Apple TV+’s adaptation of Hugh Howey’s Silo series has captivated audiences with its claustrophobic dystopian atmosphere and compelling mysteries. The show’s structure of an underground society, where thousands of people live in a massive underground silo without knowing why, why the outside is dangerous and why so many secrets are kept from the people, has sparked a renewed interest in similar books of confined societies and post-apocalyptic survival.
For readers and viewers who just cannot wait for more episodes to come out of the show, but also want to dive deep into similar narratives, there exists a rich collection of science fiction books that touch on similar themes while offering their own distinctive takes on enclosed societies and hidden truths.
Let’s find out some similar books to the Silo series, some that the author himself recommends, and some that are actually set in the same universe!
5. The Runner by W.J. Davies
This book is part of the Silo universe, but it was not written by Hugh Howey. He, however, does recommend it wholeheartedly!
The Runner is set in a different silo from the original story but is still part of the same universe. The story follows Ace, who is a messenger running between the various levels of his silo, delivering messages.
After nearly dying in the flooded depths of the silo, he is realized that drastic measures need to be taken in order to save their own home. However, the powers that be, have a different point of view. He must take matters into his own hands and try to save the silo. The problem is that he is faced with a dilemma; why should he fight to save the people of the silo, if they themselves aren’t willing to help themselves?
Why we recommend it: Fans of the Silo series will love this book as it is part of the same universe and it is also written in a very similar style as that to Hugh Howey’s. Some readers said they were surprised it’s not the same person! It is also a short read at 57 pages.
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4. Going Dark by Ann Christy
Going Dark is another book from the Silo universe! It is the first book of the Silo 49 series, a spin-off of Hugh Howey’s Silo series, which is set in the same universe but in a different silo.
The story follows Graham and a few other characters, whose Silo is facing a crisis due to polluted water that is causing cancer, stillbirths, and a declining population. Graham, the head of IT, overhears a conversation from Silo 1, the central silo, believing they are planning on “terminating” his silo. He decides to rebel with the help of his friends in order to save his home and community.
His only chance to do so is “Going Dark” and cutting all communication and isolating themselves from the rest of the silos. Will their silo survive?
Why we recommend it: Going Dark expands on the existing world of the Silo series by exploring the world and society of a different silo. It offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of power and survival from the viewpoint of Graham, the head of IT.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter3. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
Everyone knows about The Three-Body Problem book at this point, I would hope so, mainly because of its popularity stemming from the Netflix adaptation of the novel.
The novel is set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution. It starts with a complex narrative about a secret military project that expands into humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization. The story connects with multiple characters, the past and future as well as intertwines cutting-edge physics, dealing with a civilization that exists in a three-star system and their plans for Earth.
Why we recommend it: All lovers of hard science and Andy Weir would love this series. The books incorporate historical events with speculative fiction as well as have philosophical exploration of humanity’s place in the universe, intricate mystery elements, and rich world-building.
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2. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Does a space survival mystery sound appealing to you? This is what Project Hail Mary is all about!
Ryland Grace, a high school science teacher, wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of how to got there. As his memory gradually returns, he learns that humanity’s last hope is his mission to save Earth from an extinction-level event; a parasite organism that is depleting our sun. Through an unlikely friendship with an alien being and scientific problem-solving, he races against time to save Earth and the civilization of his alien friend, Rocky.
Did you know they are actually making a movie based on this book?
Why we recommend it: The novel focuses on a different approach to the first contact with an alien civilization, relying on collaboration instead of conflict. It has hard science fiction with real-world scientific principles, a character-driven narrative, and a story that balances humor with high-stakes problems.
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1. Wayward Pines by Blake Crouch
A Secret Service agent Ethan Burke awakens after a car accident in a small-town America of Wayward Pines, Idaho. As he tries to connect with the outside world and his colleagues, he discovers that the town is not all what it seems to be. Behind the perfect facade lies a mystery that challenges everything he knows about time, humanity, and survival.
Relating to the Silo world, Wayward Pines has a lot of similar elements such as a discovery that no one can leave the town, brutal enforcement of town rules, and mysterious punishments for those who break the rules. On top of that, the town has a power structure and a full-on surveillance system that tracks your every move. Ethan struggles with the moral dilemma of revealing the truth to its residents or maintaining the illusion.
Why we recommend it: The book will appeal to readers who enjoy a psychological thriller with sci-fi elements. It also has, similar to the Silo series, mystery elements with unexpected twists, exploration of utopia/dystopia, and stories of human survival.
For fans who have descended into the depths of Silo’s mysteries, these book recommendations offer new avenues of exploration within the realm of hidden truth. As the Apple TV+ adaptation continues to draw the viewers into the silo world, these novels serve as a perfect companion for those seeking to explore similar themes.
