Most Under-rated Science Fiction

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	The Rookie (Galactic Football League #1) by Scott Sigler (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 3,069 ratings score: 9,487, and 95 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	Grass (Arbai, #1) by Sheri S. Tepper 4.04 avg rating — 8,889 ratings score: 8,513, and 87 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	Parable of the Sower (Earthseed, #1) by Octavia E. Butler 4.15 avg rating — 37,182 ratings score: 8,441, and 86 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	Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang 4.26 avg rating — 35,431 ratings score: 6,578, and 68 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 Anubis Gates by Tim Powers 3.94 avg rating — 12,963 ratings score: 6,034, and 62 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	The Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat (Stainless Steel Rat, #4-6) by Harry Harrison 4.10 avg rating — 8,214 ratings score: 5,921, and 61 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	Replay by Ken Grimwood 4.16 avg rating — 23,719 ratings score: 5,555, and 57 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	Blood Music by Greg Bear 3.80 avg rating — 9,350 ratings score: 5,448, and 57 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	The Songs Of Distant Earth by Arthur C. Clarke 3.89 avg rating — 11,224 ratings score: 4,687, and 49 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	Beggars in Spain (Sleepless, #1) by Nancy Kress (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 6,542 ratings score: 3,863, and 41 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	Lilith's Brood (Xenogenesis, #1-3) by Octavia E. Butler 4.33 avg rating — 11,717 ratings score: 3,791, and 39 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	More Than Human by Theodore Sturgeon 3.98 avg rating — 13,230 ratings score: 3,764, and 40 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) 3.67 avg rating — 20,613 ratings score: 3,722, and 40 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 Inverted World by Christopher Priest 3.90 avg rating — 5,839 ratings score: 3,702, and 39 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	Shards of Honour (Vorkosigan Saga, #1) by Lois McMaster Bujold (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 24,529 ratings score: 3,664, and 39 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 Death of Grass by John Christopher 3.88 avg rating — 6,230 ratings score: 3,565, and 37 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	Blindsight (Firefall, #1) by Peter Watts (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 20,867 ratings score: 3,545, and 36 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	Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner 3.96 avg rating — 12,717 ratings score: 3,515, and 39 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	Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany 3.78 avg rating — 10,163 ratings score: 3,459, and 37 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	Burden of Sisyphus (Brink of Distinction #1) by Jon Messenger (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 217 ratings score: 3,338, and 34 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	Cyteen (Cyteen, #1-3) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 9,041 ratings score: 3,297, and 35 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	Brightness Reef (Uplift Storm Trilogy, #1) by David Brin (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 9,122 ratings score: 3,215, and 34 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	Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge 3.76 avg rating — 14,456 ratings score: 3,104, and 33 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	Callahan's Crosstime Saloon (Callahan's #1) by Spider Robinson 4.17 avg rating — 9,237 ratings score: 3,099, and 33 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	Logan's Run (Logan, #1) by William F. Nolan (Goodreads Author) 3.68 avg rating — 8,945 ratings score: 3,012, and 31 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	When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger 3.93 avg rating — 5,889 ratings score: 2,971, and 32 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
27	Eon (The Way, #1) by Greg Bear 3.87 avg rating — 21,383 ratings score: 2,969, and 32 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
28	The Golden Age (Golden Age #1) by John C. Wright 4.07 avg rating — 2,741 ratings score: 2,945, and 30 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
29	The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper 4.05 avg rating — 10,907 ratings score: 2,880, and 31 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
30	Downbelow Station (The Company Wars #1) by C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 11,615 ratings score: 2,849, and 32 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
31	Gun, With Occasional Music by Jonathan Lethem 3.77 avg rating — 8,765 ratings score: 2,780, and 29 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
32	The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon 4.01 avg rating — 9,098 ratings score: 2,775, and 29 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
33	China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh 3.93 avg rating — 3,242 ratings score: 2,765, and 30 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
