5 must read science fiction FUTURE classics

[@liamweeks6532]

I credit Neal Stephenson’s Seveneves as the book that steered me more towards science fiction as opposed to my usual fantasy or horror novels. A well thought out and highly entertaining hard sci-fi story, with a final act that blew me away with its imagination and world-building. When a nearly 900 page story leaves you wanting more, it’s quite a feat!

[@PilotFlo]

I would add the Commonwealth Saga by Peter F. Hamilton and The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin

[@kmolnardaniel]

I had such big expectations torwards the Commonwealth saga, but turned into a shitshow. I rather recommend a good night sleep, or listening the silence.

[@PilotFlo]

@@kmolnardaniel that's just like your opinion, man

[@huaweimediapadt3726]

This is hands down the best sci-fi channel on youtube. Concise, well exposed and articulate. Love the music too.

[@tedbrasso6831]

Alastair Reynolds, Peter F. Hamilton, Iain M. Banks and Adrian Tchaikovsky are for me, the best scifi authors of this generation. Their works will be future classics. Great vid Darrell!

[@SteveWhipp]

Strong list Ted. Nice to see Peter F. Hamilton get some love. The Commonwealth Saga and Void Trilogy are superb.

[@wburris2007]

I was thinking I might find something interesting that I missed by watching this video. Turns out that I have already read all the books you mentioned. I have my Greg Egan collection stacked up ready to re-read in the near future.

[@titojdavis8374]

The book of the New Sun - first book Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe

[@lisacole6037]

Children of Time! I've read 2 of your five. Hyperion is fantastic. I liked Altered Carbon. I have the Reynolds book but haven't gotten to it yet. And I mean to try Banks as well. Great video. ☺

[@misomiso8228]

'A Fire Upon the Deep'? Also for Iain M Banks 'Player of Games' and 'Use of Weapons' are both superior I think

[@lbechard2991]

Hi, and thank you for your channel. I loved Hannu Rajaniemi's trilogy : The Quantum Thief (Jean le Flambeur #1) , The Fractal Prince and The Causal Angel. Hannu is a physicist, so understands quantum "logic" and uses it well in his books. As well all the book series of Octavia E. Butler are really thought provoking and well written, if somewhat chilling. I also recommend Marrow , a 2000 novel by Robert Reed about a huge wandering planet and the many beings, human included who have come to inhabit the interior of the ship/planet. In the cyberpunk vein, Chris Moriarty has written Spin State in 2003 and subsequently, a few "spin offs" in the same world which are well worth the time to read. Lastly, it goes almost without saying that all of William Gibson's books will be if they are not already, classics of the cyberpunk, sci-fi noire genre.

[@PixelVoyager-m4z]

Charles Stross' Accelerando is amazing. Not sure if it could count as a future classic, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@epebos]

Cixin Liu, Remembrance of a Earth's Past is a must I think. It blew my mind. I think when we talk about new ideas he is there too. Love your channel, subscribed

[@Skvardapa]

Definitely. The scope, quality of writing, inventive ideas about alien interaction and spacial dimensions are just something that definitely brings this book next to the best classics.

[@Coalcain420]

I struggled with enjoying sci-fi until I came across Altered Carbon. I’ve been a sci-fi junkie ever since. I recommend it to everyone.

[@devenscience8894]

I suspect that Ancillary Justice will be up there as a classic in the future.

[@Jesus.the.Christ]

Might I suggest "Incandescence" or "Diaspora" also by Greg Egan. Diaspora is more approachable than Schild's Ladder.

[@LukaszStafiniak]

And "Permutation City". All adjacent in a sense.

[@TJH1]

I would add Peter F. Hamilton's work to this list. If I had to pick one title then the first book of the Void trilogy, The Dreaming Void, would probably be the one but I have very soft spot for The Reality Dysfunction.

[@davea136]

I read _The Reality Dysfunction_ and I am wondering how you reconcile the appearance of ghosts/spirits/afterlife humans in science fiction? I couldn't get past that idea.

