The best thriller books are like a roller coaster ride. It's fast, it's thrilling, and it takes you on a wild journey.

The best action movies in Hollywood or on Netflix are often based on great thriller novels. The best thriller books of all time offer an exciting, suspenseful reads and contains a lot of nerve wrecking action and suspense for you.

In this article we collected the best selling thriller books. These books are extremely well written and we believe that you will enjoy reading them as much as we did. We have included a few of our personal favorites, but there are many more to choose from.

Why Thrillers Are So Popular?

People love to be on the edge of their seats, not knowing what is going to happen next. Thrillers are usually full of suspense, mystery, and action. This combination makes for an exciting and thrilling read.

Some thriller book writers are very successful. James Patterson is one such writer. He has written dozens of best-selling thrillers, many of which have been turned into movies. Stephen King is another popular thriller writer with different voice and genre preferences. His books are often dark and suspenseful, keeping readers in uncertainty.

Thrillers are a very popular genre for a reason. They are exciting and fast-paced, leaving readers wanting more. If you are looking for a book that will keep you entertained from beginning to end, then a thriller book is the right choice for you.

Who Are The Most Prominent Thriller Book Authors?

There are many different thriller book authors that have made a name for themselves in the literary world. But there are several authors who are outstanding from the others:

• Stephen King,
• Dean Koontz,
• Ken Follett,
• Harlan Coben,
• John Grisham,
• and James Patterson

Stephen King is one of the most well-known authors in the genre. He has written over 50 novels, many of which have been adapted into films or television series. His work often deals with horror and suspense, and he has a knack for creating truly harrowing tales.

Dean Koontz is another hugely popular author in the thriller genre. He has written over 100 novels, and his work often features supernatural elements. He is known for creating stories that are both suspenseful and thought-provoking, and his books have sold millions of copies worldwide.

John Grisham is a well-known thriller book author. He has written many bestselling novels, such as The Firm and A Time to Kill. His books have been turned into successful movies, such as The Pelican Brief and Runaway Jury. In addition to being a successful author, Grisham is also a lawyer and philanthropist. He has given millions of dollars to charities, including literacy programs.

James Patterson is a world-renowned author, he has written many novels, including the famous “Alex Cross” series. Patterson's books are known for their fast-paced, suspenseful plotlines. Many of his novels have been made into movies, such as “Kiss the Girls” and “Along Came a Spider”. Patterson is one of the most popular authors in the world, with over 300 million copies of his books sold.

What Are The Most Popular Thriller Book Genres?

The thriller book genre has been around for many years and there are many different types of thrillers. We just collected the most important niches within thrillers:

• Mystery thriller books
• Action thriller books
• Crime thriller books 
• Heist thrillers
• Historical thriller books
• Occult horror thriller books
• Legal thrillers
• Financial thrillers
• YA thriller books
• Sci-fi thrillers
• Spy and espionage thrillers
• Techno-thrillers
• Psychological thriller books
• K-Dramas and Thrillers

One of the most popular thriller book genres is the mystery thriller. This type of thriller usually contains a crime that needs to be solved. Another popular type of thriller is the horror thriller. This type of thriller usually contains suspenseful and frightening scenes. The action thriller is also a very popular genre. This type of book usually contains a lot of action and adventure.

What Factors Do We Focused On When We Ranked The Best Thriller Books?

When we set out to rank the best thriller books, there were a few factors we knew were important.

• Factor 1: Age
• Factor 2: Plot uniqueness
• Factor 3: Suspense
• Factor 4: Popularity (Amazon, B&N)

First and foremost, the book must be a thriller. That might seem like a given, but you’d be surprised how many books are marketed as thrillers that don’t actually fit the bill.

The book should be extremely well-written. A poorly written book can be a chore to get through, no matter how thrilling the plot is.

The book should be suspenseful. A good thriller will keep you guessing until the very end.

In terms of age

With those criteria in mind, we set out to find the best thrillers of all time. We looked at both classics and modern novels, and we consulted with experts in the genre to make sure our list was comprehensive. We also took into account things like awards and critical acclaim when making our decisions.

What Are The Best Thriller Books of All Time?

Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn (2012)

Gone Girl is a masterpiece and one of the most acclaimed thriller books of all time.

The book opens on the fifth wedding anniversary of the golden couple, Nick and Amy Dunne. But Nick has questions when his wife suddenly gets lost under disturbing circumstances.

Nick is the top police suspect. Amy’s friends are saying that she was always afraid of him and hid things from him. However, Nick swears that it is a lie.

When the police examine his computer, they find strange search results, but Nick denies ever making them. His mobile phone constantly keeps ringing. But what happened to the beautiful Amy?

Win, by Harlan Coben (2021)

More than two decades ago, Patricia Lockwood was kidnapped when her family’s estate was robbed. She was locked in a cabin, but she and her captors escaped. All the stolen items were never recovered.

Later, a recluse also gets killed in his penthouse, and he lays next to two significant objects- a leather suitcase with the initials WHL3 and a stolen Vermeer painting.

These two objects point the police to one man. They belong to Windsor Horne Lockwood III, but he doesn’t know how the dead man got them.

A dead man’s secrets will fall into an antihero vigilante’s hands, and a dangerous road lies ahead.

Never, by Ken Follett (2021)

Pauline Green, the US president, always says that minor problems are what build up to become catastrophic.

There is a stolen US army drone, a shrinking Sahara Desert oasis, and an unoccupied Japanese island. But to top it all, there is a top country secret of stashed deadly chemical poisons. All these things are linked to promoting an escalating crisis.

Meanwhile, there is a group of people determined to stop the outbreak of a world war; a Jihadist undercover spy, a lady intelligence officer, and a Chinese spymaster. The president is also involved, but her populist election rival beleaguers her.

The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides (2019)

Alex Michaelides's psychological thriller, The Silent Patient, follows one woman's act of violence against her husband and the therapist obsessed with tracking down her reason.

Silent Patient is Alicia Berenson. Wife of renowned photographer Gabriel Berenson, she is an artist in her own right, able to fill galleries with her hyper-realistic artwork. She loves her husband more than anything, but then one day she hears gunshots and the police arrive and find her standing over his body with a smoking gun, his arms and legs wired down.

From that point onward, she does not speak.

Reminders of Him, by Colleen Hoover (2022)

After being released from prison, Kenna Rowan has come back home where everything first went wrong. She hopes to be reunited with her daughter.

All the people in her daughter’s life are set on shutting Kenna out despite how hard she tries to prove herself. Well, everyone except Ledger Ward. Ledger is a local bar owner and part of the few and final connections to Kenna’s daughter.

If anyone were to find out how he is gradually becoming a crucial entity in Kenna’s life, they would jeopardize the trust of all those who are important to them. Their romance will grow but so will the risk.

The Locked Door, by Freida McFadden (2021)

Nora Davis has no idea that her dad has been murdering women in their basement until the police show up.

Decades later, her father is already in prison, and Nora is a professional and successful surgeon who lives a quiet and solitary life. None of the people around her have an idea that her dad was a serial killer, and she hopes it can remain so.

Later on, Nora will find out about the murder of one of her female patients. The patient has been murdered in the same way her father used to do it. Someone now knows Nora’s identity, and they want her to take the crime’s fall. But Nora isn’t a killer, and the authorities can’t blame her for anything, provided they don’t check her basement.

I Am Watching You, by Teresa Driscoll (2017)

While on a train, Ella Longfield hears two young men flirting with teenage girls, but she chooses not to think about anything. She then realizes that these men just got out of prison. She goes on high alert, but something stops her from calling for help.

The following day Ella finds out about the disappearance of Anna, who is one of the teenage girls. A year goes by, Anna is not found, and Ella’s guilt is only wracking her. She keeps getting threatening letters causing her more fear.

