Which Recent Science Fiction Books Are Set In Near Future Earth?

2026-07-20 01:45:09
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6 Answers

RoseHines
RoseHines
Sharp Observer Firefighter
‘The Daughter of Doctor Moreau’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a historical reimagining set in 19th-century Mexico, so not near-future at all. But wait—the themes of reckless experimentation, playing god, and the creation of hybrid life forms are the bedrock of so many near-future biotech thrillers. Reading it feels like seeing the primordial ooze from which modern SF often evolves. The lush prose and gothic atmosphere are completely transporting. It’s a brilliant character study of the ‘monsters’ and their creator. Makes you think about who gets to define humanity, a question just as relevant for CRISPR as for Victorian-era science.
2026-07-21 03:13:38
2
TheoChat
TheoChat
Favorite read: A Werewolf Fantasy
Contributor Data Analyst
‘The Mountain in the Sea’ by Ray Nayler is a stunning near-future thriller about the discovery of a possibly sentient octopus species. The setting is a protected island archipelago where a marine biologist and a security agent try to study them while evading corporate and criminal interests. The book is packed with fascinating digressions on the nature of consciousness, language, and AI. The octopuses are mesmerizing. It’s a deeply intelligent, patient novel that builds tension through ideas as much as action. The near-forld feels plausible, dominated by automated fishing fleets and AI assistants. A must-read for anyone interested in minds unlike our own.
2026-07-22 04:12:45
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RheaWebb
RheaWebb
Reply Helper UX Designer
‘The Spare Man’ by Mary Robinette Kowal is a locked-room mystery on a luxury space liner bound for Mars. The near-future element is in the casually integrated tech: cocktail-making robots, smart fabrics, and advanced prosthetics for the wealthy protagonist, who is a retired engineer with chronic pain. The mystery itself is clever and pays homage to classic noir, but the setting is a glittering, plausible vision of early interplanetary tourism. The relationship between the main character and her service dog is wonderfully written. It’s fun, glamorous, and intellectually satisfying—a perfect blend of genres.
2026-07-23 08:01:55
4
IsaacHunt
IsaacHunt
Favorite read: The world I know of
Frequent Answerer Firefighter
‘The Book of Koli’ by M.R. Carey begins a trilogy set in a post-apocalyptic future where nature has turned violently hostile. The ‘near-future’ connection is in the remnants of our technology, which the villagers worship as magic. The narrator, Koli, discovers a working music player and his journey to understand the old world is the heart of the story. The voice is unique—a distorted, future English that takes a few pages to settle into. It’s a story about rediscovery and resilience. The sequels expand the world brilliantly. It feels both ancient and urgently contemporary in its themes of environmental collapse.
2026-07-24 01:36:09
4
AuroraSun
AuroraSun
Favorite read: Humanity's Last Resort
Bookworm Assistant
Emma Newman’s ‘Planetfall’ series, particularly the first book, is set on a distant colony, but the technology and the psychological profiles of the colonists feel very near-future. It deals with 3D printing communities, mental health, and the corrosive power of religious belief founded on a lie. The protagonist’s anxiety is so visceral it’s almost uncomfortable to read. Newman excels at building tension through internal conflict and unreliable narration. The ‘city’ they live in is a fascinating piece of bio-organic tech. It’s a deeply human story about trauma and secrets, disguised as a colony narrative. The sequel, ‘After Atlas’, is even more of a corporate-Earth dystopia.
2026-07-24 08:45:38
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