The science fiction genre and its encouraged ability to extend beyond the limits of reality, fact, and the universe make it one of the most powerful and expansive tools in storytelling. From humorous tones to profound exposition, the new science fiction books coming out in October 2024 are no exception. Among the works of debut authors, famous editors and established writers are topics ranging from the threat of artificial intelligence, love, pain, environmental conservation and sensitive flora. Detectives work on futuristic cases, resources rain from the sky, and beautiful cat girls lead the treasure hunt.
From rehashing classics to creating (and destroying) new worlds and civilizations, the October 2024 sci-fi releases strive to imagine exciting versions of our future. Many projects promise to do what science fiction does best: encourage readers to question what they value, what they consider true, and how to prepare for an unknown future. While many are part of existing series, others represent the beginning of exciting new science fiction stories.
9 The Shining Among Us, Release Date: October 1, 2024
The shine between us is the second book in the Stonewall Honor series by Eliot Schrefer. The first book in the series, The darkness outside of usfollows the collaborative survival of Ambrose and Kodiak on the rescue ship Coordinated Endeavor (whose operating system is voiced by Ambrose’s mother) sent to Titan to rescue Ambrose’s sister, who activated a distress signal.
In The shine between usIt has been 17 years since Ambrose and Kodiak’s adventures on the Coordinated Endeavor. They are parents of two girls and are working to earn a living. In the midst of a life of survival, Ambrose discovers that he woke up 30,000 years ago to discover that his mother had betrayed him on their rescue mission on Titan. Amid all his discoveries, Ambrose also discovers that a mysterious space traveler faces a similar fate. The shine between us It’s an intriguing read for anyone interested in space and time travel.
Neptune Autonomous 8, Release Date: October 1, 2024
Autonomous of Neptune It is for those who identify with star wars‘Han Solo. In Jacob Holo Autonomous of NeptuneThe entire solar system has been reorganized by AI, creating the backdrop for Captain Nathaniel Kade, who just wants to hold his shipwreck together and perform simple jobs to ensure his needs are met. However, Nathaniel’s wishes are thwarted when he encounters Vessani S’Karri, a beautiful cat girl who can potentially lead him to a treasure trove of lost technology. Nathaniel, Vessani and several rival forces try to be the first to reach the futuristic treasure.
With a bounty hunter, a cat girl and a subtitle like “The Solar System is not what it used to be!”, Autonomous of Neptune promises to be an entertaining and ironic treasure hunt. With this being the first book in the series, there is no better time to start.
7 The Last Dangerous Visions, release date: October 1, 2024
The last dangerous visions is the latest installment in Harlan Ellison’s celebrated science fiction anthology series, preceded by Dangerous visions and Again, dangerous visions. Although Harlan Ellison passed away six years ago, his last installment in the Dangerous visions The collection (initially announced in 1973) will be released in October. This anthology will include stories, poems, and essays by Max Brooks, Howard Fast, Dan Simmons, and many more.
Harlan Ellison was a leader of New Wave speculative fiction and launched Dangerous visions as an alternative to traditional science fiction publishing, which he thought was too controlled to be creative. Many of the authors featured in Ellison’s collection won major awards. This new addition to Dangerous visions The anthology is a must-have for readers looking to expand and diversify their science fiction collection.
6 The last gifts from the universe, release date: October 1, 2024
The last gifts of the universe by Riley August follows two space archaeologists (and their cat) as they scour the universe to uncover data from long-destroyed civilizations. Siblings and space archaeologists Scout and Kieran travel through an expanse of dead societies and ruins to hopefully discover the records of the Stelhari, which hold the key to the survival of their own civilization. Scout and Kieran also struggle with grief as they periodically read the diaries of a dead alien.
If Indiana Jones were searching for artifacts at much greater distances with an entire civilization relying on his discoveries, then the risks could be as high as they are for the two brothers in this story. The last gifts of the universe It’s a light-hearted read with dark themes and a cat in a space suit.
