Books Like...
'Blindsight' by Peter Watts is a hard science fiction novel that delves adjusted humans sent on a mission to investigate alien contact beyond Pluto. The book explores deep philosophical questions about sentience, consciousness, and the nature of humanity, all set in a futuristic world containing space travel, vampires, and alien encounters. The story is told through a unique narrative style, offering a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of consciousness and intelligence.
If you liked Blindsight, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
Save:'Ship of Fools' by Richard Paul Russo follows the starship Argonos as it navigates through a universe where Earth has become a toxic wasteland. The crew discovers a planet where all inhabitants have been brutally murdered, leading them to a haunted starship with unanswered mysteries. The narrative is driven by the protagonist Bartolomeo's intimate perspective, providing clear insights into his thoughts and emotions. The story explores themes of religion, corruption, and the struggle for power aboard the ship, culminating in a revolution and the discovery of a devastated new land.
The writing style of 'Ship of Fools' is described as brisk and engaging, with well-developed characters like Bartolomeo. The novel balances science fiction elements with horror and explores deep philosophical questions about faith, humanity, and the unknown, keeping readers invested in the unfolding events on the starship Argonos.
WE had not made landfall in more than fourteen years. One disastrous choice of a star after another. The captain viewed this string of failures as absurdly bad luck; the bishop, as divine intervention... - #2
Save:'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer is a mysterious and eerie novel set in a landscape undergoing a transformation due to an outside agent, reminiscent of the Strugatsky brothers' work. The story follows the protagonist, a biologist, as part of an expedition into Area X, a zone being altered by something completely alien, leading to rapid disintegration of their mission and inevitable eerie encounters. The narrative style is described as straddling the line between science fiction and horror, with an unreliable narrator providing a vague description of Area X, leaving more questions than answers.
The tower, which was not supposed to be there, plunges into the earth in a place just before the black pine forest begins to give way to swamp and then the reeds and wind-gnarled trees of the marsh fl... - #3
Save:'Dead Silence' by S.A. Barnes is a sci-fi horror novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey aboard the Aurora ship, where a crew faces terrifying events while dealing with corporate competition and greed. The book combines elements of space travel, ghost ships, and mind games, creating a suspenseful atmosphere reminiscent of movies like Event Horizon and Ghost Ship. The story unfolds with a blend of horror, mystery, and themes of corporate exploitation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate through a narrative full of twists and turns.
The writing style of 'Dead Silence' has been described as atmospheric and detailed, with a focus on creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the story. Readers have praised the author, S.A. Barnes, for her ability to weave together various elements such as space horror, romance, and critiques of corporate influence, resulting in a unique and engaging narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
My head is throbbing again, a white-hot line of pain from the back of my skull down to the right side of my jaw, and a dead man is signaling me from across the common room. His hand waves frantically ... - #4
Save:The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling is a psychological and intense sci-fi novel set on a distant planet in the future. The story follows Gyre, a young caver who embarks on a dangerous and highly paid exploration of a vast underground cave system with only her handler, Em, as her lifeline above ground. As Gyre delves deeper into the caves, she uncovers sinister truths and faces mortal dangers, all while navigating a complex and evolving relationship with Em. The book explores themes of survival, isolation, trust, and the blurred lines between reality and paranoia in a claustrophobic and perilous setting.
Gyre wriggled her armored body another centimeter into the crevice, then eased her bag of gear after her. The plating on the back of her calf scraped over the stone, and she winced at the noise. Nobod... - #5
Save:"Solaris" by Stanisław Lem is a classic science fiction novel that explores the encounter between humans and a truly alien entity on the planet Solaris. The story follows a psychologist arriving at a space station orbiting Solaris, where attempts to communicate with the enigmatic ocean on the planet prove futile. The novel delves into themes of human limitations in understanding the alien, as well as the complexities of memory and communication. Through haunting encounters with embodiments of repressed memories, the characters grapple with the mysteries of Solaris and the implications of their own minds in the face of the incomprehensible.
