If you loved the mission-driven tension of Sundiver, you'll find The Gods Themselves equally compelling as scientists and aliens grapple with the consequences of a breakthrough energy technology. The story follows Dr. Hallam and others as they piece together a puzzle with universe-altering ramifications, much like Jacob Demwa's pursuit of the truth inside the Sun.

If you appreciated the hard-science edge of Sundiver—from solar physics to alien biology—you’ll be fascinated by Blindsight. Peter Watts crafts a first-contact scenario where the crew, including the linguist Siri Keeton, must solve the mysteries of an utterly alien intelligence. The novel’s meticulous scientific detail and speculative concepts are sure to engage you.

If the exploration of alien cultures in Sundiver, especially the interactions with the enigmatic Kanten and Pring, captured your imagination, you'll be drawn into Semiosis. Burke's novel delves into humanity’s attempt to coexist with sentient plants on a distant planet, exploring alien logic, communication, and society in a richly realized world.

If the philosophical undercurrents of Sundiver—from questions about uplift to the nature of intelligence—intrigued you, Anathem will be a treat. Stephenson’s novel follows Erasmus, a cloistered scholar, as he confronts profound mysteries about mind, cosmos, and existence. The book offers a similar blend of cosmic puzzles and intellectual adventure.

If you were drawn to the elaborate worldbuilding of Sundiver—the history, politics, and layered cultures of the Uplift universe—The Dispossessed offers another masterclass in creating believable alien societies. Le Guin’s depiction of the twin worlds Anarres and Urras, and Shevek’s journey between them, is as immersive and thought-provoking as Brin’s solar intrigue.