5 Neo Chongqing Glitch, release date: October 10, 2024
Neo Chongquing Glitch is WJ Sam’s prequel to his little-known book Metaverse Detectives. Metaverse Detectives takes place in 2044 in a future where major cities have evolved to function in metaverses and where two detectives solve future crimes with non-traditional methods. Neo Chongquing ruling follows Special Action Team Against Technology Crimes police officer Lei Yijun (who appeared in Metaverse Detectives) in the cyberpunk city of Chongquing in 2042 while investigating a six-year-old case, following the lead of a journalist who seems to know too much.
Those interested in speculative futures, witty dialogue, detective novels, and cyberpunk settings will be interested in this mix of genres. Although WJ Sam’s speculative science fiction work is somewhat obscure, it will be worth reading.
4 And the Sky Bleed, Release Date: October 15, 2024
and the sky bled by S. Hati is a work of cli-fi (climate fiction) that centers on a magical fossil fuel that falls from the sky in the form of blood rain around the city of Tejomaya. This narrative includes three protagonists, each with their own motivations for obtaining the powerful magic found in the coveted fossil fuel. The concepts of power and control are the main influences behind and the sky bled as he explores a world tilted toward destruction and ruled by greed.
S. Hati applies his degrees in microbiology and biotechnology to thematically place his novel alongside other great cli-fi works such as The fifth season by NK Jemisin, Dune by Frank Herbert and Do androids dream of electric sheep? by Philip K. Dick. This eye-opening novel and its complex characters will entertain and enlighten.
3 Pride and Prejudice in Space, Release Date: October 15, 2024
Pride and prejudice in space is the latest addition to the Jane Austin Fan Fiction (JAFF) universe written by Alexis Lampley. Pride and prejudice in space It is aimed at both romance and science fiction readers. As Pride and prejudice and zombies before that, Pride and prejudice in space takes the familiar love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy and places them in a new setting, this time in the cosmos with spaceships and asteroid fields. Along with this new setting, Alexis Lampley included a feminist interpretation, with Elizabeth struggling to choose between her desire to pilot a spaceship and her love for Mr. Darcy.
Pride and prejudice in space It also features a beautiful futuristic cover reminiscent of an old sci-fi paperback and will include several pieces of full-color interior art ranging from maps to advertisements, hinting at the new environment being created. Alex Lampley is expanding Pride and prejudice beyond the limits of our planet, reframing its themes to attract a new audience.
2 Absolution, Release Date: October 22, 2024
The biggest and most anticipated science fiction book coming out in October is the surprise fourth volume in The Southern Reach series. The series begins with Annihilation (made into a movie of the same name, starring Natalie Portman), Authorityand Acceptance. The series focuses on the Southern Reach organization and the people who run its operations in Area
In AbsolutionJeff Vandermeer revisits Area X to tell and expand on stories he thought hadn’t been told in the previous books. Vandermeer explores the creation of Area X and the world afterward Acceptance. For those who felt The Southern Reach series had more to tell, Absolution will more than fill the void.
1 Usurpation, Release date: October 29, 2024
Sue Burke is back with her latest book in the Semiosis trilogy, Usurpation. The other books in the series, Semiosis and Interferencetakes place on the planet Pax, where the dominant life form is its sentient indigenous plants. Semiosis catalogs the human colonists and their interactions with Pax life forms. Interference This is a new expedition to Pax that reveals a collaboration between the descendants of the previous expedition and arthropod-like life forms as they battle sensitive corals.
In UsurpationThe dominant life form on Pax, the sentient rainbow bamboo, sends its descendants to Earth, where they witness uprisings and pandemics. Throughout UsurpationThe descendants of intelligent bamboo work to control and fix the Earth. Sue Burke admits that she wrote the Semiosis series in the hope that her readers would see her gardens through a new lens, and this exciting science fiction series will do just that.