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Illumicrate's 100 Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror Books of the 21st Century
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34 participants, 100 books
You can start and finish this challenge whenever you like!
Per Illumicrate:
To mark the first 25 years of the 21st Century, earlier this year the New York Times published its ‘100 Best Books of the 21st Century’, as voted on by industry professionals, “determining the most important, influential books of the era”. While both a huge undertaking and an incredible list, as genre fiction readers and lovers here at Illumicrate, we found the list didn’t quite… float our boat.
In the time since its publication, we (The Illumiteam) have taken it upon ourselves to nominate, vote and rank what we believe to be the best and most impactful Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror (SFFH) books published in the 21st Century.
We hope this list resonates with our customer base and you can be reminded of some nostalgic favourites worth re-reading and more recent releases we think are worth picking up!
Article here: https://www.illumicrate.com/news/100-best-sci-fi-fantasy-horror-books
* many of these are series, so only the first book has been added to the challenge
* many of these are series, so only the first book has been added to the challenge
Challenge Books
1
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (2008)
Katniss Everdeen becomes the symbol of rebellion against a dystopian regime after volunteering to take her sister’s place in a deadly televised competition. As she navigates the brutal games and political intrigue, Katniss must fight for survival and justice in a world that wants her silenced.
“May the odds be ever in your favor.”
It may be a big claim, but The Hunger Games revolutionised young adult literature of the noughties by popularising the dystopian genre which sparked a wave of dystopian novels (many of which you will have found on this list already) and reshaped the landscape of YA literature, elevating it to wider cultural and critical attention. Katniss as a strong but flawed female protagonist became an iconic figure, influencing the rise of more complex and empowered female characters in YA.
Tiffany says: This series masterfully addresses power and oppression, weaving it with adventure, love and defiance, in a way that is utterly enjoyable no matter what age you are. Suzanne really spoke on the world in a way that stands the test of time.
2
Babel
R.F. Kuang
Babel by R.F. Kuang (2022)
In 19th-century Oxford, a young Chinese orphan named Robin Swift is recruited into the prestigious Royal Institute of Translation. As Robin delves into the power of language and translation, he confronts the ethical dilemmas of colonialism, exploitation, and resistance in a world where magic is linked to linguistic mastery.
“How can we conclude, except by acknowledging that an act of translation is then necessarily always an act of betrayal?“–Rayna says: My words don’t feel adequate or eloquent enough to properly praise how amazing and transfomative this novel is. Babel is an impressive, highly ambitious and intelligently crafted dark academia masterpiece that manages to balance a staggering amount of history with a highly addictive story. Babel gave voice to the thoughts, feelings and experiences I never could properly articulate before and I am forever changed after reading it. Language is power and this book packs a punch.
Zoë says: Babel’s a special book to me, getting under the skin of how Oxford (and universities generally) are asprational dreams that people place a lot of faith and hope in, but which as institutions are willing to sacrifice their most vulnerable to keep the business of the university going. The power, politics, and violence of language take centre stage as our main character Robin has to decide whether or not he can put out the fire from inside the house – or whether he just needs to burn the whole thing down.
3
The Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan (2005)
After discovering he is a demigod, Percy Jackson must battle monsters and mysteries in the modern world which is still ruled by the Greek Gods of old, including his father, Poseidon.
“The real world is where the monsters are.”
Akash says: I wouldn’t be me without this book. Percy Jackson is what got me into reading and made me fall in love with all aspects of story telling. Like many others, this was also my intro to Greek mythology and will be forever grateful for it.
4
The Poppy War
R.F. Kuang
The Poppy War Trilogy by R.F. Kuang (2018)
Based on the Second Sino-Japanese War, this historical military fantasy centres on Rin, a peasant girl who discovers a gift for shamanism and finds herself thrown into a brutal war.
“I have become something wonderful, she thought. I have become something terrible. Was she now a goddess or a monster? Perhaps neither. Perhaps both.”
Romie says: One of those series that’s both loud and quiet at the same time. I have a video of me sobbing at 3am when finishing the last book, which now makes me laugh when I watch it but back then, I was heartbroken. (Spoiler alert: I still am)
5
Gideon the Ninth
Tamsyn Muir
The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir (2019)
The heirs of the nine houses of necromancy are joined by their cavaliers in a crumbling mansion on a deserted planet where thet must complere a series of bizarre and unexplained challenges in order to unlock the next phase of necromancy: becoming lyctors, and serving the emperor in his endless war.
“But Gideon was experiencing one powerful emotion: being sick of everyone’s shit.”
Caitlin says: Sometimes you start reading a book and you know, almost instantaneously, that it will be a new favourite. This series so gloriously weird, so unexpected, so filled with humour, internet jokes, and with a sweeping cast of characters you love and hate and love to hate and hate to love.
