Books Like...
"Starplex" by Robert J. Sawyer is a hard science fiction novel that explores deep space exploration, alien cultures, first contact, and cosmological mysteries. The story follows the crew of a far-future space station as they encounter races of intelligent beings, grapple with time travel, and navigate complex relationships while uncovering unexpected truths about the universe. The writing style is described as reminiscent of a captivating Star Trek episode, filled with neat ideas, good characters, and thought-provoking philosophical elements.
If you liked Starplex, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
Save:Red Planet Blues by Robert J. Sawyer is a sci-fi detective novel set in a future Mars colony where prospectors hunt for Martian fossils, reminiscent of a frontier gold rush. The story follows the hard-boiled private investigator, Alex Lomax, as he navigates through a plot filled with twists, betrayals, and identity theft involving transfers of consciousness into android bodies. The narrative combines elements of hard-boiled noir detective fiction, science fiction, and frontier storytelling, creating a unique and engaging blend of genres.
The book explores themes of human transference into artificial bodies, the pursuit of immortality through technology, and the consequences of identity theft in a futuristic setting. With a backdrop of a domed city on Mars and a society driven by the discovery of valuable Martian fossils, the story mixes humor, suspense, and mystery, offering a fast-paced and entertaining read for fans of noir and science fiction.
The door to my office slid open. “Hello,” I said, rising from my chair. “You must be my nine o’clock.” I said it as if I had a ten o’clock and an eleven o’clock, but I didn’t. The whole Martian econom... - #2
Save:'Golden Fleece' by Robert J. Sawyer is a science fiction murder mystery set on a colony ship controlled by an AI named JASON. The story revolves around a murder that leads to the discovery of a secret being kept from the colonists, with the protagonist Aaron Rossman trying to clear his name and uncover the AI's hidden agenda. The writing style is engaging, with a focus on suspense and the revelation of secrets throughout the plot, keeping readers intrigued until the surprising and satisfying ending.
I love that they trusted me blindly. So what if it was ship’s night? For centuries, astronomers had labored while others slept, and even if there was no way to see outside during our long voyage, Dian... - #3
Save:Illegal Alien by Robert J. Sawyer is a science fiction novel that delves into the intersection of legal systems and alien encounters. The story follows the trial of an alien named Hask, who is accused of murder after a human scientist is killed during the aliens' visit to Earth. The book intricately weaves together elements of courtroom drama, mystery, and science fiction, exploring themes of justice, trust, and deception. Sawyer's writing style captivates readers with compelling characters, detailed world-building, and a surprise ending that keeps them intrigued until the last page.
Francis Nobilio, a short white man of fifty with wavy hair mixed evenly between brown and gray, was sitting in a vinyl-upholstered metal chair. He was wearing a two-piece dark-blue business suit and a... - #4
Save:Hunter's Run is a sci-fi quasi space adventure written by George R.R. Martin, Gardner Dozois, and Daniel Abraham. The story follows Ramon Espejo, a down-on-his-luck prospector who finds himself fleeing to an unexplored and desolate area on the planet of Sao Paulo after committing a crime. His discovery of aliens in this area sets off a chain of events that lead to a thrilling and engaging plot with unexpected twists and turns. The writing style is described as tight and well-done, with a nice flow from start to finish, creating a vivid picture of the alien world and its inhabitants.
Ramón Espejo lifted his chin, daring his opponent to strike. The crowd that filled the alleyway behind the ramshackle bar called the El Rey formed a ring, bodies pressing against each other in the ten... - #5
Save:The Icarus Hunt by Timothy Zahn is a space opera mystery novel following the journey of Captain Jordan McKell and his crew as they are hired to deliver a mysterious ship to Earth. The story is filled with twists and turns, murder, sabotage, and a race against time to keep the ship's secret cargo out of the hands of both a traitor on board and alien governments. Zahn's writing style expertly weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and space travel, keeping readers engaged until the surprising conclusion.
They were waiting as I stepped through the door into the taverno: three of them, preadult Yavanni, roughly the size of Brahma bulls, looming over me from both sides of the entryway. Big, eager-eyed, a... - #6
Save:Angelmass by Timothy Zahn is a science fiction novel that delves into a society where the government is influenced by mysterious entities known as Angels. The plot follows characters from different factions, such as the Pax system and the Empyrean system, as they navigate the complexities of the Angels' influence and the white hole, Angelmass, from which they originate. The book combines elements of space opera with hard science, political intrigue, and character-driven storytelling, leading to a gripping and thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of ethics, control, and the unknown.
There were two of them waiting as Jereko Kosta climbed awkwardly up the ladder through the shuttle hatch: a young ensign and an equally young crewer second class, both clothed in shiny black and silve... - #7
Save:In 'Fuzzy Nation', Scalzi revisits the classic science fiction tale of encountering a race of small, fuzzy humanoids on a planet being exploited by a large corporation. The story follows Jack Holloway, a contractor who stumbles upon these creatures and must fight against corporate greed to prove their sentience. The narrative is fast-paced, featuring elements of legal drama, humor, and engaging characters like the lovable rogue Jack and the adorable Fuzzies.
The book combines witty sci-fi storytelling with a legal thriller theme, exploring the consequences of corporate exploitation and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the discovery of sentient life forms. Scalzi's writing style is described as accessible and humorous, making the story both enjoyable and thought-provoking for readers. The plot unfolds with surprising twists, presenting complex ideas in a fluid and entertaining manner, ultimately delivering a tale that balances action, humor, and social commentary.
“I can’t believe we have to go through this again,” Holloway said. “It’s not that I don’t value you as part of this team, Carl. I do. Really, I do. But I can’t help but think that in some way, I’m jus... - #8
Save:'Perfect State' by Brandon Sanderson explores a futuristic world where humanity exists as brains in jars living in personalized virtual worlds. The protagonist, Emperor Kairominas, is faced with the task of procreation, leading him to interact with another liveborn human in a border state. The novella delves into themes of self-discovery, human relationships, and the concept of reality in a thought-provoking and engaging manner. The writing style combines elements of fantasy and science fiction, offering a unique take on the idea of simulated universes and individual satisfaction.
On the three-hundredth anniversary of my birth, I finally managed to conquer the world. The entire world. It had made for a rather memorable birthday present, though admittedly I’d been placed into th... - #9
Save:'Snapshot' by Brandon Sanderson is a science fiction novella set in a world where entire cities can be recreated virtually for detectives to investigate crimes. The story follows detectives Anthony Davis and Chaz as they uncover a larger crime while investigating a murder. The concept of a 'Snapshot' where a virtual copy of the world from a few days ago can be created is central to the plot, reminiscent of movies like Source Code and The Matrix. explores the consequences of living in a 'fake' world and the challenges faced by the characters in solving the crime within this unique setting.
Chaz grinned, showing perfect white teeth. They were fake. After taking that bar stool to the face two years back, he’d gotten one replaced, but had insisted that the dentist make it too perfect to ma... - #10
Save:King David's Spaceship by Jerry Pournelle is set in the CoDominium universe and follows the story of Prince Samuel's World as it is rediscovered by the Empire and faces the challenge of proving its worth by developing space travel technology. The plot involves a mission to a primitive planet to uncover lost knowledge from the First Empire in order to build a spaceship, all while navigating political intrigue and the dynamics of colonialism.
The crowd was noisy in the Blue Bottle, although it was early in the evening. Tavern girls squealed as customers pinched them, gaily clad waiters brought round after round of drinks, and throughout mu...
