by Romesa Muhammad
Not a fan of the science-fiction genre? Don't worry. If you are as cautious as me before picking up a science-fiction book, I've got you.
This genre deals with a technologically advanced world, with most of its stories set in a futuristic society. Most books in this genre tend to be about a rag-tag group of kids trying to overthrow an evil organisation or institution. This trope may be overused, but it can hook anyone in if written well.
I started my science-fiction journey with the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, and I was not disappointed. However, I couldn’t enjoy the Maze Runner or the Divergent series. I thought that'd be the last of this genre I'd ever read, however, the following books proved me wrong.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinder by Marissa Meyer is the first book in the Lunar Chronicles series. It is a retelling of Cinderella with a futuristic setting.
Cinder follows the life of Linh Cinder, a half-cyborg girl. She is a fantastic mechanic making the most of the computer embedded in her brain. Like Cinderella, she stays with her step-family, but instead of experiencing a whirlwind romance as Cinderella did, her life has a HUGE twist.
This world's population is being killed by a dangerous plague, has an evil queen from space, and relatable characters that touch your heart.
I was unable to put this book down. I was invested from start to finish. It had unexpected twists and turns, dry humour, and spoke about insecurities and self-image. It also didn’t revolve around romance, which was a huge plus. There is a prince in the story, but he has his own obstacles to face.
Cinder is 40% action, 40% unexpected plot twists, 20% swoon-worthy moments, and a 100% must-read. That gives you a 200% chance of falling in love with the book starring a badass, wrench-wielding heroine.
The books that follow this one are Scarlet, Cress, and Winter, and they are as great as Cinder.
Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan
If you’ve read any of Rick Riordan’s books, you'd know that they are mind-blowing. Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Heroes of Olympus, The Kane Chronicles, and The Trials of Apollo, are great examples.
Daughter of the Deep, his latest release, is no different. The first book in Riordan's newest series is a fast-paced story packed with action and advanced technology. It is a spinoff of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, an existing Disney intellectual property, written by Jules Verne.
The story follows Ana Dakar, a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy. Harding-Pencroft is a school that produces the world's best marine scientists, naval warriors, and underwater explorers…at least, that's what all freshmen think.
The freshmen classes have to complete a trial to prove they're worthy of continuing studying at the academy, but Ana's class's trial goes horribly wrong after they witness a tragedy. Their exam trial becomes a mission to get to the Nautilus before Land Institute can. The Nautilus is the most technologically advanced submarine in the world. In the wrong hands, it could destroy the world.
What this class perceives as an ordinary rivalry between its school and Land Institute turns out to be a full-on war. Land Institute is after the Nautilus, and they are willing to kill to possess it.
This book has high-tech weapons, characters that’ll keep you on your toes (because Uncle Rick has given his readers trust issues, okay?!) and animals that you wish you could meet (excluding that one giant octopus).
The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich
The Love Interest is brilliantly written. This is an LGBTQIA+ young adult novel with science-fiction elements. The author has taken the love-triangle trope and completely shattered it. Instead of following the typical route, this book has a surprising but fantastic twist.
Caden, the boy next door, and Dylan, the bad boy, fight to win Juliet’s heart. They are from an organisation that raises children to become the perfect spies. Its goal is to send out its spies and infiltrate the lives of people who could change or impact the world in some way. The two boys are placed into Juliet’s life so that one of them becomes her love Interest and can spy on her for their organisation. She will choose one of them, unknowing that the other will face inevitable death.
I love that this novel has a capable female lead who is a scientist in the making. If you want to find out more about the boys, you'll have to read the book.
You will surely fall in love with the characters and this fast-paced story.
These three books showed me that the science-fiction genre is not that bad. They give me hope that there are other Sci-Fi books that I'd enjoy. The books I've recommended are great if you're not yet ready to trust this genre. Happy Reading!
impressive article, Rome! very well written, and knowing you...i know i can trust your judgement when it comes to good reads <3