34	Inferno (Inferno, #1) by Larry Niven 3.82 avg rating — 4,989 ratings score: 2,698, and 28 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
35	Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm 3.87 avg rating — 7,887 ratings score: 2,682, and 29 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
36	The Cyberiad by Stanisław Lem 4.18 avg rating — 8,793 ratings score: 2,634, and 28 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
37	City of Golden Shadow (Otherland, #1) by Tad Williams (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 22,433 ratings score: 2,616, and 27 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
38	The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick 4.01 avg rating — 26,240 ratings score: 2,573, and 28 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
39	Killashandra (Crystal Singer #2) by Anne McCaffrey 4.02 avg rating — 12,687 ratings score: 2,569, and 27 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
40	Hominids (Neanderthal Parallax, #1) by Robert J. Sawyer (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 10,653 ratings score: 2,523, and 28 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
41	We by Yevgeny Zamyatin 3.94 avg rating — 54,815 ratings score: 2,477, and 27 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
42	The Sheep Look Up by John Brunner 3.96 avg rating — 3,839 ratings score: 2,445, and 26 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
43	A World Out of Time (The State, #1) by Larry Niven 3.80 avg rating — 4,822 ratings score: 2,436, and 26 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
44	To Say Nothing of the Dog (Oxford Time Travel, #2) by Connie Willis 4.13 avg rating — 28,317 ratings score: 2,388, and 26 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
45	The Difference Engine by William Gibson 3.41 avg rating — 17,090 ratings score: 2,373, and 27 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
46	Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein 3.91 avg rating — 246,194 ratings score: 2,317, and 25 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
47	The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 56,026 ratings score: 2,288, and 26 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
48	The Postman by David Brin (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 28,066 ratings score: 2,227, and 24 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
49	1984 by George Orwell 4.16 avg rating — 2,418,268 ratings score: 2,220, and 25 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
50	Her Smoke Rose Up Forever by James Tiptree Jr. 4.21 avg rating — 3,113 ratings score: 2,191, and 24 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
51	Impermanence by Daniel Frisano (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 47 ratings score: 2,100, and 21 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
52	Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin 4.09 avg rating — 7,779 ratings score: 1,976, and 21 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
53	The Ophiuchi Hotline (Eight Worlds #1) by John Varley 3.88 avg rating — 2,701 ratings score: 1,953, and 23 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
54	The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 954,951 ratings score: 1,939, and 22 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
55	Jennifer Government by Max Barry (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 12,292 ratings score: 1,925, and 21 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
56	Treason by Orson Scott Card 3.90 avg rating — 6,503 ratings score: 1,919, and 20 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
57	Hardwired (Hardwired, #1) by Walter Jon Williams (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 3,998 ratings score: 1,906, and 20 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
58	The Light of Other Days by Arthur C. Clarke 3.99 avg rating — 5,933 ratings score: 1,897, and 20 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
59	Inherit the Stars (Giants, #1) by James P. Hogan 4.08 avg rating — 3,462 ratings score: 1,895, and 20 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
60	The Legacy of Heorot (Heorot #1) by Larry Niven 3.93 avg rating — 5,879 ratings score: 1,808, and 19 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
61	Mission of Gravity by Hal Clement 3.91 avg rating — 6,202 ratings score: 1,800, and 21 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
62	Nova by Samuel R. Delany 3.83 avg rating — 5,662 ratings score: 1,782, and 22 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
63	The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 4,022 ratings score: 1,767, and 19 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
64	Glasshouse by Charles Stross (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 9,901 ratings score: 1,765, and 19 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
65	The Reality Dysfunction (Night's Dawn, #1) by Peter F. Hamilton (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 27,605 ratings score: 1,740, and 19 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
66	Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre 3.85 avg rating — 8,053 ratings score: 1,739, and 19 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
