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Alien Invasion Science Fiction
What is Alien Invasion Science Fiction?
A straightforward title for this sub-genre that is about aliens invading Earth (usually). This is a classic sub-genre of Sci Fi in which most stories (not all) show humans triumphing over the alien invaders eventually. Aliens invade for varying reasons, but usually the invasion is an attempt to gain resources, enslave humans, or very simply to kill all humans. The aliens invading Earth scenario is often a way to comment on military hegemony or contemporary social ills. Alien invasion itself may be the guns blazing type or the infiltration type.
Alien Invasion in Science Fiction can be a First Contact scenario or can be more invidious, a hidden infiltration covered up by governments (Alien Conspiracy) who might secretly be at war or at least trying to capture alien technology.
You can view the crowd-ranked "Popular" Alien Invasion Science Fiction books list and vote and/submit entries to it.
Other Features of Alien Invasion Science Fiction
Level of Real Science
High/Mystery. Aliens tend to invade Earth once it has reached a technological threshold—humans can build nuclear weapons and warp drives (or faster-than-light transportation). So, human technology is well thought out and understandable to the reader. Alien technology is often left a mystery though. In fact, humans trying to figure out alien technology is frequently a key plot point in Alien Invasion story plots.
Level of Grand Ideas/Social Implications
High. Alien Invasions are rarely straight forward action stories. Usually, the invasion is used as a vehicle for commenting on other social issues like the military, government control, occupation, and what it means to be human.
Level of Characterization
High. An Alien Invasion means there must be heroes! A good hero has motivations, emotions, and a certain drive—all things that make a well groomed character.
Level of Plot Complexity
High. Plot is well developed in Alien Invasion Sci Fi. These stories tend to be action driven and so the plot is well developed.
Level of Violence
Yes. Violence is fairly prominent—it's an alien invasion after all.
Related Science Fiction subgenres
Apocalypse—alien apocalypse to be exact. Sometimes the Earth and its inhabitants don't fare so well against alien invaders and the resulting story is about the aftermath of an apocalypse.
Alien Conspiracy. For obvious reasons
Comic Science Fiction—because the alien invasion trope has been floating around the Sci Fi community for so long it now unfolds in comedic Sci Fi stories and parodies.
Alien Invasion Science Fiction isn't for you if...
You don't like stories depicting the strength of the human spirit. If you are scared of aliens and are gullible like the listener's of a certain famous 1938 radio show. Or if you like stories where the phrase 'we come in peace' is uttered.
Starship Troopers (Robert A. Heinl...)
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The Day Of The Triffids (John Wynd...)
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The Puppet Masters (Robert A. Hein...)
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Legacy Of Aldenata (John Ringo)
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War Of The Worlds (H. G. Wells)
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World War Harry Turtledove (Harry ...)
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The Invasion Of The Body Snatcher...
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The Kraken Wakes (John Wyndham)
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Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (Ja...)
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A Matter For Men (David Gerrold)
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Childhood's End (Arthur C. Clarke)
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Fade Out Patrick Tilley (Patrick T...)
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The Genocides (Thomas M. Disch)
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Yellow Blue Tibia (Adam Roberts)
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The City Of Gold And Lead (John Ch...)
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The Alien Years (Robert Silverberg)
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The True Meaning Of Smekday (Adam ...)
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Click to View Additional Entries or Submit New Ones... - 1. H.G. Wells War of the Worlds. Likely the most famous example as it was aided by an amazingly well done radio version that had people running for the hills.
2. Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle Footfall. A hard science take on the alien invasion trope.
3. Robert A. Heinlein The Puppet Masters. Aliens invaded Earth and our minds.
4. Chris Berman The Hive. An Alien Invasion story unique because the aliens invade other planets out of insect-like instinct rather than malice.
5. K.A. Applegate Animorphs. A children's book series noteworthy because the aliens invade not with ray guns and flying saucers, but by infiltrating the minds and bodies of humans.
6. Warren Rochelle The Wild Boy. The aliens invaded Earth after unleashing a deadly virus against humans and now treat humans like pets.
7. Harry Turtledove World War. A book series that has a different approach to alien invasion—they invade during WWII, which forces humans to form alliances against the aliens. Aliens also have somewhat comparable technology to humans.
8. Adam Rex The True Meaning of Smekday. A humours young adult novel where the invading aliens force all Americans onto reserves in Florida and Earth is renamed Smekland
9. Jack Finney The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. As the name indicates, this is a story where aliens invade by snatching the humans bodies and effectively replacing them. It is a classic Si Fi novel and has been made into movies.
10. David Weber Out of the Dark. A story that focuses on the resistance effort managed by humans against their alien invaders—who incidentally wiped out over half the race in mere minutes.
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