Top 5 books set in space : this is this week’s topic on @bionicbookworm!
I thought I would never have five books read set in space to share with you as I am a newbie “space stories” lover but when I looked closer at my shelves I realized that I had read books either set in space either featuring aliens and some intergalactic travel!
I took the liberty to open the topic to aliens too even if no real space travel happens in the story self because aliens come from space right? Plus look at the “newbie” comment here above: I had to amp up my game!
But first a question for you: would you be ready to travel into space?
Personally have always been fascinated by astronomy. I wanted to study astrophysics untill my teacher told me it was a lot of math and few hours observing the stars…
Way to discourage an eager and young mind!
As much as I love looking at the stars and reading books on astronomy I am so NOT ready to embark on a space ship and be launched into space!
Movies like The Martian and Gravity give me claustrophobia!!!!!!!!!!
And there is the minor detail of my fear of flying….
Maybe if you’d give me a leviathan like Nadim I would be ready to travel. Because he is not a failing machine but a transient living being!
Otherwise…no Sir!
Obviously I am one of the few as many authors have been inspired by space travels and alien beings.
After having a look at my recent and old past reads I came up with these choices:
The Honors Series by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre (YOU HAVE TO READ IT!!!!! Zara + Nadim = Zadim forever)
Synopsis
Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead of moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.
Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.
Zara seizes the chance to flee Earth’s dangers, but when she meets Nadim, the alien ship she’s assigned, Zara starts to feel at home for the first time. But nothing could have prepared her for the dark, ominous truths that lurk behind the alluring glitter of starlight.
Mia & Korum (The Krinar Chronicle 1-3) by Anna Zaires ( dang HAWT yet so good!!!)
Synopsis
Dark Passion. Betrayal. Danger. Love.
Five years in the future, humans are no longer the most advanced species. Earth is ruled by the Krinar, a beautiful, mysterious race from another galaxy.
A shy and inexperienced college student, Mia Stalis has never had much interaction with the invaders—until one fateful meeting in Central Park changes everything. Having caught Korum’s eye, she must now contend with a powerful, dangerously seductive Krinar who will do anything to possess her . . . even take away her freedom.
From the skyscrapers of New York City to the alien landscapes of Krina, their epic passion will transform the world.
Alienated by Melissa Landers (because hot alien and human/alien exchange program kind of like our Erasmus student exchange in Europe 😀 )
Synopsis
Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.
Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.
Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.
But when Cara’s classmates get swept up by anti-L’eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn’t safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara’s locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.
Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she’s fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.
Inside Out by Maria V Snyder
Synopsis
Keep Your Head Down.
Don’t Get Noticed.
Or Else.
I’m Trella. I’m a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I’ve got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.
The Darkest Star and Lux series by Jennifer L Armentrout ( no space travel but hot alien. Daemon!!! )
Synopsis
Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something… unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don’t kill him first, that is.
And I have a little something for you today from my country!
We are famous for our comics (Tintin, Spirou, The Smurfs, Blake & Mortimer, Thorgal,…) and I am following for over 40 years Yoko Tsuno! She is a female heroine from Japanese origins and traveling the world and space with a bunch of friends, embarking on every possible adventure. She has been to Vinea!
This choice is a special one for Greg @bookhaven and Lashaan @bookidote as I know they are fans of comics!
See guys, I love them too!
And I also have watched ET. Does that count????
Now do tell me what are your top 5 stories set in space?
Thanks for reading!
Love this! Ps…have you read Skyward by Brandon Sanderson? I fell in love with it!
Oooh, cool list!!!
I’m pikcing stuff for my wishlist over here 😀
Haven’t seen the Martian movie, but the book was quite claustrophobic as well!
My fave space stories are the Old Man’s War series by Scalzi, his new series, the Interdependency, the teeny tiny book i just read, Adrift, and Dune 🙂
I never wanted to travel in space. Seen too many movies and books about what could go horribly wrong. I sure love reading about it though. And E T counts:) Off the top of my head I can add the Illuminae series. Loved all of them.
A huge YES to Honor Among Thieves, Obsidian, and Alienated! I would also add These broken stars by Amie Kaufman, Illuminae files, and Messenger Chronicles by Pippa DaCosta.
I bought Honor Among Thieves, but haven’t started it yet – think I got it because of your review, Sophie.
Well Teri I think I am guilty indeed LOL
I’d have mentioned Illuminae on this list but there are so many wonderful space stories out there but man.. I don’t think I’d enjoy a trip in space even though it’s incredibly beautiful! Also love that you put Yoko Tsuno! I’ve heard of her throughout my childhood too. And I was also super surprised by your statement of “my country” and mentioned Tintin and Spirou! Are you Belgium-dutch or Belgium-french?! 😮 Or French? 😮
Belgium-French Lashaan!!!!
That… means… we share another language in common?!?! 😛 Considering that I too speak French!!! 😮 😮
DAEMON!!! 🙂 (If I was using my phone or my iPad I’d be adding about 50 heart eye emojis right now LOL) My #1 book boyfriend, my #1 paranormal series… *sigh* I’ve had Alienated on my shelf for ages but have yet to read it. Maybe I need to change that soon.
Hahaha yes I can understand the 50 heart eyes emojis Tanya!!!
Anna Zaires! Yass! I love astronomy. I’m currently getting my bachelors in electronics engineering, but I plan on getting my masters in theoretical physics or partical/nuclear physics, so hopefully I still have astronomy in my cards Also, you hate maths? Why?
Oh I don’t hate math Ari! I even ended with an A+ in high school. But I had to work a lot to attain excellence in math while in other classes it was easier for me (yes yes I was already an overachiever).
I was always fascinated by astronomy too haha, but I want less math and more sky watching. 🙂 So I’m w/ you on that. And ooh The Three Suns of Vinea! I will check that out! I read a bunch of Tintin’s and have been reading some Blake & Mortimer as well, along with some other Euro comics. Thorgal’s on my list to try. I’ve been LOVING Golden City.
Oooh Greg I hope I will read its review on your blog one day 😉
I think almost all the sci-fi books I have read and liked qualify as space opera. I loved the first book in the Alienated series. It ended strong, but the second book was just ok for me. I think they were apart too much in that book. I feel like the Illuminae Files and Starbound books could work for this topic too, and I adored those.
Sam my “good resolution” of this year is to read the Illuminae Files!!!
I hope you love it! This is going to be shocking, but I actually read those as physical books. The illustrations and everything are wonderful in those books.
I don’t really have space books besides Across The Universe which I read years ago but I do love alien books, including Lux.
Oh Across the Universe is another that I had read many years ago Jamsu!
I still need to read the third book one day
I didn’t know about any of your picks, however, The Honor series seems to be right down my lane. I’ll make sure to check that out!
I hope you will give it a chance!
Dang, I knew you would find a unique way to do today’s choice of top 5 books! I love your choices, but now I have to go check out Yoko Tsuno—how cool is that, that you’ve been following this comic for 40 years!!
Oh yes Alexandra! I was hooked from the tender age of 8 or 7 LOL