A suspenseful sci-fi series imbued with incredible production value, an all-star cast, and an engrossing, high-concept story of mystery, intrigue, and piercing parable,Silohas become a television sensation. Set in a devastated future world where what remains of humanity lives in underground silos, it follows engineer Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) as she pursues her suspicion that the regimented society she lives in is based on a lie.
With its dystopian setting and overtones of government control and the ritualistic indoctrination of misinformation,Silohas understandably captivated millions. While the series itself is based onHugh Howey’s novels,plenty of other books are available for fans of the series who love to immerse themselves in a profound story. From thought-provoking sci-fi trilogies to post-apocalyptic novels that already have small-screen adaptations,these books are perfect for those who want something similar toSilo.
10Silo Novel Series (2011-)
Written by Hugh Howey
Perhaps the easiest novel recommendation for television lovers who have found themselves growing obsessed withSilois the series of novellasthat the hit Apple TV+ show was based on. The stories have commonly been comprised into three novel-length books, withWoolbeing published through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing system in 2011 beforetwo successive installments—ShiftandDust—were released in 2013.
It is important to note that theSiloTV adaptation makesseveral significant changes to the source material, especially in regard to its character development, plotting, and pacing. A treat within this is that fans of the series can indulge in an ongoing narrative that occupies the same tone and setting as the show yet still encounter new and exciting story beats along the way. Hugh Howey began writing a new entry to the series in 2021 as well, whileW. J. DavieshasThe Runnerpublished as a spin-off story that Howey himself has endorsed.
9’Dark Matter' (2016)
Written by Blake Crouch
Another thrilling, high-concept sci-fi story that was recently adapted to an Apple TV+ series,Dark Matterisan enthralling read byBlake Crouchthat mixes the intrigue of an ever-expanding mystery with the richness of sci-fi wonder. It follows Jason Dessen, a quantum mechanics physicist teaching at a college who, after being abducted, finds himself in a parallel universe where his life has been altered immensely due to his deciding not to marry the woman he knows as his wife 15 years prior. Not only must Jason fight to be reunited with his family, but he must also figure out how the interdimensional travel works.
Within its mind-boggling story of chaos and carnage amidst alternate realities,Dark Matterthrives asa striking exploration of identity and human connectionthat is comfortable embracing its unwieldy narrative with flamboyant pride. Should readers enjoy the 2016 novel, thenDark Matteron Apple TV+ is simply essential viewing for its composed and clever handling of the complex story.
Dark Matter
8’Cage of Souls' (2019)
Written by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Unruly and intricate yet undeniably intoxicating,Cage of Soulsisan extravagant marriage of science-fiction and fantasythat bears many thematic similarities toSilo, particularly in terms of populace control and isolation. Set in a distant future where Earth is dying, it follows a scholar-turned-political dissident who is condemned to a floating prison known as The Island. As he faces the damnation of his surroundings, Stefan reflects on his past life and the circumstances leading up to his sentencing.
Adrian Tchaikovskydoesn’t shy away from making his novel a challenging and perplexing beast to grapple with, and the time-jumping narrative is compounded by the fact that the main character is an unreliable narrator. However, for genre lovers,Cage of Soulspresentsan intriguing and enchanting sci-fi sagathat rewards those willing to stick with it.
7’The Fifth Season' (2015)
Written by N. K. Jemisin
LikeSilo,The Fifth Seasonthrives asan engrossing and cerebral sci-fithat combines the complex social hierarchy of its central story world with a thematic focus on environmentalism. It takes place on a planet where people live on a single supercontinent known as The Stillness and, every few centuries, its inhabitants must endure a deadly period where the climate changes severely that they call “the Fifth Season.” It follows three orogenes—people who can control energy—as they each embark on a journey across The Stillness as the continent braces for a nearing climate catastrophe.
The novel functions as the first entry of the Broken Earth trilogy, withThe Obelisk GateandThe Stone Skybeing released in 2016 and 2017, respectively. All three novels stand as acclaimed, award-winning gems of modern sci-fi fiction and are perfect for lovers ofSilodue to theirbleak dystopian setting, keen mind towards social struggles, andattention to environmentalism. The trilogy wouldmake for an incredible television series as well.
6’The Penultimate Truth' (1964)
Written by Philip K. Dick
Coming fromPhilip K. Dick,the author ofDo Androids Dream of Electric Sleep?—the sci-fi novel that was adapted intoBlade Runner—The Penultimate Truthis a novel that has an obvious appeal to lovers ofSilo. It transpires in a future where humanity is being kept in underground shelters under the impression that World War III is raging on. Unbeknownst to the masses living in the tanks, however, the war was resolved years ago.
LikeSilo,The Penultimate Truththrives not only as a brilliantly realized exploration of apocalyptic dread but also asa cutting analysis of how information can be manipulatedby those in power to ensure society remains malleable and docile. It is an underrated entry in Dick’s body of work that marries his sci-fi prowess with his social observations in evocative fashion. It is perfect forSilofans as an enticing spin on the same basic premise loaded with many similar thematic ideas but some unique ones, as well.
