Best Sci Fi Books in Public Domain: 5 Compared

Readers searching for the best sci fi books in public domain want classic science fiction they can read without paying full price, and this list compares five Kindle editions on that exact promise. We compared four classic novels and one modern short story collection, ranked by fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Deathworld by Harrison	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Skylark of Space by Smith	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Chessmen of Mars by Burroughs	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Short Stories by Thiessen	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	In the Year 2889 by Verne	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Deathworld by Harrison

Harry Harrison·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 ›

Book 1 of 3 in Harry Harrison's series, a 381-page novel for readers who want a long classic; short-read fans should skip it.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of 3 in the Deathworld series, so it starts the story.
• 381 pages, the longest read on this list.
• X-Ray is enabled on the Kindle edition.

Cons

• No reading age or level is stated.
• Word Wise is not enabled on this edition.
• The description gives no plot detail beyond the conversion note.

2

Skylark of Space by Smith

E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith·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 ›

Book 1 of 4, a 300-page space opera for fans of early sci-fi series; readers who want a standalone should skip it.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of 4 in the Skylark series, so it starts the story.
• 300 pages of classic space opera.
• Two authors are credited on the listing.

Cons

• No reading age or level is stated.
• X-Ray and Word Wise are both not enabled.
• The description gives no plot detail beyond the conversion note.

3

Chessmen of Mars by Burroughs

Edgar Rice Burroughs·9.6/10 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 ›

Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars novel for planetary-romance fans; readers who need a stated page count should skip it.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• A full-length Burroughs Mars novel.
• X-Ray and Word Wise are both enabled.
• Published by Open Road Media, stated on the listing.

Cons

• No page count is stated.
• No reading age or level is stated.
• The description gives no plot detail beyond the conversion note.

4

Short Stories by Thiessen

Celesta Thiessen·9.5/10 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 ›

Eight short stories in 65 pages, rated 13+, for readers who want quick modern sci-fi; classics-only readers should skip it.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Eight stories in one 65-page collection.
• The description names all eight stories.
• Word Wise is enabled.

Cons

• The description rates it 13+, so it does not suit young readers.
• The only modern collection on a classics list.
• X-Ray is not enabled.

5

In the Year 2889 by Verne

Jules Verne·9.4/10 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 37-page Verne short work for readers who want the quickest read on the list; novel-length seekers should skip it.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• A 37-page short read credited to Jules Verne.
• X-Ray and Word Wise are both enabled.
• Michel Verne is co-credited on the listing.

Cons

• 37 pages is the shortest read on this list.
• No reading age or level is stated.
• The description gives no plot detail beyond the conversion note.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• The Space Rover by SloatSuits classic sci-fi readers; Kindle edition published March 24, 2011.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the five picks states a reading age or grade level, so the ranking rests on fit, contents and value. How we pick explains the weights.

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.

How to choose the best sci fi books in public domain

Series or standalone?

Deathworld is Book 1 of 3 and The Skylark of Space is Book 1 of 4, so both start their series cleanly and suit readers who want to keep going. The Chessmen of Mars and In the Year 2889 carry no series position on the listing, and the short story collection stands alone. If you want more series reading after these, browse the fantasy and science fiction shelf for related lists.

Check the page count and the format

Reads on this list range from 37 pages (In the Year 2889) to 381 pages (Deathworld), with The Skylark of Space at 300 pages and the story collection at 65 pages. The Chessmen of Mars states no page count, so check before buying if length matters to you. All five are Kindle editions, and the four classics note that you may find the text for free on the web. Our best sci-fi books about Mars list has more planetary reading if the Burroughs pick appeals.

Mind the edition details

These are 2011 to 2014 Kindle conversions of older works, so check the publication date on the listing. X-Ray is enabled on three of the five and Word Wise on three, which helps on the denser older prose. The modern story collection is rated 13+ in its description, so it does not suit young readers the way the classics might. Our best sci-fi space opera books list covers more early space adventure.

Before you buy

• Check the page count: from 37 pages on In the Year 2889 to 381 pages on Deathworld, and not stated on The Chessmen of Mars.
• Check the series position: Deathworld is Book 1 of 3 and The Skylark of Space is Book 1 of 4, so start at Book 1 for either series.
• Check the edition: these are Kindle conversions published 2011 to 2014, and the four classics note the text may be found for free on the web.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these books really in the public domain?

The four classic listings say the book was converted by volunteers and that you may find it for free on the web, which is how the listing frames it. The modern story collection makes no such claim.

Which book should I start with?

Deathworld (Book 1 of 3) or The Skylark of Space (Book 1 of 4): both open their series, so either works as a starting point.

Which pick is the shortest read?

In the Year 2889 at 37 pages. The longest is Deathworld at 381 pages, and The Chessmen of Mars states no page count.

Still deciding? Our top pickDeathworld by Harrison

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See every fantasy and science fiction list and all fiction lists.

More lists: sci-fi books for adult readers, sci-fi noir books and sci-fi books on Kobo Plus.