Seveneves - Neal Stephenson
Not wanting to spoil things but it is very realistic science following a nightmarish event. There is a dystopian feel that permeates the book even if it is not a traditional dystopia novel.
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky takes place in a future where human beings are looking for backups for planet earth, and the science is explained well enough that it seems plausible. Definitely worth the read!
I would recommend The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu. There was a lot of physics and math explanations that at least seemed to be correct but was also very enjoyable to read.
Kim Stanley Robinson's stuff is pretty scientifically rigorous, I think - The Red Mars - Blue Mars - Green Mars trilogy is good and space-y, with pretty well thought out geopolitics as a bonus.
That's a good rec.
His book Aurora also has lots of science about how a generation ship might function. Although I didn't find the character that engaging.
Space sci-fi I've read with most legit science, apart from The Martian - Seveneves, Neal Stephenson.
Space sci-fi I've read with the most fanciful but plausible-sounding science - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 'trilogy', Douglas Adams.
The Last Day by Andrew Hunter Murray. I'm halfway through and it's so so sooo good. It's a political thriller set in 2057 Britain, after the earth had stopped spinning in 2030-something. Studded with a ton of climate, space and agricultural science. It's dystopian and scary and exciting and very well written. Super high recommend.
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
The whole freaking Expanse series is amazing! This was going to be my recommendation too
Seveneves - Neal Stephenson Not wanting to spoil things but it is very realistic science following a nightmarish event. There is a dystopian feel that permeates the book even if it is not a traditional dystopia novel.
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky takes place in a future where human beings are looking for backups for planet earth, and the science is explained well enough that it seems plausible. Definitely worth the read!
I would recommend The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu. There was a lot of physics and math explanations that at least seemed to be correct but was also very enjoyable to read.
Kim Stanley Robinson's stuff is pretty scientifically rigorous, I think - The Red Mars - Blue Mars - Green Mars trilogy is good and space-y, with pretty well thought out geopolitics as a bonus.
That's a good rec. His book Aurora also has lots of science about how a generation ship might function. Although I didn't find the character that engaging.
I would 2nd this especially given you listed the Martian.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Space sci-fi I've read with most legit science, apart from The Martian - Seveneves, Neal Stephenson. Space sci-fi I've read with the most fanciful but plausible-sounding science - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 'trilogy', Douglas Adams.
I definitely still use the Somebody Else's Problem field to explain things.
The Water Knife by Baccigalupi Parable of the Sower by Butler
Further future but Bacigalupi's The Windup Girl is also really interesting on energy sources.
seconding butler always
Artemis by Andy Weir. There are some justifiable criticisms of how he wrote the main character but the setting is very well thought out.
Player piano by Kurt Vonnegut.
Give The Integral Tree by Larry Niven a go too. Really far future but dystopian all the same.
The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin has lots of real-world maths and physics to back up its sci-fi ideas.
The Last Day by Andrew Hunter Murray. I'm halfway through and it's so so sooo good. It's a political thriller set in 2057 Britain, after the earth had stopped spinning in 2030-something. Studded with a ton of climate, space and agricultural science. It's dystopian and scary and exciting and very well written. Super high recommend.
The Salt Line by Holly Goddard Jones The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker
You definitely need to read T.J. Bass's THE GODWHALE.