The idea for this came to me several months ago, probably during the latest flair up of “indie/self pub is inferior” or something similar, and you may have seen (or want to check out) the similar posts for both fantasy and horror suggestions. The point of which is not to argue, but to highlight some writers that are either underrated, or great examples of where to start with indie sci-fi. My original idea was to have separate posts for both, but boiling it down to the nitty gritty of who/what constituted something as underrated, or in that vein, what makes something a good place to start, became a little too convoluted. And in my opinion, they aren’t mutually exclusive anyway. Indie sci-fi is its own community by right, but it’s buddy-buddy right next to all the awesome fantasies–and I personally love when the genres mesh a little. Every author was unread at one point in time, and you just might find a new favorite, so why not take a chance on the below?
Who am I? I, too, thought that may be asked when presenting this list, so instead of making it myself, I asked my bookstagram, my twitter, this blog, my discord channels, and gathered a list of ten sci-fi books from different people. Each person gave a different reason as to why something may be underrated or a good place to start. So, I’m just putting the list together. Regardless of if they are independent/small press releases or self published, the point was to pull people away from traditional publishers to try something new. These authors have stood by their stories, perhaps even surviving the trenches that is traditional querying, and worked tirelessly to make them the best they can. Every word of their efforts is worth checking out.
If you think I’m missing some that are big, or worth it, maybe I’ll add them or do another volume! Just comment below.
Below I will include the cover, purchase links, sub-genres, and synopsis of each. I won’t include each person’s commentary, but please remember these are all endorsed by avid readers!
Synopsis (Alien Invasion & Space Opera Sci-Fi)
“Empress Dehartra, you have been charged with ninety thousand counts of murder, and high treason. How do you plead?”“I plead guilty! Guilty to more murders than I can recall. But never, never in my life have I ever committed treason!”Empress Chrissalynn Dehartra Kasar had been an Earth orphan, until she was kidnapped by a powerful, parasitic race intent on expanding their galactic territory, and conquering new host races. This story is her testimony, told before her enemies.Raised as the protégée of the powerful Nicholas Kasar, Chrissalynn is trained in the Setian ways. She learns emotions are for the weak. Torture can be a necessary evil, or a priceless work of art. That the lives of lower-ranked citizens are expendable, and the greatest honor is to die for the empire’s glory.By the age of seventeen, she wins her first major victory, and becomes fully accepted into Setian society. Eventually promoted to a position of power, Chrissalynn requests to lead the assault on future Setian Colony 428, where she meets the resistance leader Darin, who challenges her in ways she could have never imagined.As a trusted mentor predicted, Chrissalynn must choose. Is she a woman with a human heart, or an empress with a Setian soul?
Synopsis (Dystopian Sci-Fi, Technothriller, British Sci-Fi)
WHEN THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IS BLOOD, ONE MAN MUST SAVE WHAT’S LEFT OF HIS FAMILY FROM PAYING THE PRICE…
In a future wrought by traumatic events, the people of the UK come to rely on retailer Yellowstone for their every need. The futuristic company is a newcomer to the country but it’s technologically-advanced ways pamper a weary populace with convenience – at a price – and the convenience soon becomes a necessity.
Danny Price is one of a lost generation who seems to be going nowhere in this harsh future – after losing most of his family, he moves in with his last remaining relative, his grandmother, who has her own secrets to keep.
Others are wary that Yellowstone’s ambition can’t be controlled by the bounds of laws and morals. Their companies scrabble to secure their stake.
When Danny interviews at Yellowstone, he realises the sacrifice he needs to make is too great – but he doesn’t realise that Yellowstone know all about him and the danger to their hegemony he poses without even knowing it.
When the battle in the boardroom spills over to a hostile takeover of every town and city in the country, Danny is the one man who stands to fight the Price War against all the odds…
Synopsis (Black Sci-Fi, First Contact & Alien Invasion Sci-Fi)
Abriana and her father find themselves stuck on an alien planet in the middle of an interplanetary war, all because the mother, whom she thought abandoned her when she was just three days old, was actually a General in an alien army. With her mother’s arrival and their departure from Earth, Abriana has to say goodbye to everyday teenage life and hello to the new world waiting to greet her.
But when allies become enemies, Abriana finds herself teaming up with an Alien Prince to save her newfound family and friends.
Read Elendil to learn her story!
Synopsis (Young Adult Adventure Sci-Fi & Fantasy)
Destiny, personal responsibility, what the future holds – common concerns for anyone graduating high school. But usually not because of a cosmic war between timeless beings where you’re the central player.
As the end of school quickly approaches, and Cooper Bailey watches his perfect world slip away, his only concern is savouring every last minute of his high school career. For his best friend, Reid Patterson, graduation is a doorway to the future, where his discipline and focus will finally allow him to meet his true potential.
When a mysterious mirror-masked man begs for their help to stop a dangerous heretic, Cooper and Reid find themselves thrust into unknown worlds, wrestling with a destiny as old as time itself. As the truths about their roles in the universe unfold, and enemies disguise themselves as allies, their only hope is to trust each other – and learn fast!
