Explore the best of sci-fi with Brent and Cody. Each episode dives into a single book or series in the sci-fi cannon. Author interviews, reviews and analysis, and related book recommendations. Happy reading y'all!
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Ranking the 2026 Hugo nominees plus the other best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of the year!
Épisode 100
mardi 18 août 2026 • Durée 35:57
We rank all the Hugo nominees, plus tell you about seven more amazing books that deserve to be in contention for the best speculative fiction novels of the year.
Or you can watch our episodes on YouTube if you prefer video
If you want to jump around, here are the timestamps for the episode:
00:00 Intro
01:03 6 The Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
02:37 5 The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
05:20 4 The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
07:30 3 Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky
14:40 2 A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
16:56 1 The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
19:05 Thank you for 100 episodes!
20:11 The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
23:05 The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
24:37 Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou
25:21 Slow Gods by Claire North
29:02 The Goodreads miss list
30:44 The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
33:32 There is No Antimemetics Division by QNTM
Accelerando absolutely blew our minds with its crazy, realistic science ideas!
Épisode 99
mardi 28 juillet 2026 • Durée 46:31
Originally published as a series of novellas in Asimov’s Science Fiction before winning the 2006 Locus Award for best novel, Accelerando traces three generations of the Macx family (and one notoriously manipulative AI cat named Aineko) across a high-speed, century-long journey through future history and the looming technological singularity.
We unpack the overwhelming density of Stross’s worldbuilding—from cyberpunk edge, BDSM, and KGB-uplifted digital lobsters, to Capitalism 2.0 driven by profit-seeking AI corporations, automated corporate law and self-propagating lawsuits, and personalized advertising that feels eerily prescient today. Discover how Stross redefines the technological singularity through system-wide computing power measured in MIPS, explores consciousness as a predator-prey evolutionary dynamic, and takes us to the edge of the solar system where Matrioshka brains, alien communiqués from brown dwarfs, and beam-riding simulated minds completely rewrite the rules of interstellar travel and resource allocation.
Whether you're curious about the Vile Offspring, nested self-referential autonomous corporations, or Jupiter-orbiting electrodynamic tether generators, this episode breaks down why Accelerando is an essential—and utterly chaotic—masterclass in expert speculative fiction. Stick around to the end of the episode for our spoiler-heavy post-show discussion, plus our top similar book recommendations, including William Gibson's Neuromancer, Greg Egan's Diaspora, and Kim Stanley Robinson's Aurora! And make sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll be ranking this year's Hugo award nominees and all the best Sci-Fi and Fantasy books of last year!
If you want to jump around, here are the timestamps for the episode:
00:00 Intro
01:04 Our review (3/5)
03:00 Sponsor - The Day The Moon Disappeared by Michael Ross
03:31 A hard sci-fi look at the next hundred years
05:46 Our cast - a family over a century
7:20 Some of the coolest science ideas
12:43 Prescient ideas that have already come true
13:24 Matrioshka brains
15:40 A different definition of Singularity
18:21 AI as corporations
19:19 Interstellar travel via computer
23:12 Also BDSM
26:59 Diaspora by Greg Egan
28:05 Neuromancer by William Gibson
29:19 Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
29:50 Reverse generators in Jupiter orbit
31:12 POST SPOILERS book summary
42:26 POST SPOILERS analysis
The Best Military Sci-Fi Books of All Time - with a legend of SF!
Épisode 98
mardi 7 juillet 2026 • Durée 39:46
We cover the legendary classics like Robert A. Heinlein’s Starship Troopers, Joe Haldeman’s The Forever War, and Orson Scott Card's Ender’s Game, while exploring modern masterpieces like John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War, Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice, and the later books of The Expanse series. Whether you are a fan of high-stakes space battles or deep philosophical military themes, this ultimate sci-fi reading list has something for you.
