The best books of combat science fiction are without fail perfectly spelled out battles, weapon models, fighters, and also the essence of the conflict. Almost always, these are opuses with a detailed war of the future in a certain abstract world or in one of the possible branches of the development of the Earth. Regardless of the author, as well as the setting, the best books in combat science fiction bring the reader an unprecedented adventure and numerous positive emotions from an exciting tour to the very heart of the armed conflict.
What is this genre?
The described genre is common for action and science fiction, combining well-posed armed conflicts, as well as sci-fi ideas, for example, space flight. In the center of each such book is a confrontation with an abundance of bloodshed, the use of weapons and the formation of a hero as an experienced veteran. Despite the fact that ideas or direct images from reality can be borrowed for a setting or certain elements of the environment in the world, by and large, the best books of modern science fiction are a journey into the future, where, unfortunately, everything is also restless.
Steel Rat and Bill - Hero of the Galaxy
The work of Harry Harrison is the first thing an admirer of science fiction and science fiction as a whole gets to know. Yes, of course, absolutely all the master’s novels cannot be attributed to the aforementioned category, but Harrison set the tone for a whole generation of authors, so his work is still worth attention at least. The reader has a distant future. The setting is not distinguished by black colors, but still not as rosy as it might seem at first glance.
The main character is a dodger and a mercenary nicknamed "Steel Rat". James Bolivar di Gries does not disdain to use weapons to resolve conflicts, so supporters of well-thought-out battles will also have something to pay attention to. Among the best books of the genre of combat science fiction, the Steel Rat series is thoughtful and versatile. Books are addictive, I want to read them all, and the good news is the fact that the plot is actually completed, and the author is no longer going to continue working on this character.
Those who do not have enough satire in combat science fiction should pay attention to the opus "Bill is the hero of the Galaxy." Despite the completely frivolous approach, which seems to be striking in the beginning, the reader has a full-fledged series with a thoughtful plot and some connecting elements with the Steel Rat. Recommended as a fact-finding reading before entering the genre in earnest.
"Ice"
Pavel Kornev is a domestic author with great potential. His cycle "Exorcist" has established itself as a new star of dark fantasy and conquered the public. But we will talk about another, less well-known, but much more voluminous collection of "Ice". In the center of the plot is a parallel world, which came from immigrants from Russia and the USSR. The second dimension is in the claws of constant cold, and the main character, who once woke up on a strange platform with his girlfriend, is forced to survive and kill for cartridges. Until he comes across a strange-looking dagger.
The world is literally amazing detail. The economy, the relationship of heroes, personalities and guilds, all this really makes the reader think that he is in the same place, fighting the frost with the protagonist. The top best books of fighting science fiction would definitely be incomplete without “Ice”, which is read literally in one gulp and makes you dive into the setting so much that you no longer want to leave it.
"Contemplator"
A rather unusual example of combat fiction. In the courtyard of Victorian England, well, or its variation, an industrial revolution has already occurred, that's just a strange substance of motor fuel that is produced by a single state. In addition, unavoidable production leaks lead to mutations. The infected person either becomes a monster or receives superpowers.
The protagonist is a retired soldier who took part in a secret project on the influence of the mentioned material on a person with the aim of cultivating new "talents". The protagonist from his melancholy and attempts to resist falling into insanity, the request of one of the researchers to understand the loss is detached. An object was stolen that was able to make motor access and safer.
Alexey Pekhov exceeded the expectations of fans and released a book that literally broke up with great speed. The idea, setting, thoughtful heroes, as well as, let's say a secret, epic and very spectacular finale of the trilogy - that's what makes you read the "Contemplator". Absolutely easy and affordable narration without overloading with specialized or simply far-fetched terms, anyone swallows the first book in just a few days. The 100 best science fiction books must include Pekhov’s work.
"The Last Heaven"
If the reader is presented with the best books of fighting science fiction with a hero who was born for heaven and flight, then there will be no more suitable series than Natalia Ignatova's Last Sky. At the center of the story, The Beast, is a psychopath whom nature has endowed with a rare gift, one of the manifestations of which is eternal youth. At the same time, the protagonist is “sick” with the sky, he loves to fly and is happy to risk his legend only to be at the helm again, albeit not quite ordinary. The rating of the top 100 best science fiction books would be incomplete if the place of the hard, and sometimes cruel cycle with the main character smoked was empty.
The Chronicles of Ascetic
Roman Artemyev is an author who is rather poorly known to the general public. "The Chronicles of Ascetic" is not as much promoted as similar collections, but it is unlikely that the books will be inferior in quality to combat science fiction veterans. The plot focuses on an ordinary office plankton, which was unlucky to face an alien invader and survive. After that, he will have a direct road to the paramilitary special forces unit, where with the light hand of the commander he will receive his nickname "Ascetic", and over time he will feel some changes in himself. The cycle is surprisingly good for those who do not want to allocate time for 10 or more books. The trilogy can be read in a few days, while remaining satisfied with the fullness of the world and the elaboration of the plot. "The Chronicles of Ascetic" take pride of place in the ranking of the best books of Russian combat fiction.
"Rekoner"
Brandon Sanderson is one of those authors whose work is now at the peak of popularity. The rating of the best battle science fiction books would be incomplete without his "Rekonerov". In order to determine the attitude towards the setting, the reader should imagine the world in which the disaster came. Part of the population awakened within itself forces bordering on divine power. The plot focuses on the young avenger, whose father was destroyed by one of these "super-heroes." Studying weaknesses, the young man is ready to strike, but for this he will need the help of other dissenters who kill the "gods". Sanderson created a surprisingly elaborate and interesting world. After the release of "Fire Avenger", the audience clearly sighed very sadly, because the continuation of the near future will not work.
