What are the best romantic sci - fi novels?

Romantic sci - fi novels often blend the sense of wonder from science fiction with the emotional depth of romance. They usually have elements like advanced technology or alien worlds as the backdrop for the romantic relationships. For example, in 'The Time Traveler's Wife', the time - traveling ability is a central sci - fi concept, but it's the love story between Henry and Clare that drives the narrative. These novels can also explore themes like the nature of love in different settings, such as a dystopian future or a far - flung galaxy.

Some of the 2020 best sci - fi novels include 'Network Effect' by Martha Wells. It continues the story of Murderbot, a self - aware security unit, in an exciting adventure. Another one could be 'The City We Became' by N. K. Jemisin, which is a creative take on cities coming to life in a very strange and magical way.

Some of the well - known ones could be 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It has a complex universe with politics, religion and ecology all intertwined. '1984' by George Orwell, though more of a dystopian novel, is also a great sci - fi work. It warns about totalitarianism. And 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley which shows a future society where people are engineered for specific roles.

One of the best sci - fi novels in 2017 was 'The Collapsing Empire' by John Scalzi. It has an interesting take on an interstellar empire on the verge of collapse, with great world - building and engaging characters.

One of the great ones in 2018 was 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer. It has a really unique and mysterious setting. The way the environment is described makes it seem like a place that's both beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Another good one was 'The Calculating Stars' by Mary Robinette Kowal. It combines the idea of space exploration with some really interesting social and gender issues.

Some of the great ones include 'Ninefox Gambit' by Yoon Ha Lee. It has a complex and unique world - building with a military - focused plot. Another is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead which uses a sci - fi element in the form of a literal underground railroad to tell a powerful story about slavery and freedom.

Some of the best 2019 sci - fi novels include 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood. It's a great follow - up to 'The Handmaid's Tale' with its exploration of a dystopian future. Another one could be 'The Future of Another Timeline' by Annalee Newitz, which plays with time travel and feminist themes. And 'Recursion' by Blake Crouch is also quite good, dealing with mind - bending concepts of memory and time.

'Axiom's End' by Lindsay Ellis is also a notable 2020 sci - fi novel. It tells a story about first contact with an alien species. It explores themes like government secrecy, family relationships, and the far - reaching consequences of making contact with beings from another world. The characters are well - drawn and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Well, 'The Martian' is a top pick. It's really gripping as we follow Mark Watney's struggle to stay alive on Mars using his scientific knowledge. Then there's 'Ancillary Justice'. The way it plays with concepts of identity through its AI - centric story is quite fascinating. Also, 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer. It has a really strange and alluring setting in Area X, where a team of scientists goes in to explore and things get very weird and dangerous.

Some of the best 2017 sci - fi novels include 'The Collapsing Empire' by John Scalzi. It has an interesting take on a galactic empire starting to crumble. Another great one is 'Autonomous' by Annalee Newitz which delves into issues like intellectual property and biotechnology in a sci - fi setting.