[@RichardBarclay]

Reality Dysfunction is great but it's already aged quite badly in some ways, particularly the depictions of women.

[@chrisstrayer4323]

@@davea136 I felt exactly the same. Hamilton is my personal favorite and his most recent Salvation sequence is superb. I forced myself to finish the sequels of Reality Dysfunction and without giving it away, I believe the spirits were finally scientifically reconciled as being part of induced perception, or reality dysfunction if you will. :) tbh I can't recall the specifics, and welcome any corrections there.

[@adriancurran3234]

@@RichardBarclay yeah I went back to Reread nights dawn and I found it quite disappointing, very juvenile and shallow depictions of both male and female characters and there interactions, like a Wilbur smith novel in space. It was more like adolescent high fantasy than SF…

[@lucyssciencelibrary8819]

Fantastic list! All of these books are great choices, but Revelation Space is especially great!

[@Sci-FiOdyssey]

R/S is mind blowing!!!

[@coalitionofseekers9572]

This channel is amazing and I love reading your recommendations

[@narutocole]

Love this list, definitely have some new books to read! I would also add Red Rising to the list, I think it's probably my favorite series of all time!

[@Sci-FiOdyssey]

Interesting! I’ve read Red Rising and I need to pick up the next one at some point.

[@subraxas]

Thank you, Darrel, for all your efforts. I discovered your amazing channel about three weeks ago, liked your content, vibe and personality, and have since binged most of your videos. I noticed that you will soon reach 10 thousand subscribers, so congratulations!!! I am, of course, one of them. :-)

[@Sci-FiOdyssey]

Thanks so much. 🙏🙏🙏

[@subraxas]

@@Sci-FiOdyssey You're welcome! :-)

[@jasperdoornbos8989]

Same!

[@migueloxamendi4284]

I'd add Leviathan Wakes, the first book in the Expanse series, to this list.

[@ifihadfriends437]

I love the expanse, burned through the first 8 in 6 weeks

[@hieron9366]

For me, you really redeemed this list with the last entry ;-) I liked "Altered Carbon" and I respect Banks, but no Sci Fi author deserves more recognition than Greg Egan.

[@theshrubberer]

so glad to find someone else who loves Hyperion as much as I. I actually love the enitre Cantos. It set such a high bar, i have a difficult time getting into lesser stories.

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

Great list. I'd add Neal Stephenson's Anathem and Peter Watts' Blindsight.

[@FIT2BREAD]

So glad you have Egan on here. Hes so underrepresented on booktube. Along with Schilds, Id include Permutation City and Diaspora. Also love the other books you mentioned and they're all pretty much classics. Great video.

[@Severian1]

I'd add the Book of the New Sun and Terra Ignota, two of the most complex and thought provoking stories I've ever experienced. I hope you give them a try one day.

[@nannasallynelson3990]

Before the TV series, I started reading The Expanse books. Terrific depiction of a space faring future for mankind. And true to science-as-we-know-it - the space battles are slowed by the time it takes for a large ship to move, it does not mirror the air battles of Earth, which is a mistake many such books take. The proposed changes in humanity based on gravity variations and more are fascinating. much preferred the books over the tv.

[@ripwolfe]

I've read both Hyperion and Altered Carbon and echo the claims that they'll stand as classics for a long time. Both are amazing stories -- and completely different from one another. Schild's Ladder wasn't even on my radar; will have to look into that one for sure.

[@skaetur1]

Woken Furies is one of the best conclusions in writing.

[@terratrodder]

Great list! The Culture series is one of my all time favs.

[@jasperdoornbos8989]

Lots of suggestions! Love it. Thanks!

[@jasperdoornbos8989]

Suggested by a handsome sleeve 😂

[@everrit]

A great selection of Future Classìcs, only one I haven't read is Schild's Ladder. Reynolds and Banks are both equally wonderful.

[@PoeLemic]

Thank for always giving us new books to consider. You've talked me into reading, Hyperion, because I've heard only good about it. When I see your video in my feed, I always watch it first.

