Science fiction columnist Emily H. Wilson shares her top book recommendations for the year so far and names one title as her clear favorite.
The best science fiction novel published this year is The End of Everything by M. John Harrison. Though shorter than most novels, the story feels complete and intense. The book follows Phillip and his grandmother Marnie, who live on England’s south coast after an alien invasion. The European mainland has vanished, and it is difficult to tell what is real. Strange and hazardous objects wash up from the sea. At times, a strange condition called a bad patch affects people, altering their perceptions or actions.
Phillip searches for alien items to sell, while Marnie works as an artist. Their behavior often differs from expectations. The novel echoes Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky and The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham, yet remains fully original and highly accomplished.
Two other notable releases appeared in June. The Traveler by Joseph Eckert follows Scott Treder, who jumps forward in time, with each leap doubling in length. His son Lyle calculates the growing intervals and later becomes a physicist to assist him. The story moves from thriller elements into deeper science fiction territory.
Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky centers on an intelligent raccoon working as a private investigator in a future city. The tale involves augmented animals living beneath humans and has a light, playful tone despite underlying social themes.
Earlier in the year, Radiant Star by Ann Leckie stood out as a strong addition to her Imperial Radch series. Luminous by Silvia Park explores artificial intelligence with emotional depth, while Vigil by George Saunders features a memorable ghostly main character.
