This post seeks to be a primer to those exploring the science fiction genre. Of course, I don’t claim for this to be an end-all-be-all list. There will be sub-genres missing from this list; if I wanted to list them all, I might as well write a book about it. Rather than being exhaustive, it is my hope that this primer serves as a jumping off point for further discussion and brainstorming. Perhaps you’re a hard science fiction fan who is curious to dip a toe into steampunk waters. Or perhaps you’re seeking science fiction that’s unsettling and dark, in which case I will be most happy to introduce sci-fi horror. Whatever you fancy, prepare yourself for a journey and be ready to build your TBR pile. In a previous Book Riot article, I delved into the megazoid umbrella that makes up speculative fiction. Under that umbrella is science fiction, and then under that, well, is still a whole lot. We’ll start with some classic sub-genres, and then I’ll include a few newer ones. New York Public Library’s “A Beginner’s Guide to Science Fiction” by Amanda Pagan It’s important to note that there are examples included that will fall into multiple sub-genres. There is a lot of crossover in science fiction, just as there is in fantasy, or really any genre. There may be a title you find to be a classic example of a sub-genre that I have listed in another. I am aware of this. Also, I tried to include examples that aren’t necessarily the very first titles to come to mind. So for all of you “how did [insert title] not make the list?!” people, yes I know, I did that on purpose. Hopefully this post acts as a point of discovery. Perhaps there’s a new sub-genre you’d never heard of before and now want to explore all its facets. If so, I’ve done my job, and I wish you luck on your journey, bookish space rangers.
Additional Book Riot Reading
What Is Science Fiction?