We also raid the deeper cuts of the genre, discussing everything from John Steakley’s Armor, L.E. Modesitt Jr.’s The Parafaith War, and Hiroshi Sakurazaka's All You Need Is Kill, to the cult hit Honor Harrington series by David Weber, Joshua Dalzelle's Black Fleet Trilogy, Craig Alanson’s Expeditionary Force, Iain M. Banks' Culture series, and Lois McMaster Bujold’s beloved Vorkosigan Saga.
Plus, stick around until the very end of the episode for a massive surprise guest! We had the absolute honor of sitting down with a literal titan of the military science fiction world.
Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss our upcoming episode on Accelerando by Charles Stross.
Horror & Fantasy we actually loved - 2026 Nebula books!
Épisode 97
mardi 16 juin 2026 • Durée 30:07
We are breaking down the entire short-list and ranking, review, and digging into the 2026 Nebula Novel nominees from worst to best. We dive deep into the writing styles, the structure, the highs, the frustratingly bad endings, and reveal exactly who took home the final trophy. Are these books actually masterclasses in modern sci-fi and fantasy, or did the hype train leave the tracks?
Here is our definitive 2026 Nebula breakdown:
7. Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
You should read it if: You love deep-dives into African culture, Ibo and Yoruba roots, and tech concepts like futuristic exoskeleton legs.
You shouldn’t read it if: You require a persistent central conflict, cohesive subplots, or a "story-within-a-story" that actually goes somewhere.
6. Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell
You should read it if: You want a cozy Hercules retelling where Hera calls Zeus a "dipshit" and Heracles tries to befriend mythological monsters instead of fighting them.
You shouldn’t read it if: You get annoyed by overly preachy or cloying endings, repetitive quest structures, or confusing second-person POV shifts.
5. Katabasis by R. F. Kuang
You should read it if: You are obsessed with dark academia themes, the dangers of academic flow states, and complex, highly allusional world-building.
You shouldn’t read it if: You need to deeply connect with your protagonists or get easily annoyed by writing that feels a little too self involved.
4. When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory
You should read it if: You love quick, humorous POV switches, AGI, simulation theory, and brain emulation concepts.
You shouldn’t read it if: You are looking for a groundbreaking, deeply unique masterpiece—this one is cute, but a bit unspecial.
3. Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou
You should read it if: You like heavy foreshadowing, experimental voice-switching (shifting to 2nd person), and intense meta-narratives.
The Best of Sci-Fi and Fantasy - YA Books so Good we Loved them as Adults
Épisode 96
mardi 26 mai 2026 • Durée 50:51
In this episode of the Hugonauts we’re breaking down what truly defines great Young Adult fiction and answering the ultimate question: do these books actually hold up when you read them for the first time as an adult? We look at the core guidelines of YA literature—from exploring the human condition through a young protagonist's eyes to (ideally) teaching profound stuff that resonates beyond teenhood.
We count down the absolute best YA sci-fi books and YA fantasy recommendations. We dive into legendary dystopian hits like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, masterclass sci-fi like Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card and Red Rising by Pierce Brown, and classic fantasy staples like Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass, and C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia. But we don't just look at the masterpieces.
We also separate the true YA novels from books that are actually meant for middle-grade kids (like The Giver, Redwall, and The Phantom Tollbooth). Finally, we tackle the controversial "duds" of the genre. Why are massive bestsellers like The Maze Runner, Divergent, and Scythe so incredibly popular, and why did they fall totally flat for us? Grab your reading list and let's find out which books are actually worth your time!
08:55 SPONSOR - Memoirs of the End by Vincent Rylan
09:30 Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
12:54 Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie - Monsters, the Pope, and a hell of a lot of good jokes!
Épisode 95
mardi 5 mai 2026 • Durée 31:13
In this episode we dive into The Devils by Joe Abercrombie. It’s a departure from the grim world of The First Law, leaning into a "monsters vs. monsters" heist set in a supernatural, alternate-history Europe. If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like if the Vatican recruited a werewolf, a vampire, and a deathless soldier to save the world - well, you're in luck. We discuss the shift in tone, the hilarious "refrains" Joe uses for his characters, and whether this new direction lives up to his legendary fantasy status.