An anniversary appeal then suggests that Anna’s family and friends hide something. Someone might know where Anna is, but they are only watching Ella.

The Maid, by Nita Prose (2022)

Molly Gray is different from everyone. She is brilliant, but she can’t quite make out the circumstances and people around her. She is a germaphobe and only comfortable in a routine setup. These traits make her perfect for a maid job in Grand Regency Hotel.

To her, there is nothing better than working at the hotel.

Molly will keep following this routine to perfection until one day. She finds the wealthy and infamous Charles Black dead in the hotel’s suite. The police target her as a suspect, and Molly finds herself in a deception web that she can’t untangle.

The Perfect Wife, by Blake Pierce (2018)

Jessie Hunt is sure that she has put her childhood darkness behind her and moved into a beach mansion with her husband, Kyle.

Kyle has gotten a job promotion, and Jessie is almost done with her education for a career in forensic psychology.

But Jessie will begin to notice strange developments that keep happening. Their neighbors seem to be keeping secrets. Kyle is also highly desperate and wants to join a yacht club packed with cheating spouses, mysterious and troubling rules. There is also a serial killer in the psychiatric hospital Jessie is studying in who knows a lot about her life.

As Jessie’s world unravels, she will question everything, including her sanity.

The Guilty Husband, by Stephanie DeCarolis (2021)

Vince Taylor is living the life. He has all that he ever dreamed of; a beautiful home, he is a New York firm’s CEO, but most importantly, his wife is Nicole- the one who stole his heart once he saw her. Nicole and Vince have built an almost perfect life, but a guilty secret is in its middle.

Layla, an intern at Vince’s firm, is found dead, and she had an affair with Vince. This secret could bring down his world, but Vince will do anything to keep it hidden.

The police will discover Vince’s lie and be convinced that he is the killer. If he didn’t disclose the affair, what else is he hiding, and what else could he be guilty of?

Then She Was Gone, by Lisa Jewell (2018)

Ellie Mack was like a jewel, and everyone loved her. But days before she could go on her idyllic summer vacation, she was gone.

Ten years down the line, Ellie hasn’t been found. Laurel Mack, her mother, is attempting to put everything back together. This time is also months from when a clue about Ellie’s case was brought to light.

Laurel meets Floyd, and they flirt, developing something deeper. She meets his daughters within no time, but Poppy is the most breathtaking. She looks like Ellie. Unanswered questions haunt Laurel even more, but Floyd and Poppy also raise questions.

If You Tell, by Gregg Olsen (2019)

For sisters Sami, Nikki, and Tori, the word ‘mom’ triggers memories they have kept secret since childhood. Until now.

Their sadistic mother, Shelly, has been living in their farmhouse for many years. She subjected the sisters to unimaginable torture, abuse, degradation, and psychic terrors. But that’s how the girls created a strong bond making them less vulnerable than their mother could ever imagine.

Other people in Shelly’s household kept being drawn to Shelly’s darkness and perverse web, but the girls were courageous enough to escape a nightmare that only brought about many murders.

Before I Go to Sleep, by S. J. Watson (2011)

Before I Go to Sleep is a story about how memories play a significant role in defining us.

Every time Christine sleeps, her mind erases all her adult memories, all that happens, or all she does in a day.

The next day she always wakes up like the previous one. She thinks she is still a child and has a whole lifetime ahead of her, one with many choices.

Christine forgets her identity, name, past, and her loved ones. But this situation is even worse because her husband, the only person she trusts, is lying. Is it for her good, or is he hiding something?

The Stand, by Stephen King (1990)

In a Defense Department Laboratory, a nanosecond of a computer error is how the world almost comes to an end. A million causal contacts are linked and form a chain death letter.

The day after, there is a new and bleak world. About 99 % of the population has been wiped out, and there are now no institutions. The survivors are only a handful, and if you are lucky to have survived, you are chosen or choose a side.

In this world, the good rides of Mother Abagail and the worst evil nightmares are embodied in the dark man, Randall Flagg. He has unspeakable powers and a lethal smile.

Mirror Image, by Sandra Brown (2019)

A Dallas-bound jet crash results in a tragedy for Avery Daniels, who works as a TV reporter. It becomes an act of fate, giving her an excellent opportunity to further her reporting career. Avery also becomes a critical player in a drama about deadly desires and violent passions.

She undergoes plastic surgery that completely transforms her face. She is now mistaken for Tate Rutledge’s wife.

Avery is helpless in the hospital when she discovers that someone close to Tate had a plan for his assassination. She now must save him, but to do so, she will have to live a different life, risking her own.

The Racketeer, by John Grisham (2012)

Judge Raymond Fawcett becomes the fifth dead judge in his country. Who is the Racketeer, and how is he involved with this untimely demise? Currently, it is Malcolm Bannister.

Malcolm knows who murdered Raymond and why but his situation on paper is wanting. The murder scene only reveals two dead bodies of the judge and his secretary. It doesn’t show any forced entry or struggle.

There is also an empty state-of-the-art safe, and the FBI wants to know what was inside. Malcolm would love to tell them, but such information demands a price.

The Girl You Killed, by Leslie Wolfe (2021)

Andrea Brafford lives a nearly perfect life. She is a marine biologist, married to Craig, and they have just moved into a new home in Houston’s suburbs to enjoy life.

Months later, a trial that polarizes the town they live in emerges. Craig has been named as a defendant in Andrea’s murder. The once peaceful serenity of this community is now in shatters.

Everyone is talking about Andrea. Her relationships have been exposed, and her case is all that everyone checks on the internet. Her life remains an unsolved puzzle. Was she happy, like everyone thought?

 The Last Nazi, by Andrew Turpin (2017)

Ex-CIA officer and war crimes investigator Joe Johnson unravels the connections between a dangerous British blackmail plot and the presidential campaign financing, the Nazi train.

But this mystery will only become more extensive and touch on Johnson’s personal life in ways he never expected; an SS Holocaust killer got out of his hands years before.

Criminal networks and a high intelligence agency combine their forces against Johnson in no time. Jayne Robinson, his exMI6 colleague, is also involved.

Johnson will find himself entangled in an incredibly challenging situation on a quest to seek justice and revive his dwindling career.

And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie (1939)

Agatha Christie hold the distinction of being the bestselling mystery writer of all time, having sold well over two billion copies of her 78 books. One of the best titles among her taut oeuvre is And Then There Were None.

In 1939, eight people, all strangers to one another, are invited to Indian Island off the English coast. Where they systematically begin killing each other.

For the survivors, it's now a race against time to find the killer among them, and the identity of their seemingly wealthy host.

The Count of Monte Christo, by Alexander Dumas (1844)

This is a tale of suffering and retribution and one that has a thrilling account of unexpected events that condemn a young man into misery.

Edmond Dantes is thrown in prison for a crime he did not commit. He does not even get the chance to go to trial, and he is soon forgotten.

There, he learns about a treasure on the Isle of Monte Christo. He gets firmly resolved on escaping and unearthing the treasure. He gets the help of a fellow prisoner he befriends and finally manages to escape.

He plans to use the treasure to destroy the men who brought about his incarceration. Edmond plots his revenge while faking his identity.

Final Thoughts on the Top Thriller Books of All Time

Thriller books are some of the most popular books on the market. They are perfect for anyone who loves a good suspenseful story with lots of action. If you're looking for your next read, be sure to check out one of these best sellers.

Looking for another genre? Check out our favorite sci-fi book collection.

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

medium.com/@joelbooks

The post Top 20 Thriller Books of All Time (Ranked) For 2024 appeared first on Joelbooks.

A techno-thriller book is the perfect blend of science and suspense.

