Incredible Sci Fi You've Probably Never Heard Of
Do you feel like you've read everything there is to read? Or get annoyed that the same books are on all the rec lists? Well, here are some more obscure masterpieces!
Some of the covers are terrible - especially among the older or self-pubbed books; there's a few YA in here; and some that are science fantasy rather than 'pure' sci fi. But trust me: they're all EXCELLENT. (And if you already love a bunch of these, let's be friends!)
created by Siavahda
last updated July, 2026
Comments
Every book I've read from this list was either a solid 5 stars or a very interesting concept so I highly trust your judgement, thank you for the recommandations!
SiavahdaOP
Eee, yay! Thank you so much! I hope you find more five-stars here :D
I'm clocking in at 28% read and I'm going to gobble up the rest of this list. Thank you! Also, please allow me to shout out Annalee Newitz's The Terraformers.
SiavahdaOP
28%!!! EEE! I'm so glad we follow each other :D And delighted you like the list! I hope you find many new faves here.
IMMEDIATELY putting Teraformers at the top of my tbr, thank you!
Sounds like a super interesting list👍🏽. I have read a single one of them. The seep. Was intense, not my favorite but super unique, interesting premise.
SiavahdaOP
Thanks! I liked the Seep a lot, but I actually read it after reading the author's other book, The Thick and the Lean. Which is also super unique!
I found the seep to have a few too many sexual elements which I found a bit off-putting. I‘ve seen the thick and the lean, it was on my TbR for a long time but I never got round to it. If you say its worth it I‘ll check it out again. It has some stunning covers for sure
SiavahdaOP
If you don't want a lot of sex and sexual stuff, I think you should probably skip Thick and the Lean. It's set in a world where sex is as casual as eating is for us, but eating is surrounded by all kinds of taboos like sex is in our world. So it might not be your thing!
I loveeee the outside and the seep and the vanished birds!!! So many great books on here
Shouldnt be surprised at the 44% overlap you clearly have great taste in obscure scifi 😎
SiavahdaOP
Thank you!!! Consider your follow IMMEDIATELY reciprocated!
