10 New Sci Fi Books To Read This Summer

With the height of summer right around the corner, it’s time to pad out your reading list for the weekend beach trips and lazy backyard afternoons. 

Thankfully, there’s no lack of new sci fi books coming out this summer, so you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. 

The City Inside by Samit Basu – June 7th

new sci fi books the city inside

In near future Delhi, Joey works as a Reality Controller for one of the city’s biggest reality stars. Rudra lives on the other end of the spectrum, in an impoverished neighborhood, estranged from his family. 

When Joey offers Rudra a job, they’re both thrust into a world of complex loyalties, capitalism, and toxic relationships. 

Lavie Tidhar, a World Fantasy Award winner, says, “The City Inside is a triumphant exploration of near-future India that is as compelling as it is urgent. Don’t miss this one.”

The Splendid City by Karen Heuler – June 14th

new sci fi books the splendid city

Eleanor lives in the state of Liberty, which is not as free as it might sound. When a witch disappears from a local coven, Eleanor believes it could be linked to the water shortage in Liberty. 

Along with her ex-co-worker-turned-cat Stan, Eleanor embarks on a quest to get to the bottom of Liberty’s dark secrets. 

“The dialogue is clever and the satire spot-on. The social commentary hits the nail on the head.”

– Booklist

Drunk on All Your Strange New Words by Eddie Robson – June 28th

new sci fi books drunk on all your strange new words

Lydia works as a translator for an alien ambassador to Earth, putting into words his thoughts and feelings. But, as tragedy strikes, Lydia is thrown into an intergalactic incident with no end in sight. She has to muster her strength and use her skills to prove her innocence. 

“Drunk on all Your Strange New Words is a twisted murder investigation through a post-contact future full of world-building in fascinating detail.” ―Django Wexler

The Moonday Letters by Emmi Itäranta – July 5th

new sci fi books the moonday letters

Sol has gone missing, and their wife Lumi must start the search. As she works her way closer to Sol, she uncovers the secrets of eco-activists and Sol’s past. Lumi travels from the colonies of Mars to the devastated Earth in search of Sol. 

This book is part epistolary mystery, part eco-thriller. 

“Where Itäranta shines is in her understated but compelling characters.” – Red Star Review, Publishers Weekly

Upgrade by Blake Crouch – July 12th

new sci fi books upgrade

Crouch is well on his way to becoming the next William Gibson, and Upgrade is right in line with that trajectory. 

This new novel is about Logan Ramsay, a wayward science experiment who may be the only person who can set the world straight. 

Andy Weir said about the book “Walks the fine line between page-turning thriller and smart sci-fi. Another killer read from Blake.”

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – July 19th

new sci fi books daughter of dr moreau

Carlota is the only daughter of Doctor Moreau, and she lives side-by-side with his hybrid experiments. Her whole world is shaken up when the son of her father’s benefactor comes to their estate. 

This book is a historical novel, a romance, and a science fiction novel. 

Booklist says this book, “As alluring as it is unsettling, filled with action romance, and monsters . . . Readers will fall into this tale immediately, enchanted.”

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey – July 19th

new sci fi books just like home

Gailey’s back at it with another gothic horror novel, this time focusing on Vera, a young girl returning to a home that houses a serial killer. 

A “parasitic artist” resides at Vera’s house now, and Vera’s not sure whether or not he’s the one leaving messages in her father’s hand writing.

“Gailey’s newest gothic novel is painfully suspenseful and richly dark, their rushing, intoxicating writing in peak form. Delightfully creepy and heartbreakingly tragic, Just Like Home is equal parts raw terror of a dark childhood bedroom, creeping revelations of a true-crime podcast, and searing hurt of resentment within a family. It’s a must-read for all gothic horror fans.” ―Booklist, starred review

Eversion by Alastair Reynolds – August 2nd

new sci fi books eversion

Dr. Silas Coade, a physician for an exploratory space voyage, realizes that he alone can save the crew from a dangerous fate. A fate that had been foretolds since the 1800s, in an exploration that Coade was also a part of. 

This book bends the fabric of time and space with a dark twist. 

“Pirates in space, full of peril and high-jinks… This is a novel that’s elegantly plotted, full of surprises and, as first time round, rip-roaring fun.” – SFX Magazine  

 

The Sleepless by Victor Manibo – August 23rd

new sci fi books the sleepless

Jamie Vega works as a journalist until his boss mysteriously dies during a corporate merger. Vega’s the last person to have seen his boss, but can’t quite remember it. 

He becomes subject of a murder investigation and Vega dives deeper into what it means to be Sleepless, coming toe-to-toe with brutal crime organizations and corporate lawyers. 

The Sleepless is just the beginning; Victor Manibo is an author to keep your eye on.” —Lara Elena Donnelly, author of The Amberlough Dossier and Base Notes

Babel by R.F. Kuang – August 23rd

new sci fi books babel

Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution  is about the balance of power and the promise of revolution. 

A young Chinese boy, Robert Swift, is raised in England and prepared to attend the Royal Institute of Translation. This school is dedicated to imperial expansion, and uses magic to help reach the English agenda. 
Rebecca Roanhorse, author of Black Sun, says “R. F. Kuang has written a masterpiece.”