If you enjoy reading books by Martha Wells then you might also like the following authors:
Becky Chambers writes refreshing science fiction filled with warm characters, diverse worlds, and thoughtful storytelling. If you enjoyed Martha Wells’ “Murderbot Diaries,” give “The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet” by Becky Chambers a try.
It follows an eclectic group aboard the spaceship Wayfarer on their quest to build hyperspace travel routes across the galaxy. But this isn’t about epic battles or high-stakes space diplomacy.
The focus lies on rich character relationships, encounters with new species, and the unexpected bonds formed during voyages through deep space. Chambers creates meaningful stories that feel genuine and personal, evoking a vibe that fans of Martha Wells are sure to appreciate.
Ann Leckie is a science fiction author whose books often explore intriguing themes of artificial intelligence, identity, and complex societal structures.
Readers who enjoy Martha Wells’ vivid depictions of AI characters and detailed universe-building may appreciate Leckie’s novel, “Ancillary Justice”. This book follows Breq, an AI who once controlled a warship but now occupies a single human body.
Though her capabilities are limited, her quest for justice against the empire that betrayed her remains powerful and deeply personal. Ann Leckie combines compelling storytelling with unique perspectives on consciousness and morality to create sophisticated narratives.
Readers who enjoy Martha Wells for her creative world-building and memorable characters may want to try Tamsyn Muir. Her novel “Gideon the Ninth” blends science fiction, fantasy, and horror into a dark yet witty space adventure.
Gideon Nav is a swordfighter serving the Ninth House—a gloomy planet of necromancers obsessed with blood and bones.
Gideon desperately wants to escape this bleak world, but ends up escorting the ambitious necromancer Harrowhark Nonagesimus to a competition at a mysterious imperial palace.
Soon they’re faced with strange puzzles, deadly challenges, and sinister alliances, all wrapped in sharp humor and unexpected twists. Fans of smart, flawed characters and clever storytelling could find “Gideon the Ninth” a satisfying choice.
Lois McMaster Bujold is a talented writer known for imaginative storytelling, character depth, and sharp dialogue. If you’ve enjoyed Martha Wells’ memorable characters and sharp wit, you might really appreciate Bujold’s “Shards of Honor.”
In this book, Cordelia Naismith, an intelligent and principled survey captain from Beta Colony, meets Aral Vorkosigan, a complex military officer from the militaristic society of Barrayar.
After they become stranded together on an alien planet, they face survival challenges and complex alliances that test honor, loyalty, and trust. The novel combines adventure, vivid settings, and intelligent dialogue to explore deep human themes.
If you like thoughtfully developed characters and engaging science fiction, Bujold’s writing is a natural choice.
Books by C.L. Polk offer thoughtful fantasy worlds with sharp characters and intriguing mysteries. Readers who enjoy Martha Wells might appreciate Polk’s novel “Witchmark.” The story follows Miles Singer, a doctor living secretly as a witch in a society that condemns magic.
Miles tries to unravel the mystery behind a string of strange deaths, but he must be cautious, as his true identity could cost him everything.
Rich with nuanced characters and a vivid, alternate-world setting inspired by Edwardian England, Polk crafts a sophisticated tale of hidden magic, tense conspiracies, and intricate relationships.
Yoon Ha Lee is an author known for imaginative and original storytelling in speculative fiction. If you enjoyed Martha Wells’ unconventional characters and detailed worlds, you might like Lee’s “Ninefox Gambit.”
This book introduces readers to a universe where calendars and mathematics shape reality itself. Captain Kel Cheris must team up with the unpredictable and sinister General Shuos Jedao, whose strategic brilliance once saved—and threatened—the entire empire.
Their alliance is layered with tension, mistrust, and a thrilling pace. Lee creates a universe you can’t help but get absorbed into, filled with sharp dialogue and complex power plays.
Readers who enjoy Martha Wells’ engaging blend of imaginative worlds, vivid character dynamics, and sharp storytelling will likely appreciate Charlie Jane Anders. Anders combines heartfelt storytelling and inventive speculative fiction in novels like “All the Birds in the Sky.”
This book follows Patricia and Laurence, childhood friends who reconnect later as adults. Patricia has grown into a gifted witch, while Laurence excels as a tech genius.
Their friendship confronts pressures from opposite sides of magic and science, set against the backdrop of looming environmental disaster.
The narrative is quirky, thoughtful, and rich with humor, emotion, and intriguing dilemmas, appealing particularly to readers who value stories driven by authentic, complex relationships.
Max Gladstone writes fantasy and science fiction that blends unique magic systems with vivid worlds and strong characters. If you’ve enjoyed Martha Wells’ sharp and character-driven storytelling, then Gladstone’s work is sure to interest you.