67	Beauty by Sheri S. Tepper 3.82 avg rating — 5,099 ratings score: 1,737, and 19 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
68	West of Eden (West of Eden, #1) by Harry Harrison 3.81 avg rating — 2,770 ratings score: 1,712, and 19 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
69	The People: No Different Flesh by Zenna Henderson 4.36 avg rating — 813 ratings score: 1,681, and 20 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
70	Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 3.98 avg rating — 1,202,563 ratings score: 1,653, and 19 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
71	Hothouse by Brian W. Aldiss 3.65 avg rating — 3,280 ratings score: 1,648, and 19 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
72	The Forge of God (Forge of God, #1) by Greg Bear 3.86 avg rating — 12,156 ratings score: 1,633, and 19 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
73	Ubik by Philip K. Dick 4.11 avg rating — 67,581 ratings score: 1,622, and 18 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
74	The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman 3.70 avg rating — 7,481 ratings score: 1,617, and 18 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
75	Rogue Moon by Algis Budrys 3.58 avg rating — 2,198 ratings score: 1,584, and 18 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
76	Time and Again (Time, #1) by Jack Finney 3.97 avg rating — 16,311 ratings score: 1,537, and 17 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
77	The Bridge by Iain Banks 3.84 avg rating — 9,423 ratings score: 1,532, and 16 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
78	Wild Seed (Patternmaster, #1) by Octavia E. Butler 4.21 avg rating — 13,364 ratings score: 1,515, and 17 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
79	Heroes Die (The Acts of Caine, #1) by Matthew Woodring Stover 4.09 avg rating — 9,697 ratings score: 1,487, and 15 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
80	Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia E. Butler 4.31 avg rating — 9,250 ratings score: 1,480, and 17 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
81	Soldier, Ask Not (Childe Cycle, #3) by Gordon R. Dickson 3.94 avg rating — 2,325 ratings score: 1,433, and 17 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
82	City of Pearl (Wess'har Wars, #1) by Karen Traviss (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 1,932 ratings score: 1,399, and 15 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
83	The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove 3.95 avg rating — 7,244 ratings score: 1,387, and 16 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
84	Songmaster by Orson Scott Card 3.73 avg rating — 6,733 ratings score: 1,384, and 15 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
85	Biting the Sun (Four-BEE, #1-2) by Tanith Lee 4.24 avg rating — 1,728 ratings score: 1,374, and 15 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
86	The World Inside by Robert Silverberg 3.74 avg rating — 2,035 ratings score: 1,366, and 15 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
87	The Female Man by Joanna Russ 3.54 avg rating — 5,022 ratings score: 1,363, and 16 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
88	Barrayar (Vorkosigan Saga, #7) by Lois McMaster Bujold (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 21,261 ratings score: 1,358, and 16 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
89	A Talent for War (Alex Benedict, #1) by Jack McDevitt 3.77 avg rating — 5,049 ratings score: 1,318, and 14 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
89	The Currents of Space (Galactic Empire #2) by Isaac Asimov 3.82 avg rating — 11,815 ratings score: 1,318, and 17 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
91	Raising the Stones (Arbai, #2) by Sheri S. Tepper 4.04 avg rating — 2,242 ratings score: 1,301, and 14 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
92	Lest Darkness Fall by L. Sprague de Camp 3.96 avg rating — 2,386 ratings score: 1,230, and 15 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
93	Brain Wave by Poul Anderson 3.75 avg rating — 2,072 ratings score: 1,215, and 14 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
94	Final Colony Reloaded by Angelo Tsanatelis (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 15 ratings score: 1,197, and 12 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
95	Jem by Frederik Pohl 3.59 avg rating — 2,520 ratings score: 1,153, and 13 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
96	The Warrior's Apprentice (Vorkosigan Saga, #2) by Lois McMaster Bujold (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 20,058 ratings score: 1,152, and 13 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
97	Greybeard by Brian W. Aldiss 3.55 avg rating — 1,330 ratings score: 1,146, and 14 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
97	The Sparrow (The Sparrow, #1) by Mary Doria Russell (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 49,983 ratings score: 1,146, and 13 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
99	Embassytown by China Miéville (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 23,114 ratings score: 1,128, and 13 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
100	The Integral Trees (The State, #2) by Larry Niven 3.75 avg rating — 7,738 ratings score: 1,085, and 12 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