Technothrillers have always been one of my favorite genres to read about. This crazy and eclectic mix of action, sci-fi, and military fiction coupled with an almost insane amount of technical (real or imagined) detail will always be dear to me. The genre is also unique in the way it presents the dynamics between technology and societal or ethical issues, which, despite the high technology and detailed science talk, make it visceral and relatable as it brings forward questions that make us think about our own roles to play in this world.

In this post, we round-up the top technothriller books of the last decade, focusing mainly on new titles and the classics.

What Are Common Themes in Techno-Thriller Books?

Technology has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, and the thriller genre has taken notice. In fact, techno-thrillers have become one of the most popular genres in recent years. What are the common themes in these books?

One common theme is the fear of technology going out of control. In many techno-thrillers, devices or networks that were once helpful become a threat to society. In Michael Crichton's “The Andromeda Strain”, scientists race against time to stop a deadly virus from spreading beyond a secret government laboratory. Similarly, in “World War Z”, the main character struggles to find a cure for a zombie pandemic that has already decimated much of the world's population.

Another common theme is the use of technology for evil purposes. For example, in the book “Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War,” a group of hackers use computer viruses to take down the U.S. military's power grid and air traffic control systems. As a result, the country is plunged into chaos and is unable to defend itself against an impending attack from China. In another book, “The Circle,” a powerful technology company uses cameras and data tracking to spy on its employees and customers. Eventually, the company's invasive practices lead to a totalitarian government where privacy is a thing of the past.

Whether you’re just starting to explore the genre or a seasoned connoisseur, these technothriller books would be good additions to your to-read list for the rest of the year.

What Are Some Excellent Techno-Thriller Books?

Titanium Web (Georgia Steele Book 2), by L M Whitaker (2023)

In the exhilarating follow-up to the acclaimed The Crucible of Steele, Titanium Web explores the potential and perils of advanced technology in shaping human evolution. Protagonist Georgia Steele, a byproduct of a clandestine organization's endeavor to create the ideal human, is determined to expose and overthrow their malevolent intentions. Drew Conner, eager to assume his rightful position, must first demonstrate his groundbreaking technology that fuses humans and computers to create something entirely novel. Despite no human having survived the process, the covert group selects Georgia as their test subject.

With her life at stake, Georgia must unravel the mysteries of the technology implanted within her before it consumes her mind.

I found this novel to be a riveting and thought-provoking techno-thriller. The captivating narrative explores the potential and dangers of futuristic technology and its impact on human evolution.

AMAZON

Dark Swans, by Stephen Jackson (2023)

In Stephen Jackson's techno-thriller, Jamie's life is upended by his best friend's suicide and a brief affair with the enigmatic Renata. As he seeks solace with his ex, Caroline, they struggle to conceive and turn to an exclusive fertility clinic that offers a free IVF cycle in exchange for trialing a new drug.

Twenty years later, data scientist Millie uncovers a shocking connection to the events that disrupted Jamie's life, with a secret that could stun the world. Haunted by his past and the future's echoes, Jamie risks everything to find the truth in this gripping tale set in Gothic North Yorkshire, filled with love, guilt, betrayal, and deception, as well as jaw-dropping plot twists, authentic characters, and a touch of the supernatural.

AMAZON

Lost in Time, by A.G. Riddle (2022)

A.G. Riddle's new novel has a twisted time-travel mystery plot with a survival rescue theme.

In this novel, Riddle weaves a complex plot involving some strange things like dinosaurs. With twists and turns at every turn, this is a book that offers a never ending adventure, but the author somehow manages to pull everything together.

Sam, one of the main characters is a scientist, who's trying to make next step after his loss. With his daughter, Adeline, they saw the victim but neither of them committed the murder. So who committed the crime? It's easy to root for the characters, their story is thrilling.

If you willing to read a well-written techno-thriller novel you shouldn't miss 2022's best story, Lost in Time.

AMAZON B&N ABEBOOKS

The Every, by Dave Eggers (2022)

Delaney Wells is a newcomer to the Every. A former forest ranger and avid skeptic when it came down to things like technology and social media, she charms her way into an entry-level job with one goal in mind – destroy the company from within. Joined by fellow birdwatcher Wes Makazian, they set out to find the Every's weaknesses one step at a time so that they can free humanity from all-encompassing surveillance and the emoji-driven infantilization of society as we know it today. But what will be left of society if the Every goes under? Would humanity want that for their children?

Studded with unforgettable characters, outrageous costumes, and lacerating set pieces, The Circle blends absurdity and terror, satire and suspense, while keeping the reader in apprehensive excitement about the fate of company—and the human animal.

AMAZON

Agent of Influence (The Firewall Spies Book 2), by Andrew Watts (2022)

In a world in which artificial intelligence offers unprecedent possibilities, government spies and tech companies fight a relentless battle to come out on top.

When a Mossad agent is killed by a terrorist group on a private Caribbean island, it surprises Washington, Tel Aviv, and Moscow and makes them make serious steps.

CIA officer Colt McShane must steer clear of Ava and recruit a new face with no prior connection to American intelligence agencies. A young female who is currently studying towards a master's degree in machine learning. Each side is seeking the cutting edge in technology, winning the technology war.

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

The Extinction Trials, by A.G. Riddle (2021)

Six strangers are awakened in an underground facility they learned about only as “The Change.” Three months later they learn that they're part of the Extinction Trials, a scientific experiment to recreate the human race.

The Extinction Trials is not solely a strange work of science fiction. It is the perseverance of the battling spirit revealed. It is a story of love and hope. You may laugh, cry, and feel powerless.

This is the technothriller story of struggles and feels like if you would be the protagonist.

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

The Apollo Murders, by Colonel Chris Hadfield (2021)

In 1973 NASA is about to launch Apollo 18, the final mission to the moon. A top-secret mission, only three astronauts will be on board. Two pilots and a flight engineer. The flight engineer's job is to help with navigation as well as monitor and calculate fuel consumption, radiation levels and other vital data during their trip. But in this story one specific mission specialist, Kazimieras Zemeckis, realizes that there's something more going on here beyond just a regular scientific expedition. Has intelligence discovered a secret Soviet space station? Is it true that the lunar module isn't equipped with enough fuel to complete a rendezvous with it? Has he been sent all those years into space, risking his life for nothing?

After being stranded in space for days and losing contact with friends and family, having a loved one appear as if out of thin air can be overwhelming. The Apollo Murders is a high-stakes technothriller unlike any other. Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian astronaut to take command of the International Space Station, captures the fierce G-forces of launch, the frozen loneliness of space, and the fear of holding on to the outside of a spacecraft orbiting at 17,000 miles per hour as only someone who has experienced all if these things in real life can.

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

The Hunt for Red October, by Tom Clancy (2018)

This is the incredible thriller that turned Tom Clancy into one of the most respected writers in this genre. It is a military story that convinces the reader about its authenticity and accuracy. Everything revolves around the White House and a breathtaking adventure of espionage and war.

The theme? An impressive coup. The story? A chase for a Russian submarine. While there are a few rumors about the real profile of this book due to its authentic and realistic adventure, the military fiction will simply take you to another world. It does feel real and it does feel like it is inspired from real history as well.

Overall, the idea is fairly simple. The action takes place in the Atlantic. A Soviet submarine heads west due to a commander’s unexpected decision. No one saw it coming. Russians want the submarine back, so they will do anything they can to get it. On the other hand, Americans want it as well, but for completely different reasons. Who is going to win this chase?

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

Digital Fortress, by Dan Brown (2011)

Digital Fortress takes you to a story that might become reality anytime now, especially with the wide access to technology. The National Security Agency is renowned for its sophisticated and invincible code breaking machines. One of them faces the unexpected though – it runs into a code that it simply cannot decipher. What does the code hide then?

