Every November for SciFiMonth, for the past three or four years, I think, I’ve posted lists of upcoming SF books to watch out for, and these lists are pretty popular, even months after SciFiMonth is over. Last year’s YA list is still getting hits on my blog every single day, which cracks me up for some reason. LOL people, 2020 is almost over! So of course, I’m doing it again! This week I’m featuring adult sci-fi, and next week I’ll bring you my list of YA sci-fi. These 14 books are all coming out in 2021, they are all books I’m super excited for, and most importantly, they all have cover art revealed. (I never talk about books until the covers are available to show.) Obviously there are many more SF books coming out in 2021 that either haven’t been announced yet or don’t have cover art, so do keep in mind this is not a complete list. Let’s get started! (Listed in order of release date—although dates are subject to change—and titles are linked to Goodreads)
1.
The Effort by Claire Holroyde. Release date: January 12. In the future, Earth is threatened by an approaching comet, and a band of scientists and engineers come together to try to stop it. I’m always curious when books are compared to Station Eleven, so I’m definitely interested in this.
2.
Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor. Release date: January 19. Yes, the cover is amazing, but I’m always interested in whatever Okorafor comes up with. This sounds like another unique SF story from this talented author!
3.
Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell. Release date: February 2. This queer romantic space opera already has glowing reviews from some big name authors, and I think it sounds really good.
4.
Amid the Crowd of Stars by Stephen Leigh. Release date: February 9. This story might hit a little close to home right now, as it deals with an infectious outbreak caused by aliens, but the cover definitely grabbed my attention and I can’t wait to read it.
5.
The Future is Yours by Dan Frey. Release date: February 9. Two best friends create a computer that can predict the future. Sounds like nothing will go wrong with that idea, right? Ha ha. This sounds like a lot of high-tech fun!
6.
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey. Release date: February 16. This story of a futuristic love triangle (of sorts) sounds crazy good! I have yet to be disappointed by anything Gailey writes, and I’m eagerly anticipating this one.
7.
In the Quick by Kate Hope Day. Release date: March 2. Not only is the cover eye-popping, but the story sounds really good. A story about a female astronaut trying to solve a mystery, with a dash of romance.
8.
The Fall of Koli (Rampart Trilogy #3) by M.R. Carey. Release date: March 23. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to read this concluding book in Carey’s engaging post-apocalyptic series.
9.
The Last Watch (The Divide #1) by J.S. Dewes. Release date: April 20. This awsome-looking space opera is being compared to The Expanse, so that is sure grab a lot of readers’ attentions!
10.
Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries #6) by Martha Wells. Release date: April 27. I’m not exactly caught up with this series, but I wanted to include it anyway because I know there are a ton of Murderbot fans out there who can’t wait to read it!
11.
The Eye of the Sh*t Storm (The Frost Files #3) by Jackson Ford. Release date: April 27. This is another series I’m loving, and book three can’t get here fast enough for me! This time Ford tackles killer storms in Los Angeles!
12.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Release date: May 4. Weir is a favorite author of mine (and many others I’m sure!), and his latest seems to have some similarities to The Martian: an astronaut is stranded in space with a big mystery on his hands, and must figure out a way to get home.
13.
We Are Satellites by Sarah Pinsker. Release date: May 11. Pinsker brings us a cautionary tale about technology in her latest novel, and after loving A Song for a New Day, I’m super excited for this one.
14.
Blindspace (The Common #2) by Jeremy Szal. Release date: October 2021. Last but certainly not least, I can hardly wait to dive back into Jeremy’s stunning futuristic world! October seems so far away…
I hadn’t heard of most of those but they sound great! I’m really interested in Okorafor’s book and very excited for more Murderbot!
I can hardly wait for both:-)
Ooh I hadn’t seen the cover for Blindspace! How exciting!
I’m ridiculously excited about Winter’s Orbit. Keeping my eyes peeled for an opportunity to request an ARC!
Isn’t that cover eye popping??
I LOVE MURDERBOT!!!!!! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
x The Captain
Ha ha I put it on the list just for you:-)
I’m always up for more Murderbot, though I need to read Network Effect first. And I’d also like to read more Okorafor. That really is a beautiful cover.
It’s been a few years since my last Okorafor book, so I’m ready:-)
You know me, I’m always wanting to read some more sci-fi as it has to be my most unread genre. I think We Are Satellites sounds good and I’ve seen it in a few places. I also am really curious about The Echo Wife and The Future is Yours. Another great list Tammy!
Thanks Barb!
Great list, Tammy. I only had the Murderbot book and Project Hail Mary on my list. I’ve added all the rest to my 2021 book list!
Oh cool! I think 2021 is going to be a great reading year:-)
How did I not know about Nnedi Okorafor’s next book?! It’s going on my tbr!
I can’t wait! And it’s got great reviews so far.
I’m looking forward to so many of these too! Probably at least 75% of these are on my must-read list (and I’d imagine that the rest will end up there too. 🙂 )
So many good books, it makes me excited for 2021:-)
I really need to try the Murder Bot stories. I think I would enjoy them.
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Oh they are a lot of fun! Also they’re short:-)
And so Stormblood already has a sequel in the making and an amazing cover!
Some of the other titles are already on my wishlist, like The Fall of Koli or Fugitive Telemetry, but the other books all look very interesting so I’d better start to make some space on my TBR… 😉
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Yes, I can’t believe I haven’t shared Blindspace yet, I guess I was saving it for today:-)
2021 is already overwhelming me with all the amazing books that are coming out. And now even more!!
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Ha ha me too:-)
Yes, yes, yes, have many of these already on my wish list. And so happy to see so many more coming down the pipeline soon.
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2021 is going to be a strong year for SF!
The Fall of Koli is certainly a MUST read for me! And I love the sound of Into the Quick:)). It looks as though 2021 is going to be a bumper year of science fiction – yippee!!
Yes, it’s already looking really good!
Great list! That Blindspace cover is stunning as hell
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I know, it’s gorgeous right?
I can’t wait for the Andy Weir and also I would like to start the Murderbot series.
Lynn 😀
The Andy Weir is high at the top of my list:-)
This is an amazing list!! Some of these titles are on my TBR (like Hail Mary, Amid the Crowd of Stars and Murderbot) and some are new to me but now I have to add them to my TBR too!
Thanks Susy:-)
I’ve added a few to my list, some of these look fantastic!
Always happy to be of help!!
Looking forward to more Murderbot, and The Last Watch certainly caught my eye! Also curious to check out Jeremy Szal at some point, saw a lot of good things!
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Jeremy Szal is so good! And the copy I read isn’t even US. I’m hoping a US publisher picks up his book, maybe Orbit?? It would be a perfect fit:-)
Oh man, so many exciting ones! And hey, I didn’t know the Murderbot series wasn’t over yet :0 what a pleasant surprise you’ve given me! Anyway, I dig all those covers. They all look so cool
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I can’t wait for the new Pinsker, it looks like it’s going to be amazing!
Of course I’m still looking forward to the new Wells as well but I somehow still haven’t read Network Effect, yikes!
I recently added Winter’s Orbit to my list because it sounds awesome. And of course I have Fugitive Telemetry. I’ll be checking out the rest!
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I have The Echo Wife out from the library right now and I just read a sci-fi book and reviewed it for a tour which I LOVED. You should check it out – Screams From the Void. It’s horror/sci-fi and I found it really interesting!