Innovative science fiction novels often break the mold in terms of world - building. They might create a universe with completely different physical laws, or a society that functions in ways we can't even imagine. They also play with the idea of consciousness. Some novels explore what it means to be human when consciousness can be split or transferred. Additionally, they can be innovative in how they approach themes like war, peace, and love in a setting that is far removed from our current reality. For instance, in a world where machines are the dominant species, how does love manifest? This kind of exploration makes a novel innovative.
New concepts are key. For example, if a novel presents a unique form of space travel that defies the traditional ideas, like in 'The Folding Knife' where the method of traversing the galaxy is completely different. Also, unique social structures, like the hive - mind society in some novels. Another aspect could be new takes on time, such as time being a physical resource that can be manipulated.