press in 1952, it is the second book in the Foundation Series, and the fourth in the in-universe chronology. 

Continue the series with Foundation & Empire here on Amazon.

5. "A generation which ignores history has no past — and no future." – Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love

A deep and weighty quote by one of the masters of the genre takes the fifth spot in our poll. Time Enough for Love by New York Times bestselling author Robert A. Heinlein follows Lazarus Long through a vast and magnificent timescape of centuries and worlds. Heinlein's longest and most ambitious work, it is the story of a man so in love with Life that he refused to stop living it; and so in love with Time that he became his own ancestor.

Get your copy of Time Enough for Love here on Amazon.

4. "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." – Frank Herbert, Dune

A book deemed quote-worthy enough to make the list twice—this time eking closer to the top spot—is  Frank Herbert’s classic masterpiece, Dune.  Dune  is a triumph of the imagination and one of the bestselling science fiction novels of all time; definitely a book you'll want to read (and quote!) again and again.  

Dune explores the multi-layered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion, as the factions of the empire confront each other in a struggle for the control of Arrakis and its spice.

Get your copy of Dune here on Amazon.

3. "TANSTAAFL: There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." – Robert Heinlein, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

While the origin of the adage is unclear, there is no doubt it was popularized by Heinlein's magnificent work The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress . 

Widely acknowledged as one of Robert A. Heinlein's greatest works The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress rose from the golden age of science fiction to become an undisputed classic—and a touchstone for the philosophy of personal responsibility and political freedom. A revolution on a lunar penal colony—aided by a self-aware supercomputer—provides the framework for a story of a diverse group of men and women grappling with the ever-changing definitions of humanity, technology, and free will—themes that resonate just as strongly today as they did when the novel was first published.

Get your copy of A Moon Is a Harsh Mistress here on Amazon.

2. "Joe you are very much not going to like this ..... HOLD MY BEER" – Craig Alanson, Expeditionary Force

Your favorite AI, Skippy the Magnificent, made our list twice, this second quote just barely missing the top spot.  Skippy keeps the laughs coming as he keeps US Army Specialist Joe Bishop on his toes—and as Alanson keeps readers on the edge of their seats—in the wildly entertaining military sci-fi epic, Expeditionary Force.

Start the series with book 1, Columbus Day, here on Amazon.

1. "In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." – Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

And finally, in first place—by the narrowest of margins—comes another quote from Douglas Adam's satirical novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It follows the adventures of Arthur Dent, a hapless Englishman, following the destruction of the Earth by the Vogons, a race of unpleasant and bureaucratic aliens, to make way for an intergalactic bypass.

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

"Seasons change feelings change..."

In keeping with the theme of our post, we close with a quote; not from science fiction, no, but some wise words nonetheless from the 1980s pop trio, Exposé. There is no doubt that the quotes that came out on top this poll will have staying power—some having passed from page to popular use decades ago and still firmly entrenched in our culture present day—but seasons and feelings, well, they do change and a year from now or maybe ten, this list could look very different.  For now, visit us  here in our Facebook group to chime in on the debate, and then check out our most recent poll while you're there. Don't have Facebook? Feel free to add to the comments below.

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