Best Sci Fi Books of 2020s (2026): 4 Compared

Finding the best sci fi books of 2020s often starts with a reader looking for recent science fiction, when the decade’s new voices meet classic themes. We compared four science fiction books by page count, publication date and publisher. Every figure below comes from the listings.

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Quick verdict: choose Year’s Best Science Fiction Vol. 1 for a 608-page anthology. Choose Unidentified for UFO thriller, Upgrade for genetic thriller, or Shroud for alien world survival.

Compare the picks

Specifications are as listed, collected 20 October 2026.

Best sci fi books of 2020s: the picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Year's Best SF Vol 1	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Unidentified	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Upgrade: A Novel	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Shroud	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Year's Best SF Vol 1

Jonathan Strahan·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 608-page anthology, Book 1 of 2, collecting 2019's best short SF, edited by Jonathan Strahan.

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Pros

• 608 pages stated
• Book 1 of 2 stated
• 2020 edition stated
• S&S/Saga Press stated

Cons

• 608 pages, the longest
• Anthology, not a novel
• 2020, oldest stated
• No warranty term is stated

2

Unidentified

Douglas E. Richards·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 410-page UFO thriller, near-future science fiction by Douglas E. Richards, a 2021 release.

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Pros

• 410 pages stated
• 2021 edition stated
• UFO thriller stated
• Richards stated

Cons

• 410 pages
• 2021, not the newest
• No publisher stated
• No warranty term is stated

3

Upgrade: A Novel

Blake Crouch·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A genetic thriller novel by Blake Crouch, Ballantine, published 2022.

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Pros

• 2022 edition stated
• Ballantine stated
• Thriller stated
• Crouch stated

Cons

• No pages stated
• 2022, not the newest
• No series stated
• No warranty term is stated

4

Shroud

Adrian Tchaikovsky·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An alien world survival story by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Orbit, a 2025 release.

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Pros

• 2025 edition stated
• Orbit stated
• Alien world stated
• Tchaikovsky stated

Cons

• No pages stated
• 2025, newest
• No series stated
• No warranty term is stated

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How we scored them

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

Our method weights story, page count, value, recency and publisher. The anthology leads on total pages and author range.

Setup Notes

• For a series, confirm the volume number on the listing before buying.
• Compare the publication date with your preference for recent releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the longest?

Year’s Best Science Fiction Vol. 1 at 608 pages.

Which is about UFOs?

Unidentified is a 410-page 2021 release.

Which is the most recent?

Shroud is a June 2025 release.

Which is an anthology?

Year’s Best Science Fiction Vol. 1, Book 1 of 2 in the series.

Still deciding? Our top pickYear's Best SF Vol 1

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