flag this list (?)

← Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 13 14 Next →

1,373 books · 1,646 voters · list created August 5th, 2008 by Rob (votes) .

Tags: ratings, science-fiction, scifi, sf, sf-only, under-rated, underrated

387 likes · Like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

People Who Voted On This List (1646)

Rob 1303 books
165 friends

Michael 2422 books
80 friends

Eli 4 books
2 friends

Antoine 949 books
168 friends

Aaron 15 books
2 friends

dirt 1054 books
71 friends

Geoff 265 books
216 friends

Bill 227 books
9 friends

More voters…

Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-50 of 85 (85 new)

date

newest »

message 1: by Adam (new)

Dec 16, 2009 06:36PM

Virtual War, Found, Double Identity, Sent, and Running out of Time are all amazing but barely have any ratings.

reply | flag *

message 2: by Tomislav (new)

Aug 11, 2010 09:53AM

Tricky category. If a lot of people vote for a book, then maybe it's not under-rated...

reply | flag *

message 3: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Nov 01, 2010 09:58AM

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is underrated?!?

reply | flag *

message 4: by Antoine (last edited Dec 04, 2010 06:23PM) (new)

Dec 04, 2010 06:21PM

It is hard to see how Hitchhikers could belong on this list, given that it has 150,000+ ratings (more than forty times the number of ratings that the top book on this list has), and an average of over four stars. Unless the idea is that Adams is underrated as SF, but plentifully rated as humor. It doesn't work for me. But if it works for Rob, then I guess it is OK.

reply | flag *

message 5: by Rob (new)

Dec 04, 2010 06:58PM

Antoine wrote: "But if it works for Rob, then I guess it is OK. "

Why single me out? I didn't vote for Hitchhiker's... as underrated. (I like it, but it's hardly underrated.)

reply | flag *

message 6: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Dec 05, 2010 09:10AM

Do you want me to remove it, Rob?

reply | flag *

message 7: by Rob (new)

Dec 05, 2010 12:08PM

Susanna wrote: "Do you want me to remove it, Rob?"

Makes no difference to me if people vote for it; I just created the list for folks to enjoy. All I was saying in my reply was that even though the book appears in the list, I didn't vote for it--and I'd hope that folks wouldn't suggest that I did.

reply | flag *

message 8: by Anastasia (new)

May 31, 2011 07:59PM

Rob wrote: "Susanna wrote: "Do you want me to remove it, Rob?"

Makes no difference to me if people vote for it; I just created the list for folks to enjoy. All I was saying in my reply was that even though t..."

I would remove it. It's annoying seeing the same books at the top of every list, regardless of what the list name is. "Hitchhiker's" appears in top 5 always. For goodness sake, there was a movie. I think any books that are in top 10 "best sf" cannot be in this list.

reply | flag *

message 9: by Rob (new)

Jun 01, 2011 05:39AM

After much deliberation, I have removed HHGTTG from the list. It's popular and it's fun, but it's on entirely too many other lists and has been read and highly-rated by entirely too many people to be "under-rated". (Sorry to the folks that voted for it, but it doesn't fit the spirit of this list.)

reply | flag *

message 10: by Sarah (new)

Jun 30, 2011 11:11AM

I imagine this would definitely be a tricky list to police.

I just added Dreamsnake and moved it to the top of my list. It's the only Hugo-Nebula-Locus winning novel that is now out of print (and has been for over a decade).

reply | flag *

message 11: by Anastasia (new)

Jul 05, 2011 10:06PM

Unless someone objects, I'm going to remove "Handmaiden's Tale" - no way is that underrated. It is one of top 3 sf novels people think of (along with 1984 and Hitchhiker's Guide).

reply | flag *

message 12: by Anastasia (new)

Jul 06, 2011 05:30AM

Going to remove The Silent Tower and Silicon Mage (Windrose Chronicles) by Barbara Hambly - not science fiction.

reply | flag *

message 13: by Anastasia (last edited Jul 06, 2011 12:29PM) (new)

Jul 06, 2011 05:32AM

Going to remove Black Sun Rising by C.S. Friedman - although a great book, it is fantasy, not science fiction.

Going to remove the individual Stainless Steel Rat books by Harry Harrison which are included in Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat (#1-3) (curr. highest ranking).

reply | flag *

message 14: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Jul 06, 2011 09:58AM

Yeah, Handmaid's Tale is "underrated" like Hitchhiker's is "underrated." If not more so.

reply | flag *

message 15: by Anastasia (new)

Jul 06, 2011 01:55PM

I'm going to delete Arana's Visitor by Julie Rollins. There are 7 people who voted, all with # books in their library and # of friends in single digits; those people consistently vote ONLY for the 4 books in Julie Rollins' series for all Lists. (Same on Amazon.com - all the reviews for these books are from people with only 1 review each - clearly fraudulent.)

reply | flag *

message 16: by Rob (new)

Jul 06, 2011 05:12PM

@Anastasia- Good catches, all.

reply | flag *

message 17: by Ninja (new)

Sep 09, 2011 08:12AM

I'm surprised the City and the City made the list: it's been nominated or won more awards than many a book I've seen in some time: " It has won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, Arthur C. Clarke Award, World Fantasy Award and BSFA Award; tied with Paolo Bacigalupi's The Windup Girl for the 2010 Hugo Award for Best Novel; and was nominated for a Nebula Award and John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.", even getting some press outside of sci-fi / fantasy circles.

