Books Like...

Company Town by Madeline Ashby is a futuristic novel set on an oil rig off the coast of Newfoundland, now owned by the powerful Lynch family. The protagonist, Hwa, is a unique character without any augmentations, making her stand out in a world where most people are augmented. When she is hired to protect the Lynch family's heir, Joel, she finds herself entangled in a series of murders that lead her to uncover dark secrets about the town and its inhabitants. The book seamlessly combines elements of dystopia, thriller, and science fiction, offering a fast-paced narrative with detailed world-building and complex character relationships.

Medusa Uploaded by Emily Devenport is a uniquely written generation ship story that delves into themes of revenge, rebellion, and political machinations among the Executives on board the Generation Ship, Olympia. The main character, Oichi, finds herself at the center of a revolution after being thrown out of an airlock by an Executive, only to be saved by the Medusa unit. The novel explores the stratification of classes on the ship, the illegal database implanted in Oichi's brain, and her journey to undermine the Executives and distribute music implants to the inhabitants.

The writing style of Medusa Uploaded is described as odd yet engaging, with a focus on worldbuilding, relatable characters, and a thrilling, multilayered plot. The flashforward structure of the story, while a minor annoyance to some readers, contributes to the overall mystery and intrigue surrounding Oichi's mission and the secrets hidden within the ship. The book offers a unique perspective on AI companions, mind interfacing, and the relationships between humans and the Medusa units, creating a story that is both dark and surprisingly upbeat.

In 'vN' by Madeline Ashby, the story revolves around Amy, a von Neumann machine living with her human father and vN mother. The plot kicks off with Amy's vN grandmother Portia attacking humans, triggering a series of events that lead Amy to go on the run, suddenly grown up and with Portia on a partition of her hard drive. The book explores themes of self-replicating machines, the relationship between humans and AI, and the complexities of family dynamics in a futuristic world where robots coexist with humans.

In 'Escaping Exodus' by Nicky Drayden, readers are taken on a journey through a unique and engaging story set in a matriarchal colony where humans live inside space beasts. The plot revolves around the characters Adalla, a beastworker, and Seske, the next leader of their people, who navigate their love and societal expectations. The worldbuilding is described as fascinating, with intricate details about the structure of the beasts and the society within them. The writing style is praised for its dynamic characters, who evolve throughout the book, making tough decisions and living with the consequences.

In 'Velocity Weapon' by Megan E. O'Keefe, readers are taken on a space opera journey filled with interplanetary political intrigue, forbidden technology, and hidden subtext. The story follows Gunnery Sergeant Sanda Greeve as she wakes up 230 years later on a deserted enemy starship, only to discover the truth about the destruction of Ada Prime and her quest for survival and answers. The narrative cleverly weaves together multiple perspectives and timelines, introducing readers to a futuristic galactic society divided by familiar human complexities.

The book is praised for its well-fleshed-out characters, intricate world-building, and engaging plot twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. O'Keefe's writing style is commended for its ability to draw readers in from the outset, delivering a beautifully crafted and down-to-earth narrative that explores themes of familial ties, loyalty, and the complexities of human nature within a futuristic space setting.

Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather is a novella that follows a small community of nuns aboard a living spaceship as they travel to far-flung colonies, offering aid and comfort in the aftermath of a devastating war. The story delves into themes of faith, gender, colonialism, and features lesbian nuns in space, all while delivering a plot that is neatly executed with adherence to Chekhov's gun rule.

Autonomous by Annalee Newitz is a science fiction novel set in a future where corporate patent law and big pharma control society, leading to humans and robots often being indentured rather than autonomous. The story follows Jack, a pirate who reverse engineers drugs to make them accessible to all, but a mistake leads her to be pursued by a relentless team of enforcers, a human and a robot. The book delves into themes of autonomy, slavery, and the ethics of ownership, while exploring the relationships between the characters in a dystopian setting filled with ethical dilemmas and complex narratives.

"Salvation" by Peter F. Hamilton is a science fiction novel that follows a complex story structure involving multiple timelines and characters. Readers found the book challenging due to its format, which includes flashbacks and flash-forwards that can be difficult to track, especially when listening to it as an audiobook. Despite the intricate plotlines, the book explores interesting concepts such as alien encounters, advanced technology, and societal developments in a near-future setting.

'The Future of Another Timeline' by Annalee Newitz is a feminist science fiction novel that delves into time travel and collective action to fight for women's rights. The story follows Tess and the Daughters of Harriet Tubman as they travel through time to edit historical events and protect women's rights from being erased. The book intertwines different timelines, focusing on the struggles of women and nonbinary individuals against patriarchal forces, all while exploring the ethics and consequences of altering history.

The novel combines elements of punk rock culture, feminist activism, and time travel mechanics to create a unique and engaging narrative. Through a blend of historical events and speculative fiction, the author tackles themes of oppression, social change, and the power of unity in shaping a better future for marginalized communities.

'The Psychology of Time Travel' by Kate Mascarenhas is a unique and complex story that revolves around time travel and its psychological effects on individuals. The book follows the lives of four female inventors who pioneer time travel in the 1960s, leading to a world where time is no longer linear and people interact with multiple versions of themselves. The plot unravels a murder mystery intertwined with the lives of various characters, exploring themes of relationships, identity, and the consequences of manipulating time. The writing style is described as detailed, imaginative, and rich, with multiple timelines and points of view adding depth to the narrative.