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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
97

Illuminae
Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman
The Illuminae Files by Amy Kauffman & Jay Kristoff (2015)
Told through a series of hacked documents, emails and interviews, a group of teenagers aboard a convoy of spaceships struggle to survive and uncover conspiracies after a megacorporation attacks their home planet.
“Perhaps bravery is simply the face humanity wraps around its collective madness.”
Tazmyn says: This was the first sci-fi I read as a teenager and now it’s my favourite genre – Illluminae started that journey for me.
98

The Name of the Wind
Patrick Rothfuss
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss (2007)
Kvothe is a gifted young musician who becomes a legendary hero and notorious figure while seeking answers about his family’s murder and the mysterious beings responsible.
“You have to be a bit of a liar to tell a story the right way.”
The Kingkiller Chronicle has impacted modern fantasy with its richly detailed world, lyrical prose, and introspective protagonist. It revitalized the genre by blending epic elements with a personal, character-driven narrative, and Rothfuss’ focus on storytelling, magic as science, and nonlinear plots has influenced other writers, expanding fantasy’s depth and complexity.
99

Children of Blood and Bone
Tomi Adeyemi
Legacy of Orïsha series by Tomi Adeyemi (2018)
Zélie embarks on a journey to restore magic to the land of Orïsha after a ruthless king eradicated it. Alongside her brother and a fugitive princess, she must outwit enemies and confront her own growing powers to bring magic back and fight against oppression.
“I won’t let your ignorance silence my pain.”
Children of Blood and Bone was praised for its impact on the YA community when it brought about a desire in younger readers for more African fantasies exploring power, oppression and the effects of genocide.
100

Shatter Me
Tahereh Mafi
Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi (2011)
Juliette Ferrars is a teenage girl with a lethal touch who struggles to gain control over her deadly abilities. As she uncovers the truth about her powers and allies with a group of rebels, Juliette must decide who she can trust and how to fight for her freedom.
“I spent my life folded between the pages of books. In the absence of human relationships I formed bonds with paper characters.”
Atiya says: This series ignited my love for the dystopian genre, and after so many re-reads I can definitely say these books will always be a comfort for me. Tahereh Mafi’s writing and love interests will forever have me in a chokehold.
Romie says: This was the first series I read in English that truly got me into sci-fi/fantasy, so it’ll always hold a place in my heart.