The narrative of "Solaris" weaves together elements of horror, psychological thriller, and philosophical introspection as the characters navigate the enigma of the planet and its manifestations. The writing style of Lem is described as thought-provoking, intellectual, and ambiguous, challenging readers with a dry yet engaging exploration of the limits of human knowledge when faced with the truly alien. The book presents a riveting mystery that captivates readers with its atmospheric tension and its profound examination of humanity's attempts to comprehend the unknown.
Inside the narrow cockpit, there was scarcely room to move. I attached the hose to the valve on my space suit and it inflated rapidly. From then on, I was incapable of making the smallest movement. Th... - #6
Save:The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin is a hard science fiction novel that delves into the discovery of another race in our galaxy, challenging the basic principles of modern physics. Set in China during the Cultural Revolution, the book follows Chinese astrophysicist Ye as she tries to prevent a global catastrophe with possible extraterrestrial origins. The writing style incorporates elements of Chinese culture and history, offering a fresh perspective on sci-fi and blending imaginative scientific concepts with societal reflections.
The Red Union commander was anxious, though not because of the defenders he faced. The more than two hundred Red Guards of the April Twenty-eighth Brigade were mere greenhorns compared with the vetera... - #7
Save:In the near future, "Starfish" by Peter Watts delves into a world where humanity seeks alternative energy sources, focusing on deep sea rifts. The story follows a group of severely damaged individuals who are hired to work in the deep sea vents, adapted with cyborg-like enhancements to survive the extreme conditions. As the rifters cope with their lives in the deep sea, they face the machinations of a corporation that begins to view them as expendable assets. The novel explores themes of isolation, human modification, corporate conspiracy, and the psychological impact of living in such a harsh environment.
The narrative in "Starfish" is described as dark, riveting, and psychologically intense, focusing on the underdogs of society who find solace in the depths of the ocean. The story unfolds as the characters, despite their pasts and bio-engineered bodies, struggle with their humanity and face the challenges presented by their environment. The book keeps readers engaged with its exploration of deep-sea mysteries, the psychological evolution of the characters, and the uncovering of corporate secrets that threaten their survival.
Sunlight hasn't touched these waters for a million years. Atmospheres accumulate by the hundreds here, the trenches could swallow a dozen Everests without burping. They say life itself got started in ... - #8
Save:'Revelation Space' by Alastair Reynolds is a space opera that delves into a complex universe filled with alien civilizations, advanced technologies, and mysterious ancient artifacts. The story follows characters like Dr. Dan Sylveste, Ana Khouri, and Sajaki as they navigate through a plot that involves lost civilizations, rogue AIs, and interstellar conflicts. The writing style of the book is often described as imaginative and intricate, with a focus on detailed descriptions of futuristic settings and technologies.
Sylveste stood on the edge of the excavation and wondered if any of his labours would survive the night. The archaeological dig was an array of deep square shafts separated by baulks of sheer-sided so... - #9
Save:'Event Horizon' by Steven E. McDonald seems to be a sci-fi horror novel that draws inspiration from cosmic horror elements similar to movies like Alien and Event Horizon. The book is described as having a plot that involves space horror, time travel, and mysterious, eerie settings that create a creepy and suspenseful atmosphere. Readers compare the book to popular space horror films and games like Dead Space, Pandorum, and Alien, mentioning that it captures a blend of sci-fi and horror genres effectively.
The writing style of 'Event Horizon' is said to be reminiscent of classic horror movies with a focus on creating a spooky ambience and delivering a narrative that keeps readers engaged and on edge. The book is praised for its ability to evoke feelings of fear and suspense, similar to the experience of watching a horror film, making it a thrilling and captivating read for fans of the genre.
Dr. William Weir opened his eyes and gazed upon a gray universe. Once more vented into pale reality without argument, vented into a mundane world that was, in its own dreary way, as bad as the world t... - #10
Save:'The Gone World' by Tom Sweterlitsch is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller that follows NCIS agent Shannon Moss as she investigates crimes related to time travel and the impending doomsday event known as the Terminus. Moss travels through alternate futures, unraveling mysteries and trying to prevent the end of humanity. The book seamlessly blends elements of science fiction, mystery, and horror, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with its intricate plot and compelling protagonist.
She gained her equilibrium before attempting to stand—her right leg still the lean, muscled leg of an athlete, but her left terminated in a conical mid-thigh stump, the end muscle and flesh there wrap...