In order to figure this mystery out, the agency calls the top cryptographer in the country. Susan Fletcher is smart and brilliant. She uncovers a few things that shock the entire system. The NSA is not as free as it might seem. In fact, it is held hostage. There are no guns involved, but a code that is so complex that it could ruin the American intelligence in no time.

Facing lies, secrecy and mysteries, Susan must fight to save the agency. She believes in the agency, but she feels betrayed from all directions. She realizes that she might need to give her life to save her country, not to mention fighting for the life of her lover too.

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

The Enigma Cube, by Douglas E. Richards (2020)

In the new near-future thriller of the author, we meet with an alien “cube” which identity and purpose are unknown. The whole story feels so realistic that it could even happen just after the pandemic in 2020. After people finally realize the time travel feature of the cube, the main characters in the story face with a lot of moral decisions. What if they could alter the past?

Douglas E. Richards is one of my favorite contemporary authors. Not only is he a master of the technothriller genre, but he also creates very believable near future tales based on modern and historical events. The characters are not only believable but people of high moral. His characters and plots inspire me to think about the implications of current and future technologies.

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

Randomize (Forward Collection), by Andy Weir (2019)

Weir hit a home run with The Martian and Randomize is no different. Part of the Forward Collection, Randomize is set in the near future, where a heist takes place in the high-tech Babylon Casino. Andy Weir continues his penchant for writing smart and intelligent stories, as we follow a tech genius in his ploy to outsmart the casino’s quantum computer.

I read a few short novels, and this one was definitely one of my favorite. The story was exciting, thrilling, and kept me guessing. The ending was something I didn't expect and left me wondering what would happen next. I would definitely recommend to read Andy's other books and novels.

AMAZON

Summer Frost (Forward Collection), by Blake Crouch (2019)

The best selling author of the Wayward Pines Trilogy, explores the essence of being human with Summer Frost. Crouch weaves a crafty almost introspective tale around a video game developer becoming obsessed with a minor character from the game she’s building.

Although this futuristic story may not be happening right now, we can still have a glimpse of what that kind of world might look like by thinking about the law of unintended consequences. The question is, how much further will technology push humanity into a future without a clear plan?!

This short story is a great one hour entertainment.

AMAZON

CyberSpace (World War C Book 2), by Matthew Mather (2020)

This book is the sequel to success book CyberStorm. Six years passed since the events of the last book, after the slow start the protagonist quickly find himself in the middle of wild rollercoaster ride.

Russia will use any military means necessary to defend its homeland. The rest of the world is in danger because a US military satellite was destroyed by a Russian anti-satellite weapon. China was going to be affected too, but let’s face it – everyone knows we can rely on China when push comes to shove!

CyberSpace is a typical fast-paced thriller at its best.

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

Winter World, by A.G. Riddle (2019)

Bestselling author A.G. Riddle, crafts an apocalyptical tale of a second ice age, and the race to stave off an extinction-level event. With no time to waste, scientists quickly dispatch robotic probes into the solar system to gather readings. Near Mars, they identify a mysterious object hurtling towards the sun. Is it the cause of the ice age? Or could it be humanity's only hope for survival?

A beautifully written, character focused tale that makes you question our place amongst the stars. Winter World is book one of Riddle’s The Long Winter series.

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

Sphere, by Michael Crichton (1987, 2016)

Michael Crichton (1942-2008) left behind a literary heritage that had captured the imagination of many publishers. The book was re-released in 2012 by Vintage Books and this edition is stunning.

The story has a mysterious start: a group of American scientists found a huge vessel that has been discovered on the ocean floor somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean. This strange object hides a lot of secret and will change the scientists' life once forever.

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

Northern Fury, by Bart Gauvin and Joel Radunzel (2019)

Book one of the Northern Fury Series, this book explores a fictional World War III that starts off in the 90s.

August 1991. Soviet hardliner Pavel Medvedev knows that only bloodshed can save the USSR from complete collapse. With violence breaking out in the streets of Moscow, few realize that he is piloting the Soviet Union on a collision course with its deadliest enemy yet: NATO. Many people are unaware that Colonel Robert Buckner has just missed out receiving a prestigious command post at sea due to his superiors not liking him very much. But since it's going to be his final year working for Vice Admiral Falckner anyway, he helps him unravel the ongoing post-Cold War crisis where the USSR plunges into a direct clash with NATO.

If you enjoyed the Tom Clancy classic Red Storm Rising, you’ll definitely enjoy this ride. Bauvin and Radunzel expertly combine the geopolitics of the period and high-tension military action with H-Hour.

AMAZON ABEBOOKS

Recursion, by Blake Crouch (2019)

I know what you're thinking, “Reality is broken.” But it's actually not quite that simple. At first glance, it might appear to be some kind of virus in which the infected lose touch with reality and suffer from amnesia because of events that never took place. In fact, The origin for this outbreak comes from a scientific breakthrough of sorts. The real question is not only how it will affect our minds but rather the very fabric of time itself!

Winner of 2019 Goodreads Choice of Award in Sci-Fi category. Blake had a really good year with engaging stories like Recursion. In the following years, his style will define the sci-fi mainstream.

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Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick (1996)

Released in 1968, this book brings the readers to January, 2021. This is where the action takes place. From some points of view, it represents the author's vision of what things would be like in 2021. Some of them may seem pretty realistic, while others are still waiting to happen. All in all, the story follows Rick Deckard, who has a license to kill.

Rick has a simple mission. While the world is still run by people, there are a few android out there that seem pretty advanced. Their plans for the world are not the best, so the main character's mission is to find and eliminate them. Practically, he has to “retire” them once he finds them. While the job looks easy in theory, it is actually much more difficult.

The problem is all these androids look just like people. Furthermore, they do not want to be found, so they aim to make Rick's life a nightmare.

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Deadland Drifter, by J.N. Chaney and Ell Leigh Clarke (2020)

The cyberpunk genre will grow stronger in the upcoming years, and Deadland Drifter will be a strong book in the line. Mysterious events are happening to Jack Burner and once he awakes from his awkward situation his only thought is about to buy time, to reveal what is happening in the city, why he had to kill an admiral? I’m a huge fan of spy thrillers and space opera, so this book was perfect. I loved all the action and suspense, and the plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat. I love the main character, Jack Burner, who’s a former intelligence officer who now drifts from system to system, doing whatever he pleases. The plot is fast paced and unpredictable. I couldn’t put it down.

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Firing Point, by Mike Maden (2020)

Jack Ryan Jr. is on holiday in Barcelona. Exploring around, he runs into an old friend at a small local café – Renee Moore. She is surprised and happy to see him, but soon enough, she starts acting weird – as if she knew something was wrong. The two make plans to meet again later and everything seems to go according to the plan.

However, as Jack arrives at the local café, he realizes that a suicide bomber has ruined everything. The small business is blown and people inside are killed. Jack goes through the ruins to save his friend, but Renee passes away. She ends up saying one word before going – Sammler. Jack goes on an intense adventure to find the truth behind Renee.

He discovers one secret after another and realizes that his old friend might have had some secrets that got her killed. It is definitely an enticing book full of crazy experiences and a unique adventure.

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Elsewhere, by Dean Koontz (2020)

This epic novel brings in wonder, terror, mystery and drama in a techno way – the type of book that will certainly hook you in. Jeffy Coltrane is not the happiest man in the world – his wife Michelle has left about seven years ago. He looks after Amity, his 11 year old girl. He has a quiet life and he goes on with it. The two enjoy little things in life until one day, when a local stranger – Spooky Ed – shows up and knocks on the door.

While the two do not really have a connection, Ed gives Jeffy a device known as the key to everything. It sounds a bit weird, but Jeffy takes it. Ed asks him to look after the device and make sure he will never use. However, after a few unusual events take place, Jeffy and Amity accidentally activate the device. They discover a completely unusual world – it seems the device allows them to jump from one universe to another. It is exciting, but also terrifying at the same time.