Far from home and in mortal peril, Cooper and Reid attempt to hone their newfound abilities and come to grips with their purpose for being.
Inspired by classic and modern science fiction and fantasy, and drawing upon timeless themes of destiny and personal responsibility, The Elements of Time is a series written for anyone who loves an escape into a rich and deep world. With references to Star Wars (the Original Trilogy), Avatar: The Last Bender, Stargate SG-1, Supernatural, and much more, The Elements of Time: The Winds of Change is fun action-adventure, with it’s own unique magic system, and themes that touch what it means to grow up and take on the challenges of life
The Elements of Time – Book 1: The Winds of Change
Amazon GoodReads C.T. Phipps Site
Synopsis (Space Fleet Sci-Fi, Space Opera Sci-Fi)
From the bestselling author of The Rules of Supervillainy:
Cassius Mass was the greatest star pilot of the Crius Archduchy. He fought fiercely for his cause, only to watch his nation fall to the Interstellar Commonwealth. It was only after that he realized the side he’d been fighting for was the wrong one. Now a semi-functional navigator on an interstellar freight hauler, he tries to hide who he was and escape his past. Unfortunately, some things refuse to stay buried and he ends up conscripted by the very people who destroyed his homeland.
LUCIFER’S STAR is the first novel of the Lucifer’s Star series, a dark science fiction space opera set in a world of aliens, war, politics, and slavery.
“If you’re into big intergalactic epics where your heroes are just as sharp with the banter as they are their guns (in the spirit of Han Solo) this is for you.” – Kenny Soward, author of Galefire and GnomeSaga
“C.T. Phipps knocks it out of the universe with his sci-fi debut.” – Tim Marquitz, author of Demon Squad, The Blood War Trilogy, and Excalibur
“LUCIFER’S STAR is a space-going romp through the star-speckled back streets (on several worlds), and I’m actually quite looking forward to more novels in this series, and this universe.” – Shawn P. Durnin, author of Keep Your Crowbar Handy
Synopsis (Middle Grade Action & Adventure Sci-fi / Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery)
The first book in the award-winning, space adventure series for children age 9+, and fans of Vashti Hardy, AF Steadman, and Christopher Edge.
★★★★★ “Simply brilliant” – LoveReading
★★★★★ “A thrilling, edge-of-the-seat ride for all space loving adventurers!” Vashti Hardy, Author of Brightstorm
★★★★★ “I loved this book – not only as a type 1 diabetic – but as a fan of brilliant middle-grade stories. Perfectly paced, hugely imaginative and wildly exciting, I predict readers will adore Eva and this stunning space adventure.” AF Steadman, Author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
Mars. 2045. 13-year-old Eva, the first Martian, will risk everything to save her dad.
Fame, Type 1 diabetes and a sarcastic AI companion haunt her, but when her dad goes missing on the red planet, she must overcome the ‘Ghosts of Mars’ to save him.
The Martian for middle-grade, full of science, friendship and adventure.
With a Type 1 Diabetic main character, Ghosts of Mars explores how life beyond Earth, and the fame and scrutiny that come with it, affects the young people involved, who didn’t sign up for life on Mars. Ten percent of author profits go to Diabetes UK.
Synopsis (Galactic Empire Sci-FI, Space Marine & Space Fleet Sci-Fi)
Yesterday, he was a conman. Today, he’s the universe’s only hope.
Bodhi Drezek is heartbroken, universally despised, and drowning in debt from the sixty-five million tons of explosive compounds in his cargo hold. Despite his former glory as one of the galaxy’s foremost arms merchants, times are tough. The tyrannical Halcius Hegemony has nearly finished crushing a rebellion, depriving him of his top two customers.
Under the gun to absolve his debts, Bodhi takes a job to help a group of desperate rebels pull off a daring heist on a Hegemony flagship. But upon grabbing the loot, he realizes his employer only fed him half the story: Instead of precious gems, he’s hauling an alien weapon with apocalyptic levels of power. Accompanied by a future-seeing sidekick, a child prodigy, and the interdimensional being that fuels his ship, Bodhi prepares to pull off the ultimate double-cross—and turn the tide of war.
Standing in his way is the entire Hegemony fleet and his employer’s brutal hunters. But there’s no going back now. The universe’s last hope lies in one man—Bodhi Drezek, arms merchant and circumstantial savior.
INTERSTELLAR GUNRUNNER is a space opera thrill ride perfect for fans of Firefly, the Bobiverse, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Synopsis (First Contact & Galactic Empire Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk “Spy-Fi”)
When galactic danger calls, Agent Renault answers.
Strange signals pulse from an icy planet in a remote star system. Enter Lilline Renault, GAM-OPs secret agent extraordinaire. To ordinary citizens she’s Keely Larkin, an adventure company guide with a flair for the daring and a penchant for writing trite poetry.
When a terrifying link between high-tech entertainment and ancient cosmic forces rises, Lilline leaps into action. Verses flow as she rockets through space, dons cunning disguises, and infiltrates enemy territory with an arsenal of secret gadgets.
To solve the mystery behind a dastardly plan means beating a mastermind at his own game. Lilline will need her best weapon to stand a fighting chance: her instinct.
