The best fantasy and sci-fi books of 2021

The year was filled with countless books. We bought hardcopies at our local bookstore, checked out audiobooks via library apps or read them on the e-reader. Lots new authors wrote fantastic debuts in 2021, while many of our favorite authors continued their sprawling series — ones we were extremely excited to jump back into.

If you love books then you know: They aren’t just escapism, they also inspire introspection, making us think harder about the world we live in. This is precisely the promise of great science fiction and fantasy — categories we’ve chosen to consider in a list together, as fantastic books continue to blur the line between the two speculative genres (and besides, we love to read them all). These 20 books span genres and perspectives — from space operas, to Norse mythology retellings, to romances with a dash of time travel. Each one gave us something to think about.

It was difficult to choose from so many amazing choices this year. So we’ve also included some of our favorite runners up.

Image: Tor/Macmillan

If you’ve read the Wayfarer series, then you know Becky Chambers has a talent for creating hopeful scenarios, despite characters facing down harrowing odds. Psalms for the Wild-Built It has the same comforting spirit. The novella is set in a world where robots developed agency — and so humans allowed them to form their own communities.

A human named Dex decides to become a “Tea Monk,” traveling from city to city, offering weary people fresh brewed tea and a listening ear. His wanderlust leads him to meet a robot named Splendid Speckled Mosscap; a “Wild-Built” who was created from parts spared from other robots. As they share their everyday lives, the two develop an unusual friendship. From its dedication “For anyone who could use a break,” to its meandering spirit, the novella is a perfect read for anyone who wants to slow down a bit.

Image: Penguin Random House

Black Water SisterIt is a modern ghost story using supernatural elements to create a tale of intergenerational traumas and Asian diaspora. Jessamyn Teoh, a young woman who is moving to Malaysia to be with her parents, begins to feel a presence in her brain. But it’s not her own; it’s that of her estranged grandmother Ah Ma. Zen Cho’s portrayal of Ah Ma’s ghostly voice is halfway between chiding family member and portentous spirit — and she uses Jess as an avatar to meddle with family affairs. She hasn’t moved on, thanks to some unfinished business in the mortal realm. This story is a thrilling tale of Jess’ coming-of age. She must adapt to new cultures and keep family secrets alive.

Macmillan.

Bronzed Beasts Roshani Chkshi presents “The Gilded Wolves #3”.

Roshani Chokshi’s 19th-century fantasy-heist series comes to an end in bittersweet fashion. Bronzed Beasts, which begins after Séverin seemingly betrays his friends to chase godhood. The book suffers from a lack of trust and charm, as well as a lot less banter, than the two previous installments.

But Chokshi’s refusal to give readers exactly what they want is precisely what makes The Gilded Wolves series so compelling. Plus, all of the heart-wrenching interpersonal angst and introspection doesn’t get in the way of the treasure hunts and puzzle solving that we’ve come to love and expect. Watching the team relearn how to work together after all they’ve been through provides a fascinating new dynamic, as they race against the clock to discover how to save Laila’s life — and figure out whether this found family can ever be put back together again.

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Leviathan FallsJames S.A. Corey – “The Expanse #9”.

This book is the last in the Expanse Series. It was a long wait (10 years), but it’s well worth it. What started as a geo-political power struggle between residents of Earth, Mars, and the Belt — told as an action-adventure set in the cold vacuum of space — has evolved into an all out fight to save humanity.

The series’ huge questions are finally answered: Who are the ring builders? What, if any, steps can be taken to defuse their massive threat? The protomolecule is what’s the role in this all? Over the Expanse’s many years, the Roci crew has evolved. Leviathan FallsThe bittersweet ending to their tale is satisfying.

Image: Tor/Macmillan

Last WatchJ.S. Dewes

Adequin Rake, the commanding officer for the Argus, a run-down ship stationed at the edge of the universe, tasked with watching out for the potential return of humanity’s alien enemy the Viators. Rake’s crew of Sentinels is made up of the military’s dregs — criminals, misfits, exiles, and anyone else the government would rather forget about, including a disowned prince.

But when the universe begins collapsing, this band of rogues becomes the last line of defense between humanity’s survival and total annihilation. The Sentinels don’t have any aid so tensions are high. They must figure out how they can use the limited resources available to outrun the expanding edge of the universe and stop it collapsing further. Last Watch is a thrilling adventure that leans heavily on speculative science and humor, and Dewes’ experience as a cinematographer shows through in her ability to to translate the complex visuals and action onto the page.