His novel “Three Parts Dead” features Tara Abernathy, a talented young Craftswoman who revives dead gods through magic and the power of contracts.
When a city’s deity suddenly dies, Tara must unravel a complex mystery that involves hidden truths, corporate intrigue, and dangerous alliances. Rich with imaginative detail, this first entry in the Craft Sequence universe balances suspenseful action and compelling characters.
Books by Aliette de Bodard offer imaginative stories set in vividly detailed worlds, blending high-tech intrigue with deep cultural themes.
If you enjoy Martha Wells’ complex characters and immersive settings, de Bodard’s novel “The Tea Master and the Detective” could be a perfect fit. Part of the Xuya universe series, the novel follows a sentient spaceship named The Shadow’s Child.
Scarred by past trauma, the ship partners hesitantly with the enigmatic scholar Long Chau to investigate a mysterious death in deep space.
Their partnership leads readers through a thoughtful mix of detective mystery, emotional introspection, and intricate worldbuilding, set against the backdrop of a Vietnamese-inspired futuristic society.
John Scalzi writes sci-fi adventures full of humor, clever dialogue, and memorable characters, which fans of Martha Wells would definitely enjoy. His book “Old Man’s War” follows John Perry, who enlists in an interstellar military force when he turns 75 years old.
In exchange, he gets a new body capable of combat. Perry soon learns war among the stars is way more complicated—and dangerous—than he ever imagined. Scalzi packs the story with witty banter, sharp observations about aging, plus exciting action scenes on distant planets.
Readers who love the personality and wit of Martha Wells’ Murderbot will likely connect with Scalzi’s engaging storytelling and vivid characters.
Readers who love Martha Wells may find Nnedi Okorafor’s work equally fascinating. Okorafor writes science fiction and fantasy that deeply explore African culture and futuristic settings.
A fantastic example is “Binti,” a novella that follows a gifted young woman named Binti who leaves her home planet to attend a prestigious university far across the stars.
On her journey, Binti encounters a mysterious alien race, faces unexpected challenges, and discovers her courage and talent for diplomacy. Okorafor skillfully blends technology, tradition, and the thrill of space adventures to create a memorable story.
Fans of well-crafted characters and imaginative storytelling will find Okorafor’s writing both refreshing and absorbing.
Readers who enjoy Martha Wells might also appreciate Andrea Stewart.
Her novel, “The Bone Shard Daughter,” introduces readers to Lin, daughter of an emperor, who struggles with fragmented memories and faces a critical task: mastering forbidden bone shard magic to secure her inheritance and save her empire.
Stewart builds an imaginative world filled with unique constructs powered by bone shards taken from citizens, and a rebellion that threatens the very foundation of the empire.
Lin’s journey mixes vivid world-building and fascinating characters with an adventurous plot that will resonate with fans of Wells’ immersive storytelling style.
If you enjoy Martha Wells’ vivid storytelling and smart characters, Arkady Martine could be a great find. Martine’s novel “A Memory Called Empire” introduces readers to Mahit Dzmare, an ambassador sent from a small space station to the heart of a massive interstellar empire.
Mahit expects tricky politics and hidden agendas, but she soon faces dangers she never imagined.
After discovering the previous ambassador has mysteriously died, she must figure out who she can trust, how to stay alive, and most importantly, how to protect her station’s independence.
Martine builds a fascinating universe filled with political maneuvering, unique technologies, and compelling characters who tackle tough challenges. Readers who like stories featuring intriguing cultures and sharp, resourceful protagonists will find themselves right at home.
Seanan McGuire crafts stories filled with rich characters, imaginative settings, and clever plots. Readers who enjoy Martha Wells’ combination of engaging protagonists and inventive worlds will likely find Seanan McGuire appealing too.
In McGuire’s novella “Every Heart a Doorway,” Eleanor West runs a special school for children who’ve returned from other worlds and find reality doesn’t fit them anymore.
When Nancy arrives at the school, mysterious events soon follow, and the students must work together to unravel what’s going wrong. It’s a quick, enjoyable read that offers mystery, fantasy, and relatable characters all wrapped into one.
Adrian Tchaikovsky is an author known for crafting imaginative worlds that balance deep storytelling with relatable characters, qualities readers of Martha Wells would instantly appreciate.
His book “Children of Time” explores the aftermath of humanity’s struggle to find a new earth, leading to unexpected encounters with intelligent life forms.
As the remnants of mankind travel uncertainly through space, readers witness the rise of a surprising civilization shaped by evolutionary accident. Rich in empathy and moral complexity, “Children of Time” offers thoughtful narrative and memorable characters readers can root for.
If you enjoyed Martha Wells’ creative worlds and carefully drawn personalities, Adrian Tchaikovsky’s work might appeal to you as well.