But as said earlier, it's rather difficult to say what's underrated...

reply | flag *

message 18: by Rob (new)

Sep 09, 2011 09:31AM

Ninja wrote: "I'm surprised the City and the City made the list..."

Given that many awards (and/or nominations) then I'd say that it doesn't really belong here. I'm currently reading it and loving it, but given those facts... *not* underrated. I've removed it.

reply | flag *

message 19: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Sep 09, 2011 10:43AM

Which makes me question The Lathe of Heaven - nominated for the Hugo, the Nebula, and the Locus - how is that "under-rated"?

reply | flag *

message 20: by Ninja (new)

Sep 09, 2011 10:25PM

Yeah, the Lathe of Heaven also came to mind. I really enjoyed it, but I don't know that it's underrated either.

reply | flag *

message 21: by Anastasia (new)

Sep 12, 2011 07:21AM

Ninja wrote: "Yeah, the Lathe of Heaven also came to mind. I really enjoyed it, but I don't know that it's underrated either."

What awards has it won? I'm familiar with Le Guin, of course, and am fairly well versed in sf/f field, but "Lathe of Heaven" was completely off my radar. In fact, it's this list that made me take a note. Perhaps because it didn't win and it should have that it can be considered underrated? I

If I'm going to disagree with anything, it's all the other top 10 books - Alfred Bester - yes he's great, but has anyone not read these? Or especially John Scalzi's "Old Man's War" - hugely popular, almost like "Ender's Game" in that it got people who didn't read military scif into the genre. But for those who HAVE read a lot of Sf/f, and that who the audience for this list is, in my opinion, "Old Man's War" is a rehash of "Starship Troopers" plus "Forever War" plus "Armor" with a touch of "Spin State" or "Altered Carbon," take your pick. In my humble opinion.

And Neal Stephenson? Overrated if anything.

reply | flag *

message 22: by Ninja (new)

Sep 12, 2011 07:53AM

Lathe "received nominations for the 1972 Hugo[1] and the 1971 Nebula Award,[2] and won the Locus Award for Best Novel in 1972.[1] Two television film adaptations have been released"
But perhaps not as famous as her other works, I suppose.

I haven't read Bester, nor Scalzi *grins*.
Didn't realise Old Man's War was quite that recently - thought it might have been a 90s novel - but maybe that just attests to its fame.

Actually, re-reviewing the top 50 or so, I'd say Day of the Triffids stands out. Much more so than any of the others.

reply | flag *

message 23: by Rob (new)

Sep 12, 2011 08:07AM

We do reach a point where a books "underrated-ness" starts to become a matter of splitting hairs. Anastasia brings up a good point there w/ "Lathe of Heaven" and/or "Old Man's War" -- depending on what your approach to a given novel is, it's a matter of perception. I'm starting to think awards nominations (and/or WINNING an award...) is probably a decent litmus test. But still not necessarily definitive.

reply | flag *

message 24: by Ninja (new)

Sep 12, 2011 08:30AM

I'd agree. For example, Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang won a Hugo and was nominated for the Nebula, but I get the feeling it's generally considered to be somewhat lesser known novel (perhaps because the author didn't continue writing sci-fi?)

reply | flag *

message 25: by Rob (new)

Sep 12, 2011 08:33AM

Ninja wrote: "I'd agree. For example, Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang...

Exactly! (Another great example.) Totally agree there (even if it undermines my theory) -- there you have something that's considered to be a classic among folks who've read it; but you'd be hard-pressed to find too many folks who've read it. (That last bit there being one of those "in my experience..." type remarks.)