Image: Simon & Schuster

Cloud Cuckoo Land This is a historical tale about storytelling. It follows five different characters through three eras. An orphan in Thrace, Constantinople (15th century), an outcast in Constantinople (15th century), an ecoterrorist in Idaho 2020, and a spaceship-bound young woman in 22nd-century Space. Each of the novel’s vividly drawn characters is connected through the way stories have impacted their lives, particularly a fictional Greek tale about a fool’s quest to reach the mythical utopia Cloud Cuckoo Land.

It is a masterpiece of world building, rhythmic prose and deep empathy. Cloud Cuckoo Land This is an extraordinary celebration of comfort, magic and connections found in books as well as those who care for and preserve these stories over time.

Image: Penguin Random House

The fans of CirceYou will be able to find much to love about it The Witch’s Heart. Genevieve Gornichec’s debut novel is a stirring and heartbreaking reimagining of Norse mythology from the perspective of the witch Angrboda. After being burned at the stake by Odin for refusing to share visions of the future with him, she begins a life of solitude in the woods where the vengeful god can’t find her. When she meets Loki, the trickster god Loki and they begin a new marriage. This sets the stage for Ragnarok.

The Witch’s HeartIt is the tragic story of a complex, resilient, and brave woman, who was willing to risk everything to defend her children. And even though you may know how this story turns out, don’t be surprised to find yourself weeping when Angrboda’s story comes to an end.

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The gods’ human descendants have been hunted down, enslaved, and their bones highly prized by all those seeking power and riches for 300 years. Gwynne, a master at writing battle scenes, is the main character in this brutal Norse-inspired tale. The story is authentic despite featuring deities, ice Spiders and twisted tooth fairies. Shadow of the GodsGwynne is meticulous in his world-building. Though he takes his time revealing where the three, largely disparate storylines are headed, by the time you reach the book’s nail-biting climax the slow burn more than pays off.

Image: Penguin Random House

Kazuo Itsiguro, a British novelist, is difficult to identify. But who wouldn’t? There is a stylistic and conceptual divide between Ishiguro’s historical novel. The Rest of the DayHis dystopian science fiction novel, Never Let Me GoAnd his melancholy Arthurian fantasy The Buried GiantIt is vast and every new Ishiguro book ends up being a surprise.

These books are all connected by the loss of loved ones and society’s expectations. It creates context. Klara and the SunThe novel is a sad, science-fiction story that feels like a book of poetry. A.I. Artificial IntelligenceIt gradually turns into a fantasy fable. In a future where the well-off buy android companions (or “Artificial Friends”) for their kids, Klara is an AF who becomes obsessed with her companion Josie, whose health is deteriorating due to genetic tinkering meant to improve her intellect.

Ishiguro filters everything through Klara’s imperfect understanding of the world, giving readers a sense of Josie’s relationships with other people, while Klara’s limitations cause her to miss key cues. It’s a book full of constant, unexpected turns, but the distance between what Klara sees and what readers will intuit is masterfully handled, melancholy, and tense, to the point where this feels as much like constrained horror as science fiction.

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Paladin’s StrengthT. Kingfisher, “The Saint of Steel #2”

T. Kingfisher has a love for her paladins. Ursula Vernon’s books under the Kingfisher pseudonym (to separate her adult novels from her several children’s series) have always focused on fantasy characters with an innate practicality and selfless determination. While the paladins in Clocktaur duology and the Saint of Steel books (currently a trilogy, projected as a seven-book series) are defined by their nobility and self-sacrifice, in the Saint of Steel series, they’re also defined by the death of the god they served, which has left them all purposeless and on the brink of madness.

The series’ first three books (Paladin’s HopeAlso published in 2021), are mysteries and romances that each focus on a distinct protagonist. Paladin’s Strength is the story of Istvhan, a bear of a man who’s navigating the same despair and hopelessness, but still doggedly trying to help people.