"Star landing"
Of course, where without the classics. At one time, the best science fiction books revolved around this Robert Heinlein novel. In the center of the plot is an infantry unit that confronts huge beetles capable of conquering planets. The novel was so popular that the setting evolved and acquired several sequels in the form of games, cartoons, comics, and a feature film. An interesting plot and a fresh idea for that time - this is what determines the popularity of the "Star Troop". Along with veterans, this opus is among the best books of space combat fiction.
Warhammer 40,000
Putting a description of the entire Warhammer 40,000 universe in several lines is incredibly difficult. After the board game was enjoyed by the fans, several authors formed a company-approved literary circle that produced a lot of books in the setting. To start reading something specific to a newcomer, without first learning about the 41st millennium, means condemning yourself to constant pauses in order to search for information about a particular character, events, orders and political forces.
The reader should imagine a huge world in which humanity is waging an endless war for the right to live and develop. Here the technology is not discovered by scientists, but only served by techno-priests who believe in a machine deity. The Imperium is guarded by genetically modified warriors and millions of ordinary soldiers. The poor are forced to spend their lives in the shadow of hive cities, selling their bodies or their services for drugs or just food. The very existence of mankind is threatened by the initial enemy - Chaos, who managed to seduce the purest and most devoted warriors.
You can start your acquaintance with the universe from Aaron Bowden's book "The First Heretic", which describes the events preceding the Heresy of Horus in the 31st millennium. Lorgar Aurelian doubted his father, the Emperor, and was forced to turn to other forces, which marked the beginning of a terrifying fratricidal war, which forever blocked humanity's access to greatness. Then you can take on the heavier opuses, for example, the full cycle of the Heresy of Horus. Top battle space science fiction books also include a trick book about Inquisitor Eisenhorn. Of course, one cannot ignore the collection of stories about Commissioner Cain and his faithful assistant from the ice regiments of Valhalla.
"Ancient"
Sergey Tarmashev completed his work on the book "Ancient" in 2008. First, turning over the first few pages, it seems that this plot has already been seen somewhere before. The war for resources, the nuclear bombardment over a trifle and the subsequent revival of mankind. But such a conclusion was hasty. The best books of Russian combat fiction are almost always a surprise for the reader. Similarly, the "Ancient" turned into a real and impeccable work. If you evaluate the book purely by its belonging to the genre, then this work is worthy of all praise and, perhaps, one of the first places. The narration is very leisurely, but it is necessary for the reader to be able to go along with the author all the way of civilization from collapse to complete resurrection.
"Metro 2033"
The work of Dmitry Glukhovsky has sunk so much into the souls of readers that several games appeared on its basis, and the authors write their creations in relation to the created universe. In 2005, the plot of the book was accepted with a bang, so it was fresh and exciting. A new gloomy setting was opened before the reader, in which the metro served as the only refuge for surviving humanity. Those who managed to hide had to fight for resources, literally shooting money. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the original, at least to broaden your horizons, since not one of the contenders in the rating of the best books of fighting science fiction has such an interesting story.
"Two-born"
What if humanity could use its forces to burn metals for this? Original idea, right? The two-born series of books is a direct continuation of Brandon Sanderson's Fog-Born. But if in the original trilogy it was more about the Middle Ages, then in the new collection the industrial revolution has already taken place and firearms have appeared. The two-borns themselves are people who, for example, can burn steel in order to repel or attract metal objects to themselves, while owning a second force - feruhimia. The latter makes it possible to put aside quality in reserve, for example, losing sight now, to see twice as good, but then. Extremely original idea and excellent performance - all that is needed for the best book in combat science fiction.
STALKER
To systematize all the books that are related to the mentioned setting is incredibly difficult. In fact, this inter-author cycle is an unconnected mishmash of various plots, branches and sequels, which is quite difficult to understand. The only thing that can be advised to a beginner who nevertheless decided to plunge into the gloomy world of Chernobyl is to start with the opuses that were written in the first years after the release of the games. In this case, there is a higher chance of meeting something familiar in the book. Someone scolds "Stalker" for commercialization, while others claim that he gave impetus to the development of the genre. The ranking of the best books in combat science fiction definitely will not be complete without this universe.
"Ender `s game"
The book, which until the release of the eponymous film, held captive only real fans of combat science fiction. It is rather difficult to imagine a world where a gifted child plays the role of a conductor, destroying the enemy at the expense of a workshop of tactics and troop location. Perhaps the best combat space fiction, the best books of the series, is formed precisely due to those creations whose plot is impossible to predict. As for the "Ender Game" itself, then the reader has a deeply worked out and carefully verified book with the maximum disclosure of only one vector of narration - conflict and murder. Indeed, in the dark future, even a child is forced to assume the role of commander.
Alien
The first test of the pen in the cycle from Alan Dean Foster is that fighting science fiction, which, unfortunately, "slipped" over time. It was then that the authors literally bombarded publishers with good ideas, creating an original and very interesting setting. The fact of the confrontation between a person and a monster unknown to science was not very new, but the concept didn’t let us down. The cycle as a whole is quite good, but the best book can be called only the first “Alien”, which forever captivated fans.
What future awaits combat fiction in the future? Now there are not many authors who are ready to develop in this direction. But, on the other hand, this allows you to select the best, pretentious and interesting books for the sophisticated and a little spoiled reader. In the end, the author’s good work or bad work is decided by the capricious commitment of the public, which has always been a slightly windy lady with character. It is possible that in the not so distant future, the best series of books of fighting science fiction will appear, in which there will be exclusively modern idols.