Collider ranks recent science-fiction novels as evidence of the genre’s creative strength, highlighting ambitious space operas, queer narratives and philosophical speculative fiction. The selection argues that the 2020s have produced both acclaimed bestsellers and overlooked works capable of expanding the genre’s mainstream appeal.

– Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky: a nonlinear, multi-generational space opera exploring consciousness, identity and memory.
– Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh: a Hugo-winning queer military sci-fi novel addressing AI, fascism and redemption.
– Eversion by Alastair Reynolds: an underappreciated mystery space opera built around repeated expeditions and existential dread.
– Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir: the third instalment of the divisive but acclaimed Locked Tomb science-fantasy series.