Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Illumicrate's 100 Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror Books of the 21st Century
119 participants (100 books)
Overview
Per Illumicrate:
To mark the first 25 years of the 21st Century, earlier this year the New York Times published its ‘100 Best Books of the 21st Century’, as voted on by industry professionals, “determining the most important, influential books of the era”. While both a huge undertaking and an incredible list, as genre fiction readers and lovers here at Illumicrate, we found the list didn’t quite… float our boat.
In the time since its publication, we (The Illumiteam) have taken it upon ourselves to nominate, vote and rank what we believe to be the best and most impactful Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror (SFFH) books published in the 21st Century.
We hope this list resonates with our customer base and you can be reminded of some nostalgic favourites worth re-reading and more recent releases we think are worth picking up!
Article here: https://www.illumicrate.com/news/100-best-sci-fi-fantasy-horror-books
* many of these are series, so only the first book has been added to the challenge
* many of these are series, so only the first book has been added to the challenge
Illumicrate's 100 Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror Books of the 21st Century
119 participants (100 books)
Overview
Per Illumicrate:
To mark the first 25 years of the 21st Century, earlier this year the New York Times published its ‘100 Best Books of the 21st Century’, as voted on by industry professionals, “determining the most important, influential books of the era”. While both a huge undertaking and an incredible list, as genre fiction readers and lovers here at Illumicrate, we found the list didn’t quite… float our boat.
In the time since its publication, we (The Illumiteam) have taken it upon ourselves to nominate, vote and rank what we believe to be the best and most impactful Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror (SFFH) books published in the 21st Century.
We hope this list resonates with our customer base and you can be reminded of some nostalgic favourites worth re-reading and more recent releases we think are worth picking up!
Article here: https://www.illumicrate.com/news/100-best-sci-fi-fantasy-horror-books
* many of these are series, so only the first book has been added to the challenge
* many of these are series, so only the first book has been added to the challenge
Challenge Books
85
The Final Strife
Saara El-Arifi
The Ending Fire trilogy by Saara El-Arifi (2022)
In a divided world, as three women challenge their oppressive society’s rules, their intertwined destinies reveal ancient secrets that could change everything.
“I’ve realized a world run by people who think they are better will never be better for everyone.”
Steph says: This series has unique world-building, a distinctive blood magic approach and a truly diverse and captivating variety of characters that explore intense and powerful topics. If you love sapphic high fantasy like me, this series is for you.
86
Other Words for Smoke
Sarah Maria Griffin
Other Words For Smoke by Sarah Maria Griffin (2019)
Mae and her twin brother Rossa spent two summers in the house on Iona Crescent before it burned down and its residents, Rita and Bevan, vanished. Only the twins know the truth: the house held a cat that wasn’t just a cat and a dark power lurking in the walls, enthralling Bevan with its hunger for flesh, whilst Bevan ignited Mae’s first love.
“Did nobody hear you scream? You dry your hands and close your eyes. What is it about this house that eats cries for help?”
Bec says: This is a story about a house burning down, but it’s also so much more than that; a story of horrors in the walls of the house, seeping in from the horrors inflicted on Ireland, and a story of first love that’s unflinching in its accuracy.
Lauren says: This is such a cathartic read for me, no matter how often I’ve consumed it. The horrors in Ireland, in the walls, and in dealing with obsession, addiction, and abusive power dynamics are explored amazingly. This will always be my go-to recommendation for someone ready for something unlike anything else.
87
The Field Guide
Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black & Tony DiTerlizzi (2003)
The Grace siblings discover a hidden world of magical creatures when they move into their great-uncle’s old mansion. They must protect their family from mischievous and dangerous beings while uncovering the mysteries of the Spiderwick Estate.
“Were you a little less clever, perhaps you’d have had more success.”
Jane says: A series I loved so much that I introduced it to my eldest daughter as her first experience of fantasy books. I think if you read this as a child, likely, you’re still hooked on reading fantasy. It’s a fantastic series with just enough danger and intrigue for younger readers but can hold its own for older readers too. If there was a series I wish I could read again for the first time it would be this because it’s truly magical.
