I really enjoy sci-fi that starts grounded in reality — that eases you in with a slow build, a sense of normalcy, before the shift. I love when the story begins in the everyday, then opens into something strange and vast. Think the beginning of The Matrix or Old Man’s War, perhaps? That kind of vibe. Any recommendations?
“To Sleep in a Sea of Stars” starts pretty grounded, has a weird thing happen to the main character, then massively increases in scope.
It’s not quite hard sci-fi, as tech for ftl travel exists. It has some proto-molecule McMuffin as well.
It’s by the writer of Eragon, I enjoyed it but I also don’t have a discerning taste in author.
I too enjoyed that one, it’s nice to see him grow from Eragon, the writing in this I feel is much better. Definitely goes from small personal level stuff to let’s save the universe type deal. A good read.