“Self-preservation is one of the signs of sentient life.”
If you loved Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty, you’re probably craving more science fiction featuring gripping mysteries, mind-bending twists and complex explorations of identity. This pulsating novel, set in space and centred around cloning and artificial intelligence, offers a unique blend of mystery, tech and psychological depth. Whether it’s the dark, atmospheric vibes or the intriguing ethical dilemmas that had you hooked, you’ll find plenty of books with similar themes that dive into AI, cloning, and existential questions. So join us at What We Reading as we curate our favourite books like Six Wakes brimming with unforgettable characters, high-stakes plots and thought-provoking explorations of identity and technology. From thrilling space operas to chilling dystopian tales, these books are perfect for anyone looking for a new mystery with a sci-fi twist.
Six Wakes Summary
Six Wakes is a science fiction mystery set aboard the spaceship Dormire, where six crew members are awakened from stasis to discover that their copies have all been mysteriously murdered. Each of them is revived in a new clone body but with no memory of how they died or why they’re being targeted. The crew members must work together to solve the mystery of their deaths whilst wrestling with the ethical and psychological implications of being clones and living in a future where death can be cheated.
The story centres around the investigation as well as the dark secrets and hidden relationships that each member of the crew holds. As the investigation unfolds, it soon becomes clear that one of them may be the killer, and trust becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. Themes of identity, morality and the nature of consciousness are explored throughout the book, making Six Wakes a compelling blend of mystery and speculative fiction.
The Memory Of Earth (Homecoming Saga #1) – Orson Scott Card
Kicking off our list of books like Six Wakes is Orson Scott Card’s first book in The Tales of Alvin Maker series, The Memory of Earth. Set on the planet of Home, the story follows a group of human settlers who live under the rule of a mysterious, all-powerful force known as the ‘Oversoul’. The Oversoul has guided the planet’s inhabitants for centuries, providing guidance and keeping humanity from devolving into chaos. However, as the Oversoul starts to lose its grip on the planet, its control falters, and the world begins to unravel.
The protagonist, Ishmael, is a young boy who becomes entangled in a dangerous journey to uncover the truth about the Oversoul and the origins of their world. As Ishmael learns about the Oversoul’s true nature, he must make difficult decisions that will forever shape the future of Home. The novel explores themes of free will, the nature of power, and the moral dilemmas of leadership, whilst also presenting a compelling blend of politics, philosophy and futuristic technology.
The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) – Becky Chambers
In The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, we follow the crew of the Wayfarer, a spaceship that specialises in creating hyperspace tunnels for intergalactic travel. The crew is a colourful collection of individuals, each with unique backgrounds and struggles. The story orbits around the journey they take to a distant, hostile planet – one that is far from their usual, routine destinations. As they travel through space, the crew members are forced to confront their fears, hopes and relationships whilst navigating the complicated dynamics both inside and outside the ship.
Themes of found family, belonging, and the human (non-human) desire connection run throughout the narrative. Becky Chambers expertly weaves together character-driven storytelling with thought-provoking explorations of culture, identity and what it means to live in a vast, ever-expanding universe, making this a perfect follow-up for anyone who loved Six Wakes.
Mickey7 (Mickey7 #1) – Edward Ashton
Mickey7 follows the story of Mickey, a ‘disposable’ worker on a colonisation mission to the distant planet of Nars. As part of a dangerous, gruelling job, Mickey’s role is to take on risky assignments that usually result in death, knowing that he will simply be replaced by another clone – Mickey8, Mickey9, and so on. However, when Mickey7 is sent on a perilous mission that appears to result in his death, he unexpectedly survives. This puts him in a precarious position as his crew believes him to be dead, and his existence threatens the delicate balance of the mission.
As Mickey7 struggles to navigate his new reality, he must figure out how to live in a world that solely views him as expendable whilst also discovering secrets about the colonisation process and his own role in the survival of the human race on Nars. Mickey7 is a thrilling and darkly humourous book like Six Wakes that explores identity, sacrifice, and what it means to be human in a world where life is cheap and death is easily replaced.
Check Out The Best Books Like Mickey7
Fuzzy Nation (Fuzzy Sapiens #7) – John Scalzi
Fuzzy Nation is a fast-paced science fiction novel set on the planet Zarathustra, where a mining company is attempting to extract valuable resources from the land. The story follows Jack Holloway, a rugged and somewhat cynical prospector who happens upon a discovery that upends everything – intelligent, alien creatures he dubs: ‘Fuzzys’. These small, adorable beings are far more than they appear; however, they have an intricate social structure and behaviour that indicates sentience.
When the ruthless mining corporation demands that Holloway turn the rights of the area over to them, he finds himself caught in a moral battle. The stakes are high, as the future of the Fuzzys and the potential exploitation of their fragile habitat hang in the balance. Holloway, with his sharp wit and unshakeable resolve, must navigate corporate greed, ethical dilemmas and his own personal journey to protect the Fuzzys, no matter what.
Borne (Borne #1) – Jeff VanderMeer
Borne is a dystopian novel similar to Six Wakes, set in a post-apocalyptic city where the world is slowly falling apart. The city is ravaged by environmental collapse, strange creatures and an oppressive, dangerous regime led by the enigmatic ‘Magician’. In this bleak world, a scavenger called Rachel discovers a mysterious, semi-organic creature named Borne, who seems to possess both incredible intelligence and an unnerving ability to change and evolve.
As Rachel takes Borne in and cares for him, she finds herself pulled into a web of survival, loyalty and power struggles. The novel explores Rachel’s evolving relationship with Borne, as well as her own quest to find meaning and purpose in a world that no longer makes sense. Borne blends science fiction, environmentalism, and emotional depth, creating a haunting narrative about survival, transformation and the nature of what it means to love and protect something in a world surrounded by decay.
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).