We break down the entire motley crew—from Jakob’s "righteous" path to the mystery of Baptiste—and comparing the action to Abercrombie’s previous work. Is Viga the new Bloody Nine? Does the humor land as well as the sword-swings? We also feature some of the best takes from our Discord book club, including debating character rethreads, the themes of the book, and who is likely to love the book. Stick around to hear our final scores and why this might be the most "fun" Abercrombie has ever been. And make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll be pivoting to discuss the best of Young Adult (YA) scifi and fantasy!
As always, no spoilers until the end when we give a heads up before getting into the full plot discussion.
If you want to jump around, here are the timestamps for the episode:
00:00 Intro
01:17 Our review (4/5)
04:15 Sponsor - Pilgrims by M.R. Leonard
04:48 Incredibly entertaining fight scenes
There Is No Antimemetics Division - This Book Erases Itself From Your Mind
Épisode 94
mardi 21 avril 2026 • Durée 26:15
This is exactly the kind of philosophical sci-fi we love - something new, something fresh, and something that will make you think. We wish the second half had been as good as the premise, but there's still no doubt this is one we'll be thinking about for years to come (and weirdly it already feels like we've been thinking about it for years).
If you’ve ever fallen down an SCP Foundation wiki rabbit hole, you know the vibe, but qntm takes it to a whole new level of existential dread. This isn't your typical alien invasion story; it’s a masterclass in cosmic horror where the monster isn't just invisible—it’s un-rememberable. We break down the terrifying logic of antimemes and how qntm manages to build a high-stakes thriller around a conflict that nobody even knows is happening.
For fans of weird fiction and high-concept science fiction, this book is essential reading. It sits in that sweet spot between the psychological puzzles of Blindsight, the bureaucratic nightmare of Control, and the drug-fueled confusion of A Scanner Darkly. Whether you’re a long-time follower of SCP Foundation lore or a newcomer looking for the next mind-bending book recommendation, we explore why There Is No Antimemetics Division is a landmark in modern internet-born literature and why its themes of memory loss and the power of ideas resonate so deeply today.
If you want to learn more about the real world organization trying to stop memes from destroying the world, check out Cause Amp, Brent's new project to combat disinformation online:
Or you can watch our episodes on YouTube if you prefer video
Similar books we recommend:
Project Hail Mary - Book vs Movie (plus other sci-fi book to movie recommendations)
Épisode 93
mardi 7 avril 2026 • Durée 39:21
If you thought The Martian was intense, let's just go ahead and raise the stakes.
We break down the movie version of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary, comparing the film with the fun technical problem solving of the original novel. We take a close look at how the movie brings the "astrophage" threat and and action to life, more importantly, whether it is possible to have your hair tousled 100% of the time.
We dig into which complex scientific explanations were streamlined for Hollywood pacing and which "science-ing the heck out of it" moments remained intact. We also evaluate Ryan Gosling’s performance as the amnesiac-turned-savior, Ryland Grace, comparing his onscreen energy to the internal monologue that made the book a bestseller. Whether you’re a die-hard Rocky fan or a casual viewer who just loves a good space movie, this episode highlights the hits and misses of the transition from page to screen.
We wrap up by answering the ultimate questions: is the movie worth watching? Is the book worth reading? Settle on in, enjoy, and fist our bump.
Or you can watch our episodes on YouTube if you prefer video
As always, no spoilers until the end when we give a heads up before getting into the full plot discussion.
Similar books and movies we recommend:
The Martian (book and movie)
Story of Your Life (novela) and Arrival (movie)
2001 (book and movie)
Solaris (book and movie)
Roadside Picnic (book) and Stalker (the movie)
Children of Men (book and movie)
Edge of Tomorrow (movie) and All you Need is Kill (book)
War of the Worlds (book and movie)
Dune (we love eyebrows)
This episode is sponsored by STARLØK by J.T. Michaelstar: https://www.starløk.com/
If you want to jump around, here are the timestamps for the episode:
The Dark Tower: Unraveling Stephen King's Mid-World
Épisode 92
mardi 17 mars 2026 • Durée 47:42
We had so much fun revisiting Mid-World for this episode – it’s the first series that brought us together as book nerds twenty years ago, and it’s absolutely just as good as the first day we read it. So thankful it helped tie our friendship together, and laid the foundation for meeting all the rest of you Hugonauts all these years later!