A nun who has her order kidnapped takes him by surprise. Clara’s nature, hinted at in the margins throughout the book, is clear enough, but it’s worth not spelling out, for the fun of the reveal. As in previous books, Kingfisher highlights the protagonists’ mutual longing and misunderstandings, making this a sort of fantasy rom-com, but it’s also built around berserker violence, horrific monsters, and a kind of comforting humor that’s one of Kingfisher’s best stocks-in-trade. The book can be read as a standalone or an introduction to the series; Kingfisher’s unique style and worldview makes for compelling reading. —TR

Image: Tor/Macmillan

The second installment in Arkady Martine’s Teixcalaan series is somehow even better than the first. The Desolation That Is Peace finds Mahit Dzmare traveling to the edge of Teixcalaanli space to find a way to communicate with an encroaching alien fleet — a difficult task made more challenging by the fact Mahit is still navigating her bond with Yskandr, as well as working out where her loyalties and home lie after her experiences on Teixcalaan.

​​The novel switches between the perspectives of Mahit, Three Seagrass, Mahit’s former envoy and the new Undersecretary to the Minister of Information; Nine Hibiscus, the captain of the fleet charged with fostering diplomacy with the hostile aliens; and Eight Antidote, the young clone of the former emperor. Martine’s astounding prose weaves together explorations of cultural identity, communication, imperialism, and identity in a tightly plotted story that burrows deep under your skin.

Macmillan.

For those who prefer romantic comedies with a science fiction leaning, Casey McQuiston’s newest romance absolutely delivers. August, who has failed to settle down in her life, moves to New York to start afresh. Jane, a strange woman, is her companion. She always appears on the subway, wearing the same leather jacket. As August falls for her, she realizes Jane has been trapped on this line since the 1970s — and August is determined to set her free.

You’ll love the sapphic romance. Stay to enjoy the queer family, late night dining runs, and reference to 70s rock music.

Image: Penguin Random House

The Last GraduateNaomi Novik, “The Scholomance #2”

If you’re a fan of magical boarding school stories, you might have noticed a theme: these schools are incredibly dangerous for the students who attend. But fantasy books don’t usually acknowledge it — focusing, instead, on the wonderment of becoming a witch or wizard. In Naomi Novik’s Scholomance series, this violence is fully a part of the plot. The challenge is in making it alive to graduate, since the school is overflowing with Malificers, which are deadly and hungry for students.

The Last GraduateIt is the energetic continuation of the great An Education That Is Deadly. El is currently a senior and plans to translate the Golden Stone sutras. She also wants to navigate the attention many enclaves who have finally realized her extraordinary power. Will she be able to make it past graduation with her friends?

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The novella is very short but packs a powerful punch. This is the In Remote ControlA young girl is adopted by the Angel of Death as her daughter. With the new name of Sankofa­­, and the power of death in her gaze and touch, she travels from town to town with only a fox companion. This novella is a mix of folk tales and technology-driven science fiction.

Like most of Okorafor’s work, Remote Control explores “Africanfuturism,” rather than the “Afrofuturist” label that is often applied to her stories. In a blog post, she explains: “Africanfuturism is specifically and more directly rooted in African culture, history, mythology and point-of-view as it then branches into the Black Diaspora, and it does not privilege or center the West.”

Image: Tor/Macmillan

She who became the SunShelley Parker Chan – “The Radiant Emperor #1”)

This is a queer interpretation of Zhu Yuanzhang’s story, who was the founder of Ming dynasty. She who became the SunThe film is a poetic exploration of gender and identity set against the backdrop war-torn China in the 14th century. This historical drama begins with a peasant young girl who has been destined for nothing and takes the identity Zhu Chongba’s late brother. He was fated to greatness. At first, living as Zhu is only a means to survive, but over time it transforms into an all-consuming need to claim Zhu’s fate for their own. As Zhu works their way from being a novice at a monastery up through the ranks of the rebel army, they dedicate themselves so fully to being Zhu, even in their own head and heart, in the hopes that doing so will fool Heaven into believing they’re the one destined to achieve the unthinkable.

Macmillan.

Vern, a teenage girl, is seven months pregnant at the time she escapes from the cult that she was born into and her abusive husband. Two children are born to her, Howling, and Feral, by Cainland, the denizens. They survive together in the woods before mysterious growth and her need for survival force her to seek refuge elsewhere.

The book is a compelling, frightening, and genre-defying commentary about misogyny and racism through haunting prose. Rivers Solomon remains an immense force.

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Shards Of EarthAdrian Tchaikovsky, “The Final Architecture #1”

The Architects are an evil, godlike, alien force that can destroy entire planets. Only “intermediaries” can reach through the void of space, making a connection in the vain hope of telling the Architects to stand down. That’s exactly what Idris, a human engineered into an intermediary, did to stop the war 50 years ago. He hasn’t slept a blink since. In the intervening years he’s worked as a contractor on a salvage vessel, the Vulture God — but he’s spurred into action as it looks like the Architects might be coming back.

