13 Best YA Science Fiction Books of 2025 Reviewed
From wild planets to rebel teens, these ya science fiction books will zap your boredom and keep you guessing till breakfast time.
Looking for great ya science fiction books and not sure where to start? We know the struggle. We focused on fast-paced plots, cool sci-fi twists, and stories that made us laugh, cry, and shout at the pages. Our list has adventures with robots, space battles, evil governments, and a sprinkle of romance (because why not?). These ya science fiction books are perfect for both newbies and seasoned fans. Grab your snacks, turn off your phone (unless it’s for dramatic effect), and get ready to have your mind blown.
On this list:
13 Cinder by Marissa Meyer
We had some good laughs with this one! It’s a futuristic Cinderella who’s more handy with a wrench than a shoe. Robots, moon people, and all the drama you can handle. Great for folks who like a classic fairytale mixed with cool tech—and trust us, the sassy android sidekick steals the show. Some parts are a bit predictable, but hey, it’s still a blast.
12 Legend by Marie Lu
This one hits hard—think cat and mouse with two smart teens in a future USA gone bonkers. We raced through this faster than our last pizza night. The action rocks, but sometimes the love story feels like it jumped out of nowhere.
11 Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Mixed media! We felt like detectives flipping through hacked emails, reports, and the random doodle. Space zombies, evil AI, and non-stop action. It’s clever and tense, though the format can be a bit much if you like old-school chapters.
10 Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
A ragtag crew of teens save the galaxy! The characters are fun and the banter made us snort soda out our noses. Starts a little slow, but hang in there—it pays off with wild adventures and big laughs.
9 Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
If you like dogfights and spunky pilots, this is your jam. Spensa is a firecracker, and we loved her sass. The world-building rocks, but the slang can be a head-scratcher sometimes.
8 The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Imagine if everyone could hear your thoughts—yikes! This book’s got a wild ride, with action, sadness, and a talking dog who’s a hoot. Some intense bits, so not one for the faint-hearted.
7 Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Death has a day job in this wild future. It’s thought-provoking and makes you question life, death, and if you’d look good in a black robe. The pacing can get draggy, but the ideas are top-notch.
6 Warcross by Marie Lu
Gamers, this one’s for you! Virtual reality, hacking, and a heroine who can out-mouse any cat. We cheered for Emika, though the romance is a bit cheesy at times.
5 These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Like Titanic, but in space! The romance is sweet, the disaster epic, and the sci-fi touches are just enough for newbies. A little slow in the middle, but lovely overall.
4 The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Aliens! So many plot twists we lost count. We loved Cassie’s grit, but sometimes the grim stuff got a bit too grim. Still, it’s a page-turner.
3 Renegades by Marissa Meyer
If you love superheroes, this is your next binge. Superpowers, secret identities, and enough teenage drama to fill a stadium. Some twists surprised us, but it does slow down now and then.
2 Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Pop culture lovers, assemble! This book is a geeky treasure hunt in a wild VR world. We had a blast finding all the nerdy Easter eggs. The writing can get a bit info-dumpy, but the fun is real.
1 Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Why did we pick this as the best ya science fiction book? Well, picture this: A group of us stayed up till 3 a.m. because we couldn’t put Ender’s Game down. It’s got everything—space battles, smart kids, and ethical twists that made us argue (and laugh a lot). The pacing is quick, and you can’t help but root for Ender even when things get tough. Sure, some of the older slang feels odd, and the author has some, uh, strong opinions outside the book, but the story is just too gripping to skip. For new readers, this ya science fiction book is the one to start with—it’s fun, smart, and will give you bragging rights with your sci-fi pals.
