The best new science fiction books of October 2025

Ursula K. Le Guin has long been hailed as a luminary in the realm of science fiction. Fans, myself included, are buzzing with excitement over a new collection released this month that brings together her stunning illustrations alongside the profound narrative wisdom she is known for. Recently, we revisited The Dispossessed in the New Scientist Book Club, and I encourage you to join our discussions about this classic!

This month’s new science fiction offerings blend nostalgia and foresight. Ken Liu enchants readers with a thriller set in the not-so-distant future, while Megha Majumdar’s narrative grapples with the dilemmas of a submerged Kolkata. We also see works from astronaut Chris Hadfield and the innovative Mark Z. Danielewski, celebrated for his mind-bending novel House of Leaves.

The Word for World: The Maps of Ursula K Le Guin, edited by So Mayer and Sarah Shin

In this delightful collection, we are treated to the maps drawn by Le Guin as she crafted stories such as those in the Earthsea series and Always Coming Home. Accompanying the maps are interviews, original poems, recipes, and essays from a diverse array of contributors, making this book a veritable treasure for Le Guin enthusiasts.

All That We See Or Seem by Ken Liu

A gripping sci-fi thriller, this novel thrusts us into a near-future world where a hacker named Julia is enlisted to save a kidnapped “dream artist” and delve into a virtual reality enigma. It marks the inception of Liu’s Julia Z series, promising a captivating read.

Halcyon Years by Alastair Reynolds

In a universe of mystery, Reynolds follows Yuri Gagarin, a private investigator who must solve a homicide onboard a starship filled with passengers suspended in sleep.

Tom’s Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski

Stepping into a quirky narrative, Danielewski’s latest work features two friends in Orvop, Utah, aiming to rescue two horses from slaughter. With Danielewski’s unique style, readers can expect unexpected depth beneath the surface of this seemingly simple plot.

The Definitions by Matt Greene

Set in a dystopian world where a mysterious illness has erased people’s memories, this novel explores the struggles of learners trying to rebuild their identities while questioning the authority of “The Centre” that governs their education.

Conform by Ariel Sullivan

Drawing comparisons to The Hunger Games, Sullivan presents a chilling dystopia where conformity is paramount, leading a woman into a complicated love triangle while probing the perils of social and genetic conformity.

Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes

This space horror novel is poised for the Halloween season, wrapping readers in chills as Halley, a fugitive, hides on the eerie Elysian Fields – a long-abandoned spacecraft turned crypt for the rich.

Final Orbit by Chris Hadfield

Set in the pivotal 1970s during the peak of the space race, Hadfield’s thriller unfolds amid a new Apollo mission, serving as the third book in his captivating series after The Apollo Murders and The Defectors.

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

This evocative tale explores a near-future Kolkata plagued by climate crisis and food shortage, following Ma’s desperate search for stolen immigration documents while her family’s survival hangs in the balance.

When There Are Wolves Again by E. J. Swift

Featuring two intertwined tales about Lucy and Hester, this striking narrative explores themes of environmental restoration in a world that remembers the pandemic and Chernobyl, respectively. Their journey revolves around the hope of reintroducing wolves to Britain.

Red Star Hustle / Apprehension by Sam J. Miller and Mary Robinette Kowal

A thrilling double feature awaits with Miller’s Red Star Hustle, spotlighting a high-class escort on the run, and Kowal’s gripping tale Apprehension, wherein a grandmother embarks on a heart-pounding quest to rescue her grandson from kidnappers on an alien planet.

The Shocking Experiments of Miss Mary Bennet by Melinda Taub

Taking a creative twist on Jane Austen’s classic, this story reimagines Mary Bennet as a brilliant scientist determined to defy societal expectations by attempting to reanimate the dead in her pursuit of true love, leading her on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery.