Answer Details

Here are **five highly-reviewed recent science-fiction novels** that would make excellent suggestions for your friend. I’ve selected a mix of styles and themes, so there should be something to suit different tastes. --- ### 1. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes (published 2023/24)   **Why it’s great:** * The novel opens in the deep ocean with a marine biologist, then transitions to space exploration — a rare blend of hard-science and speculative scope. ([todaysauthormagazine.com][1]) * It has won major accolades — for example, it won the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2024. ([The Guardian][2]) * Reviewers highlight its lyrical writing and ability to explore big existential questions while remaining grounded in human experience. ([Emma Goto][3]) **Good for:** Someone who enjoys literary sci-fi, philosophical layers, and a journey from the micro (life in the seas) to the macro (space and cosmos). --- ### 2. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (published 2023)       **Why it’s great:** * This novel won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2024. ([Wikipedia][4]) * It is a full-scale space opera, with themes of war, alien species, humanity’s integration and resistance, and moral complexity. ([Wikipedia][4]) **Good for:** A reader who likes big scope, aliens, action, and also deeper reflections on survival, identity, and society. --- ### 3. The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan (published 2023)       **Why it’s great:** * This novel offers a dystopian vision of a near-future city (formerly Bangalore) with a rigid meritocracy, “Virtual” and “Analog” classes, social commentary and the tensions of technology, identity, and inequality. ([Grimdark Magazine][5]) * Reviewers say the prose is sharp, the world-building rich, and the themes timely. ([fantasy-hive.co.uk][6]) **Good for:** A reader who enjoys dystopian sci-fi, social critique, and a mosaic of perspectives rather than a single protagonist narrative. --- ### 4. Orbital by Samantha Harvey (published 2023)       **Why it’s great:** * A novel set on the International Space Station, it “captures the complexities of the astronauts” over 24 hours — from emotional, psychological and existential angles. ([Wikipedia][7]) * It won the Booker Prize in 2024, underlining its wider literary acclaim. ([People.com][8]) **Good for:** Someone who likes space-setting sci-fi but also appreciates literary fiction, character focus, tension and introspection. --- ### 5. The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey (Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck) (published 2024)       **Why it’s great:** * A brand-new space opera (2024) by the authors of the acclaimed ‘Expanse’ series. It features humans conquered by an alien race (the Carryx), explores survival, identity, resistance. ([Wikipedia][9]) * Reviews highlight the vast world‐building, scope of narrative and strong character work. ([Wikipedia][9]) **Good for:** Someone wanting an epic, high-stakes sci-fi saga with classical space opera tropes, but fresh and current. --- ### Picking the right one * If your friend prefers **literary, thoughtful sci-fi**: go with *In Ascension* or *Orbital*. * If they like **thrilling, large-scale space adventures**: *Some Desperate Glory* or *The Mercy of Gods*. * If they enjoy **dystopia, social commentary, near-future tech**: *The Ten Percent Thief*. If you like, I can pull together **10 more** suggestions (including some from 2025) with a variety of sub-genres (cyberpunk, climate-sci-fi, alien first-contact) so you have a broader list. Would you like that? [1]: https://www.todaysauthormagazine.com/book-reviews/book-review-in-ascension-by-martin-macinnes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Book Review: ‘In Ascension,’ by Martin MacInnes" [2]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/jul/24/martin-macinnes-novel-wins-arthur-c-clarke-award-in-ascension-science-fiction?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Martin MacInnes wins Arthur C Clarke award for 'intense trip' of a novel" [3]: https://www.emgoto.com/books/in-ascension/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "In Ascension by Martin MacInnes - Book review" [4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Desperate_Glory_%28novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Some Desperate Glory (novel)" [5]: https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-ten-percent-thief-by-lavanya-lakshminarayan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "REVIEW: The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan" [6]: https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2023/02/the-ten-percent-thief-by-lavanya-lakshminarayan-book-review/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "THE TEN PERCENT THIEF by Lavanya Lakshminarayan (BOOK REVIEW)" [7]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_%28novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Orbital (novel)" [8]: https://people.com/orbital-by-samantha-harvey-wins-2024-booker-prize-8744439?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Orbital\" by Samantha Harvey Wins 2024 Booker Prize" [9]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mercy_of_Gods?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Mercy of Gods"