Military sci-fi books: 11 award-recognized novels
Military science fiction ranges from training-camp adventure to anti-war novels written by veterans. These award-recognized books cover soldiers, tacticians and the cost of war.
If you read just one: The Forever War by Joe Haldeman, because it is the most honest war story in the genre.
Soldiers
1. The Forever War
Won the Hugo, Locus and Nebula Awards (1976) ·
A soldier fights an interstellar war that lasts centuries thanks to time dilation. Written by a Vietnam veteran.
2. Starship Troopers
Won the Hugo Award (1960) ·
A young recruit joins the Mobile Infantry in a war against alien Bugs. As much political argument as war story.
Good to know: Its politics are debated to this day.
3. Old Man's War
Finalist for the Hugo Award (2006) ·
Seventy-five-year-olds are given new bodies to fight for Earth’s colonies. Funny and fast.
4. Some Desperate Glory
Won the Hugo Award; finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award (2024) ·
Raised on a militarized station to avenge Earth, a young soldier discovers the truth about her war.
Strategists
5. Ender's Game
Won the Hugo and Nebula Awards; finalist for the Locus Award (1986) ·
A gifted child is trained through war games to command humanity’s fleet.
6. The Vor Game
Won the Hugo Award; finalist for the Locus Award (1991) ·
Young officer Miles Vorkosigan talks, bluffs and improvises his way through military disasters.
Good to know: Part of the Vorkosigan series, which can be read in several orders.
7. Ninefox Gambit
Finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke, Hugo and Nebula Awards (2017) ·
A captain must work with the ghost of a brilliant, treacherous general to break a siege.
Good to know: Dense invented terms.
8. Ancillary Justice
Won the Arthur C. Clarke, Hugo and Nebula Awards (2014) ·
A former warship AI sets out for revenge against the emperor it served.
Wars between stars
9. The Mote In God's Eye
Finalist for the Hugo, Locus and Nebula Awards (1975–1976) ·
A navy expedition makes first contact with the Moties.
10. Downbelow Station
Won the Hugo Award; finalist for the Locus Award (1982) ·
A station caught between a merchant company’s fleet and rebelling colonies.
11. Leviathan Wakes
Finalist for the Hugo and Locus Awards (2012) ·
A conspiracy pushes the colonized solar system toward war.
How we chose
Every book in this guide won or was a finalist for at least one of the Hugo, Nebula, Locus or Arthur C. Clarke awards. Each book page lists its full award history with sources. Page counts come from English print editions and vary by edition. 11 books in all.