If you enjoy reading novels by Ann Leckie then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoyed Ann Leckie’s thoughtful science fiction might also appreciate Becky Chambers. Chambers creates optimistic stories set in futuristic worlds full of varied species and cultures.
In her book “The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet,” we follow Rosemary Harper as she joins the eclectic crew aboard the spaceship Wayfarer. Their job is building tunnels through space for travel between distant planets.
The journey introduces Rosemary to interesting crewmates from diverse alien backgrounds, each with distinct customs and personalities.
The story emphasizes character interactions, friendship, and understanding across cultural differences rather than action-packed adventures or battles, offering a warm and engaging narrative many sci-fi readers enjoy.
If you enjoy Ann Leckie’s imaginative worlds and complex characters, you’ll probably appreciate N.K. Jemisin’s engaging storytelling as well. Jemisin is a master at creating vivid, intricate cultures, societies, and histories, especially evident in her novel “The Fifth Season.”
This book follows characters who live in a land constantly threatened by catastrophic seismic events. People known as orogenes possess the power to control earth and stone, but their abilities make them feared, persecuted, and forced into servitude.
We see the world through three characters: a mother on a desperate search for her kidnapped daughter, a young student taken into training because of her unusual talent, and a woman navigating complex loyalties and hidden secrets.
Jemisin expertly weaves these threads together into a story full of mystery, tension, and emotional depth. Her unique approach to storytelling, conflict, and humanity sets her apart as an author you’d likely enjoy if you’re into Ann Leckie’s work.
Yoon Ha Lee is an exciting Korean-American author famous for mind-bending science fiction filled with complex worlds and original ideas. If you enjoy Ann Leckie’s thought-provoking and vivid novels, Lee’s “Ninefox Gambit” could be a great find.
The story follows Captain Kel Cheris, tasked with recapturing the strategically crucial Fortress of Scattered Needles after a rebellion threatens her society’s strict calendar-based technology.
To succeed, she must ally with Shuos Jedao, a brilliant but dangerous general known for slaughtering his own army. Lee weaves together political intrigue, imaginative world-building, and gripping military action in one thrilling read.
Readers who enjoy Ann Leckie’s thoughtful exploration of AI consciousness and identity might appreciate Martha Wells. Her novella “All Systems Red” introduces Murderbot, an AI security unit that secretly hacked its controls and gained independence.
Rather than running amok, Murderbot quietly binges on soap operas and reluctantly protects humans. When a routine security assignment goes wrong, Murderbot must step out of self-imposed isolation and face threats it didn’t bargain for.
Wells combines action, humor, and nuanced reflection on self-awareness, exactly what fans of thoughtful sci-fi seek.
Ursula K. Le Guin is a highly respected science fiction author known for rich storytelling and thoughtful explorations of human society and culture. If Ann Leckie’s “Ancillary Justice” captured your imagination, you may enjoy Le Guin’s “The Left Hand of Darkness.”
This novel follows Genly Ai, an earthling sent as an ambassador to the icy planet Gethen, where the inhabitants have no fixed gender. Ai must navigate complex politics and shifting alliances, confronting his own biases and assumptions about identity.
The world-building is detailed and immersive, drawing readers into the cultures, myths, and politics of Gethen as Ai slowly adapts to this unfamiliar society.
Like Leckie’s work, Le Guin prompts readers to question their perspectives on humanity and identity within an engrossing and imaginative setting.
Readers who enjoy Ann Leckie’s smart explorations of humanity and culture might also appreciate the works of C.J. Cherryh. Cherryh is a master storyteller known for creating complex civilizations and thoughtful characters in her science fiction novels.
One excellent place to start is her novel “Foreigner,” where diplomat Bren Cameron struggles to build understanding between humans and the alien Atevi race.
The story follows Bren’s efforts to maintain peace, trust, and his own safety when the balance between these two cultures becomes dangerously fragile.
Cherryh carefully weaves political intrigue and deep cultural tensions into the narrative, much in the way Leckie does in her Imperial Radch series.
Readers who enjoy Ann Leckie’s thoughtful approach to science fiction might find Alastair Reynolds equally engaging. Reynolds is known for his detailed world-building, complex characters, and imaginative plots grounded in hard science fiction.
In his novel “Revelation Space,” humanity explores distant parts of the galaxy, uncovering ancient alien technology and mysterious revelations.
The story follows several intriguing characters, including Sylveste, an archaeologist obsessed with a long-extinct civilization, and Khouri, an assassin hired to track him down. Together, their journeys cross paths as ancient mysteries threaten the future of humankind.
The book offers ambitious storytelling filled with suspense, discovery, and thought-provoking concepts about technology and existence.
Ada Palmer is an author whose innovative storytelling and themes of societal complexity resonate strongly with fans of Ann Leckie’s intricate worlds.
Her novel “Too Like the Lightning” introduces a vivid 25th-century society where nations and religions no longer define humanity, replaced instead by global affiliations based on shared philosophies.
