Recommended Smart Action/Sci-Fi Novels

[Ryan]

After discovering the Vorkosigan Saga, Snow Crash, The Culture Series, The Expanse Trilogy and rereading The Forever War I'm trying to find more Science Fiction novels that combine exciting action with smart/smartly executed story telling. Now to clear things up, by "action" I don't necessarily mean Military Sci-Fi(although those shouldn't be excluded) I'd like more variety like cyberpunk or present based science fiction.

[David Sven]

Try Alastair Reynolds Revelation Space series

[Dharmakirti]

Dan Simmons wrote a two part sci-fi series that is his take on Homer's Iliad. Check out Ilium and Olympos.

The Quantum Thief might also be of interest. I started reading last year but got sidetracked by something and never finished it. I plan on starting it again sometime soon.

I've heard great things about A Fire Upon the Deep. I started browsing through it in the book store and it seemed really interesting so I bought a copy. I just haven't gotten around to reading it, yet.

[Ben]

I think Robert Sheckley hits the bill if you like a large dollop and humor with your action. I have heard good things about Wasp (and other stuff by the writer) but yet to check it out.

Altered Carbon would certainly tick the box. Its a lot of fun although I didnt enjoy its sequel much.

War with the Newts ticks the box too although as it is a satire on Czech politics you will probably not be able to get quite all of the references but it is universal enough to be hugely satisfying.

I always found Jack Vance got the balance right between making you think and getting your pulse going.

Though I have only read her novellas and short stories Nancy Kress probably fits the bill too and I hear good things about Joan Slonczewski but am yet to start with her work.

[Derek]

the lost fleet series is a great one.

[Wilmar]

Ryan wrote: "After discovering the Vorkosigan Saga, Snow Crash, The Culture Series, The Expanse Trilogy and rereading The Forever War I'm trying to find more Science Fiction novels that combine exciting action ..."

So, the reviews were mixed. But my superhero book The Silver Ninja is about a nanosuit that is used to carry out political assassinations in the present time. There's also a few mechs and other technologies that will be expanded upon in future books.

It is my first book, so I've certainly made some mistakes in the writing. But you can read the reviews and judge for yourself whether you'd be interested in checking it out.

:)

[Trike]

The Sten series by Cole and Bunch.

Daniel Suarez's modern cyberpunk books.

R.M. Meluch's "Tour of the Merrimack" series, starting with The Myriad.

Walter Jon Williams books like Voice of the Whirlwind and Hardwired.

[Zeke]

The Zimmer Insurgency by Jason Shannon. Fast paced, political thriller. There's some good high-action sequences in there.

[Jake]

check out Jeff Somers, 'The Electric Church'. Which is the first of a 5 novel series. it's one of my favorites and a lot of fun. noir-esque, first person, pulpy...and it has cyborg monks that murder people to convert them into their religion :-)