The best new science fiction books of 2026 include new novels from Ann Leckie and Adrian Tchaikovsky

I may have to eat my hat later, but I think 2026 is shaping up to be a great year for science fiction. With eight months of book releases announced, the table is already full of exciting deals.

In January, we welcome new books from two major authors. There is Peter F. Hamilton. Hole in the skythe first in the Arkship trilogy and a change of pace for an author who has made his name with sprawling, science-filled, brain-bending books. It's short and straight to the point, written from the perspective of a teenage girl. Hamilton hopes his current fans will enjoy the book, which is aimed at a younger audience.

The novel is also a change in its publication schedule, as all three books will be published this year – the second in June, the third in December. It will be interesting to see how this works for readers.

Our second big arrival Vigilthe new novel by George Saunders, winner of the 2017 Booker Prize for Lincoln in the Bardo. Vigil it's not science fiction, but it does qualify as climate fiction because it centers on the death of an oil tycoon, and that definitely sounds speculative.

Expect in February Forest at the Edge of Time Jasmine Kirkbride, which is billed as “climatic time travel fantasy”, and Rain Seekers Matthew Kresel is about a group of people who travel to witness the first rain on Mars.

There are also After the fall Directed by Edward Ashton, billed as “part alien invasion story, part buddy comedy… part workplace satire.” And that's cool if it works.

The highlight of March (at least for me) will be Adrian Tchaikovsky's fourth book. Children of time series, this one called Children of discordwhich will contain at least one raised mantis shrimp. I'm inside.

Other notable releases in March include: Library of Traumatic Memorythe first science fiction work by film director and writer Neil Jordan, and Jitterbug Gareth L. Powell, described by the publisher as a thrilling adventure featuring a team of bounty hunters in a devastated solar system.

April comes The subtle art of folding spacea debut that caused a stir as its author Jon Chu won big awards for his stories. We should also see Photon effect Mike Chen, billed as a “page-turning space opera” about a galactic civil war.

But that's not all. Shining Darkness Alexandra Oliva should also come out (Arrival meets Wild dark shore“, say his publishers), as well as The language of liars S.L. Huang (“Science Fiction on Linguistics and Consequences”) and Ode to the Half Broken by Suzanne Palmer (described as “punk hope science fiction”).

Then there is We were burning so bright TJ Clune. This is an author I've never read, but know I should. It's about “an older gay couple who goes on a journey to the ends of the world.”

The highlight of May will undoubtedly be shining stara new work by Anne Leckie, set in her magnificent Imperial Radch universe. But let's not forget the eighth killer robot book, Platform collapseby the wonderful Martha Wells.

We can also expect Republic of Memory Mahmoud El-Sayed, described as an ambitious work of Arab Futurism, and Not with a bang Billed as a family drama, Temi Oh is perfect for fans of Emily St. John Mandel. Station eleven.

In June we can count on Sublimation Isabel J. Kim, “an immigrant story like no other,” and Traveler Joseph Eckert, which tells the story of a tenacious time traveler and his son. Also coming out this month Dead but dreaming of electric sheep Paul Tremblay, called “a genre-bending near-future tech nightmare… as mordantly funny as it is terrifyingly believable.”

Last but not least, it will be published in August Infinite state Richard Swan, another bestselling author (his books include Wolf Empire trilogy). Apparently it's a “thrilling survival story” and a “rocking sci-fi epic.”

I'm glad to be stuck.

Emily H. Wilson is the author Sumerians trilogy. She is currently working on her first science fiction novel.