Julian May’s Pliocene Exile series (and the subsequent Galactic Milieu series) features aliens that like drinking, sex and fighting as much as the “earthlings” do. Another good set of books that genuinely improve as they go along
The Sparrow by Mary Dorris Russell- doesn’t fit exactly, but still a good read in the genre. It has each thing you requested, just not typical, I’d say.
Sixteen-year-old Priscilla Delacroix was declared legally dead by her mother, High Priestess of the Goddess. Banished to survive on her own, Priscilla has roamed the galaxy for ten years as an outcast—to become a woman of extraordinary skill. . . .
An experienced officer assigned to the Liaden vessel Doxflon, she’s been abandoned yet again. Betrayed by her captain and shipmates, she’s left to fend for herself on a distant planet. But Priscilla is not alone. Starship captain Shan yos’Galen is about to join Priscilla’s crusade for revenge. He has his own score to settle with the enemy. But confronting the sinister crew will be far easier—and safer—than confronting the demons of Priscilla’s own mysterious past.
I have always felt C J Cherryh writes the most realistic aliens because they really do think differently than humans. Her works would not be classified as thrillers though.
Can it be funny?
Yes. Sure
Okay. Alan Dean Foster’s Glory Lane is one of my favorites. It’s a bit like an 80s B Movie but it’s a fun adventure.
I don’t know if you’d call them thrillers, although I adore them, but Anne McCaffrey’s Crystal Singer trilogy is pretty damn good 🙂
Thanks
It’s a bit long, but I can’t praise Stephen Donaldson’s Gap series enough
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_R._Donaldson#The_Gap_series
Thanks
What are “realistic aliens,” may I ask? haha
More scientific, like the one in the movie “life”
Julian May’s Pliocene Exile series (and the subsequent Galactic Milieu series) features aliens that like drinking, sex and fighting as much as the “earthlings” do. Another good set of books that genuinely improve as they go along
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_of_Pliocene_Exile
Arthur C Clarke is a good place to start. Rendezvous With Rama.
Thanks
Love that series?
Peter F. Hamilton: Pandora’s Star and Judas Unchained
Thanks
“The Mote in God’s Eye” Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
Ooh I’d forgotten that, years since I read it, might have to buy it for my ever increasing TBR list 🙂
Thanks
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Omega by Jack McDevitt,
Thanks
hhgttg
Pretty much, yep.
Yes. Read that. Loved it. Thanks
John Scalzi books like Old Mans War
Thanks
Yes. The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber.
I thought about it too but i wouldn’t sort it as a thriller
It seemed thrilling, my opinion, to our hero and his wife who was trapped back on Earth.
I never made this thought, but you are right. Also, waiting for him to meet the aliens was thrilling.
Thanks
The silver ship by S.
H. Jucha
Thanks
Armada by Earnest Cline. Also Artemis Is a great scifi thriller but no aliens.
Thanks
Have you not been following the current news. Washington DC and our President is scary enough
maybe she needed something less scary
What is a “realistic” alien? 🙂
maybe u will like KPAX by gene brewer. A movie was made starring Kevin Spacey.
Thanks
“The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet” by Becky Chambers
Thanks
Space Opera by Catherynne Valente. Old Man’s War by John Scalzi.
Thanks
Children of Time
Thanks
Lilith brood trilogy, Octavia Butler
Thanks
Ray Bradbury.
Thanks
Gravity by Tess Gerritsen
Thanks
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
The Sparrow by Mary Dorris Russell- doesn’t fit exactly, but still a good read in the genre. It has each thing you requested, just not typical, I’d say.
Thanks
Ender Series….
Thanks
@Mary of course.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WQ4OTFA/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
Sixteen-year-old Priscilla Delacroix was declared legally dead by her mother, High Priestess of the Goddess. Banished to survive on her own, Priscilla has roamed the galaxy for ten years as an outcast—to become a woman of extraordinary skill. . . .
An experienced officer assigned to the Liaden vessel Doxflon, she’s been abandoned yet again. Betrayed by her captain and shipmates, she’s left to fend for herself on a distant planet. But Priscilla is not alone. Starship captain Shan yos’Galen is about to join Priscilla’s crusade for revenge. He has his own score to settle with the enemy. But confronting the sinister crew will be far easier—and safer—than confronting the demons of Priscilla’s own mysterious past.
I have always felt C J Cherryh writes the most realistic aliens because they really do think differently than humans. Her works would not be classified as thrillers though.
Thanks
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell was very good.