Shards Of Earth is Tchaikovsky’s take on a space opera, full of intergalactic action and geopolitical conflict. Tchaikovsky’s spider civilisation opus was as original and detailed as this world. Children of Time. This will be a great place to find inspiration for Mass Effect and The Expanse fans.

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The Hidden PalaceHelene Wecker – “The Golem and the Jinni 2”

It’s been eight years since Helene Wecker’s stunning fantasy debut The Jinni and the GolemFans and a lot of her followers were ready to abandon her promise for a sequel. But The Hidden Palace The story is retold in a seamless manner and all elements are brought back that make the original book memorable.

New York City at the turn of the century. A genie escapes from captivity. And a golem who has lost his master stumbles through their understanding and relationships with humanity. This is In The Hidden PalaceThey fall in love and they are married. However, the creation of the male golems and arrival of the female jinns remind them of their respective natures and highlights their differing opinions about the world.

With this sequel, Wecker moves the story rapidly forward in time, showing New York’s evolution and highlighting the characters’ unaging bodies and difficulty integrating with a human world. Those are just a few of the many, many threads she juggles in a rich literary novel that digs into what it means to be human, by setting up a series of meaningful contrasts from characters who aren’t.

Image: Penguin Random House

WithMary, Project Hail MaryWeir’s back and better than ever Martian The story is told in mode and tells the story of a man who tries to survive out there using scientific improvisation and experimentation. Mary Project Hail MaryYou can go much deeper into the speculative fiction of science and technology than that. The Martian — it has the same focus on real physics, chemistry, and the scientific process, but its premise includes a single-celled organism that’s eating the sun, pushing humanity toward extinction.

Ryland Grace is a former science teacher at junior high. He wakes alone and begins traveling towards a distant star in a spaceship. With no memories of his journey, the protagonist. Bit by bit, he has to reassemble his own past and define his future, and Earth’s. The book goes to startling places that shouldn’t be spoiled, and it gets a lot wilder than The MartianIt is not a scientific explanation, but the science remains accessible and thought-provoking as a foundational tool. It is not Stephen Hawking’s universe-explainer or a beach-blanket adventure novel, but it does have some of the best parts of each.

Image: Penguin Random House

Iron Widow(Iron Widow #1), by Xiran Ja Zhao

In order to fend off the alien Hunduns, Huaxia’s military fight in Chrysalises, massive mecha built from Hundun corpses that are powered by the qi of two people: the male pilot, who controls the Chrysalis, and the female concubine-pilot, who acts like a qi battery until her lifeforce is completely drained. When Zetian’s older sister is killed by a pilot, the peasant girl enlists as a concubine-pilot in order to get close enough to assassinate the man responsible, and enact vengeance on the entire system. But when it’s discovered that Zetian’s willpower is strong enough to drive the Chrysalis and subsume the male pilot’s qi, she becomes a feared Iron Widow, avoiding a military death sentence by being paired up with another criminal pilot. Never one to be cowed by authority, Zetian becomes the biggest threat to the Hunduns and to Huaxia’s patriarchal society in this action-packed story about a woman determined to manipulate, destroy, and rebuild the system to get justice for silenced and sacrificed women.

Runners up:

Uncommon Stars Provide LightRyka Akoki
Rule of WolvesLeigh Bardugo, “King of Scars #2”

How to talk to a goddess (The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic #2) by Emily Croy Barker

Koli’s FallM.R. Carey

WinterkeepKristin Cshore

The Galaxy and The Ground WithinBecky Chambers – Wayfarers #4

The Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

The Gilded OnesNamina Fortna

Future FeelingsJoss Lake

Wandering EarthCixin Lu

The Veiled ThroneKen Liu

NoorNnedi Okorafor

Dark RiseC.S. Pacat

Breeder by Honni van Rijswijk

VespertineMargaret Rogerson – Vespertine #1

AriadneJennifer Saint

Jasmine ThroneTasha suri

It is far away from the Light of HeavenBy Tade Thompson

No Gods, No MonstersBy Cadwell Turnbull

The Chosen and the Beautiful Nghi Vo

Fugitive TelemetryMartha Wells – (Murderbot #6)

Hard RebootDjango Youxler