If you enjoy reading novels by Ann Leckie then you might also like the following authors:
Becky Chambers writes heartfelt stories set in richly imagined sci-fi worlds. In her book “The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet,” she follows the crew of the Wayfarer, a spaceship designed for creating wormholes.
The characters come from different species and cultures, and their journey takes them through strange planets and dangerous conflicts. At its core, the story is about the bonds they form as they face challenges together.
Fans of Ann Leckie’s work may enjoy how Chambers blends character-driven storytelling with unique worldbuilding.
N.K. Jemisin is known for creating intricate worlds and powerful characters. In her book “The Fifth Season,” the world is on the brink of destruction.
Massive geological disasters threaten civilization, while people with the power to control the earth, called orogenes, are both feared and exploited. The story opens with Essun, a woman who discovers her husband has murdered their son and fled with their daughter.
As she sets out to find them, larger catastrophes unfold. The book blends personal loss, survival, and societal conflict in a way that’s unforgettable. Fans of Ann Leckie’s sharp worldbuilding and deep character focus might find Jemisin’s writing equally captivating.
Yoon Ha Lee writes thoughtful and imaginative stories that blend science fiction with intricate world-building. One of their books, “Ninefox Gambit,” introduces readers to a universe where mathematics and technology control reality itself.
The story follows Kel Cheris, a young captain tasked with retaking a rebel fortress. To do so, she is forced to ally with the ghost of Shuos Jedao, a long-dead general who is brilliant but also infamous for murdering his own soldiers in the past.
As Cheris navigates this uneasy partnership, the book explores loyalty, trust, and power in ways that keep readers hooked. It’s a story packed with unexpected twists and layers of strategy. Perfect for fans of Ann Leckie who enjoy thought-provoking sci-fi.
Martha Wells is an author who writes science fiction and fantasy with strong, character-driven stories. One of her most loved books is “All Systems Red,” the first in the Murderbot Diaries series.
It introduces Murderbot, a security robot who hacks its own system to gain independence. Murderbot isn’t interested in violence, though—it prefers watching episodes of its favorite shows and avoiding humans.
In this story, it reluctantly protects a group of scientists on a distant planet while uncovering secrets about a shady corporation. The mix of dry humor and the robot’s awkward attempts to deal with people creates a unique and entertaining experience.
Ursula K. Le Guin is a master at crafting thought-provoking science fiction with rich world-building and deep explorations of societies.
One of her standout works, “The Left Hand of Darkness,” takes readers to the icy planet of Gethen, where inhabitants can shift between genders. The story follows Genly Ai, a human envoy trying to unite this world with an interstellar alliance.
As he navigates the planet’s unique culture and politics, he forms a tense yet fascinating bond with Estravan, a local who challenges his understanding of loyalty and identity. Le Guin’s storytelling is immersive and asks big questions about humanity and connection.
C.J. Cherryh is a science fiction author known for creating richly detailed worlds and exploring alien cultures in a grounded, thoughtful way.
One of her books, “Downbelow Station,” takes place on a space station caught in the middle of a war between Earth and its outer colonies. The story follows the station’s staff and refugees, as they struggle to survive while political tensions and alliances shift around them.
The book also introduces the Downers, a sentient alien species trying to live alongside the humans. It gives the reader a glimpse into their unique way of life, which adds depth to the larger conflict.
Fans of Ann Leckie’s focus on politics and layered relationships may find a new favorite in Cherryh.
Alastair Reynolds writes science fiction that often mixes huge, imaginative settings with stories about human struggles and mysteries. His book “Revelation Space” is a great place to start.
It follows Dan Sylveste, an archaeologist trying to uncover the truth behind a long-dead alien civilization called the Amarantin. As he digs deeper, he finds a dangerous secret that could affect the entire galaxy.
The story brings together space exploration, ancient alien histories, and questions about humanity’s future. Fans of Ann Leckie’s work might enjoy the way Reynolds builds a vast world while still focusing on characters facing tough choices.
