9 Sci-Fi Novels for Fantasy Lovers to Read After Mirage

Zodiac, by Romina Russell
This unique series starter features a galaxy made up of planets that align with the Zodiac. Rhoma Grace is from House Cancer, an ocean planet, and she looks to the stars to create stories while her classmates learn to measure and make astrological predictions. After a catastrophic weather event sends the planet off-kilter, killing thousands, the planet loses its Guardian, and Rho shockingly is named their new leader. But Cancer isn’t the only House falling victim to these freak weather patterns: Rho suspects that the exiled 13th Guardian, Ophiuchus, is returning to take his revenge, but in order to save her people, and the galaxy, she’ll have to convince everyone else.

Beyond the Red, by Ava Jae
Kora is the first female ruler of her territory in generations—and her people aren’t reacting to it well. There are riots, an uprising slowly building, and calls for her violent twin brother to take the throne. Eros is a half-blood rebel soldier who helps defend his people, until the day Kora’s soldiers take him captive. And when an assassination attempt on Kora’s betrothed leaves Kora and Eros framed, they must flee. All the court intrigue of the best fantasies can also be found in this magnificent sci-fi series starter.

Empress of a Thousand Skies, by Rhoda Belleza
Rhee is the sole surviving heir of a powerful dynasty. Aly is the star of a popular DroneVision show. On the eve of Rhee’s coronation, she’s attacked and assumed murdered, and Aly is blamed for the crime. Separately, the two go into hiding, and discover that the assassination attempt was part of a larger plot. If you like Claire Legrand’s Furyborn or Marie Lu’s The Young Elites, you’ll adore this story of two characters discovering their place in a world that seems pitted against them.

A Thousand Pieces of You, by Claudia Gray
Marguerite’s scientists parents invented the Firebird, an object with the ability to transport users through alternate dimensions. When her father is murdered, the killer—Paul, her parents’ assistant—escapes into another dimension, followed by Marguerite. In every variation of their world, she learns far more about both Paul and her parents than she expected. Her actions could affect the course of the alternate Marguerite’s forever.

Shadow Run, by AdriAnne Strickland & Michael Miller

“Far off places…a prince in disguise.” Well, I’m pretty certain this is the book Belle was reading at the beginning of Beauty and the Beast. Shadow Run features Nev, literally a prince in disguise hiding on a ship captained by Qole, the youngest ever person to command her own ship. Nev believes Qole is the key to changing galactic civilization, but before long a rival royal family is after her, too. Now Nev’s mission to kidnap Qole turns into a mission to save her, and Qole will do anything to protect her crew and her ship.

Not Your Sidekick, by C. B. Lee
Jess lives in Andover, where superpowers are common. But Jess doesn’t have superpowers, despite her super heritage—what she does have is the perfect summer internship. Well, mostly perfect. As it turns out, the internship is with the town’s most heinous supervillain…but hey, it’s a paid gig. And the best part? She gets to work alongside her longtime secret crush, Abby. Superheroes/villains often straddle the line between fantasy and sci-fi, and Not Your Sidekick captures that beautifully. Plus, if you love Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy series and/or Melissa Grey’s the Girl at Midnight books, you will adore the wonderful cast of characters in this book.

These Broken Stars, by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
When luxury spaceliner Icarus falls out of hyperspace and crashes onto the nearest planet, only two of its passengers survive. Lilac, the daughter of the wealthiest man in the universe, and Tarver, a young war hero, must rely on each other in order to journey to find help. Equally a survival story and a love story, These Broken Stars is en epic adventure in the sky.

Invictus, by Ryan Graudin

Farway was born out of time to a Roman gladiator and a time traveler from the 24th century. Far attempts to follow in his mother’s footsteps and travel through time, but after interference causes him to fail his entrance exam for the program, he receives a tempting black market offer instead. The offer? Captain a ship through time to gather valuable items from the past—and with nothing left to lose, Far accepts. The perfect book for fans of Alexandra Bracken’s Passenger or Heidi Heilig’s The Girl From Everywhere, Invictus has the high-stakes-but-still-wild-fun nature of Guardians of the Galaxy.

Pacifica, by Kristen Simmons
Marin is pirate royalty, but the world she lives in couldn’t care less. They’re following a new leader, one who promises an end to their hunger—and who believes girls should be in the kitchen or a brothel. Determined to escape a terrible future, she knows the only way to save herself and her people is a big score. Ross is the president’s son, wanting for nothing but dreaming of a life of adventure. When a dare gone wrong ends with the arrest of his best friend, Adam, Ross will do anything to get him back—even if it means making a deal with a pirate. Marin knows that the ransom of the president’s son could help her achieve her goals, but will she be able to turn him in?