Each Agent Renault book is a standalone adventure – start anywhere in this fast, fun, and furiously entertaining spy-fi series!
Amazon GoodReads Author Site (FanFi Fam)
Synopsis (Galactic Empire & Military Sci-Fi, Colonization & Exploration Sci-Fi)
Nolan Garrett is Cerberus. A government assassin, tasked with fixing the galaxy’s darkest, ugliest problems with a bullet to the brain.
Armed with cutting-edge weapons and an AI-run cybernetic suit that controls his paralyzed legs, he is the fist in the shadows, the dagger to the heart of the Nyzarian Empire’s enemies.
Then he found Bex on his doorstep…
A junkie, high on the drug he’d fought for years to avoid, and a former elite soldier like him. So he takes her in to help her get clean—Silverguards never leave their own behind.
If only he’d known his actions would put him in the crosshairs of the most powerful cartel in New Avalon.
Facing an army of gangbangers, drug pushers, and thugs, Nolan must fight to not only carry out his mission, but to prevent the escalating violence from destroying everything he loves.
Cerberus: Assassination Protocol is the riveting, heart-pounding first book in the epic military sci-fi Cerberus series. If you like fearless heroes, non-stop futuristic action, and neck-breaking plot twists, you’ll love Andy Peloquin’s thrilling military space opera series.
Buy Cerberus: Assassination Protocol now to watch an assassin fight to protect the innocent!
Synopsis (Historical Sci-Fi, Time Travel Sci-FI, Action & Adventure Sci-Fi)
FIRST PLACE WINNER – 2021 ROYAL DRAGONFLY BOOK AWARDS: HISTORICAL FICTION CATEGORY
AWARD-WINNING FINALIST – 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS
Theodore is an introvert. Friends are a bother and being put in social situations is cruel and unusual punishment. Avoidance is the name of the game when it comes to relationships and he’s adamant he wouldn’t have it any other way. But deep inside he yearns for something…more.
When his vivacious, thrill-seeking sister Alice invites him on another one at her atypical adventures, Theodore finds that his life predicated upon comfort is about to be turned on its head. They venture to an ultra-exclusive speakeasy in Manhattan’s West Village, where he happens upon a vintage gramophone that does more than play a simple tune. He cranks the lever and a portal to another world snaps open. Before he can react, Theodore finds himself in a posh hotel, navigating a mysterious and menacing masquerade ball in 20th century London.
In the maze-like halls of the hotel, he brushes shoulders with a coquettish young woman who, coupled with the mysterious allure of the masquerade, ensures he’ll return to this foreign world to uncover more. But as he delves deeper, he finds himself in the middle of a socioeconomic conflict across a mercurial and hostile landscape where cocktails and charisma are more dangerous than loaded guns.
If he wants to lead the substantive life a part of him has always known he deserves, he must not only outgrow his circumspect ways and face the dangers of a socially adept furtive society, he must also face the demons of his own past which crawl to the surface as he unravels the mysteries of a bygone world.
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If you don’t mind me being so bold again, we have a FanFi family member that has a new sci-fi up for preorder. I’d love for you to experience it, because it’s sure to be a doozy–and it’s unique!
Synopsis (Crime & Mystery Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk Sci-fi, “Fungal-Punk”)
ENTER THE FUNGALVERSE. BEAT THE WINTER BLUES.
Blade Runner, True Detective and District 9 meld with the weird worlds of Jeff VanderMeer, Philip K. Dick and China Miéville in Adrian M. Gibson’s dark, hallucinatory, fungalpunk noir debut.
Two years after a devastating defeat in the decade-long Spore War, the island nation of Hōppon and its capital city of Neo Kinoko are occupied by invading Coprinian forces. Its fungal citizens are in dire straits, wracked by food shortages, poverty and an influx of war refugees. Even worse, the corrupt occupiers exploit their power, hounding the native population.
As a winter storm looms over the metropolis, NKPD homicide detective Henrietta Hofmann begrudgingly partners up with mushroom-headed patrol officer Koji Nameko to investigate the mysterious murders of fungal and half-breed children. Their investigation drags them deep into the seedy underbelly of a war-torn city, one brimming with colonizers, criminal gangs, racial division and moral decay.
In order to solve the case and unravel the truth, Hofmann must challenge her past and embrace fungal ways. What she and Nameko uncover in the midst of this frigid wasteland will chill them to the core, but will they make it through the storm alive?
Regardless of the kind of reader you are, I truly believe there’s something above for everyone! Just looking through them while compiling this now, there’s standalone, trilogies, series, a slew of sub-genres from various authors. All hailing from different places across the world too.
I’m excited to check out the ones I haven’t read yet. Feel free to contact me or comment with suggestions! Not sure if I’ll do another round, but I’m thinking about it if people enjoy.
As with any genre, there are so many sub-genres in science fiction, and it’s easy to get lost in the plethora of books that get released each week.
As you know, 10 books doesn’t even scratch the surface of the great stories out there, and I’m hoping mine is considered by someone to be worthy of a read.
Thanks for the list!