Ada Palmer is a historian and science fiction author who weaves her knowledge of the past into visions of the future. In her book “Too Like the Lightning,” she introduces a world set in the 25th century, where nations no longer divide people by geography but by shared ideology.
The story follows Mycroft Canner, a convict who narrates events surrounding a mysterious child named Bridger. Bridger has abilities that shouldn’t exist in a world so focused on reason and order.
The book blends philosophy, politics, and personal secrets, creating a world where every decision feels like it could tip the balance of power.
James S.A. Corey is the pen name for collaborators Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, who are known for their science fiction series “The Expanse.”
The first book, “Leviathan Wakes,” kicks off with a missing person case that spirals into a massive conspiracy threatening humanity’s survival.
The story balances tense political conflicts, a rich setting in a colonized solar system, and unexpected mysteries connected to an ancient alien technology.
It’s a fast-paced book with memorable characters, including Jim Holden, an idealistic ship officer, and Detective Miller, a weathered investigator who can’t let go of his search for a lost girl. Their paths intersect in ways that feel natural but lead to surprising consequences.
If you enjoy layered stories with a focus on characters, this one might catch your attention.
Elizabeth Bear is an author known for crafting rich, imaginative worlds with characters that feel alive. Her book “Ancestral Night” is a space opera set in a future where salvagers explore the edges of the universe.
The story follows Haimey, a ship engineer who unearths something ancient and mysterious. This discovery pulls her into conspiracies involving pirates, political factions, and questions about the nature of freedom.
The book mixes grand-scale science fiction with personal struggles, exploring themes of identity and morality in a universe full of wonder and danger. Fans of Ann Leckie might connect with the world-building and attention to character.
China Miéville is known for crafting strange and imaginative worlds that feel completely unique. One of his standout books, “Perdido Street Station,” takes place in New Crobuzon, a sprawling city where science, magic, and bizarre creatures collide.
The story follows Isaac, a scientist who takes on an experiment for a client with a very unusual appearance—a bird-like humanoid who has lost his wings. Things spiral out of control when Isaac accidentally unleashes a terrifying force on the city.
The book is full of weird twists and vivid descriptions that bring the setting and its strange inhabitants to life.
Mary Robinette Kowal is an author with a knack for weaving science fiction and alternative histories. Her book “The Calculating Stars” kicks off the Lady Astronaut series.
It imagines a world where a meteorite crashes into Earth in 1952, setting off a climate disaster that threatens human survival. Elma York, a brilliant mathematician and pilot, becomes part of the effort to colonize space.
The story explores humanity’s race to make it beyond Earth while tackling societal issues from the era. It’s smart and grounded with a main character who refuses to back down.
Doris Lessing was a brilliant storyteller known for exploring human nature and society through her writing. One of her most fascinating works is “The Memoirs of a Survivor.”
The story is set in a world falling apart, where social order has crumbled, and survival depends on resilience. It follows a woman who observes the chaos from her apartment, where the walls seem to open into another realm.
In this strange and personal space, she unpacks memories and explores connections with a young girl named Emily, who has been left in her care.
It’s a mesmerizing story that blends dystopia with themes of memory and human connection, creating something both strange and thought-provoking.
Catherynne M. Valente writes stories with rich worlds and unique characters. One of her books, “The Refrigerator Monologues,” offers a sharp and creative take on women in superhero stories.
It’s told from the perspective of women who have been sidelined or harmed to further a hero’s journey. They gather in a surreal afterlife to share their stories, each voice distinct and full of life.
The book shines a light on the untold experiences of characters often forgotten in traditional comic tales. The mix of humor and heart makes it hard to put down.
Jo Walton crafts thought-provoking works of speculative fiction that often blend genres and challenge expectations.
In “Among Others,” she explores themes of loss, magic, and the power of books in shaping identity, while “The Just City” sets philosophy and mythology against one another in a unique reimagining of Plato’s Republic.
Fans of Ann Leckie might appreciate Walton’s ability to weave rich, thought-driven narratives with complex characters and a deep exploration of societal structures.