The Dark Tower defies (or bridges) genres, with elements of sci-fi, fantasy, western, horror, and more, all rolled into one legendary package. And Roland Deschain, the Gunslinger, is an incredible main character, and we’ll never forget the rest of the Ka-Tet either. And the ending – we won’t spoil it here, but man do we like thinking about this ending (it’s one of the most polarizing in all of literature). You may be picking up on the fact that we kinda like these books.
If you want to jump around, here are the timestamps for the episode:
00:00 Intro
01:58 Our review (5/5)
03:35 Sponsor – The Rising and the Fall of Hell by Sean Miller
04:09 About Stephen King
07:26 Incredible character writing
08:56 A 20 year series
10:30 Should we be reading on drugs?
12:38 Cody hates Star Wars
15:52 Every genre combined
18:02 Our favorite books in the series
19:39 The King Multiverse
PAGE TURNERS: 15 binge-worthy Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books!
Épisode 91
mardi 24 février 2026 • Durée 53:15
We’ve got 15 books and series here, so there should be something to love for almost every reader (although we need some traditional fantasy page turners – send us some recommendations in the comments please)! Plus, at the end of the episode we each rank our personal top 3.
We intentionally excluded YA and military sci-fi books, although those are often also page-turners - look out for episodes about each of those soon!
Brent’s brother, Alex, joined us for this episode, and brought us a whole new batch of books (and frankly a couple new subgenres) to enjoy. LitRPG / progression fantasy just keep getting more popular, and we can see why – the books we’ve picked up have all been so, so fun to read (although it probably helps we’ve been reading Alex’s recommendations so far, the best of the best from the hundreds of LitRPG books he’s read).
02:48 Sponsor – Quinto’s Challenge by Peter McChesney
03:26 Silo by Hugh Howey
5:06 Mother of Learning by Domagoj Kurmaic
7:19 Murderbot by Martha Wells
9:10 Beware of Chicken by Casualfarmer
12:26 Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton
14:49 Mark of the Fool by J.M. Clarke
18:18 Project Hail Mary and The Martian by Andy Weir
19:40 Iron Prince by Bryce O'Connor
22:33 Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
24:04 He Who Fights With Monsters by Shirtaloon
28:47 Daemon by Daniel Suarez
31:07 The Perfect Run by Maxime J. Durand
18:29 SPONSOR - Thanks for Meeting Me Here - Jill Bronfman
19:00 All You Need is Kill - Hiroshi Sakurazaka
20:33 The Black Fleet trilogy - Joshua Dalzelle
24:02 Use of Weapons - Iain M. Banks
26:50 Honor Harrington series - David Weber
30:18 Expeditionary Force - Craig Alanson
33:00 The Vorkosigan Saga - Lois McMaster Bujold
35:07 SURPRISE GUEST A MILITARY SCI-FI LEGEND
You shouldn’t read it if: You hate a massive buildup that doesn't actually come together or stick the landing at the end.
1. (TIED) The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
You should read it if: You want adult-oriented cozy fantasy in a magic boarding school featuring a workaholic, middle-aged bisexual teacher and casual, biscuit-eating printer demons.
You shouldn’t read it if: A rushed, abrupt ending with a thin villain motivation is going to completely sour your overall enjoyment of a great setup.
1. (TIED & WINNER) The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
You should read it if: You want a beautifully written, highly literary Native American Blackfoot vampire revenge story set in the brutal landscape of the American West.
You shouldn’t read it if: You get bored by a monotonous middle section where the central premise loses steam and repeats itself.
