Top New Science Fiction Novels Released in July 2026: Must-Reads for Genre Fans

As I prepare for my vacation later this month, I’m thrilled to have a diverse collection of engaging new science fiction novels to bring along. Among them are Sheila Armstrong’s captivating stories about bizarre ancient artifacts unearthed from swamps, as well as a chilling new book from one of my favorite writers, Paul Tremblay. Additionally, I’m eager to explore high-stakes thrillers and classic space opera, especially our highly anticipated new release Red Dwarf, the first novel in 30 years. Fun awaits under the sun!

This summer read, tagged as retirement allowance, is an ideal choice for fans of thought-provoking thrillers. Set in the near future, it presents a dystopian view where mental suffering can be outsourced through biotech firm Eudaimonia. While it allows clients to shed unwanted negative emotions, the burden is placed on the “carrier” – the individual compensated to endure your pain. When Viv joins Eudaimonia, she stumbles upon a much darker secret.

I’m particularly eager to dive into Paul Tremblay’s gripping narrative. His storytelling prowess captivated me with the Shirley Jackson-inspired My Head Is Full of Ghosts, and now he ventures into AI horror. This time, the protagonist Julia, a former professional gamer, is tasked with escorting a man in a vegetative state from California to the East Coast. Surprisingly, the man harbors an embedded AI mind, trapped in a nightmarish realm he cannot escape. The clever nod to Philip K. Dick in the title adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Earth 7

by Deb Olin Unferth

In a post-apocalyptic setting described as “the end of the world as we know it,” the narrative centers on two women falling in love—one raised in an underwater research pod and the other a bartender at an upscale resort, possibly a robot. Together, they strive to protect the last remnants of Earth from vanishing.

Feeling discontent in her seemingly ideal life, Eris journeys to the indulgent world of Happy. Nala, her chaperone, must ensure Eris finds joy during her stay. However, their plans go awry when activists intervene, leading the two on an unexpected adventure.

A book I keep on my bedside table, eager to read whenever I can, tells the captivating tale of a dog that discovers peculiar antlers in a restored bog, leading to the revelation of a previously extinct Irish moose. This swamp has also been the site of archaeological discoveries including a prehistoric settlement and a dismembered woman dating back 2,000 years. The swamp seems to cast a sinister influence on those connected to it.

Azad finds himself on the run from the Vitruvian Authority after exposing the dark truths of his home planet. If he seeks to ignite a rebellion, he must enlist the aid of shrewd space pirates, each with their own hidden motives—while facing the shadows of their past.

Red Dwarf: Titan

by Rob Grant and Andrew Marshall

Discover the highly awaited prequel to the beloved Red Dwarf series, crafted by co-creator Rob Grant and sitcom writer Andrew Marshall, set 30 years later. The tale unfolds aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf, found in orbit around Titan, with characters Lister and Rimmer plotting a final landing. Their plans suddenly derail when an enigmatic message from the future surfaces.

Thorns

by Gregory Bastianelli

This compelling blend of science fiction and horror follows Dr. Monica Cucinotta, who grapples with a lethal virus responsible for bizarre spikes on its victims. After contracting the virus, Monica undertakes a perilous journey through a ravaged world to reunite with her loved ones.

With echos of The Handmaid’s Tale, this unsettling narrative depicts a dystopian Britain governed by the Hope Party. This new regime enforces laws that impact women’s rights and freedoms, including rewilding the countryside. When Kate’s daughter becomes pregnant, Kate’s silence transforms into fierce resistance against societal norms.

Offering a cozy sci-fi twist, Torian discovers an ancient spaceship blanketed in moss. However, her escape from a tyrannical captain takes a turn when the moss reveals itself to be Moss, the ship’s sentient organic computer with a life of its own.

This quirky tale captures the journey of Hal, a game developer consumed by creating “the most anticipated video game,” offering players full immersion in a fantasy world. A final test throws him into the game alongside his family, where he must navigate a tumultuous adventure to rescue them.

Air

by Christian Kracht, translated by Daniel Bowles

Kracht, an International Booker Prize nominee, invites readers into a narrative often likened to the works of Ursula K. Le Guin and Jorge Luis Borges. The plot centers on Paul, a designer navigating a server farm in Norway, until a blackout causes him to vanish. Concurrently, a man awakens in a forest, aided by a girl, leading to an icy settlement—two timelines converging in an intriguing tale.

Enthusiasm

by Meg Smitherman

This Gothic science fiction novella follows the transport ship Midonia, tasked with delivering Sister Irena to a planet where the inhabitants worship Anguish. Yet, when a solar flare strays them off course, strange voices invade Sister Irena’s mind each night.

This tale melds romance with science fiction, centered on Lever, a junior supply officer called upon for peace talks due to a past romance with an imperial baroness. As the stakes rise, Lever discovers that Astrid, his ex-lover, is actually the Demon Emperor, stirring unresolved feelings.

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