11 Best Science Fiction Books of 2025 Reviewed
We picked the best science fiction books on Amazon. From space battles to robots, these picks will blast your mind with wonder.
Picking the best science fiction books feels a bit like trying to pick the best snack at a party—there are just so many tempting choices and you don’t want to get stuck with something dry and bland. For this post, we stuck to science fiction books that made us laugh, think, and sometimes sweat a little (either from plot twists or from imagining how bad we’d be in space). If you like stories that mix cool science with great characters and plenty of action, you’re in the right spot. We looked for books that are easy to read, fun to talk about with friends, and have at least one wild idea you’ll want to bring up at dinner. Now, let’s see which ones made our final cut.
On this list:
11 The Martian by Andy Weir
We all love survival tales, and in this, an astronaut tries to farm potatoes on Mars! It’s funny, tense, and makes us thankful for oxygen. Perfect pick for anyone new to science fiction books.
10 Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
This one drops us into a video-game world packed with 80s nostalgia. It’s pure fun—think of it as the nerd’s golden ticket in science fiction books.
9 Dune by Frank Herbert
Giant worms, space politics and a power struggle over spice. It’s a chunky read but worth it for any fan trying to get into classic science fiction books.
8 Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
If you liked The Martian, this is Weir on a cosmic scale. Aliens, science tricks, and a hero who’s clever but not perfect. We laughed, we cheered, we Googled science facts.
7 The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
Aliens and math puzzles! The science can bend your brain, but it’s wild and fresh. Perfect if you want your science fiction books with an extra dose of science.
6 Neuromancer by William Gibson
The book that invented cyberpunk cool. Hackers, AI, and dark alleys—this kicked off a whole wave of gritty science fiction books.
5 Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Pizza-delivering samurais and a virtual world that will make you laugh and think. This is science fiction books with a wild twist.
4 Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Class wars on Mars? Yes, please! This is Hunger Games meets Roman drama in the world of science fiction books.
3 Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
Retired folks in space shoot aliens instead of playing bingo. Quick, funny, and surprisingly warm-hearted for a science fiction books pick.
2 Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Time travel with real emotional punch. It’s not just beams and robots—this science fiction book hits you right in the feelings.
1 Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
This is our top pick for the best science fiction books experience. It hooks you with smart space battles and plot twists. We all read it in a weekend, then argued about strategy like we were military geniuses. The young hero, Ender, faces huge moral choices and clever games in space school. The story makes you ask tough questions. It’s fast-paced, easy to read, but it sticks with you. Though some of the themes can get heavy, and the twist at the end left a few of us wandering around looking for a sequel (which, thankfully, exists). If you want action, heart, and a classic that still feels fresh, Ender’s Game stands out in the world of science fiction books.