[@vasilislemon7842]

Excellent choices pale! I suggest you read «The Remembrance of Earth’s Past»» by Lou Cixin...an absolute masterpiece of modern hard sci-if...without it your list is incomplete!

[@CyberiusT]

That last one (Greg Egan's story) sounds like the real concept vacuum decay, only slower. (The 'real' one expands at lightspeed, which would make it hard to study.)

[@Jesus.the.Christ]

It is.

[@mwilsonUT]

The Three-Body Problem series definitely deserves a mention.

[@Talondas]

3 out of 5 agreed choices got you a like and a subscribe, I will have to check out the last two before chiming in on those...

[@JeremyClift]

Great video; both interesting and well produced.

[@KevTheImpaler]

I think I may have read Consider Phlebus a long time ago, but I did not think much of it. Your other selections sound very interesting.

[@elliotwalton6159]

I greeted your list with a sigh of relief (It avoids certain controversies for me). I returned to reading fiction during the lock downs-- wooed by Pierre Boulle's Monkey Planet and my old childhood love for Ray Bradbury. I've a lot of catching to do! I'm just finishing Gene Wolfe's 'The Book of the New Sun/Urth of the New Sun'. It is an undisputed classic because it is a deep work that will reward repeated readings and always offer up something new. I plan to read his entire Solar Cycle. 'FEED' (2002) by M. T. Anderson is another classic for me. Written as a YA novel it is nonetheless important, because it is coming more and more true with every passing day as we approach the 2030 'Singularity'. I am also inclined to grant the Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson classic status because it wrangles well with the human aspirations and machinations of 'starting over'. I am familiar with all the authors you mention and two are already on my reading list. I'll be adding the other two as well. Thank you very much for your thoughts. I'm also very happy to review the comments and suggestions of others in search of a good read.

[@ttrestle]

Great video. I’ve only read one of these books. Going to read the others now.

[@thomasschmidt7649]

Alastair Reynolds is the only reliable modern author that consistently blows my mind. Lots of good one-offs out there but just about everything he turns in is levels above the pack.

[@oblivion_2852]

I just don't believe how many damn books he produces. He's always writing short stories between his big ones and develops those short ones into more developed stories

[@howardgreenwich490]

I'm with you on Hyperion. Read it when it first came out and have not been able to read any book since without comparing to it. That said, I am convinced that the Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jemisin will become a classic in 50 years. It did new things with a new perspective in sci-fi that I think has changed the genre. I'm curious what you think.

[@LukaszStafiniak]

My 10 SF favorites of all time: The Dispossessed Golem XIV Permutation City A Fire Upon The Deep Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality Diaspora Crystal Society The Three-Body Problem Blindsight Ender’s Game

[@hieron9366]

I am a simple man, I see two Greg Egan's novels in a single Top10 - I throw a like in.

[@adamwatkins8418]

Great list, will definitely give these a read

[@pip5188]

Some sci fi books are set so far in the future that the concepts become so foreign and complex for my dumb brain that it starts to become straight up magic. Which is why I always enjoyed the Hyperion series. It’s not too overwhelming but still has cool stuff like teleportation gates and The Shrike

[@MrPartisanhack]

I had never heard of Schild's Ladder but will check it out.

[@thedarknessthatcomesbefore4279]

Great list, unfortunately I have read all of these but can't disagree that they are all wonderful. I'm off to locate Egan's book and re-read as its been years since I read it and I've forgotten most of it.

[@chrisconnors7418]

I have Reynold's books on my tbr now, and just need to load them onto my Kindle. Looking forward to starting them. I've not read any Greg Evan before so just downloaded Schild's Ladder. Thank you for the recommendations.

[@TheWfurst]

Never heard of Shields Ladder. Will check it out, thanks.

[@docprune9922]

Peter Hamilton without doubt.. Surprised it was not #1 on this list..

