Disclosure: Some of the below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase
This is a list of all the books I’ve read in 2019 ranked from best to worst. As I read more in 2019 I’ll add the books where they fall into the list. I expect the Top 10 List to change dramatically as the year goes on. Some of these books I’ve had time to write reviews, others are in the queue. I’ll update the links as I go.
Top 10 Science Fiction Books of 2019
1. Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
Old Mans War is a story about John Perry joining the Colonial Defence Force on his 75th birthday. It’s not the normal military. The CDF is a space military which shields humanity from the dangers of the universe.
When you arrive at the CDF you are outfitted with a new body built for war. If you survive you get a new human body and a nice spot on a colony world to start over.
No Review (Yet)
Buy the book or audiobook Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JUANGG
2. Shield of Terra (Light of Terra Book 2) by Glynn Stewart
Shield of Terra is the second book in the Light of Terra Series which takes place in the same universe and with the same family as the Duchess of Terra series.
Shield of Terra follows Morgan Casimir step-daughter of Annette Bond, Duchess of Terra. The series deals with a new threat which is bringing the Kanzi and A!tol in order to defend the population. I would recommend reading the Duchy of Terra trilogy first then moving to Light of Terra. You will form an emotional connection to Morgan which enhances the series.
No Review (Yet)
Buy the book or audiobook on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IeNZml
3. Vigilance (First Colony Book 7) by Ken Lozito
Vigilance is book seven of series First Colony. In this book, Connor Gates is focused on assessing the alien threat from an alternate universe. He and the team have figured out how to use the portals and have one on land and one in space operational.
I really enjoy the First Colony series. The books have a good amount of new technology, archeological discovery, political intrigue and good old fashion land and space battles. The books have clearly defined major story arcs with a common progressive story arc about Connor Gates through all the books.
Video Review (Books 1-3)
Buy the book or audiobook on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MjDbIV
4. Renegades (Expeditionary Force Book 7) Craig Alanson
Whenever I see an Expeditionary Force book released I always buy it and make it next in my reading list. Renegades is book seven in the series. All the book in the series are good however, the ones with more Joe and Skippy are the better than the ones with less.
Luckily, Renegades have tons of Joe and Skippy. In this book, the team goes back to Earth and placed under supervision. Earth government isn’t happy with the activities of the Marry Band of Pirates and it is uncertain whether the crew will be able to ever leave earth again.
As you can imagine the leaders on Earth make a bad decision and the Merry Band of Pirates must get back on the Flying Dutchman to save the planet.
It worth noting the reviews for the Audiobooks are phenomenal. Almost everyone I talk to who know of this series listened to the audiobooks. I read the kindle version.
No Review (Yet)
Buy the book or audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Ib6QyN
5. Outland (Audiobook) by Dennis E. Taylor
What is it they are building? Some sort of a portal. The destination of the portal is only a theory. Is it another world, is it the past, is it another dimension or universe?
A team of six embark on a journey to secure their future in the world they have found. They soon find out mother nature has plans of her own. The team must shift from securing their own future to ensuring humanity has a future.
Read the Review
Buy this book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WAGWh3
6. The Forever Series by Craig Robertson
I decided to put the entire Forever Life series in as a single entry because I binge-read all 6 books in a row. Each book has its positives and negatives but for the most part, they are very consistent.
The series follows Jon Ryan as he converts himself to an android and attempts to find the new worlds for humans to colonize. Each book is a progression in Jons life as he moves from explorer to the universe’s protector. Jon and his AI Al are constant companions while others come and go between books. I will say the ending in book 6 is both abrupt and disappointing. If the Ryanverse would have ended in book 6 this series would rank much lower. Luckily there is the Galaxy on Fire series which continues the fun.
No Review (Yet)
Buy the series or audiobook from Amazon: The Forever Series – 6 book series
7. Ruins of the Galaxy by Christopher Hopper and J.N. Chaney
The Jujari are ready for peace. Awen, a young member of the Order of the Luma is charged with brokering the peace. The Republic has assigned an elite Marine contingent to protect the Luma. When the meeting doesn’t go as planned Lieutenant Magnus and Awen embark on a journey of political intrigue and lost civilizations while battling a dangerous new enemy.
This is a fun read. It had military sci-fi, space opera, and a bit of space fantasy. You will read this entire book in a weekend. Sit back, relax, and enjoy it.
