“The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.”
Since hitting shelves back in 1965, Frank Herbert’s Dune has become one of the most acclaimed works of science fiction in the literary world. Set on the planet desert planet Arrakis, Dune follows the story of Paul Atreides, a young man and heir to the ruling family. However, a betrayal of his family turns Paul’s life upside down.
Herbert’s compelling storytelling and vivid imagination made Dune one of the most iconic sci-fi books in history, with the themes of justice, morality, struggle and division coming through as Paul’s journey to becoming Muad’Dib plays out. Join us here at What We Reading as we present the best sci-fi books like Dune!
Red Rising (The Place That Red Rising Saga #1) – Pierce Brown
A Goodreads Choice Award winner for Debut Author, Red Rising in the first entry in The Place That Red Rising Saga series from Pierce Brown. In it, Brown introduces a dystopian world where society has been divided into a class-based society based around colours. Readers follow Darrow, a member of the lowest class who works tirelessly attempting to make the surface of Mars habitable for his fellow man.
But, when he discovers that humanity made it to the surface years ago and has been thriving in that time, the extent of the betrayal and the subjugation of his Red class becomes truly apparent. A tale of betrayal, struggle and of justice, this New York Times bestseller mirrors many of the themes raised in Dune.
Grass (Arbai #1) – Sheri S. Tepper
Like Dune, the opening entry in Sheri Tepper’s Arbai series is one of the all-time acclaimed sci-fi books. Grass whisks readers to a faraway titularly-named cosmic anomaly. There, humanity establishes a foothold, not realising that another society has also laid claim to the land with a distinct culture of its own.
As a plague sweeps across the galaxy, only Grass is spared its destruction. However, the truth behind Grass’ immunity and seemingly idyllic landscapes may just be enough to shatter all life once and for all. Tepper’s book shares Dune’s dim view of the state of humanity, with the trailblazing feminist author imparting her commentary through her impressive storytelling.
Sorcerer To The Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1) – Zen Cho
In this exciting debut novel from Zen Cho, Sorcerer To The Crown is a captivating story of magic and mayhem colliding with the British elite. Readers follow Zacharias Wythe, a free slave and immensely skilled magician from the Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers – one of the most respected magical institutions in the world.
Keen to discover why Britain’s magical reserves are drying up, he ventures to the border of Fairyland where a chance encounter with a woman threatens to alter the future of sorcery across the country. Whilst it isn’t as pure-bred sci-fi as other books on this list, Sorcerer To The Crown tackles the same fundamental issues of freedom, hierarchy and status across society as Dune.
Our Blue Orange – A.R. Merrydew
In Our Blue Orange, author A.R. Merrydew offers an inventive new take on time travel in science fiction writing. Readers follow protagonist Godfrey Davis and his assortment of quirky android inventions manning a colony.
Godfrey left his latest invention unattended and now he must embark on a quest to save all of civilization from the collision of the past, present, and future. Doing so, however, will require him to redeem not only himself but also his relationship with his deceased father.
Dawn (Xenogenesis #1) – Octavia Butler
In the first entry in her Xenogenesis series, Octavia Butler introduces readers to a world engulfed by an atomic fire and where humanity hangs on the brink of extinction. They follow Lilith Iyapo, a woman who lost her husband and son just before the devastation ran down around her, and who wakes up a century later in the spacecraft piloted by Oankali, the alien race who has saved humanity.
Similar to Dune, adaptability, survival and the struggles involved with coexistence. With Lilith chosen by her alien saviours to be the one who will revive planet Earth, other themes shared with Dune include the complexities of what it means to truly be human.
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Hyperion (Hyperion Cantos #1) – Dan Simmons
For a book like Dune that takes sci-fi fans on a sweeping trek across the deepest reaches of space, look no further than Dan Simmons’ Hyperion. In the first book in his Hyperion Cantos series, readers follow seven pilgrims as they make the pilgrimage to face the being known as the Shrike.
Themes of politics, religion and time are all delved into over the course of this journey featuring expansive world-building and richly-explored backstories and narratives. Like Dune, Hyperion breaks the mould of orthodox sci-fi by tackling more nuances of subjects such as poetry and philosophy as a means of delivering its messages.
The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth’s Past #1) – Cixin Liu
The debut entry in the Remembrance of Earth’s Past series from Chinese author Cixin Liu, The Three-Body Problem is a captivating tale set against the backdrop of the country’s infamous Cultural Revolution. A secret military project sends broadcasts into space, hoping to make contact with aliens.
One species on the brink of extinction intercepts these messages and prepares to invade Earth. With the invading forces on the horizon, divisions form on Earth between those willing to fight and those who are planning on welcoming what they see as liberators for a planet tainted with corruption.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