5’Station Eleven' (2014)
Written by Emily St. John Mandel
A 2014 novel by Canadian authorEmily St. John Mandel,Station Elevenoffers a uniquely optimistic, quaint, and gorgeously philosophical perspective on how humanity would confront the apocalypse. Exploring both the initial outbreak of the virus that brought humanity to the brink of extinction and the aftermath of the social collapse 20 years later, the novel focuses on the life and experiences of Kristen Raymonde, a performer attached to a troupe of traveling actors who harbors an obsession for a famous movie star who died on the same night the pandemic began.
While there are terrible threats that Kristen and the other characters must face and overcome, as well as bleak sequences where central characters die,Station Elevenis ultimately most at home asa poignant and powerful testament to the beauty of life. Its vision of the apocalypse differs greatly from the one presented inSilo, but the novel was adapted intoa criminally underrated HBO miniseriesof the same name in 2021. Fans of apocalyptic drama would do well to seek out both the novel and the television adaptation.
Station Eleven
4Wayward Pines Trilogy (2012-2014)
Another unsettling and heady sci-fi story penned by Blake Crouch and later received a television adaptation,The Wayward Pinestrilogy is an appropriately mystifying story of lovers ofSilo. It focuses on Ethan Burke, a Secret Service agent who finds himself trapped in the small town of Wayward Pines along with other residents who do not know how they got there and refuse to speak of their past experiences. Burke sets out to uncover the truth behind the perplexing town, but every revelation brings with it new questions and more disturbing twists.
Consisting ofPines,Wayward, andThe Last Town, the trilogy isan immersive and consuming readdefined by its brilliant mystery, intrigue, and an off-putting undercurrent of science-fiction suspense. The television adaptation,Wayward Pines, was initially released to universal acclaim before Season 2 lost direction. Crouch has stated that his novels were inspired by the hit ’90s seriesTwin Peaksas well.
Wayward Pines
3Remembrance of Earth’s Past Trilogy (2006-2010)
Written by Liu Cixin
A Chinese novel series that was recently adapted to the small screen in the form of Netflix’s3 Body Problem,Remembrance of Earth’s Pastis an intriguing though cerebral marriage of alternate history and science-fictionfrom acclaimed genre authorLiu Cixin. The 2008 novelThe Three-Body Problemexplores an Earth where humanity has encountered an alien race living in a nearby solar system where three sun-like stars orbit each other in a chaotic cycle of destruction and rejuvenation.
Cixin is open about his somewhat challenging approach in which he emphasizes his focus on the plot mechanics more so than specific characters, making for a somewhat demanding reading experience that even genre fanatics may find intense. Having said that, the trilogy thrives asa breathtaking combination of fiction and historyas well as a unique andaudacious take on humanity’s first contact with an alien race. It is strikingly different fromSilobut exists in a similar vein and is enhanced by its impressive world-building and its implementation of mystery.
3 Body Problem
2’Project Hail Mary' (2021)
Written by Andy Weir
Truth be told, basically any novel written byAndy Weirmakes for a great recommendation for fans ofSilo. The author’s keen interest in science-fiction storytelling has seen him conjure up such gems asThe MartianandArtemis, but it might just beProject Hail Marythat stands as his absolute best work. It centers on Ryland Grace, an astronaut who wakes up alone in a distant star system with amnesia. As he tries to uncover details about his past, he also learns of his mission to unravel a cosmic mystery to save all of humanity.
It isan engaging space odyssey that blenda apocalyptic stakes with an enticing mysteryin which the reader can attempt to deduce and predict the truth as the protagonist goes through the exact same process. There is a stroke of genius in the novel that makes it one of the best sci-fi books of the past decade. Additionally, it is a quintessential read for lovers ofSilo, who also enjoy indulging in a sci-fi novel.A film adaptation starringRyan Goslingis in production.
1’Red Rising' (2014)
Written by Pierce Brown
A pulsating story of class division, political manipulation, and staggering sci-fi scope,Red Risingtranspires in a future world where humanity has colonized Mars—among other planets and moons. People are ordered and categorized by colors to denote their place in the social hierarchy. Darrow, a rash 16-year-old from the lowest Red mining class doomed to live beneath Mars’ surface, embarks on a daring conquest to infiltrate the elitist Gold class and bring about the downfall of the oppressive social structure.
The novel bears apparent similarities toSilo, be it for its commentary on class and inequality or its loose setting of an underground society. However,Pierce Brown’s writing style should also appeal to fans of the hit series—particularly those who don’t necessarily read a lot—givenits engaging cinematic grandiosity, smart pacing, and meshing of sci-fi intrigue and notes of Roman mythology. Through premise, theme, genre, and style,Red Risingis a fantastic story for those who loveSiloand want to experience more stories like it.
