I’m looking for a new book to pick up and want some input. I loved The Expanse and The Bobiverse and am looking for a similarly “hard” sci fi (in space) offering that’s not quite hard hard but not Star Trek level “Science Fantasy” as I call it.
I loved parts 1 and 2 of Seveneves which I just finished, that’s exactly the type of hard sci fi I want, but part 3 transitioned into Science Fantasy and lost me. Hopefully that gives a good idea of the level of “magical technology” I want to see.
I should add I tried to start Children of Time, but I got about 10 minutes in before getting nauseated by the level of Science Fantasy I was experiencing
Edit to add: How could I forget – my favorite book of all time is Project Hail Mary, so take that as you will
by legomann97
12 Comments
Just going to get the obligatory Blindsight by Peter Watts suggestion out of the way. It sounds like what you are looking for.
There is a supporting character that could be looked at as fantastical, but it’s explained in such a cool real world biological way that it feels like it makes it realistically plausible.
The academy series by jack mcdevitt was fun. It’s a space archeology/survival series. Not exactly hard space, but they have their difficulties
Scott Sigler’s The Crypt just came out the other day. I’m currently listening to the audiobook narrated by Ray Porter who also narrates the Bobiverse series and Project Hail Mary.
Basically a bunch of military criminals get assigned to a ship that’s only rumored to exist and supposedly has an 80% crew mortality rate. I’m only a couple hours in so far but thoroughly enjoying it.
Based on the stuff you’ve listed here, I think our tastes are similar so I’d recommend it based on what I’ve heard of the book so far.
I rec Isaac Azimov’s Foundation series and the Robot series. The Caves of Steel, (1st of Robot series) really reminds me of the scenes that take place in the Belt in The Expanse.
The Honour Harrington series – David Weber (On Basalisk Station book #1)
The Serrano Legacy series – Elizabeth Moon – (Hunting party)
The Mageworlds series – Debra Doyle & James D Macdonald (The price of the stars)
I can’t recommend the three body problem trilogy by Cixin Liu enough, it sounds like it’s going to scratch that itch. I felt like I needed a degree in physics to understand what is going on at some points. Wish I could read it again for the first time. I’m jealous!
The Martian
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson and Neuromancer by William Gibson are what got me into hard scifi
The Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson (Red Mars, Blue Mars, Green Mars)
Have you tried Dune? Or Illuminae?
Three Body Problem will blow your mind.
The Expeditionary Force series by Craig Alanson is one of my favorites. And if you’ve read Heaven’s River, you’ll find the beer can referenced by the group name for the Bob’s working on a matrioshka brain. The Skippies.