So much for making the selection and/or winnowing process easier... ;-)

reply | flag *

message 26: by Anastasia (last edited Sep 12, 2011 09:04PM) (new)

Sep 12, 2011 09:03PM

What I did when I went through this list several months ago (and I did delete more books than I mentioned here...) was cross-reference it against the "Best Scifi Eva" lists - if a book was in the top 20 best ever list, then it isn't underrated. That's a fair approach in my opinion.

reply | flag *

message 27: by Neal (new)

Nov 15, 2011 11:21AM

The Lathe of Heaven is underrated? LOL.

Two that pop in to my head:
Gateway - Yes it won some awards back in the 70s but it seems like no one reads it or appreciates it.
Nova - Delany's retelling of Moby Dick (and shorter!) where he foreshadows cyberpunk and man/computer interfacing 20 years before it became popular.

reply | flag *

message 28: by Andy (new)

Dec 06, 2011 06:26PM

Duplicate removed- Way Station should no longer be on the list twice.

reply | flag *

message 29: by Jeszika (new)

Apr 14, 2012 07:52PM

I added Lilith's Brood to this list as it is one of the best scifi books I have ever read, and most people I speak with have never even heard of Octavia Butler let alone read this one. Also, I have added In Conquest Born. Again, it is a favorite scifi of mine and few people I know have read it... If my perceptions of their popularity are in err than feel free to remove them and I will rest happy, knowing that more people than I thought enjoyed these gems.

reply | flag *

message 30: by Michael (new)

Jun 27, 2012 02:56PM

I restricted my votes to books with fewer that 10,000 Goodreads ratings - arbitrary, but I thought anything over that wasn't really under-rated.

reply | flag *

message 31: by Larchi (new)

Aug 13, 2012 06:24AM

Hyperion underated? Should put Dune on as well then :)
I only read Hyperion because it was at, or near the top of every top Sci-fi list...and for good reason.

reply | flag *

message 32: by Rob (new)

Aug 13, 2012 06:37AM

Larchi wrote: "Hyperion underated? Should put Dune on as well then :)"

Good point... As a Hugo Award winner, I'm to go ahead and say that it's not under-rated. I have removed it.

reply | flag *

message 33: by Thom (new)

Aug 17, 2012 08:21AM

Average rating of the top 10 on my list is less than 1000, one of them has 11 ratings, another one, 8 ! And I'm saying these are good books worthy of more attention.

reply | flag *

message 34: by Philip (new)

Aug 23, 2012 12:19PM

Sarah Pi wrote: "I imagine this would definitely be a tricky list to police.

I just added Dreamsnake and moved it to the top of my list. It's the only Hugo-Nebula-Locus winning novel that is now out of print (and ..."

Great read!

reply | flag *

message 35: by Justanotherbiblophile (new)

Dec 24, 2012 06:44PM

Yeah, Ender's Game as 'UNDER-rated' (amongst many others)? I think this list is dead. :\

reply | flag *

message 36: by Thom (new)

Dec 25, 2012 07:09PM

How could Canticle for Liebowitz be rated any higher ? It's on every list of must-read SF, often nominated as the best example of the genre ?

reply | flag *

message 37: by [deleted user] (last edited Mar 09, 2013 07:16PM) (new)

Mar 09, 2013 07:15PM

I don't really see how Ursula K Leguin can be number one, she is one of the most recognized and praised writer of either fantasy or science fiction. Maybe it's on there because it is a rather obscure novel by her, but still I wouldn't put the Children of Hurin on an underrated fantasy list, because even though it is obscure compared to the authors other works, the author is so well known, they would know what kind of book you were talking about if you just mentioned who the author was.
I couldn't find them, but I had to add A Princess of Mars and Bio of A Space Tyrant, Usually nobody knows who Edgar Rice Burroughs is, and they only know Tarzan from the disney movie, I've never met another person who had ever heard of the Barsoom novels, and all the critical reviews I've read of the book trash it, at least the teacher's I've heard reference it on courses on Sci-Fi.