The two ask themselves – could Michelle be in any of these universes? But their plans become history when a man decides to do anything to get his hands on the device.

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Final Thoughts on Technothriller Books

The last ten years was definitely a great decade for the technothriller book fans. These technothriller books are a strong representation of the genre and any book lover, casual or hardcore will definitely enjoy them.

If you are looking for sci-fi books, check our comprehensive collection of the science fiction books for all ages or our favorite thriller books.

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

medium.com/@joelbooks

The post 15+ Excellent Techno-thriller Books · Top-Rated Mind-Bending Stories appeared first on Joelbooks.

In case of sci-fi books the limit is only your own imagination.

Do you ever dream of a comprehensive collection of sci-fi books of our time? We attempt to mix and rank the classics with the newest works of science fiction books. Sci-fi novels are often written with out of the box ideas that may seem unbelievable, but that is precisely what makes them so appealing.

Part of the best sci-fi books are classics, known by nearly every person who reads. And yet there are still some new ones worth mentioning, they are simply a “must”.

What Are The Best Known Sci-fi Books Genres?

There are a great number of science fiction book categories, just some of the main ones:

• Adventure science fictions
• Space operas
• Cyberpunk and post-cyberpunk
• Military sci-fi
• Hard Science Fiction
• Humorous science fiction
• Sci-fi horror
• Historical science fiction books
• Far future sci-fi books
• Sci-fi romance novels
• Spiritual and Philosophical sci-fi books
• Novels on future society (visions about our future)
• Superhero books (soft science fiction)
• Video game fictions and Game fanfictions (part sci-fi, part fantasy)
• Speculative fictions (a great number of books connecting to science fictions)
• Techno-thrillers (part of this genre strongly connected to sci-fi)

Our list ranks the top science fiction novels ever written, starting with #1, but honestly in terms of story #20 is as good as the first, just different. Anyone can suggest new titles on our Twitter page via message, making it more accurate.

These books represent the greatest works in the world of science fiction. It doesn't really matter whether they're classic or modern, utopian or dystopian we tried to find the most relevant ones. We think fantasy is a separated genre so you won't find any Tolkien books here. We preserved not to put more than one work from the same author into this list.

What Are The Essential Must-read Science Fiction Novels of Our Time?

Foundation (Foundation Trilogy), by Isaac Asimov (1951)

The book first shows a “psychohistorian” named Hari Seldon, whose research uses mathematics in order to predict the future. The Emperor (Cleon I) does not have the ability to prevent the decline of the their civilization predicted by Seldon. Seldon collects clever scientists and students to an unkown planet to save the most important knowledge of the humankind, and to start a new society mastering technology, art and science. This is the “Foundation”.

Isaac Asimov's tremendous and influential Foundation series stood out for its mix of bold action, imaginative ideals, and extensive worldbuilding. If you want to read the series in chronological order, you need to know that the author wrote the first parts (Prelude to Foundation 1988) of the story years after the original Foundation trilogy (Foundation. 1951).

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Ender’s Game (Ender's Game Series), by Orson Scott Card (1985)

The army are recruiting young soldiers to prepare for the next attack of a hostile alien race. Ender, a brilliant young boy quickly becomes familiar with military tactics and mastered his leadership skills in order to lead the army against the aliens. But not every detail fits into the great picture.

Clearly, Ender’s Game is the mark of an excellent sci-fi book, so a lot of people probably share my assessment of author's work. This sci-fi book has aliens, ridiculously smart children, a fast-paced and interesting plot line and action and battle and war! It's beautiful written and should certainly be read.

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Pandora's Star (Commonwealth Saga), by Peter F. Hamilton (2004)

In 2380 humankind lives in different planets connected by a wormhole. Sentient alien races, independent AI and advanced biotechnology are all part of this future.
An astronomer Dudley Bose observes a strange thing on the sky: the Dyson Pair, two stars seemingly disappeared, which couldn't be a natural phenomenon. The Commonwealth creates “Second Chance” (an interstellar spaceship) to investigate the phenomena. After the ship comes closer to the foreign star system they discover an aggressive species called the Primes.

Overall, a splendid piece of science fiction escapism. Hamilton deftly creates an absolutely believable future set hundreds of years in the future, which in itself is rather impressive.

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Old Man's War (Old Man's War Series), by John Scalzi (2007)

A lot of people love Scalzi's writing raw style filled with natural humour. In this military science fiction Scalzi plays with the idea of immortality which is only available for the armed forces. Soon the protagonist John Perry found himself in the middle of a galactical war between Humankind and Consus. John Perry celebrated his 75th birthday celebration by going to the grave of his wife and in the army.

John Scalzi's Old Man's War is a series, that is ground breaking in modern sci-fi books. It uses humor and well developed characters to introduce some interesting hence not totally new technology and it's implications. Overall this novel by the author isn't accidentally on the 4th spot.

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Dune, by Frank Herbert (1965)

We found ourself 20,000 years in the future where people are living across the galaxy. One of their favorite resource is called “melange” a spice which is extremely rare. Two big house is facing against each other the House of Atreides and the Harkonnens. In Frank Herbert's book, we find some classic motives combined with a great story played in rather than strange universe.

A sympathetic, dramatic hero's journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his comprehension, who must travel to the most terrible place in the cosmos in order to ensure the safety of his loved ones and his people.

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Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos), by Dan Simmons (2011)

Seven people, seven stories, one thing in common. They have been chosen to visit the Shrike (an incredible strong creature of the universe) in the Time Tombs on Hyperion. There are people who worship this creature and there are the ones against it. Nearing Armageddon, the seven prophets set out to uncover the secrets of the mystery.

Dan Simmons has certainly added important values to today's modern sci-fi storytelling. The book is ultra intelligent and the parallels are phenomenal. If you into intelligent multiple storyline books this one is definitely a timeless sci-fi book.

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2312, by Kim Stanley Robinson (2012)

Scientific advances have opened new avenues for exploration, but numerous developments have occurred throughout space and time. in 2312 Earth is no longer our only home. The number of our habitats have expanded beyond our solar system. The next year, a sequence of events will challenge humanity to confront our past, present, and future.

The book includes a substantial amount of hypothetical information on how people can quickly and easily travel in and across the solar system. Some of these ideas are quite advanced, and in a sense sounds like a real world possibility. Anyway Kim Stanley Robinson's book is a real deal among hard science fiction novels.

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1984, by George Orwell (1949)

A timeless classic dystopia by George Orwell. In this book we meet The Party, which controls everything in this world. The eyes of the Big Brother is everywhere, and every intention which isn't matching the aspiration of the Party is considered against the Party.

The story starts when the Party is forcing the implementation of a new language called “Newspeak” in order to eliminate all rebellious thoughts and words from the language. Our protagonist Winston quickly finds himself in the middle of situation he never ever wanted to be in. In this unpleasant world, spies are in every corner and the abuse of power is a commonplace.

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Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline (2011)

2045, Earth. We jump into the world of Virtual Reality where a so-called OASIS is in the middle of everyday life. Everybody related somehow to this virtual world, but mainly the lower class, who finds a new opportunity, a new place where they could be famous and even rich.

The creator of OASIS hided several easter eggs in this virtual universe, anyone who founds these keys become instantly famous. Ready Player One is a fast-paced near-future sci-fi with a lot of relations to today's gaming world.

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Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir (2021)

Only Ryland Grace survived the last-chance mission, and in the event that he fails, the whole world itself will be destroyed. All he knows is that he's been asleep for quite a long time. And he's just been awoken to discover himself millions of miles away from his home with only two corpses as company. And the clock is ticking…

This book is even better then Andy Weir's Martian, more mystery, more uncertainty and a real adventure. Ryland Grace should face with unusual discoveries and a lot of danger.

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Recursion, by Blake Crouch (2019)

If you had the ability to go back to the exact same time and place from which a catastrophe occurred. Could you save the world from the disaster? What if this hope would be only a zero-sum game, and there is no real hope of changing things, or?

With the release of his novel, Dark Matter, Blake Crouch revealed himself to many readers as a master of psychological suspense. Three years later, it seems Crouch has established a strong genre of it's own to show to the global audience that sci-fi is more than just space travel.

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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams (2007)

If you are looking for sci-fi humor this book is definitely the no.1. Strange characters in a comedy collection featuring Marvin the paranoid robot, Arthur Dent the hapless protagonist and many others.

Douglas Adams’s popular novel refreshes our minds by posing cosmology-shattering puzzles, trampling years of relativistic physics, toying with bouncing balls and digital clocks, and providing us with excellent commentary on such matters as dot matrix printing, potted plants, and ballpoint pens.

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The Ghost in the Shell, by Masamune Shirow (1989)

The Ghost in the Shell begins in 2029, featuring Section 9 led by Chief Daisuke Aramaki and Major Motoko Kusanagi. As they investigate the Puppeteer, a cyber-criminal wanted for committing a large number of crimes by proxy through “ghost hacking” using the “cyberbrains” of the victims.

This story questions the entire existence of soul and the nature of mind. What motivation lies behind the intelligent existence. The storyline is somehow melancholic, but the questions and conversations reveal much more from the human psyche than any other books from this list.

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The Three-Body Problem, Liu Cixin (2008)

At the beginning of the Cultural Revolution in China, a woman named Ye Wenjie witnessed the brutal murder of her father by a mob, giving rise to the Three-Body Problem. While at a labor camp, she is now at an isolated scientific facility where she can utilize some of her astrophysics training. While there yet, she conducts some research, and ends up developing a way for a radio wave signal to be amplified to beam into space.

Fed up with humans and with the treatment that she has been through, she anwers to Trisolarans allowing them to come to Earth. Trisolaris are coming from another world. Their home orbits around three stars in an unpredictable way, repeatedly destroying their civilization over and over again.

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The Fifth Season (The Borken Earth Series), by N. K. Jemisin (2015)

A gifted woman (Essun) must hide her secret ability and find her abducted daughter in a strange world of mystery. On this planet, there exist orogenes , which are beings which possess superhuman strength. Characteristic abilities of orogenes include facilitating moderation of seismic activity, as well as causing natural disasters, such as earthquakes, which can also cause fatalities.

If two normal parents note their child has a orogenic power, they will either kill the child for being a monster as grownup, or allowing Fulcrum to take the child.

The story of three orogene women. A child, a young woman, and a middle-aged woman, all follow the adversities they endure and the racism they face as a result of their abilities.

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Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson (1992)

Snow Crash, a frenetic and somewhat eerie film, grabs you from the beginning in its opening sequence a thrilling race through an anarchic Los Angeles that has been cut up into corporate-owned ‘burbclaves.’

Our protagonist, Hiro Protagonist, a hacker and swordsman, must combat a virus that is endangering a religion. The station's central core appears to be occupied by apparitions related to fantasies.

The books makes connection between old sic-fi concepts and todays always connected world in poplar terms the ‘metaverse‘.

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Consider Phlebas (Culture Series), by Iain M. Banks (1987)

The Idirans strived for their independence, while the Culture was determined to defend their moral integrity. Principles had been at stake. No concession is possible.

The novel revolves around a war between the Idiran and Culture. This story is set in numerous microcosms. Its protagonist, Bora Horza Gobuchul, is an opponent of the Culture.

This is the first published novel of the Culture series. It presented the series from the viewpoint of an opposite party, namely, the enemy.

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Neuromancer (Sprawl Series), by William Gibson (1984)

A futuristic cyberpunk sci-fi book surrounds a group of mercenary criminals working to collect the data of an AI that's trying to break free. Neuromancer follows its protagonist Case, an unemployed computer hacker who is hired by a mysterious new organization named Armitage.

He’s teamed up with Molly (a cyborg) and Peter Riviera an illusionist to bring about a series of criminal activities meant to be the beginnings of a final mission. Which takes place on the orbiting space station called Freeside, home to the fortune-seeking Tessier-Ashpool family.

The family has made two AIs (Wintermute and Neuromancer) who are so powerful that they should be never linked together. Case and his partners discovered that they were hired by Wintermute to work towards accomplishing a connection between the two AIs.

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The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig (2020)

This is an uplifting sci-fi book also suitable for romance lovers.

Matt Haig's work The Midnight Library delves into the infinite realms of human existence. It is about a young woman named Nora Seed, who lives a dull, uninteresting life. One night, her despair reaches a peak and she commits suicide.

The story doesn't end there. Nora gets a chance to experience various ways her life could be had she done slightly different things. She finds herself in a place known as the Midnight Library, which occupies one of two areas between life and death, and is overflowing with infinite parallel lives she might have led.

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Altered Carbon (Takashi Kovacs Series), by Richard K. Morgan (2002)

By the beginning of the 25th century, humanity had spread across the entire galaxy. The world watched over by the U.N., which maintains the peace. Even in the era of modern science, there's still a lot of diversity and conflict left.

Takashi Kovacs has multiple lives, but now ha receives a new body once again. Kovacs dropped into a conspiracy of dark forces. Slowly he understand the motives and the huge gap between the wealthy and poor lives.

A well built story, and a very good world built in the future. This series reminds me of the cyberpunk novels of William Gibson.

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Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury (1953)

Fahrenheit 451 chronicles Guy Montag's progress from a fireman who hated books to a rebel reader. Montag lives in an oppressive civilization that strives to eliminate all problems, discrepancies, and inconsistencies to ensure simple pleasure for all its citizens.

Montag's perception of life begins to alter when his new friend Clarisse introduces him to a world, drawing him back to a time when society lived according to the ideas of books instead of the noise of television.

If you are into classics, than finding the starting line “It was a pleasure to burn.” will definitely warm up your heart at the very beginning of the book.

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Winter World (The Long Winter Trilogy), by A.G. Riddle (2019)

Mankind has had to grapple with imminent extinction, thanks to the onset of a new ice age. The latest refuge for survivors of the glaciers has been crowded out, forced to flee the only available, last habitable lands. From these lands, only they can escape their inherent desire to wage a war yet entirely inevitable.

At the very edge of the solar spectrum, a group of scientists notice a brief glimmer of something that shouldn't be there. Humankind must come to the conclusion that maybe they aren't entirely alone. And maybe this intelligence is only here to vanish our existence on this planet.

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Rama II, Arthur C. Clarke (1989)

In Rama II, many years have passed since a wildly unexpected rover was boarded by humans for a period of time as they passed through Earth's solar system. Humanity is now getting ready for the arrival of a second extraterrestrial spacecraft, determined to investigate its secrets.

A team of a dozen astronauts, with diverse personalities and abilities, will board the craft, ahead of them realizing that someone among them is a betrayer and a looming calamity accidentally strands three of them alone on board as the spacecraft leaves the solar system. Characters' lack of knowledge regarding places and their length of stay on board provide insight into various aspects of space survival.

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To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, by Christopher Paolini (2020)

Kira finds that an alien relic during her survey mission on a planet uncolonized. She is delighted upon discovering it, but the flash of ecstasy is extinguished when the alien dust around her begins to vibrate.

Kira is introduced through the course of a war into a voyage of self-discovery. Her first contact with beings far from Earth is quite different from her expectation, and it brings her to a place where she is not before.

While Kira and Earth fight for survival, the fate of humanity rest in their hands. Now, Kira might be humanity's only hope.