6
Six of Crows
Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo (2015)
When a notorious thief is offered an impossible quest with an unbelievable reward he recruits a crew of five to assist with the heist: his most trusted spy, a convict set on revenge, a sharpshooter with a secret, a runaway with a hidden past, a Grisha just trying to survive…can they achieve the unachievable?
“No mourners. No funerals. Among them, it passed for ‘good luck’.”
Layla says: I wouldn’t be where I am today without Six of Crows. Kaz Brekker and his crew gifted me the connections to the book community that I didn’t know I needed at the time, and Kaz himself gave me the courage to be more myself every day (less eye scooping, more gender vibes). I owe a lot to SoC – friends, work, and overall vibes, I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.
7
This Is How You Lose the Time War
Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El Mohtar & Max Gladstone (2019)
Told through the letters between two rival agents on either side of a war, discovering their undeniable bond as they write to each other.
“I want to meet you in every place I ever loved. Listen to me. I am your echo. I would rather break the world than lose you.”–Even before the rise of Bigolas Dickolas’ viral recommendation on X/Twitter, this was an extraordinarily lyrical epistolary novella that stood out from the crowd in sci-fi circles. However, its virality online increased sales by such huge margins for a backlist book that marketing and publicity within the publishing industry had to sit up and listen.
Lauren says: If it’s no longer possible to hate the enemy when you’re so full of admiration for them and their skill, is loving them even a possibility while a war wages across time?
8
The Cruel Prince
Holly Black
The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black (2018)
Jude, a human girl, navigates her life in the High Court of Faerie, discovers her natural skills around deception and bloodshed, whilst being forced into a dangerous bargain with her rival Prince Cardan.
“If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.”
Daphne says: This series has completely cast a geas over me; it’s the culmination and pinnacle of Holly Black’s fairy storytelling. The world of Elfhame is full of intrigue, bloodshed and political machinations. Jude’s ambition and thirst for power was the anthetesis of YA heroines of the time. Her and Cardan had the perfect enemies to lovers relationship, and the story had more twists than a fairy bargain. It’s shocking and delightful.
9
Twilight
Stephenie Meyer
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer (2005)
Bella Swan moves back to her father’s hometown of Forks and discovers a hidden supernatural world. Torn between her love for Edward, a vampire, and her friendship with Jacob, a werewolf, she must navigate the political conflicts between these creatures while protecting her family and fighting for her love.
“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…” he murmured. I looked away, hiding my eyes as I thrilled to the word. “What a stupid lamb,” I sighed. “What a sick, masochistic lion.”
Twilight reinvigorated the vampire genre and sparked a surge in paranormal romance. Its focal romance and love triangle set trends that influenced many subsequent YA novels. It also played a key role in the rise of fan-driven communities and fandom culture, contributing to the popularity of book-to-film adaptations and shaping the modern YA landscape.
Katie says: I have reread Twilight many times (New Moon is my fave) and it is still one of my favourite angsty paranomal romances.
10
Jade City
Fonda Lee
The Green Bone saga by Fonda Lee (2017)
Following two warring crime families, the No Peak Clan and the Mountain Clan, on the island of Kekon, where possessing jade can grant abilities to those with the right training and heritage.
“The clan is my blood, and the Pillar is its master. On my honor, my life, and my jade.”
Layla says: The Green Bone Saga was one of my first proper buddy reads with a friend, and I will never forget us sending each other photos of our stages of weeping. It’s a powerful series that literally packs a punch – with Mafiaesque vibes mixed with intense fantasy, it’s like this book was written just for me and my niche interests.
11
Shadow and Bone
Leigh Bardugo
The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo (2012)
In a world where individuals can be born with affinities for different magics, known as the small sciences, Alina discovers that she’s the rarest of all: a Sun Summoner. Pulled into a war, only she can destroy the Shadow Fold and unite the Grisha.
“Why can a Grisha possess but one amplifier? I will answer this question instead: What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.”
Genn says: I remember working on this book when it was first being published. I knew I was holding something magical and wonderful in my hands. Leigh Bardugo has created an enduring world of magic, romance, and stunning mythology.
12
The City of Brass
S.A. Chakraborty
Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty (2017)
A con-artist is forced to accept magic is real when she accidentally summons a djinn warrior and learns about her heritage. They enter the world of Daevabad, the legendary city of brass.
“Often the mightiest things have the humblest beginnings.”
Nel says: The muslim representation in this series is done so well and is showcased beautifully. Gentle, kind Ali—who embodies his faith and loves quietly but so truly—is one of my most beloved characters of all time. He encapsulates what muslim women see when they think of their fathers, brothers and sons. Muslim men are so rarely protrayed like this and I’m so grateful that others get to see it too. Also the world building is 10000/10.