After receiving what many saw as undeniable confirmation of the existence of aliens this past year, sci-fi novels have become more relevant than ever. Space exploration, technologically advanced futures and all kinds of alien novels are at the forefront of readers’ minds. If aliens aren’t already on Earth, what will that first contact look like? Will it be a vicious colonization of our planet? An all-out war? A friendly attempt at understanding? Many sci-fi writers have tackled this not-so-implausible concept in their novels, and here are some great choices to dive into.
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
Soon to be a Netflix original series, releasing in March, The Three-Body Problem is a tense science fiction masterpiece that showcases humanity on the brink of alien invasion. When a secret military project sends signals into space in the hope of contacting aliens, the aliens hear. They’re ready to invade, and humanity is unprepared.
Soon, divisive factions form in favor of different approaches — either help the aliens take over a corrupt world, or defend humanity and our planet. Which side will be victorious? China’s most beloved science fiction author shares an epic tale of morality and division set during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. (Watch the Netflix trailer here.)
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
The bestselling author of Eragon brings an epic, sweeping first-contact story.
Kira Navárez is a xenobiologist who studies alien worlds, and she can’t wait to end a routine planetary survey mission so she can reunite with her fiancé. Things change when she finds an alien relic in an underground cave, which covers her in a mysterious black powder and morphs into something that will transform her and possibly lead to the end of humanity by awakening long-slumbering alien threats.
The mayhem she has unleashed inadvertently provokes a war with an alien race nicknamed the “Jellies,” jellyfish-like creatures who obtained much of their technology from a long-ago race called The Vanished. The Jellies seem malevolent, but are they really? As threats emerge from every direction, Navárez must collaborate with her colleagues to establish an understanding between humans and aliens. (Read the review on BookTrib.)
A Gigantic Leap: First Contact by David Brown
Written by a former NASA engineer, A Gigantic Leap: First Contact evokes feelings of exhilaration and empowerment as humanity takes a monumental step toward the future. The story follows renowned anthropologist Dr. Stephen Hopkins, who wakes up on a city bench one Saturday morning with no memory of the last 16 hours, only to discover the unfathomable truth: he was abducted by aliens.
He soon learns of his contact with the Galactic Federation, a highly advanced civilization that urges humanity to embrace peace — otherwise, they will use whatever means necessary to keep humanity’s violent nature from spreading across the galaxy. The Galactic Federation is in favor of quarantining Earth — or worse, exterminating the human race.
Stephen finds and joins forces with Dr. Heather Eastlake, a renowned child psychologist, to warn the president about the alien threat, hoping he will steer world leaders toward global disarmament and peace. A tempting offer from the leader of the Galactic Federation begs readers to consider the question: is world peace ever easy? (Read Booktrib’s review here and check out this interview with the author.)
Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor
What will you do when aliens make contact with Earth? Aliens have landed in the water outside of Lagos, drawing three total strangers together as they are pulled towards the ocean to witness this puzzling first contact. When the internet gets ahold of the news, it spirals out of control, launching into chaos, and sending military leaders and political figures into a frenzy as they try to get ahold of the situation.
Is nuclear warfare the only solution? Or can an alien ambassador, a marine biologist, a famous rapper, and a troubled soldier be the unlikely group that unites two species? Nnedi Okorafor blends fantasy and magical realism with Nigerian culture to create a thrilling Afrofuturist sci-fi novel.
Annex by Rich Larson
Aliens have destroyed the world, taken over everything and kidnapped everyone’s families and friends. Young adults are forced to take charge, with adults reduced to helpless zombie-like beings. Brave, adolescent main characters Violet and Bo must escape the warehouse they’ve been sent to for nefarious purposes and team up with other teens if they have any hope of finding a way out of this invasion alive. The aliens refuse to leave them alone, and it is their job to put off complete disaster, even if it means coming face-to-face with the enemy.
Described as Lord of the Flies and Peter Pan meets dystopian alien invasion, Annex is the first installment of The Violet Wars duology, an action-packed thriller with a vibrant and diverse cast of characters.