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Exhalation, by Ted Chiang (2019)

Exhalation is an awesome re-framing of the scientific laws inherent in entropy. What is Expected of Us illuminates the social consequences of experiential evidence that the notion of pure choice is an illusion.

People who study the book Exhalation felt like they were re-visiting a place of childhood. They felt like hearing a song they had only heard before. Perhaps I never found any similar collection of science-fiction short stories that resembled similar style and ideas.

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Solaris, by Stanislaw Lem (1961)

The book follows a team of researchers and scientist as they attempt to comprehend an extraterrestrial intelligence, which takes the form of a vast ocean on the titular alien world.

Scientists have observed intricate patterns of behavior, including a course that seems to almost rectify itself. But since only the water of the ocean looks like human biochemistry, its existence is hard to confirm.

Kris Kelvin, an overly objective psychologist is sent to a space station orbiting Earth. When he arrives, he finds out that a scientist has committed suicide dooming the others into nervous collapse.

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Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr (2021)

The book tells the tale of Aethon, a man who sets out to search for the “utopian city in the sky” called Cloud Cuckoo Land. Along the way, he has many adventures (transformed into a donkey, captured, escapes, transformed into a fish, eaten by a sea creature, transformed into a crow, etc.) before he at last finds Cloud Cuckoo Land.

Doerr's novel includes an orphaned girl and a farmer boy in the 1400's, an environmentalist setting off a bomb in a library in 2020, and a girl on a mission to a distant planet in the not-so-distant future.

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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick (1968)

We follow the story of detective Rick Deckard in San Francisco as he tracks down runaway androids. These androids are made of organic matter so similar to a human's that only posthumous “bone marrow analysis” can differentiate them, making them nearly impossible to distinguish from real people.

Dextra tries this undertaking so he can acquire enough bounty money to obtain a live animal to replace his homed-in computer sheep to address his upset wife's depression. The protagonist lands one of the Rosen Association's headquarters in Seattle to verify what the newest empathy analysis implies for calculating android identities.

The author creates fascinating storyline so that it is difficult to tell what is really happening. But during reading the lines you simply fall under the magic of the author.

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88 Names, by Matt Ruff (2020)

Matt Ruff likes interesting speculative fictions, and he composes them usually in literary style.

John Chu is a “sherpa” who plays Call to Wizardry which is an online RPG. For money he supplies new players with a high experienced character equipped with the best weapons and armor. He can take you dragon-slaying in Asgarth's realms, hunt a rogue starship in the Alpha Sector or battle hordes of undead in the zombie apocalypse.

Chu has recently taken on new client Mr. Jones, who claims to be a rich and famous person with powerful enemies, and he's offering a staggering amount of money for an all-encompassing tour of the world of Call to Wizardy. For Chu, this mission is like a dream assignment, but as the tour gets underway. He begins to suspect that Mr. Jones is in fact the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, and plays under fake identity.

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Terms of Enlistment (Frontlines Series), by Marko Kloos (2013)

2108 and the North American Commonwealth are overrun by its rapid growth. For Andrew Grayson, there are only two options for struggling welfare rats like himself: He could send his younger sister into a lottery and hope to win a ticket on a colony ship off-world, or he could stay at the run-down tenement and hope that the authorities neglect to notice that it's not their own fault.

In order to get off the sheltered planet back home, Andrew decides to enlist in the Army. In response, Andrew finds himself worrying he will have nothing to show for it except a retirement bonus and a ticket off Earth. As he discovers, all of the good food and fair health care he bargained for don't come cheap.

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Invisible Planets, translated by Ken Liu (2016)

A contemporary Chinese sci-fi anthology.

I think the variety of characters and the writing were superior to a lot of the published stories in the United States and beyond. Furthermore, the stories in this book were pretty new for the eyes of the sci-fi fans in the western countries. They were unusual and intriguing than many mainstream writers' stories. This story collection had a lot of exceptional, original and diverse stories. I will be looking forward to the next sci-fi book from Ken Liu after his latest work Broken Stars.

My favorite stories from this collection were Folding Beijing by Hao Jingfang and Tongtong's Summer by Xia Jia.

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Red Rising (Red Rising Series), by Pierce Brown (2014)

Darrow is a ‘Red' native to the color coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he will make the surface of Mars livable for future generations. He put his faith that his hard work and blood will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been deceived. Soon he discovers that humanity exited the surface centuries ago. Vast cities and lush fertile plains cover the planet. Darrow and other Reds are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class. Darrow is driven by the desire to see justice, he goes to the Legendary Institute. A proving ground for the elite Gold caste, hoping to gain access to its powerful ruling class.

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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games Series), by Suzanne Collins (2020)

It's the morning of the tenth annual Hunger Games that kickoffs the annual Hunger Games. In The Capitol, Coriolanus Snow is preparing for one game victory as a coach in the Games. Snow's once-prosperous mansion is currently struggling to hang on. Considering that Coriolanus is relying on some kind of self-sacrifice for winning the school contest, to which he is desperate to outdo all of his fellow classmates.

He has received the ill-favored assignment of instructing the District 12 female tribute. Coriolanus's future can no longer be untangled from any of his actions – each choice he makes will dictate whether he gets ahead or gets wiped out. Inside of the arena, it will be a war to the death. Outside of it, Coriolanus senses the depth of his powerlessness.

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Conjunction (The Wise Society Series), by A.D. Zoltan and Steven N. Nagy (2022)

When we first read Conjunction it didn't feel like a debut novel. The story blends a spiritual journey with a space opera which creates a unique and new sci-fi story concept.

Keat a young truth seeker born with the initial need to find answers to the big questions of life, finally gets into the mission of his life, to enter the first intergalactic spaceship that will visit alien planets with intelligent life and hopefully an advanced civilization.

But after Keat and his team arrives to Füzen the story shifts into a new dimension, almost literally.

The story has a coming of age nature, and utilizes the popular concept of reincarnation. Honestly the book has a potential to open new perspectives to people who want to believe something that is beyond the materialistic world.

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Final Thoughts on Science fiction books

In conclusion, I hope you will find this ranked list helpful in your search for the next sci-fi read! Hence our ranks are relative and highly reflects our taste for sci-fi novels, we wanted to keep our list modern and also ideal for Gen X and Z readers.

If you're still not sure, we recommend you check out some more specific book lists like military sci-fi books or the sci-fi books with mind blowing adventures.

Last updated 08.09.2022

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

medium.com/@joelbooks

The post 33 Remarkable Sci-Fi Books (Ranked) To Read In Your Lifetime (For 2024) appeared first on Joelbooks.

A personal message from the author:

I've always wanted to be an author. By the time I was 18, I had filled literally thousands of pages with stories of different genres, and the passion to write just burned with an epic intensity. As I got older, life seemingly got in the way, but a couple of years ago it just came back with a flurry. And inspiration struck.

I've always been a big fan of techno-thrillers and sci-fi action books/films that create easily digestible entertainment, yet also have a lot hidden under the surface. Films like The Matrix or Terminator 2 spring to mind, where there's a ton of deep philosophical debate hidden below a flashy exterior.

When the inspiration did strike, I simply asked myself a question. If a mysterious stranger showed up at my front door and told me that they needed me for a secret mission, that I was special, and I could save the world, would I go with them? Realistically, would I? Or what would it take for me to follow them?

This lead to this book, where that exact same plot happens to seven very different people from around the world. They're visited by a stranger and told that they are key to saving the world from an impending doom. Would that be enough to motivate them?

Finally, I wanted to write this because I promised my sister after she died that I would always follow my dreams. This has always been my biggest dream. No matter what happens with the book, nothing will be as rewarding as when I finished it and how I felt with regards to finally keeping that promise.

