Best Firsts: Science Fiction Novels
Ranked #16,663 in Entertainment, #184,197 overall
see my picks - add yours
There's something wonderful and magical about first novels - sometimes they turn out to be the author's best work, sometimes the worst, but I find them always interesting. They offer a look at authors before they become famous, jaded, discouraged, bored, masters or hacks.
I'm presenting two lists of first science fiction novels here. The first are my choices. The second will be yours. If you're an author, don't be shy about putting your science fiction novel on this list. If you're a fan, I'd love to hear from you in this second list, too.
The only requirements are that the novel be a first novel, and it be science fiction (but I'm pretty flexible about my definitions of the genre). And it needs to be available on Amazon (which provides the images and links for these lists). Also, the expectation is that novel be relatively recent - say, published in the last 10-15 years or so (but I'm flexible about that, too).
Over the long run, I will try to read some of the novels that appeal to me in the second list - and if I really like them, I will add them to the first list.
The picture for this lens is of my own first science fiction novel, The Silk Code, published by Tor Books in 1999. It introduced my character, Dr. Phil D'Amato, in novel form - he had previously appeared in three novelettes published in Analog, including The Chronology Protection Case, later made into a low-budget movie and a radio. The Silk Code went on to win the Locus Award for best first novel on 1999.
Contents at a Glance
Lev's Picks
my original order, when I put this Lev's Picks list up here, was (starting at the top): Red Moon, Edward Maret, Counting Heads, Dusk Before Dawn, Dykstra's War, Alien Taste, and (with a rare touch of modesty) The Silk Code ... you can't add to or remove from this list - go to the Your Picks list, for that, immediately below - but you're welcome to rank this Lev Picks list any way you like ... and I'll note here any new titles that I add ...*added March 2008: Legacy by Cayla M. Kluver... **added March 2009 Bitter Things by Andrew Valentine
Dusk Before the Dawn by Larry Ketchersid
intelligent, scenic, fast-paced tale that grabs yo more...3 points
The Silk Code (Phil D'Amato) by Paul Levinson
hey, I'm too egotistical not to list this here - b more...2 points
Red Moon - A Novel by David S. Michaels and Daniel Brenton
not just one of the best first sf novels I've read more...2 points
Legacy by Cayla M. Kluver
A surprisingly rich, lyrical, rewarding tapestry o more...2 points
Edward Maret: A Novel of the Future by Robert I. Katz
thoughful, philosophic, compelling, plangent: this more...1 point
Bitter Things by Andrew Valentine
fresh, brash, evocative vampire fiction1 point
Counting Heads by David Marusek
exquisitely written, by one of the (young) masters more...0 points
Dykstra's War by Jeffery D. Kooistra
golden-age adventure in a bright, new case: scienc more...0 points
Alien Taste (Ukiah Oregon Novels) by Wen Spencer
refreshing, authentic, original voice: an exhilira more...0 points
Moonstruck by Edward M. Lerner
media-savvy, classic, thinking-person's first enco more...0 points
your picks
everyone welcome here - your friends too!
add whatever you like - authors are as welcome here as fans - only requirements are the novels be science fiction (but I'm pretty easy going about that), they be first novels, and they be available via Amazon - oh, also, please sign your explanations of the entries - by initials, complete names, whatever - so we know who made them ... thanks!
The Year of Our War by Steph Swainston
Steph's 1st novel (the sequel is out as well) is t more...1 point
Tractrix by R., J. Archer
In the SciFi adventure series dubbed "Seeds O more...1 point
The Big God Network by J.C. McGowan
An entertaining and thought-provoking blend of Von more...1 point
Executive Severance by Robert K Blechman
Reviews"Executive Severance, a laugh out loud more...1 point
Phobos by Ty Drago
I added this just to get the ball rolling - I've h more...0 points
Bridge of the Gods by Len Robertson
The author brought this novel to my attention over more...0 points
Ammonite by Nicola Griffith
Excellent novel, with one of the more rational exp more...0 points
reviews, thoughts, comments, suggestions welcome here
go for it!
suggest first science fiction novels that you see on Amazon, but can't seem to add here ... critique the above lists ... praise them ... do both .. or just say hello... hey, by all means talk about your own first published or unpublished novel, if you like
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PaulLev
Jan 5, 2012 @ 8:14 pm | delete
- Thanks - you should add the novel to this list - Paul
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Image_Girl
Jan 5, 2012 @ 2:51 pm | delete
- Richard Morgan's first novel, Altered Carbon, blew my mind. It is awesome!
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huvalbd
Mar 5, 2011 @ 5:00 pm | delete
- I'm going to Favorite your lens and come back to it whenever I need to pick up more books to read!
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PaulLev
Mar 5, 2011 @ 5:05 pm | delete
- Thank you - enjoy!
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PaulLev
Mar 28, 2009 @ 6:36 pm | in reply to mukunda22 | delete
- Excellent! Thanks for coming by!
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mukunda22
Mar 28, 2009 @ 5:18 pm | delete
- Just last week, I asked a friend what her fav Science Fiction novel was--I will share this list with her and get busy reading!!
