The best (modern) science fiction written from a Christian worldview

I really enjoy hard science fiction—science fiction that uses real science—and Shivering World is an excellent example of the subgenre. The story revolves around terraforming and genetic research but there is a lot more going on here. Politics, faith, power struggles, survival situations, and the main character’s search for a cure to her genetic condition create a delightful mix that rivals what’s found in sci-fi classics, like Dune and Foundation. The author’s background in microbiology, music, and education brings a new level of believability to the story. Kathy Tyers is best known for Star Wars novels and her Firebird series, but I think her standalone books are fantastic.

I’ll admit, artist Kirk DouPonce’s striking cover art is what drew me to this book. Any book with art like that must be worth a read, right? Thankfully, Edge of Oblivion doesn’t disappoint. The author has a captivating Star Trek-adjacent universe here, filled with characters, situations, and civilizations that could fill dozens of books. (Beyond the three that are currently available.) Edge of Oblivion starts the trilogy off with a bang: The arrival of a mysterious planet-sized superweapon to threaten an already fragile confederacy. It’s epic, intriguing, and worlds of fun.

Steve has been writing in the genre for as long as I have. (Over fifteen years.)  He has dozens of stories to his credit. He leans into military sci-fi, with lots of action, political intrigue, and epic space battles. Given the amount of Steve’s work that’s available, it’s hard to pick just one book to recommend. So, I guess I’ll go with the first book I read. The Word Reclaimed is about a space scavenger who recovers a forbidden book. There are hints of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, and Starship Troopers here, written in a unique, approachable style that I appreciate. (There’s also lots of action, intrigue, and space battles.)

I was intrigued by this book because of its gaming angle. Cyberpunk-ish stories are difficult to find in the Christian market, even with me doing my best to change that. There’s a whole lotta science fiction in this book: surveillance states, virtual realities, aliens, cloning...anything is fair game. The characters are fascinating and well-drawn, the plot is interesting and complex, and it isn’t preachy or labored in any way. The Evaporation of Sofi Snow simply tells a fun story.

Are you a fan of Galaxy Quest, Futurama, or The Orville? Then this is the series for you. There are scant few science fiction stories that have caused me to laugh out loud, but Paul Regnier’s Space Drifters did. Often. All three Space Drifters books are witty, action-packed, and fun. The main character, Captain Glint Starcrost is perpetually broke, with a less-than-adequate starship and a bounty on his head. To make matters worse, he has a passive-aggressive ship computer, a pacifist alien “warrior,” and a time-traveling teen as his crew. Of course, there’s an unattainable love interest in the mix along with a quest or two. Space Drifters is enjoyable and unique.