88
An Unkindness of Ghosts
Rivers Solomon
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon (2017)
Aster seeks answers about her mother’s mysterious death as a resident of the lower decks in the rigid caste-based society aboard the spaceship Matilda.
“People do not know what to make of me, and this pleases me. I don’t want to be scrutable.”
The book explores themes of race, identity and trauma through the lens of a dystopian space society with a non-binary, neurodivergent protagonist. By blending social critique with speculative fiction, it helped broaden the scope of what sci-fi can address.
89
Little Thieves
Margaret Owen
Little Thieves series by Margaret Owen (2021)
Inspired by The Goose Girl, Vanja is a servant for Princess Gisele, until she decides to steal Gisele’s life for herself. Struck by a curse and chased by a detective, Vanja must rely on all of her skills as a thief to put her wrongs to right.
“Once upon a time, there was a girl as cunning as the fox in winter, as hungry as the wolf at first frost, and as cold as the icy wind that kept them at each other’s throats.”
90
Her Body and Other Parties
Carmen Maria Machado
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado (2017)
A collection of short stories weaving together the horror, fantasy and speculative genres to explore themes of identity, sexuality and societal expectations within women’s lives, bodies and desires.
“Many people live and die without ever confronting themselves in the darkness.”
91
Cloud Atlas
David Mitchell
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (2004)
Six narratives intertwine through different time periods, locations and genres to reveal the ripple effect one person’s life can have on so many others.
“My life amounts to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean. Yet what is any ocean, but a multitude of drops?”
A staple of the early noughties literature, the innovative narrative structure of Cloud Atlas could be said to have influenced contemporary literature to experiment more boldly with non-linear storytelling and genre-blending.
92
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
N.K. Jemisin
Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin (2010)
In a world where gods and mortals coexist and the rulers enslave divine beings, each book follows different characters who uncover secrets and challenge the established order in a struggle for freedom and equality.
“We can never be gods, after all—but we can become something less than human with frightening ease.”
N.K. Jemisin’s debut Inheritance Trilogy challenged genre norms and set a new standard for inclusivity in fantasy by exploring marginalised perspectives. Its success opened doors for more diverse voices, reshaping modern speculative fiction.
93
Spinning Silver
Naomi Novik
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (2018)
A reimagining of the Rumplestiltskin fairytale, Miryem gains the ability to turn silver to gold and attracts the attention of a powerful and dangerous king.
“A power claimed and challenged and thrice carried out is true.”
94
Scythe
Neal Shusterman
Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Shusterman (2011)
In a future where Death has been conquered and society is governed by Scythes who control the population, Citra and Rowan become Scythe apprentices and learn the dark secrets of their seemingly perfect world.
“My greatest wish for humanity is not for peace or comfort or joy. It is that we all still die a little inside every time we witness the death of another. For only the pain of empathy will keep us human. There’s no version of God that can help us if we ever lose that.”
95
Ancillary Justice
Ann Leckie
Imperial Radch series by Ann Leckie (2013)
Breq, the last remaining fragment of a starship AI seeks revenge against the leader of the empire that betrayed her. She grapples with her identity and humanity while navigating political intrigue and cultural tensions.
“If you’re going to make a desperate, hopeless act of defiance you should make it a good one.”
Caitlin says: A truly fascinating and philosophical take on gender and sense of self, and the only novel to have won the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke awards. Ancillary Justice is not a book that will ease you in gently, but if you persevere with the series you will be justly rewarded.
96
Nevernight
Jay Kristoff
The Nevernight Chronicle by Jay Kristoff (2016)
After vowing vengeance against the powerful men who destroyed her family, Mia trains to become a deadly assassin and navigates a world of betrayal, dark magic and dangerous characters on her quest for revenge.
“Never flinch. Never fear. Never forget.”