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PaulLev
Mar 24, 2009 @ 5:59 pm | in reply to Jonathan Vos Post | delete
- It's ok - they're all great, and fine commentary by you - do as many as you like! :)
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Jonathan Vos Post
Mar 24, 2009 @ 5:41 pm | delete
- Okay, but just one more classic, please! To inspire the young authors. By the way, I have yet to publish a First Novel -- half a dozen different SF novel mss of mine have been circulating since one I wrote in high school had its offer rescinded in 1970.
Ray Bradbury contends that his first Science Fiction novel was his only science fiction novel.
"First of all, I don't write science fiction. I've only done one science fiction book and that's Fahrenheit 451, based on reality. Science fiction is a depiction of the real. Fantasy is a depiction of the unreal. So Martian Chronicles is not science fiction, it's fantasy. It couldn't happen, you see? That's the reason it's going to be around a long time -- because it's a Greek myth, and myths have staying power."
[ Books: Grandfather Time (Weekly Alibi . 09-27-99)]
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Jonathan Vos Post
Mar 24, 2009 @ 5:30 pm | delete
- The Demolished Man, recipient of the first Hugo Award for best Science Fiction novel: police procedural in a future world where telepathy is relatively common. This first novel by Alfred Bester jaunted him to the peak of critical acclaim. Harshly capitalistic, hierarchical and competitive social world that exists without deceit: a society where the right person with some skill (or money) and curiosity can access your memories, secrets, fears and past misdeeds more swiftly and with greater alacrity than even you.
Originally published in three parts in Galaxy, beginning in January 1952, The Demolished Man appeared in book form in 1953.
2nd novel, Neil Gaiman wrote in the introduction to a 1999 edition of the book. "The Stars My Destination is, after all, the perfect cyberpunk novel: it contains such cheerfully protocyber elements as multinational corporate intrigue; a dangerous, mysterious, hyperscientific McGuffin (PyrE); an amoral hero; a soopercool thief-woman.
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Jonathan Vos Post
Mar 24, 2009 @ 5:21 pm | delete
- The first novel that Heinlein wrote, For Us, The Living: A Comedy of Customs (1939), did not see print during his lifetime. However, Heinlein's first novel published as a book, Rocket Ship Galileo, initially rejected because going to the moon was considered too far out, soon found a publisher, Scribner's, that began publishing a Heinlein juvenile once a year for the Christmas season. It was a novel which changed my life, led to my pioneering work in the actual Space Program, and we got to correspond after my 30-page thank you letter to him on his citing me by name in the 1980 collection of stories and essays whose full title is Expanded Universe, The New Worlds of Robert A. Heinlein. The 1950 movie Destination Moon was loosely based on Rocket Ship Galileo.
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Advice to Writers
The Silk Code trailer
trailer for The Chronology Protection Case short film
by Jay Kensinger from Paul Levinson's novelette (Phil D'Amato's debut)
My novelette, "The Chronology Protection Case," was first published in Analog Magazine in 1995. It was nominated for several major awards and reprinted numerous times. Jay Kensinger's low-budget movie was released in 2002, followed by Mark Shanahan's radioplay, which was nominated for the Edgar Award for best mystery play of 2002.
You can watch the complete 38-minute movie for free on blip.tv!
"The Chronology Protection Case" also introduced by NYC forensic detective character, Dr. Phil D'Amato, who later appeared in The Silk Code and two other novels. Check out my Levinson's novels lens here on Squidoo.
The Silk Code podiobook - free!
- The Silk Code podiobook
- complete, unabridged, listen at your leisure ...
Phil D'Amato's bibliography
complete list of Phil D'Amato's appearances in short stories, novels, movies, radioplays, podcasts
1995: "The Chronology Protection Case," Analog Magazine, nominated for Nebula and Sturgeon Awards, reprinted five times...
1996: "The Copyright Notice Case," Analog Magazine, nominated for Nebula Award
1997: "The Mendelian Lamp Case," Analog Magazine
1999: The Silk Code, Tor Books, winner of Locus Award for Best First Science Fiction Novel of 1999
2002: The Consciousness Plague, Tor Books
2002: Jay Kensinger's short film of "The Chronology Protection Case"
2002: Mark Shanahan's radio play of "The Chronology Protection Case," nominated for the Edgar Award
2003: The Pixel Eye, Tor Books, nominated for Prometheus Award
2007: The Silk Code podiobook, performed and produced by Shaun Farrell, in Top 20 Podiobooks of 2007
Phil D'Amato's continuing adventures, after The Silk Code
The Consciousness Plague, and The Pixel Eye
more science fiction novels by Paul Levinson
The Plot to Save Socrates, and Borrowed Tides
Phil D'Amato in short stories
- The Chronology Protection Case
- Phil D'Amato's first appearance - published in Analog Magazine, 1995
- The Copyright Notice Case
- Phil D'Amato's 2nd appearance - published in Analog Magazine, 1996
- The Mendelian Lamp Case
- Phil D'Amato's 3rd appearance - published in Analog Magazine, 1997
- SF Signal: Sunday Cinema: Paul Levinson's 'The Chronology Protection Case'
- review of "The Chronology Protection Case"
Paul Levinson's Infinite Regress
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by PaulLev
My novel The Silk Code won the 2000 Locus Award for Best First Novel. I've since published Borrowed Tides (2001), The Consciousness Plague... more »
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