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For great sci-fi, definitely review The Hugo Awards (and previous awards) https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2023-hugo-awards/ https://www.thehugoawards

For great sci-fi, definitely review The Hugo Awards (and previous awards) https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2023-hugo-awards/ https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2023-hugo-awards/ and the Arthur C Clarke awards https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke_Award https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke_Award . I found many great authors and series there. I highly recommend anything by Adrian Tchaikovsky. His themes and ideas are deep and fascinating. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Adrian-Tchaikovsky/author/B002XLHS8Q https://www.amazon.com/stores/Adrian-Tchaikovsky/author/B002... (Children of Time Series, Dogs of War and City of Last Chances are great). Him and Dan Simmons are my favorite new(ish) authors. If you haven't read the Hyperion quadrilogy, it's my favorite sci-fi series ever. I hate to be that guy, but I find Andy Weir's books to be very simple and 'light' sci-fi. Fun reads but usually suffers from the protagonist being a genius and smart aleck. No deep themes or characters. I never understood the crazy appeal after reading all of Asimov and Arthur C Clarke. Personally I want giant themes, huge space operas, complex characters and long storylines!

freetime2 3y ago
Thanks for the suggestions. I read the first book in the Children of Time series and really enjoyed it. I don't think the next two books had been released yet when I read it, so I definitely will go and follow up on those. I will give the Hyperion quadrilogy a look, too. I agree with your take that Andy Weir's writing can feel a bit lacking - at least in the Martian. But I was willing to give him a bit of a pass based on how the story was originally self-published in serial form. My hope is that Project Hail Mary will be a bit more refined - but even if it reads just like the Martian, I am definitely interested to give it a read.
bwb 3y ago
I enjoyed Children of Time, but I also was frustrated as the characters are a bit flat, they don't have any type of arc or change or learn in any way. The main character was interesting but the rest just kinda there. I loved the world though.

freetime2 3y ago

Thanks for the suggestions. I read the first book in the Children of Time series and really enjoyed it. I don't think the next two books had been released yet when I read it, so I definitely will go and follow up on those. I will give the Hyperion quadrilogy a look, too. I agree with your take that Andy Weir's writing can feel a bit lacking - at least in the Martian. But I was willing to give him a bit of a pass based on how the story was originally self-published in serial form. My hope is that Project Hail Mary will be a bit more refined - but even if it reads just like the Martian, I am definitely interested to give it a read.

bwb 3y ago

I enjoyed Children of Time, but I also was frustrated as the characters are a bit flat, they don't have any type of arc or change or learn in any way. The main character was interesting but the rest just kinda there. I loved the world though.