[@martinknapp7640]

If you've not done it already, I would be interested in your take on the best Sci-Fi Utopias out there. Dystopias crop up all the time, Utopias are in many ways more difficult (Le Guin's The Dispossessed was an excellent effort IMHO)

[@danielkibira4064]

What an intuitive way to get us, right into the debate😏🧐 Okay have you considered Hannu Rajaniemi' THE QUANTUM THIEF ? Whatcha gonna say, huh? Or THE THREE BODY PROBLEM by Cixin Liu (I don't personally own the hard copy)Gotcha thinking, didn't I? You bet, it's Back to the drawing board. 🤯 As always✊🏾 Barakha 🙌🏾 Shalom 🌾🙏🏾

[@IIIWITHOUTaNAMEIII]

Thank you for suggesting Revelation Space. Absolutely loved it, even though it was very thinky and hard to grasp sometimes. At least for what I’m used to. Which book should I go for next in the universe?

[@wpsam52]

What a great list. I have read them all except Schild's Ladder and I have it. Guess it will be next.

[@bloodnokgoon5020]

Completely agree about Altered Carbon - loved the whole series with Kovacs, really hope Morgan writes more!! Also Consider Phlebas and the other Culture novels by Banks. Really amazing sci-fi series. Typically I own two of the others you recommended as well, just haven't read them yet - too many demands on my time these days. Being an adult sucks sometimes 😉 Not heard of Greg Egan though - will look out for it and give it a go. Anything that makes me think is always welcome 🤓

[@gerardwhyte]

Always interesting to compare lists. I'm surprised by Altered Carbon. It's been three years since I read it, but I think I found the prose style lacking a little, now I'm second guessing myself. A Culture novel seemed likely, I think Player of Games edges it for me, but maybe because it was the first I read. Just finished Hyperion the other week, in part spurred on by your enthusiasm in various videos. I'd probably substitute a William Gibson for Altered Carbon. Not read the other two, but they're now on my to read list. I would add The Three Body Problem. That struck me as a likely classic. P.S. Upon further review, Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood would be on my list. And I think I'd have to find space for Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. I think I'd drop the Gibson to do that.

[@mkgnlgt]

Oryx & Crake… Absolutely!

[@carvakasatyasrutah9249]

My favourites as well except possibly for the Hyperion series which I found rather pretentious though some of its imagery is mind-boggling. I would have included Peter Watts’ novels especially Blindsight which has one of the most chilling depictions of a vampire (including a scientific justification of their aversion to crosses!) without resorting to blood & gore. In fact the creature appears only somewhat intermittently & usually as part of the background. The “Endnotes” on Blindsight written by Watts are equally fascinating.

[@Vorlos]

In case you haven't, you might want to check out the Ghost in the Shell franchise. Same basic concept as Altered Carbon (digitized human minds) but 20 years earlier and also going much more in-depth and wild with it. As for AC itself, I liked it but actually prefer the sequels much more. Especially Broken Angels.

[@havocmaverick]

I just bought first editions of all four of the hyperion books. Cost me 1400 dollars but it should be worth it in the long run.

[@boukimalice7909]

Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee, Alastair Reynolds, House of Suns, Neal Stephenson Anathem. Almost anything by Peter F. Hamilton. Iain M. Banks, Player of games.

[@hattorihansen603]

Good choices, Consider Phlebas is great, however I consider it less a novel but rather a collection of episodes. Use of Weapons or Player of Games might rather take the price here. Asides, Tchaikovsky with Children of Time is on Top of my list

[@Paulholio69]

Great list. I’ve read them all apart from The Greg Egan one

[@LarryHasOpinions]

great list, and congrats on your channel growth! very well deserved :-)

[@mikey11147]

Good list; I would have included Book Of The New Sun.

[@Joe-lb8qn]

I guess the riverworld series missed the cut as it started 1970's? Ive read all these and agree they are all great. What about the peter hamilton block buster series? Ive reread the commonwealth series several time

[@johnneshcov641]

Great original list!

[@asdf51501]

Hyperion is at the pinnacle for me also. I’d add Peter F. Hamilton’s works, and would give an honorable mention to Greg Bear’s Eon. Solid list!

