13 Powerful Standalone Sci-Fi Books

Science fiction tends to tackle big, complicated ideas within complex societies, explored on an epic scale. This usually means stories captured over the span of several books, giving time to build the world, technologies, and cultures with depth and nuance. But every now and again, an author manages to present all of these facets in a single book. These standalone sci-fi books are satisfying and powerful stories, perfect for losing yourself in an immersive world without having to track an expansive series.