This futuristic world, meticulously structured yet full of surprises, unfolds through the eyes of Mycroft Canner, a deeply unreliable narrator whose perspective adds layers of intrigue to an already complex story.
As political conspiracies surface and secrets threaten the delicate social order, readers explore questions of freedom, justice, and the true cost of utopia.
Like Leckie’s “Ancillary Justice,” this book skillfully combines thought-provoking social commentary with characters whose humanity shines through every page.
James S.A. Corey is the pen name used by authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, creators of “The Expanse” series.
Their novel “Leviathan Wakes” kicks off the series by introducing readers to Jim Holden, captain of an ice-mining ship, and detective Miller, who is searching for a missing woman named Julie Mao.
Holden stumbles upon a dangerous secret after his crew answers a distress signal, unleashing political tension across the solar system.
Miller’s investigation leads him deeper into the mystery surrounding Julie Mao’s disappearance, pulling him closer to Holden’s unfolding conflict.
Political intrigue, human drama, and realistic space battles make their storytelling a natural fit if you enjoyed Ann Leckie’s work, especially her book “Ancillary Justice.”
Elizabeth Bear is a science fiction author known for her thoughtful storytelling and imaginative worlds, which readers of Ann Leckie will certainly appreciate. Her novel “Ancestral Night” combines deep space adventure with themes of identity, memory, and morality.
Haimey Dz, the protagonist, is an engineer who salvages abandoned starships. A routine mission soon unravels into a grand mystery that challenges her entire view of herself and society, set against a backdrop of cosmic intrigue, alien cultures, and ancient technology.
Fans of Leckie’s nuanced characters and explorations of complex social themes will find plenty to enjoy in Bear’s richly imagined universe and captivating narrative.
Readers who enjoy Ann Leckie may find China Miéville equally fascinating. Miéville excels at weaving speculative worlds that blend elements of fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. His novel “The City & the City” presents two overlapping cities that exist side by side.
Although intertwined, each city’s citizens must consciously ignore the other’s existence. Inspector Tyador Borlú investigates a murder with connections in both cities. Borlú's case leads him into mysterious spaces that blur the borders between reality, perception, and authority.
This unique intertwining of mystery and speculative fiction offers the thoughtful exploration of identity, politics, and perception that fans of Ann Leckie often appreciate.
Mary Robinette Kowal is a writer who blends thoughtful science fiction with a human touch, appealing particularly to readers who appreciate Ann Leckie’s nuanced storytelling.
In her novel “The Calculating Stars,” Kowal tells the story of Elma York, a skilled mathematician and pilot in an alternate 1950s America. After a meteorite hits Earth, humanity is forced to accelerate their space exploration efforts to ensure survival.
Elma joins this critical mission, confronting gender stereotypes and working tirelessly to secure her place as part of the teams sent into space.
Readers who enjoy strong characters, careful attention to history, and absorbing narratives will find much to love in Kowal’s writing.
Readers who appreciate Ann Leckie’s thoughtful exploration of society and identity might find Doris Lessing equally engaging. Lessing’s novels often examine complex social structures and personal struggles within speculative or future-focused settings.
Her book “The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four and Five” tells a fascinating story about territories divided into different social zones, each governed by its own rules and customs.
The rulers of these zones face an unexpected order: a mandated marriage to unify conflicting territories. This forced union sets in motion a story about freedom, understanding, and the power dynamics between men, women, and society itself.
Through strong yet flawed characters, Lessing examines how personal relationships can transform entire communities and challenges readers to rethink human interaction on both individual and societal levels.
Readers who enjoy Ann Leckie’s blend of imaginative worlds and thoughtful storytelling might appreciate Catherynne M. Valente. Valente is known for her intricate narratives and beautifully crafted prose.
Her novel “Radiance” offers readers a unique journey through an alternate history where humanity colonized the solar system during Hollywood’s golden age. It revolves around the mysterious disappearance of documentary filmmaker Severin Unck during a shoot on Venus.
The book presents an enticing mix of mystery, romance, and speculative fiction woven into a colorful backdrop of vintage cinema culture and interplanetary adventure. It’s a distinctive read that showcases Valente’s rich imagination, memorable characters, and narrative skill.
Readers who enjoy Ann Leckie’s exploration of identity, politics, and intricate societies in science fiction may find Jo Walton equally fascinating. Walton’s novel, “Among Others,” is a thoughtful story that blends fantasy with the real, everyday challenges of adolescence.
Set in the late 1970s, it follows Mori, a young Welsh girl who loves science fiction books and uses them as a way to connect to the world around her. After a traumatic event leaves Mori with physical and emotional scars, she is sent to a boarding school in England.
Here, Mori copes with loneliness, her difficult family history, and subtle magical encounters. The novel beautifully portrays how literature can shape one’s life and offers insight into finding community and connection through the stories we cherish.