Read the Review
Buy the series or audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2H6jijP
8. We Have Met the Enemy by Felicia Watson
The main plot device is a strategy the UDC has developed to try and bring an end to the
There are a number of sub-stories within this book. Decker has baggage due to her mother’s death, her absentee father, and her isolated upbringing. This baggage is a constant source of friction throughout the story.
Read the Review
Watch the Video Review
Listen to the Podcast Review
Buy this book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JQFWQ8
9. Rift (The Resistance Book One) Nathan Hystad
Rift is the first book in the series Resistance. The plot is about a rift in space which opens every 30 years. Aliens dubbed the watchers, watch Earth while the rift is open. This book follows a group of people as the interact with the rift, the aliens, and each other.
This is the first book I have read from Nathan Hystad. Based on his author page on Amazon, he has written quite a few books which have good reviews. The writing style is a story within a story following specific individuals (think Game of Thrones). I typically dislike this writing style because I find myself flipping through one character in order to get to the characters I like better.
I felt similarly reading this book at first. What made this book good was that the characters started converging and the same plot was in the background. It made the plot interesting to see it from different perspectives. I still preferred the Ace character over the others but they all ended up being fun.
No Review (Yet)
Buy the book or audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Z0pXm0
10. Rogue Starship (Outworld Ranger Book 1) by David Alastair Hayden
Rogue Starship is the first book in the Outworld Ranger series. So far I have only read book 1 however books 2 and 3 are available.
The book is about Siv Gendin being dragged into the world of his father Gav. Siv has a tough life addicted to a drug forced on him when he was young. In order to get the drug to stay alive, Siv had become a master thief.
One day Siv is given a job his conscience won’t let him complete, kidnap a young girl and turn her over to the Shadowslip Guild. Siv is no kidnapper and he can tell this girl is special. He needs to find his fathers ship and learn the secrets of this girl and her connection to the long-dead AI that once ruled the galaxy.
No Review (Yet)
Buy the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EMWWCt
Everything else – 11+
11. Foundation and Empire Isaac Asimov
Foundation and Empire is book two of Isaac Asimov’s iconic Foundation series. So far I have read books one and two. If you are a fan of Science Fiction these books are a must-read. It’s not that they are the best books available however they helped create the genre and are worth the read.
The Foundation has conquered its neighbors and started looking towards the Empire. Unfortunately, a mutant, called the mule, has extraordinary power and is attacking the Foundation from all sides. Will the Foundation fall?
Review of Foundation Book One
No Review for Book 2 (Yet)
Buy the book or audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JQGe9G
12. Galaxy on Fire Series by Craig Robertson
No Review (Yet)
Buy the Series or audiobook from Amazon: Galaxy On Fire – 6 book series
13. Foundation Isaac Asimov
Read the Review
Watch the Review Video
Buy the book or Audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JRIEoh
14. Earth Alone (Earthrise Book 1) by Daniel Arenson
No Review (Yet)
Buy the book or audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QEIMrM
15. Ancestral Night (White Space Book 1) by Elizabeth Bear
Read the Review
Buy the Book or audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IaEDYZ
16. Broken Worlds: The Awakening by Jasper T. Scott
No review (Yet)
Buy the Book or Audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2l9e6Dy
17. Embark: (Book 1) by Jon Justice
No review (Yet)
Buy the Book or Audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IbboW2
18. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Read the review
Watch the Review Video
Buy the book or audiobook from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JNkc7y
Books Started But Didn’t/Couldn’t Finish
Homefront: An Expeditionary Force Audio Drama Special by Craig Alanson
Terrible. Made it 2 hours before I could take it anymore.
Buy the Audiobook on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2l9CCV9
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Boring book with a boring narrator. Made it halfway through, although probably because I kept falling asleep.
Buy the Audiobook here: https://amzn.to/2jGwl2M
Consider Phlebus by Iain Banks
Not giving up on this one. Just taking a break. I’m at 60% and it’s interesting although a bit slow.
Buy this book here: https://amzn.to/2jF8qkd
Affiliates Disclaimers
**As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases**
**When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network**
Felicia Watson’s We Have Met the Enemy is so good! My best read in a very long time. Her characters push the story along with ease, and when it can resonate so well with it’s message of self discovery and finding family it’s just amazing!! Glad to see it on here!
Thanks so much for including The Forever Series as a top ten! Dude, I’m humbled. Wow!