All posts tagged: Leckie

The best new science fiction books of May 2026 include a new Murderbot and books from Alan Moore and Ann Leckie

The best new science fiction books of May 2026 include a new Murderbot and books from Alan Moore and Ann Leckie

Published by skeptic

Alexander Skarsgård in Murderbot, adapted from Martha Wells’s novels Steve Wilkie / Apple TV+ Some months, I end up scraping the bottom of the barrel to find enough interesting science fiction to tell you about. This May that wasn’t a problem – there’s tons to look forward to, whether you’re after time-travelling romance from Matt Haig (yes please), extinction events in London from Temi Oh (I’ve already read this and it’s a lot of fun), the latest Murderbot novel (hurrah) or a generation-ship story that comes garlanded with praise. There are also new titles from big names Ann Leckie and Alan Moore. If that’s not enough, then you can join the New Scientist Book Club here, and our lively Discord channel here, where we’re discussing all things sci-fi and popular science. I got into the Murderbot books a few years back, when we read the first in the series, All Systems Red, with the New Scientist Book Club. I’m a proper fan now, including of the new television series starring Alexander Skarsgård as the eponymous cyborg …

Ann Leckie continues to shine with new sci-fi novel Radiant Star

Ann Leckie continues to shine with new sci-fi novel Radiant Star

Published by skeptic

The planet Aaa has lost its star, forcing its population to live underground Mehau Kulyk/Science Photo Library/Alamy Radiant StarAnn Leckie, Orbit Books UK Ann Leckie has quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in science fiction since the publication of her stunning debut, Ancillary Justice, in 2013. Ancillary Sword and Ancillary Mercy came along hard on the heels of her debut. All three books in the so-called Imperial Radch trilogy ended up heavily garlanded with top sci-fi awards. Since then, except for one detour into a fantasy setting in The Raven Tower, Leckie has turned to writing standalone novels in the Radch universe. To my shame, I haven’t yet read Provenance, but I deeply enjoyed Translation State, particularly as it focused on Leckie’s delightful and terrible Presger aliens, which like to take things apart – whether the things happen to be dead or alive. Now comes her third Imperial Radch standalone novel, Radiant Star, which is out this month. Radiant Star is set on one planet, called Aaa, but it is an …

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

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

Published by skeptic

Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Strife will be a highlight of March Joby Sessions/SFX Magazine/Future via Getty Images I may have to eat my hat later, but I reckon 2026 is shaping up to be an excellent year for science fiction. With eight months of books announced, the table is already loaded with delightful offerings. In January, we welcome new books from two big hitters. There is Peter F. Hamilton’s A Hole in the Sky, the first in an ark ship trilogy, and a change of pace for the author, who made his name with sprawling, science-heavy, brain-warping books. This one is short and straightforward, written from the point of view 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 terms of its publishing schedule, since all three books will be published this year – the second in June, the third in December. It will be interesting to see how that works for readers. Our second big arrival …