Escape Reality with These Must-Read Science Fiction & Fantasy Books

If you love books that bend time, rewrite history, and explore otherworldly realms, then this 2021 Summer Reading Guide: Science Fiction & Fantasy Edition is for you! From a robot’s fight for survival in a world at war to a magical reimagining of The Great Gatsby, these science fiction and fantasy books offer spectacular world-building, compelling characters, and mind-bending plots.

The 5 Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books

These genre-bending, reality-defying books will ignite your imagination and challenge the way you see the world.

Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill

A robot’s journey through the collapse of human civilization.

Pounce, a tiger-shaped AI companion, was built to be a child’s best friend and protector. But when a terrorist attack sparks a world war between humans and free robots, Pounce must decide where his loyalties truly lie. As he battles philosophical questions of free will, morality, and duty, he is forced to confront what it means to be truly alive.

A gripping, action-packed sci-fi thriller that explores AI ethics and survival in a world where the line between human and machine has blurred.

You can get a copy of Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill on Amazon.

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley

A mesmerizing time-travel mystery set in an alternate history.

Joe Tournier wakes up in 1898 in French-occupied England with no memory of his past. Something feels terribly wrong, and when he receives a postcard mailed from 1805, he embarks on a time-bending journey that spans over a century to unravel the truth about his identity, the nature of memory, and the possibility of rewriting history.

For fans of time-slip novels, alternate histories, and beautifully written speculative fiction, The Kingdoms is a must-read.

You can get a copy of The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley on Amazon.

The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu

A supernatural adventure in a dystopian Edinburgh.

In a dark, magical version of Scotland, teenage dropout Ropa makes a living as a ghostalker, ferrying messages between the dead and the living. But when she learns that something is preying on the city’s children, she sets out on a dangerous investigation that uncovers sinister forces beyond her wildest imagination.

A perfect blend of Scottish folklore, urban fantasy, and ghostly intrigue, this book is ideal for readers who love spooky mysteries with strong, witty protagonists.

You can get a copy of The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu on Amazon.

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

A dazzling, magical retelling of The Great Gatsby.

Jordan Baker has always been on the fringes of Gatsby’s glamorous world, but in this spellbinding reimagining of Fitzgerald’s classic, she is also a magician with the ability to manipulate paper and ink. As Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy unfolds, Jordan navigates love, power, and identity in a Jazz Age infused with dark magic and supernatural forces.

A stunningly original take on a literary classic, The Chosen and the Beautiful is equal parts historical fiction and dark fantasy.

You can get a copy of The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo on Amazon.

Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North

A dystopian vision of knowledge, power, and the cost of history.

In a world rebuilt after environmental collapse, Ven Marzouki works as a priest, translating ancient texts from a lost civilization. But when a radical Brotherhood forces him to work as their translator, Ven is drawn into a dangerous game of deception, espionage, and rebellion.

With layers of political intrigue, ethical dilemmas, and a haunting vision of the future, this book is a thought-provoking dystopian masterpiece.

You can get a copy of Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North on Amazon.

Which Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Will You Read First?

Have you read any of these books? Which one are you adding to your summer reading list? Let’s chat in the comments!