15 Must-Read YA Sci-fi Books You’ll Love

Science fiction books are the best! When you’re craving a total escape from real life, sci-fi can transport you to new worlds full of adventure. Strap yourself in, because the books on this list will take you to outer space, dystopian societies, and deep into virtual worlds. Whether you love being immersed in a new world or enjoy stories with a realistic backdrop, you need these books in your life.

Aurora Rising

Aurora Rising

By Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

Full of space travel, monsters, and adventure, this story will keep you on your toes. Jam-packed with action and humor, Aurora Rising takes you on a wild ride through deep space with an eclectic group of misfits who fight for their lives every step of the way. This book will leave you breathless—and highly suspicious of your houseplants.

Brave New Girl

Brave New Girl

By Rachel Vincent

You’re one in a million! Actually, Dahlia 16 is one of 5,000 identical girls created to serve society. The girls are all the same. Anyone different is considered “flawed” and gets destroyed. But when Dahlia 16 meets Trigger, she realizes she is different, flawed, and unique—and that’s something worth fighting for. If you’re obsessed with dystopian YA, put this book on your TBR!

Eve of Man

Eve of Man

By Giovanna Fletcher, Tom Fletcher

It’s a man’s world. At least, until all the girls disappear. Then it’s just a mess. Eve is the first girl born in fifty years, and the world is pinning their hopes of saving humanity on her. If you love The Handmaid’s Tale, you’ll get sucked into this exciting dystopian YA novel!

Half Life

Half Life

By Lillian Clark

Having a clone is a perfectionist’s dream come true! When there are two of you, it means you no longer have to choose between having a great social life and getting straight As. But what happens when your clone decides they want a life of their own? This novel set in the near future is the perfect weekend read.

Hullmetal Girls

Hullmetal Girls

By Emily Skrutskie

Mechanically enhanced soldiers, a powerful government, and a fight for freedom—we’re totally here for this book. If you’re ready for an unusual YA sci-fi novel with headstrong main characters, dark secrets, and a cutthroat competition, pick this one up!

The Illuminae Files

The Illuminae Files

By Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

The only thing worse than having your planet invaded by warring mega-corporations is getting stuck with your ex-boyfriend when it happens. Told through hacked documents, emails, maps, and interviews, this heart-pounding YA sci-fi series from the authors of Aurora Rising will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Last Girl on Earth

The Last Girl on Earth

By Alexandra Blogier

This is a story about family, first love, and choices, all wrapped up in a science fiction package. Li is a human girl raised among the aliens who took over Earth and destroyed every other human on the planet. When she meets and falls in love with Rhy, she puts herself and her adopted family at risk.

LIFEL1K3 (Lifelike)

LIFEL1K3 (Lifelike)

By Jay Kristoff

This series reads like a YA version of Alita: Battle Angel. Set in a world where humans and androids work and live alongside each other, this heart-stopping thrill ride will keep you guessing. You’ll be gripping the edge of your seat as you race through every twist and turn.

The Nyxia Triad

The Nyxia Triad

By Scott Reintgen

With all the exciting stuff happening at SpaceX and NASA, visiting another planet has never sounded so good. But you won’t have to suit up to take this dive into deep space. Crack open the cover of this book to get swept into a high-stakes competition in outer space where the prize is fame, fortune, and staying alive.

Otherworld

Otherworld

By Jason Segel, Kirsten Miller

Do you want to read a super weird yet totally awesome sci-fi series? How does a story about a virtual reality game with real-world consequences, bloodthirsty cannibals, and greedy corporations sound? If you’re nodding your head and thinking this is right up your alley, grab a copy of Otherworld ASAP. You’ll be hooked on page one! And this is only the first book in the trilogy!

Satellite

Satellite

By Nick Lake

Satellite flips the typical sci-fi story of going into space on its head. Leo has spent his entire life in space and is coming to Earth for the first time. There’s a lot to adjust to—gravity, illnesses, deception, and conspiracies. You won’t be able to walk away from this page-turner!

The Secret Runners

The Secret Runners

By Matthew Reilly

Rumors about the end of the world are running rampant, and the wealthy teenagers of New York City are partying like there’s no tomorrow. When Sky and her brother, Red, gain access to a time-travel portal, they discover that the rumors are true—and time is running out. You won’t be able to set down this fast-paced dystopian adventure about the end of the world, time travel, and secret societies.

Shadow Run

Shadow Run

By Michael Miller, AdriAnne Strickland

If you like your space operas with a side of love triangle, Shadow Run is the book for you! With jaw-dropping action and several new book boyfriends to obsess over, this is the science-fiction duology you need to read.

Skyward

Skyward

By Brandon Sanderson

Trust me, you won’t want to miss this unputdownable first book in a series from a master of science fiction. Skyward is about a group of humans trying to survive on a planet that is constantly under attack from aliens. When Spensa finds the ruins of an ancient starship, her dreams of becoming a pilot and fighting against the aliens could be within reach. If you already love this series, check out Brandon Sanderson’s other YA sci-fi series, the Reckoners.

Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful

Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful

By Arwen Elys Dayton

How far is too far to go for human perfection? We’ve all dreamed of modifying certain things about ourselves, but this book takes it to the extreme. Through six interconnected stories, the characters in this novel experience the beauty and horror that comes with advancements in genetic modification.

Let us know in the comments which ones you are adding to your TBR!

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