SF books similar to Mass Effect

Aliens who AREN'T just monsters to shoot at, but are fully fledged characters.

Humans who AREN'T the dominant force in the galaxy, but are one of many races coexisting.

Awesome spaceships. Galaxy-scale civilizations. Epic scope, high stakes.

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DON'T vote for any books that actually are about, or set in the universe of, Mass Effect.

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	A Fire Upon the Deep (Zones of Thought, #1) by Vernor Vinge 4.13 avg rating — 53,124 ratings score: 798, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Startide Rising (The Uplift Saga, #2) by David Brin (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 30,214 ratings score: 780, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Icarus Hunt by Timothy Zahn (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 4,069 ratings score: 593, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Revelation Space (Revelation Space, #1) by Alastair Reynolds 3.98 avg rating — 46,083 ratings score: 497, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	The Uplift War (The Uplift Saga, #3) by David Brin (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 25,311 ratings score: 489, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Grimspace (Sirantha Jax, #1) by Ann Aguirre (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 14,751 ratings score: 398, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers, #1) by Becky Chambers 4.15 avg rating — 82,094 ratings score: 397, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse, #1) by James S.A. Corey (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 184,581 ratings score: 395, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Judas Unchained (Commonwealth Saga, #2) by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 33,036 ratings score: 394, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Chanur Saga (Chanur #1-3) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 1,176 ratings score: 386, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Pandora's Star (Commonwealth Saga, #1) by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 43,390 ratings score: 381, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Forging Zero (The Legend of ZERO, #1) by Sara King (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 6,903 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Sundiver (The Uplift Saga, #1) by David Brin (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 23,978 ratings score: 296, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	The Dreaming Void by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 25,220 ratings score: 291, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Mote in God's Eye (Moties, #1) by Larry Niven 4.07 avg rating — 64,374 ratings score: 289, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Temporal Void by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.24 avg rating — 21,198 ratings score: 287, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Evolutionary Void by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 19,891 ratings score: 284, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	A Deepness in the Sky (Zones of Thought, #2) by Vernor Vinge 4.31 avg rating — 30,151 ratings score: 278, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Survival (Species Imperative, #1) by Julie E. Czerneda (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 2,021 ratings score: 275, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Left Hand of Darkness (Hainish Cycle, #4) by Ursula K. Le Guin 4.08 avg rating — 126,696 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Gabriel's Ghost (Dock Five Universe, #1) by Linnea Sinclair (Goodreads Author) 3.63 avg rating — 3,667 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Migration (Species Imperative, #2) by Julie E. Czerneda (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 1,294 ratings score: 189, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	The Ringworld Engineers (Ringworld, #2) by Larry Niven 3.88 avg rating — 29,832 ratings score: 185, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Chanur's Legacy (Chanur #5) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 2,103 ratings score: 183, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Becoming Alien (Saga of Tom Red-Clay, #1) by Rebecca Ore 3.61 avg rating — 207 ratings score: 181, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Antaran Legacy, Book 1: For Duty by Matthew Plourde (Goodreads Author) 4.38 avg rating — 26 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Greetings Earthlings, My name is Appleton and I come from the Planet Reginta by J. Jack Bergeron (Goodreads Author) 3.38 avg rating — 24 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Reality Dysfunction (Night's Dawn, #1) by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 32,922 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Consider Phlebas (Culture, #1) by Iain M. Banks 3.86 avg rating — 76,751 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Dawn of Procyon (Distant Suns, #1) by Mark R. Healy (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 330 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Enemy Mine by Barry B. Longyear 4.16 avg rating — 1,100 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Stormblood (The Common, #1) by Jeremy Szal (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 265 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	50,000 A.D. The Awakening by J. Jack Bergeron (Goodreads Author) 3.43 avg rating — 75 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	The Neutronium Alchemist (Night's Dawn, #2) by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 17,707 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Ancillary Justice (Imperial Radch #1) by Ann Leckie (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 86,271 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Seeds of Earth (Humanity's Fire, #1) by Michael Cobley 3.42 avg rating — 3,057 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Last Shuttle Flight, First Alien Contact Part 1 by J. Jack Bergeron (Goodreads Author) 3.42 avg rating — 19 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Naked God (Night's Dawn, #3) by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 17,673 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Pride of Chanur (Chanur #1) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 6,385 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Dune (Dune Chronicles, #1) by Frank Herbert 4.23 avg rating — 825,726 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Close Proximity (Perilous Alliance, #1) by Chris J. Pike 4.20 avg rating — 290 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Last Shuttle Flight, First Alien Contact Part 2 by J. Jack Bergeron (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Kutath (The Faded Sun, #3) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 1,359 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Decision at Doona (Doona, #1) by Anne McCaffrey 3.77 avg rating — 4,484 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	R.U.R. & War with the Newts by Karel Čapek 3.86 avg rating — 395 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Gate at the Grey Wolf Star (Perseus Gate, #1) by M.D. Cooper (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 448 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Starplex by Robert J. Sawyer (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 2,265 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Last Shuttle Flight, First Alien Contact Part 3 by J. Jack Bergeron (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Alien Stars (Alien Stars, 1) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 63 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Footfall by Larry Niven 3.92 avg rating — 15,756 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Star Healer (Sector General, #6) by James White 4.11 avg rating — 366 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Chanur's Endgame (Chanur #4-5) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 650 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	For Love of Mother-Not (Pip & Flinx #5) by Alan Dean Foster really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 4,390 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Angel with the Sword (Merovingen Nights #0) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 948 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	A Thousand Words for Stranger (Trade Pact Universe, #1) by Julie E. Czerneda (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 2,714 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Shon'jir (The Faded Sun, #2) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 1,356 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	The Draco Tavern by Larry Niven 3.89 avg rating — 2,221 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Stardoc (Stardoc, #1) by S.L. Viehl 3.80 avg rating — 3,748 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Cuckoo's Egg (Age of Exploration, #3) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 1,655 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Kesrith (The Faded Sun, #1) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 2,169 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	The Morgaine Saga (Morgaine & Vanye, #1-3) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 1,733 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Foreigner (Foreigner, #1) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 9,239 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Marrow (Great Ship, #1) by Robert Reed (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 2,043 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Downbelow Station (The Company Wars, #1) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 14,353 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	The Great Dune Trilogy by Frank Herbert 4.36 avg rating — 57,003 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	Contact by Carl Sagan 4.13 avg rating — 128,335 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	The Word for World is Forest (Hainish Cycle, #5) by Ursula K. Le Guin 3.99 avg rating — 18,863 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Serpent's Reach by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 1,280 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars