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Loved Klara and the Sun? Dive Into These 15 Sci-Fi Reads Next

04/05/2021 - 07:45 PM

Klara and the Sun, [1] written by Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, follows an "Artificial Friend" named Klara as she is purchased and led to fulfil her destiny as a robotic companion. Equal parts thought-provoking and heartbreaking, Ishiguro's novel is a beautiful science fiction [2] tale that will stick with you long after you read it. Whether you're a sci-fi fanatic or a novice in the genre, Ishiguro's book might entice you to devour other robot-themed tales – so where should you start? We found 15 of the best books just like Klara and the Sun, so make some room on that bookshelf [3] (or Kindle) and get shopping!

Cinder

Cinder [4] by Marissa Meyer is a stunning, sci-fi take on Cinderella. Set in New Beijing, the book follows Cinder, a cyborg who is outcast by her stepmother and stepsisters. When Cinder finds her path crossing with Prince Kai's, she becomes ensnared in some serious intergalactic drama (not to mention a potential relationship). Can she unearth her past and find where her loyalty lies, all while saving the galaxy?

A Closed and Common Orbit

Lovelace, once a spaceship's artificial intelligence, now finds herself in a new, human body with no memory of her past life. With the help of Pepper, a bubbly engineer, Lovelace learns where her place in the universe is and how to find meaning with another human being. Written by Becky Chambers, A Closed and Common Orbit [5] is a Hugo-Award-winning book you won't want to put down.

Spare and Found Parts

Spare and Found Parts, [6] written by Sarah Maria Griffin, tells the story of Nell Crane, a girl with a biomechanical heart. Even in a society where everyone is missing parts, Nell is still an outsider. But when she finds a lost mannequin's hand lying on the beach, she gets an idea. Follow Nell's journey to build herself the perfect companion in this story that will keep you guessing [7] until the last page.

We

In a city where all citizens are the same, D-503 realises he is different. With his soul, emotions, and the ability to fall in love, D-503 is nothing like his fellow, boring citizens. This exciting discovery takes him on a mission to overthrow the government and liberate his city, as dangerous as that might be. The inspiration for future books written by George Orwell and Alduous Huxley, We [8] by Yevgeny Zamyatin is essential if you're looking to start at the source of science fiction.

The A.I. Who Loved Me

In The A.I. Who Loved Me, [9] follow along with Trinity Jordan as she works from home doing research for the government while she recovers from a recent accident. All seems to be going according to plan – until her neighbour's gorgeous nephew, Li Wei, moves in next door. Trinity is fascinated by him, although she can't help but feel that something might be off. Author Alyssa Cole writes a charming tale that's a little more upbeat than your average science fiction drama.

Emily Eternal

Emily is an AI, designed in a lab to help humans work through their trauma – which is especially helpful now, since the sun is unexpectedly starting to die. Just as Emily thinks she may have found a solution hidden in the human genome, the lab is attacked and her servers are stolen. Emily, now on the run with college student Jason and sheriff Mayra, must try her hardest to save humanity with the help of her two new friends. M.G. Wheaton's Emily Eternal [10] is a must-read.

Find Me

Laura van den Berg's debut novel, Find Me, [11] tells the story of Joy, a lonely young woman who suddenly finds herself immune to a deadly disease that's sweeping the nation. Her special status secures her a spot in a hospital in the middle of Kansas, where she endures confusing rules and strange medical tests. With the help of some new friends, Joy manages to escape the hospital, setting off to Florida to hopefully find her birth mother. But as Joy reaches the Sunshine State, she must come to terms with the secrets she's been hiding from herself.

The Diabolic

The first in a trilogy with some serious Hunger Games vibes, S.J. Kincaid's The Diabolic [12] is a novel about humans, humanoids, and humanity. Nemesis, a Diabolic, grew up protecting the galactic senator's daughter, Sidonia. But when the power-hungry Emperor takes Sidonia to the Galactic court as a hostage, the only way for Nemesis to save her is to become her. As Nemesis learns to hide her powers and embrace the concept of humanity, she learns what it really means to be human – and how to save the empire.

Machines Like Me

In London in the 1980s, hapless Charlie is in love with brilliant Miranda, who has a terrible secret. When Charlie strikes it rich, he splurges on Adam, one of the first synthetic humans. Together, Charlie and Miranda create Adam's personality from scratch. The finished Adam is almost perfect, and the three soon fall into a questionable love triangle. In Machines Like Me, [13] Ian McEwan poses some moral dilemmas that'll definitely throw you for a loop.

The Kingdom

Love Westworld? Then you'll love Jess Rothenberg's The Kingdom, [14] about half-android, half-human "princesses" who live in an immersive fantasy amusement park. But when one of the princesses is accused of murdering one of the park employees, the lines between android, human, and cruelty become blurred.

Exegesis

Exegesis [15] by Astro Teller is a novel written entirely as emails between Alice, a researcher, and Edgar, the computer program she creates. Watch Edgar become self-aware and understand its own existence in this interesting book written by a scientist with a PhD in artificial intelligence.

The Diamond Age

In Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age, [16] the world runs on nanotechnology. The most dangerous weapon in this world just so happens to be an interactive book called A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer, which was designed to teach a young girl to think for herself. When the book falls into the hands of ordinary Nell, she goes on an extraordinary journey to learn everything she can about the society she belongs to – including how to reprogram it.

The Mad Scientist's Daughter

Cat Novak grows up with android Finn by her side, tutoring her and acting as her only friend. Although Finn is happy being an android, he must adapt as the government grants rights to the constantly expanding robot population. Under the new rules, Cat and Finn need to act quickly before they are separated forever. A page-turning read, The Mad Scientist's Daughter [17] by Cassandra Rose Clarke is a beautiful sci-fi fairy tale you'll fall in love with.

The Mother Code

Written by Carole Stivers, The Mother Code [18] is set in 2049, when scientists are rushing to save humans from a bioweapon that spun out of control. Their last hope is to raise genetically engineered children in special machines programmed with the Mother Code, which ensures that each child will grow up unique. In the Southwest, Kai was raised by a robotic mother, Rho-Z. When the government decides to shut down all Mothers, Kai must decide whether to part from Rho-Z or to fight for the only mother he knows.

The Windup Girl

In the 33rd century, food distribution in Thailand is controlled by massive corporations. Paolo Bacigalupi's The Windup Girl [19] may be set in a highly futuristic version of society, but its messages hit close to home. Corruption, civil war, and crime rage on around the main characters Anderson and Emiko as they attempt to free themselves from the oppression of their capitalist cities. The winner of five different literary awards, The Windup Girl absolutely deserves a place on your sci-fi TBR list.


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