The best new science-fiction novels of August 2026
Fascist empires and deadly sea monsters are on offer in the science fiction out this month, says Alison Flood
August 2026 sees a few notable science-fiction novels hitting the shelves. Richard Swan's "The Infinite State" presents a fascist, galaxy-spanning empire where a wealthy woman, Katherine Fuller, is offered the chance to buy a world and create a better society. The empire, however, questions her ability to establish a democracy.
Translating to Korean from Kim Bo-young’s work, "A Plagued Sea," involves a bodyguard named Mu-young and her niece traveling to an isolated Korean seaside village following a massive earthquake. This event triggers an ancient plague, transforming those who contract it into monstrous sea creatures. The village is subsequently isolated, leaving Mu-young trapped as she faces certain doom.
M. John Harrison's "The End of Everything," though published earlier this year, has been longlisted for the prestigious Booker prize, indicating a high level of acclaim for the author's work. The novel is a rare example of science-fiction making it to such a significant literary list.
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