— Sam Hurley

The world is shocked after a failed attack on a research facility near Boston. The individuals involved had no link to one another, and no obvious motives. Even more perplexing is that this is the second attack on a facility owned by the Minerva Corporation. The company has long held a reputation for being an ethical company with a philanthropic focus. So why would anyone seek to destroy their work, unless there was something sinister behind the scenes?

Following the attack, a mysterious stranger named Aten travels the world and visits seven strangers . Unbeknownst to them, he has managed to find them all at their most desperate, or pliable. He then attempts to bring them all together at the French home of a famous fashion model, Kate Delacroix, in order to aid him in a secret mission.

As Aten's true intentions are revealed – and with the future of the humanity at stake – will these seven strangers comply?

Read online Compliance by Sam Hurley

Review

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

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The post Compliance by Sam Hurley appeared first on Joelbooks.

A thriller of multiple dimensions

Shiftspace series Book 1

An anonymous message and mysterious piece of sourcecode is delivered to the New York offices of Wired Magazine. Newly-hired science journalist Dr. Pei Xiao has just gotten the opportunity she's been waiting for, a chance to justify her life choices to her parents back in Taiwan. Photographer Roy Bryant just needs to keep the bills paid. Follow Pei and Roy as a simple interview develops into a complex tale of conspiracy, espionage, and otherworldly adventure.

Multiple dimensions exist, and they are ripe with resources for the taking.

Personal message from the author:
“The idea for this book came while riding the bus home from work, listening to the Star Talk science podcast, and re-reading my 2nd favorite Lovecraft short (From Beyond) having just finished a Crichton book. My head was in a weird place.”
— Brian Q. Webb

Amazon

Read online _Shift by Brian Q. Webb

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

medium.com/@joelbooks

The post _Shift by Brian Q. Webb appeared first on Joelbooks.

Quotes by the author:
“Life with a cheat code isn't life. Our existence isn't something to be engineered or optimized for the avoidance of pain. That's what it is to be human – the beauty and the pain, each meaningless without the other.”

“He has wondered lately if that's all living really is—one long goodbye to those we love.”
― Blake Crouch

Reality is broken.

At first, it looks like a disease. An epidemic that spreads through no known means, driving its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived. But the force that’s sweeping the world is no pathogen. It’s just the first shock wave, unleashed by a stunning discovery—and what’s in jeopardy is not our minds but the very fabric of time itself.

In New York City, Detective Barry Sutton is closing in on the truth—and in a remote laboratory, neuroscientist Helena Smith is unaware that she alone holds the key to this mystery . . . and the tools for fighting back.

Together, Barry and Helena will have to confront their enemy—before they, and the world, are trapped in a loop of ever-growing chaos.

Amazon

Read online Recursion by Blake Crouch

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

medium.com/@joelbooks

The post Recursion by Blake Crouch appeared first on Joelbooks.

August 1991. Soviet hardliner Pavel Medvedev knows that only bloodshed can save the USSR from complete collapse. With violence breaking out in the streets of Moscow, few realize that he is piloting the Soviet Union on a collision course with its deadliest enemy yet: NATO. US Marine Colonel Robert Buckner, passed over for a coveted command, takes a post working for Vice Admiral Falkner on his way to retirement. As the world lurching towards World War III, he finds his way towards a panoramic view of the unfolding crisis with a pivotal role to play. War breaks out across the globe, but the pin falls in the far north, where soldiers and civilians alike must battle not just the enemy, but the unforgiving elements. With arsenals of high-tech weapons loosed in both directions, the ultimate reward may not be victory. but survival. H-Hour is the first book of the Northern Fury series, which tells the alternate history of World War III's northern front through the eyes of those who lived it.

Amazon

Read online Northern Fure: H-Hour by Bart Gauvin and Joel Radunzel

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

medium.com/@joelbooks

The post Northern Fure: H-Hour by Bart Gauvin and Joel Radunzel appeared first on Joelbooks.

The Long Winter Trilogy Book 2

We thought the war was over.
We were wrong.

They decimated Earth during the Long Winter.
Now the grid has returned, and they won't stop until the human race is extinct.
On a ruined world, humanity's last survivors fight against impossible odds.
In their darkest hour, they discover a new hope for survival. But it comes at an unthinkable price, with consequences that will change everything.

* * *

After the Long Winter, Emma Matthews and James Sinclair hoped life would get back to normal. They've settled down in Camp Seven and welcomed their first child, a daughter. And they have waited and watched the sky for any signs of the grid's return.

When NASA discovers that several asteroids have broken from the Kuiper Belt and are headed for Earth, James instantly realizes the truth: the grid is back. And this battle will be one to the very end.

As he and his team prepare for humanity's last stand in space and on the ground, Emma makes a discovery closer to home, one that will change life for her and James once again.

With war raging around them, Emma and James fight to keep their family alive. In the cold darkness, humanity splinters. New alliances emerge. At every turn, Emma and James face new dangers–and question whom to trust.

Just when it seems that all hope is lost, James uncovers what may be the key to humanity's survival. But it comes with enormous risks. To implement his plan, he and Emma will have to survive the grid and another, even more deadly enemy. One thing is certain: their gambit will change the future of the human race forever.

Amazon

Read online The Solar War by A.G. Riddle

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

medium.com/@joelbooks

The post The Solar War by A.G. Riddle appeared first on Joelbooks.

Forward collection

A video game developer becomes obsessed with a willful character in her new project, in a mind-bending exploration of what it means to be human by the New York Times bestselling author of Recursion.

Maxine was made to do one thing: die. Except the minor non-player character in the world Riley is building makes her own impossible decision—veering wildly off course and exploring the boundaries of the map. When the curious Riley extracts her code for closer examination, an emotional relationship develops between them. Soon Riley has all new plans for her spontaneous AI, including bringing Max into the real world. But what if Max has real-world plans of her own?

Blake Crouch’s Summer Frost is part of Forward, a collection of six stories of the near and far future from out-of-this-world authors. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single thought-provoking sitting.

Amazon

Read online Summer Frost by Blake Crouch

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

medium.com/@joelbooks

The post Summer Frost by Blake Crouch appeared first on Joelbooks.

“The Knucklehead is a great eye-opening read. Vachon weaves a story that is both impossible to believe and impossible to ignore — It is ridiculously funny and frighteningly real. Be prepared to learn, to laugh and yes, to worry about what's happening behind the cyber world curtain.”― Rick Roth – Former Global CEO, Ogilvy Action

Ralph Gibsen isn't your typical spy. In fact, he may not be a spy at all. He's lumpy, blundering and abysmal at chatting up the fairer sex. Yet, he is attracting a significant amount of attention from the intelligence community. After all, as a 30-year Silicon Valley mainstay, he can phish your passwords, bust firewalls, and has developed software used by millions to circumvent government censorship. And now, he thinks he has stumbled upon a cabal who is pushing to misuse his own technology for world domination. Ralph helps create an educational Tool that maps a learner's neurological processes and pinpoints the exact moment a student learns. But the Tool can also manipulate people's beliefs. At least, that what several influential people think. Soon, Ralph finds himself the target of increasingly complex attacks on his businesses, reputation, freedom, and life. Ralph enlists an eclectic group of ‘frenemies' to thwart this nefarious plot. McKenna may or may not still work for the CIA. Beautiful Eva may work for the Chinese government, who wants the Tool for themselves. Even Ralph's lovely wife Jen could be involved… Ralph simply isn't equipped to figure it out. And the world is closing in.

Amazon

Joel Stafford

My profession is online marketing and development (10+ years experience), check my latest mobile app called Upcoming or my Chrome extensions for ChatGPT. But my real passion is reading books both fiction and non-fiction. I have several favorite authors like James Redfield or Daniel Keyes. If I read a book I always want to find the best part of it, every book has its unique value.

medium.com/@joelbooks

The post The Knucklehead of Silicon Valley by G Craig Vachon appeared first on Joelbooks.