[@emjem99]

Eon is my favourite novel after 50 years of reading science fiction.

[@IndyJoner]

Woken Furies - the third and final Takeshi Kovacs book - is on a par with Altered Carbon

[@marcomattano3705]

1- Revelation Space is great, I prefer the second title on the series, "Absolution Gap" 2- Altered Carbon is amazing, Netflix series actually is not that bad on adapting the series "noir / detective / ending spin" genre - Simmons is my favourite modern Sci-fi author, I really loved "Hyperion" including the subsequent two "Endymion" novels but I liked "Olympus" absurdly complicated plot of ancient greek gods living in Mars and cybernetic AI drones from the puter Solar asystem, Moravecs, more compelling st times 4- Consider Plebas is a must-read Sci-fi master piece and so most of the "Culture" novels, but I personally enjoyed "Inversions" (which is in another universe where people can "shift" through different versions of the Multiverse) more satisfying, it's a shame Ian M. Banks didn't have the chance to write anything else set on the same universe. I love Culture Ship names. 5- Never read "Schils's Ladder" thanks for the tip. 'Ancillary Justice" about a spaceship AI whose consciousness controls a human body and is in a quest of vengeance for his starship, the "Justice of Toren", destruction. The story is set on the Raadch Empire where they use only female pronouns (she,her) since they don't distinguish people by gender. The writing style is amazing, flawless character and world building and a compelling plot certainly makes this a classic even now, apart from winning the trifecta Hugo, Nebula and Arthur C Clarke prizes.

[@GrimNHTl]

Dude u just spoiled some of the books.

[@marcomattano3705]

@@GrimNHTl it seems I did, didn't I? I can't even remember most plot details and I read most of those twice.

[@ttrestle]

Peter F Hamilton wrote the greatest future sci-fi space opera ever written with the Commonwealth saga: Pandora’s star, Judas unchained, and the void trilogy books.

[@Vorlos]

Currently reading (and loving) House of Suns. Found out that BioWare basically stole the concept of the 'Reapers' in Mass Effect from Revelation Space. So, would you consider RS to still be worth getting into, even if the big reveal has been already spoiled for me (kind of)?

[@oblivion_2852]

Have you also read Thousandth Night? It's the same universe as House of Suns

[@Vorlos]

@@oblivion_2852 Heard of it, though it's impossible to get it retail, as far as I can see. Also, isn't it more like a 'prototype' for HoS than an actual prequel?

[@oblivion_2852]

@@Vorlos yeah basically

[@oblivion_2852]

Funny enough my favourite Alistair Reynolds book is actually Pushing Ice. The standalone books feel very focused on one literary goal

[@redpillcommando]

Revelation Space is a fantastic book. I could not put it down.

[@sdkfz1812]

Keep up the good work.

[@literalsarcasm1830]

You should check out the Spinward Fringe series by Randolph Lalonde.

[@_DarkEmperor]

Those books are already modern classics, by the way good choice. Jacek Dukaj "Ice" should be soon published in English, do not miss it.

[@aorober2007]

Isn't Hyperion already a classic?

[@adamek0020]

Me, seeing title: "I'm about to school this guy so hard in the comments" *Watches video* "Well, that was annoyingly good list. Well played sir" Also, inclusion of Greg Egan has earned you a sub my friend. And right after you choosing "Consider Phlebas" over "Player of games" almost made me scream and pull my hair out.

[@mkgnlgt]

I think he just chose the first book as a starting point to the series? That’s my hope 😄 Player of games, use of weapons and Excession are three of most brilliant novels ever written imho… But all the culture books are good, even the last three which are at times baffling, but so far brilliant?!

[@TheAngelofThrash]

The Three Body Problem trilogy is also awesome

[@tannerdowney2802]

I've come to love Neil Asher.

[@jorgeabraham3414]

Loving the video and the recommendations on the comments thanks guys!

[@paulblase3955]

Anything by Louis McMaster Bujold. She does the best character development of any writer, ever.

