Top Military Sci-Fi Books

The Discover Sci-Fi community has thousands upon thousands of military sci-fi fans among its ranks. Military sci-fi is wildly popular, owing in part to its often epic scope, its focus on futuristic technology and breathtaking action, and among much else, its frequently thought-provoking themes. It’s no wonder we’re all drawn to it! There are almost too many great military sci-fi books out there to properly define the best of the genre, but we like a challenge, so we’re going to try. And you, dear readers, are essential to our mission.

Back in 2019 we polled our readers about your favorite military sci-fi series at the time, and after a cut-throat round of voting this top 10 list of titles prevailed.

Now, 5 years later, we turning the question back to you to see how the list may have changed.

So, we've catalogued twenty of the best military science fiction books and series in the poll down below, and we’d love for you to vote for your favorites. Vote for as many as you’d like, and if think of any that aren’t on the list but that you feel deserve a mention, please shout it out in the comments.

Okay, ready? Let’s do this!  



32 replies
  1. Jim Ellis
    Jim Ellis says:

    A lot on the list are excellent books/series that I can easily enjoy on a reread. Not all of them are what I consider military scifi. That there is a story to tell and enjoy is indisputable, but just having military in it does not make it a military story.

    Reply
  2. Linda
    Linda says:

    The Legion Series – William C. Dietz
    This is the grand daddy of military sci-fi–the first place that I ever read about human cyborg composites (which kind of became the mode for everyone else), inter-species families and heck, yeah, even romance. There are 8 novels in all, with the first being LEGION OF THE DAMNED. The battle scenes were breathtaking. I’m surprised you guys didn’t have his work on the list.

    Reply
  3. Steve DeFreese
    Steve DeFreese says:

    John Ringo Troy Rising is the best I think. I wish he had done more on that. I also like David Weber Safehold series and Taylor Anderson Destroyermen books.

    Reply
  4. Edward
    Edward says:

    I actually think David Weber, David Drake, and John Ringo have excellent military sci-fi, but of the list, selected Card’s Ender’s Game because it goes into the foundational psychology that justifies both military strategy and tactics at the individual up to the fleet levels. It isn’t just fighting and blowing things up.

    Reply
  5. Shawn Tyrie
    Shawn Tyrie says:

    A great list but I would also add the following.
    Hayden War Cycle Series by Evan Currie.
    Salvage Title by Kevern Steverson.
    The Theogony by Chris Kennady.
    Blood on the Stars by Jay Allen.

    Reply
  6. Ken Franks
    Ken Franks says:

    Did you really have to include so much good military Science Fiction in the list, I could have easily ticked five or six in that list. However since you included Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven Moties books why did you not include Jerry Pournelle’s Co Dominium and Fakenberg’s Legion which share the same “Known Space” as the Moties? I would have also included “Janissaries” by Jerry Pournelle. Thanks for the chance to comment on the lists.

    Reply
  7. Michael H Whitlock
    Michael H Whitlock says:

    Keith Laumer’s Bolo series
    John Ringo
    Jerry Pournelle ‘s Falkenberg’s Legion and Janissaries
    William C. Dietz
    Honestly , I feel blessed to have read a majority of the books listed here over the course my lifetime. Thank you each and every writer for allowing me to enjoy your worlds.

    Reply
  8. Anastasia V.
    Anastasia V. says:

    Many excellent novels listed but need to make a correction, it’s the Vorkosigan Series. Sorry, I drive everyone I know crazy about correct spellings .

    Reply
  9. Doug Adamson
    Doug Adamson says:

    I always loved Ian Douglas’ series of The Heritage Trilogy and the follow up Trilogies.
    Of course that’s a Pen name of William H. Keith, Jr.

    Reply
  10. Neil
    Neil says:

    I’m stunned that the “Altered Carbon” trilogy wasn’t included in the available options. It’s a masterpiece.
    I would also have cast a vote for Robert Asprin’s charming “Phule’s Company” series, purely to have a little comedy in the mix.

    Reply
  11. John Hyatt
    John Hyatt says:

    Have to agree. Just about everything Jonathon Brazee should go to the top of any Military Sci-Fi list. His detailed crafting of the militaries in his different series reflect a lifetime in the Service and an understanding – down to minute details – of what makes them work. Add an eminently readable style and relaxed tone propel him to a position near the top of this category.

    Reply
  12. Randy J. Jost
    Randy J. Jost says:

    David Weber and Steve White should have been on here for the Stars at War series. I agree that just because the military “makes an appearance” it doesn’t always make it what I consider to be military sci-fi. Fortunately, most of the books on this list do qualify as quality military sci-fi, and some darned good reads in here.

    Reply
  13. David Whitmore
    David Whitmore says:

    I’ve read about half of the books on your list and selected two as the best out of those put forth.
    That said, I would like to put forward another series…

    The ‘Freehold’ series, by Michael Z Williamson

    Reply
  14. Jeremy
    Jeremy says:

    I have to include B.V. Larson’s Undying Mercenaries in any such list. 21 Books of what a future with working respawn machines would look like with a premise for the setting that makes perfect sense. Aliens show up in our ass end of the galaxy, say pick a profession or product that nobody nearby can provide or die. We’re really good at killing each other so…welp. Time for space legions!

    Reply
  15. Greg
    Greg says:

    Greg Bear’s The Forge of God & The Anvil of Stars.

    Charles Stross’ Singularity Sky & Iron Sunrise

    Poul Anderson’s Flandry Series

    Alan Dean Foster’s Flinx Series & other books in that future history.

    Many of Andre Norton’s books & series.

    David Weber’s Out of the Dark Series

    War doesn’t always look like what what we’ve experienced & are familiar with.

    Reply
  16. Barry
    Barry says:

    Need to have some Jason Anspach on there, his Galaxies Edge series is an absolute masterpiece, Jack Campbell Lost Fleet series too, totally addictive reading

    Reply
  17. Dean Peterson
    Dean Peterson says:

    Some suggestions for the list:
    Semper Mars by Ian Douglas
    Aurora. CV01 ( Frontiers Saga) by Ryk Brown
    Recruit by Jonathan Brazee
    Starfist: First to Fight by David Sherman and Dan Cragg

    Reply
  18. Danielle Ostach
    Danielle Ostach says:

    DAvid weber has several series that all could qualify. I don’t see anything in the star wars Extended universe and there were some really good books in that (splinter in the mind’s eye).

    Reply
    • With third book of this series just released, I do think out of the Dark is developing very nicely.
      With third book of this series just released, I do think out of the Dark is developing very nicely. says:

      To be more specific
      Honor Harrington which is above
      Empire of Man
      Out of the Dark
      Stars at War
      Safehold

      Reply
  19. Barry
    Barry says:

    Jay Allen’s Crimson Worlds series is definitely recommended too, read the whole saga one after the other, just great reading !

    Reply

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