Same goes for Bio of a Space Tyrant, everyone who has read it(at least on goodreads) trashes it for having too much rape. I say Piers Anthony is a damn fine writer and I absoulutely adored the first two books, if number one was a bit disturbing, but just because something is disturbing doesn't mean it's bad, like Titus Andronicus.

reply | flag *

message 38: by Veeral (last edited Apr 10, 2013 01:35AM) (new)

Apr 09, 2013 11:25PM

This is a great topic for a list, Rob. If only all the readers who voted here would have understood the meaning of the word "underrated".

reply | flag *

message 39: by David (new)

Apr 21, 2013 01:14PM

I removed the following books:
The Host - 335k+ ratings and a Hollywood movie
Mega Man X Official Game Secrets - not fiction

Inferno and The Reluctant King are both fantasy.

reply | flag *

message 40: by retroj (new)

Apr 26, 2013 08:25PM

I want to throw in my 2¢ that The Lathe of Heaven is entirely deserving of its spot at the top of this list. It is well-loved by those that know it, but remains a relatively unknown book, inexplicably. It was certainly under-rated by the 1972 Hugo voters..

reply | flag *

message 41: by ayanami (new)

Jul 25, 2013 07:21AM

Great idea for a list! I'll definitely be referring back to this frequently...

reply | flag *

message 42: by Mitchell (new)

Sep 04, 2013 02:08PM

So why don't we say that any book with more than 25,000 ratings should be removed. And if someone wants to vote for such a book they should do it on https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...

reply | flag *

message 43: by retroj (new)

Sep 04, 2013 05:09PM

Mitchell wrote: "So why don't we say that any book with more than 25,000 ratings should be removed. And if someone wants to vote for such a book they should do it on https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3..."

Hi Mitchell,

Just looking at rating count does not capture what it means for a book to be underrated. A book may have been read by a lot of people, but still be underrated because it was under-appreciated. In fact, the more people that under-appreciate a book, the more it makes that book "most underrated". Sheer number of readers may be one factor in judging underratedness, but rating value is the bigger factor.

reply | flag *

message 44: by Andy (new)

Nov 03, 2013 06:27PM

Removed Never Let Me Go as I think it has far too many ratings for this list.

NibbledToDeathByCats: There's a list for underrated books, ie. those with an average GR rating of less than 3.7.

reply | flag *

message 45: by retroj (new)

Nov 03, 2013 09:13PM

Andy wrote: "Removed Never Let Me Go as I think it has far too many ratings for this list.

NibbledToDeathByCats: There's a list for underrated books, ie. those with an average GR rating of less than 3.7."

Not sure I follow your meaning. Just because something has a low rating doesn't mean it is underrated.

reply | flag *

message 46: by Andy (new)

Nov 03, 2013 11:30PM

Well, the idea of the list is to vote for your favourites that may have been read by many people but not rated as high as you think they deserve.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

reply | flag *

message 47: by retroj (new)

Nov 04, 2013 05:09AM

Andy wrote: "Well, the idea of the list is to vote for your favourites that may have been read by many people but not rated as high as you think they deserve.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1......"

I like that this list does not set artificial criteria like that. I see the term "underrated" as representing a combination of factors, often nuanced.

reply | flag *

message 48: by Mitchell (new)

Aug 26, 2014 09:26PM

reply | flag *

message 49: by Kaion (new)

Sep 23, 2015 01:03PM

Removed for appearing in Top 100 of the Best of SF megalists*:
Lathe of Heaven
The Stars Are My Destination
Anathem
A Canticle for Leibowitz
Flowers for Algernon
Doomsday Book
Necromancer
Old Man's War

*https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...)
*https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...

reply | flag *

message 50: by Mitchell (new)

Sep 23, 2015 07:17PM

Kaion wrote: "Removed for appearing in Top 100 of the Best of SF megalists*:
Old Man's..."

I like this as a criteria. But it definitely isn't criteria stated in the list description.

But this list definitely doesn't have consensus on what it is about.

reply | flag *

« previous 1 2 next »

Saving
My Votes

vote now

Friends Votes

get your friends to vote

Flag this list

Why are you flagging this list?

For more information, read our terms of service.

Most Under-rated Science Fiction

Score

People Who Voted On This List (1646)

Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-50 of 85 (85 new)

Flag Abuse

Saving
My Votes

Friends Votes

How to Vote

Flag this list

Why are you flagging this list?

Most Under-rated Science Fiction

Score

People Who Voted On This List (1646)

Post a comment »Comments Showing 1-50 of 85 (85 new)

Flag Abuse

Saving My Votes

Friends Votes

How to Vote

Flag this list

Why are you flagging this list?

Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-50 of 85 (85 new)

Saving
My Votes