[@HexxuSz]

james cory as series of leviathan wakes will probably be popular for a long time it seems like we are in the era of universes with hamilton reynolds cixin corey and many others having universes spaning 3 6 10 books hyperion is pretty much more of an old classic now however gregg is also not a new writer so yeah hard to judge timelines there

[@Schmikey2]

Have I missed a post or have you yet to review “The Three-Body Problem” trilogy by Liu Cixin?

[@Sci-FiOdyssey]

You haven’t missed it. Sooooooon 🤣

[@NancyLebovitz]

I'll recommend _Diaspora_ as even better Egan. A lot of sense of wonder stuff. Humans giving up even robot bodies is just a middling event in the middle of the book.

[@rodneymckay8860]

I’ll have to study 4 years of advanced mathematics and physics courses in order to get a 2% understanding of Schild’s Ladder. Lol.

[@Sci-FiOdyssey]

I know!!! Right there with you.

[@Jesus.the.Christ]

Try his earlier book, Diaspora.

[@tetyanalove6186]

Love Hyperion Cantos, all of it, and Endymion the same. There is only one other book trilogy I feel the same for - It’s The Lord of the Ring

[@MegaDRKSTR]

Hyperion is already a classic. So is culture. Most of these are actually quite old. I would think future classics would be more recent. Consider three body problem, Jean le flambeur trilogy, blindsight, the expense, seveneves

[@johnmendoza6345]

Great list. Most of which I've read. So i'm sure your suggestions would do well with me. :)

[@paulnswden]

I feel that "The saga of the seven suns " by Kevin Anderson should be considered for future classic. It's a wonderful epic that doesn't get enough love.

[@fernbedek6302]

I have the ‘Future Classics’ version of Revelation Space. 😆

[@scrooge-mcduck]

Anathem by Neil Stephenson

[@aliciacampos5789]

Some books by women: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Kindred by Octavia Butler (it was published in 1979, but…) Four Ways to Forgiveness (it’s a short story collection, but it’s that good) by Ursula LeGuin The Gate to Women’s Country by Sherri S. Tepper Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon The Steerswoman series by Rosemary Kirstein (sadly not finished, but still worth reading) Doomsday Book by Connie Willis The Giver by Lois Lowry

[@langdons2848]

I would add Katherine Kerr's Polar City Blues to that list. Thank you for sharing.

[@aliciacampos5789]

@@langdons2848 I am not familiar with that author or book. I’m going to look it up. Thanks

[@langdons2848]

@@aliciacampos5789 Kerr mostly writes fantasy (prolifically), so most people don't know of her two science fiction efforts (that I'm aware of). There is a sequal called Polar City Nightmare. I enjoyed them. I hope you do too.

[@ashleyfurrow4414]

Fucking thank you. Barely even a women mentioned in the comments.

[@Innovate22]

The Three Body Problem trilogy?

[@William-Nettles]

Anathem Children of Time Three Body Problem A Fire Upon the Deep Leviathan Wakes are all up there for me

[@aliciacampos5789]

All except the Egan book are on my TBR. I guess it sounds too intimidating. I would want to really understand it and I don’t think I would, so I don’t think I would enjoy it.

[@Vegas2332]

Now, I'm definitely not biased here, but I think Halo will be a Sci-Fi classic. Definitely not biased though 👀

[@DavidMartin-iw9td]

I’m surprised that no works from either Peter F. Hamilton or James S. A. Corey made the list.

[@bobmetcalfe9640]

No Neal Asher?

[@gosnooky]

Great list -- but I'd replace Phlebas with Player of Games, a much superior book. Phlebas put me off Banks for years.

[@ameliabakewell3352]

I love the list though I would have added the Expanse series they are the best sci fi books I ever read .

[@polreamonn]

Got the pre-order in for Leviathan Falls. December can't come soon enough.

[@mpandunky]

Your content is acquired taste because it's complex and very intelligent. But to those of us who enjoy it, this is why we're on KZbin.