Best Science Fiction Books Last 5 Years (2026): 5 Compared

The last few years of science fiction span middle-grade quests and adult epics, and the best science fiction books last 5 years give every reader a door in. We compared five books by pages, reading age, series position and publisher, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Endling #1: The Last	9.8/10	Buy
2	Endling #2: The First	9.8/10	Buy
3	Ada Twist: Perilous Pants	9.8/10	Buy
4	5-Minute Marvel Stories	9.7/10	Buy
5	The Protector's War	9.7/10	Buy

1

Endling #1: The Last

Katherine Applegate·9.8/10 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 ›

Byx the dairne may be the last of her kind in this 416-page middle-grade fantasy, book 1 of 3.

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Pros

• 416 pages, the longest here
• Book 1 of 3, start of the trilogy
• Reading age 9 to 11 years

Cons

• Middle grade, not adult science fiction
• 2019 publication
• Fantasy more than science fiction

2

Endling #2: The First

Katherine Applegate·9.8/10 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 ›

Byx leads a rebellion in the snow-covered mountains in book 2 of the Endling trilogy.

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Pros

• 416 pages continuing the quest
• Book 2 of 3 in the trilogy
• Reading age 9 to 12 years

Cons

• Start with book 1 first
• 2020 publication
• Middle grade, not adult science fiction

3

Ada Twist: Perilous Pants

Andrea Beaty·9.8/10 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 ›

Ada uses science and teamwork to rescue Uncle Ned from his helium pants in this 144-page chapter book.

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Pros

• 144-page chapter book, quick read
• STEM themes with the Questioneers
• Book 2 of 7, series to follow

Cons

• Science adventure, light on science fiction
• 2019 publication
• Start with book 1 for the full arc

4

5-Minute Marvel Stories

Marvel Press Book Group·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 ›

Twelve Marvel adventures that each read aloud in 5 minutes, with illustrations on every page.

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Pros

• 12 stories at 5 minutes each
• 192 pages with illustrations throughout
• Bedtime-friendly format

Cons

• Reading age 3 to 6 years
• Superhero shorts, not novels
• 2022 publication

5

The Protector's War

S. M. Stirling·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 ›

Book 2 of 15 in the Emberverse saga, where two communities face the Protectorate's armies.

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Pros

• Adult epic in a 15-book saga
• Post-Change alternate history
• Book 2 of 15

Cons

• Reading age 18 years and up
• Start with book 1 first
• No print length stated

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More picks to compare

• Super Friends: Flying HighA 32-page DC Super Friends Step into Reading book.Check on Amazon
• Ty's Travels: Lab MagicA 32-page My First I Can Read science story.Check on Amazon
• The Year of the BookA 160-page middle-grade novel about friendship.Check on Amazon
• I Am a Hero (Star Wars)A 24-page Little Golden Book of Star Wars heroes.Check on Amazon
• The Legend of Obi-Wan KenobiA 24-page Little Golden Book on Obi-Wan Kenobi.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 19 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, pages and series position, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All five listings give a reading age, marked by Amazon as from customers, and four give a grade level; The Protector’s War lists neither a grade level nor a print length. 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 science fiction books last 5 years

Start at book one

Endling #1 is book 1 of 3, Ada Twist book 2 of 7, and The Protector’s War book 2 of 15. Start each series at its first volume so the story lands as written.

Age bands

Reading ages run 3 to 6 years on the Marvel collection to 18 years and up on The Protector’s War. The Endling books suit 9 to 12, and Ada Twist 5 to 8. Match the band to the reader before the series number.

Format and length

Print length runs 144 pages on Ada Twist to 416 on the Endling books, while the Marvel collection gives twelve 5-minute reads. For fantasy shelves, browse fantasy books.

Before you buy

• Check the series number: Endling #1 before #2, and The Protector’s War is book 2 of 15.
• Match the reading age: 3 to 6 years up to 18 years and up here.
• Compare the grade level with the reader’s grade, and read the description for themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book should I start with?

Endling #1: The Last, book 1 of 3 at 416 pages.

Are these for kids or adults?

Four suit young readers from 3 to 12 years; The Protector’s War is 18 years and up.

Which is the quickest read?

5-Minute Marvel Stories: twelve adventures at 5 minutes each.

Still deciding? Our top pickEndling #1: The Last

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