Answer Details

Here are **five recently-published science-fiction novels** that have received strong reviews and would make solid suggestions for your friend. I’ll highlight what makes each book worth considering, along with potential drawbacks. --- ### 1. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * A strong blend of hard sci-fi and big ideas: the plot centres on a dissident scientist sent to a prison-camp planet with a bizarre alien ecology. ([Wikipédia][1]) * Reviewers praise the world-building: one calls the planet “truly utterly alien.” ([At Boundary's Edge][2]) * Thematically rich: political oppression, authoritarianism vs nature, evolution. ([Wikipédia][1]) **Potential drawbacks:** * Some readers felt the narrator’s tone can be grating early on. ([Reddit][3]) * The pace slows at times, especially when dwelling on the alien ecology rather than action. ([Tar Vol on][4]) * If your friend prefers light reading, the political and dystopian weight might feel heavy. --- ### 2. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (2023)       **Why it stands out:** * Won the 2024 Hugo Award for Best Novel. ([Wikipédia][5]) * A space-opera setting with high stakes: Earth has been destroyed; the last human outpost is training to fight back. ([Chicago Review of Books][6]) * Strong character arc: the protagonist starts deeply entrenched in the ideology of the station, and gradually questions everything. Many found this transformation compelling. ([eyrie.org][7]) * Includes diversity in characterisation and themes of resistance, identity and trauma. ([Reddit][8]) **Potential drawbacks:** * Some readers found parts of the multiverse/time-twist subplot a little confusing or heavy handed. ([Tar Vol on][9]) * The protagonist is initially quite unlikable (by design). If a reader prefers “instant likable” characters, this might be a barrier. * The overall tone is intense and deals with trauma and ideological conditioning; might not be light reading. --- ### 3. The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * Launches a new space-opera trilogy by the authors behind the acclaimed “Ex­panse” series. ([Wikipédia][10]) * Reviewers call it “space opera at its best,” praising the mix of epic scale + human vulnerability. ([Wikipédia][10]) * Great pick if your friend enjoys large-scale interstellar conflict, alien species and resistance narratives. **Potential drawbacks:** * Because it’s the first in a series, some of the broader arcs may not yet be resolved, so it may feel somewhat open ending or “set-up”. * If the reader hasn’t read much Corey before, the expectations and comparisons to the Expanse might be a factor (either bonus or bias). * Big scope = many characters, many threads; if someone prefers tight, character-led small tales, it might feel expansive. --- ### 4. Machine Vendetta by Alastair Reynolds (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * A new installment (or final part) in the author’s long-running universe (Revelation Space) so comes with pedigree. ([Wikipédia][11]) * The review notes a “starred review” by Publishers Weekly for this novel. ([Wikipédia][11]) * Ideal for fans of hard sci-fi, big cosmic mysteries, and interstellar institutions. **Potential drawbacks:** * Because it’s part of a larger (and complex) universe, newcomers may feel lost or that they’re missing prior back-story. * Might lean more on “plot & setting” than character depth, depending on one’s taste. * The closing nature of the trilogy could mean some loose threads or a sense of culmination rather than fresh new beginning. --- ### 5. The Familiar (April 2024)       **Why it stands out:** * Recognised in “Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy of 2024” lists. ([Kirkus Reviews][12]) * A relatively fresh release, which means your friend will be among the early readers. * For someone wanting “new” rather than “already widely read,” this is a good pick. **Potential drawbacks:** * I don’t yet have as many in-depth reviews for this one compared to the others above (so less certainty about how it stacks up in character depth, pacing, etc.). * As a newer book, long-term staying power/inflation of hype vs reality remains to be seen. * If your friend is very picky about specifically “hard” vs “soft” sci-fi definitions, you’ll want to check its sub-genre fit. --- ### Summary & Suggestions Based on Taste * If your friend loves **weird alien biology + political intrigue** → Alien Clay * If they prefer **character-driven space-opera with transformation & resistance themes** → Some Desperate Glory * If they like **big sweeping space operas with wide scope and alien civilizations** → The Mercy of Gods or Machine Vendetta * If they want something **fresh 2024 release, less “already mainstream”** → The Familiar If you like, I can **find 5-10 more** (including a mix of lighter reads, smaller-press gems, or ones more available in French/Europe) tailored to your friend’s tastes (pace, complexity, theme). Would that be helpful? [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Clay?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Alien Clay" [2]: https://atboundarysedge.com/2024/11/19/book-review-alien-clay-by-adrian-tchaikovsky/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "BOOK REVIEW: Alien Clay, by Adrian Tchaikovsky" [3]: https://www.reddit.com/r/printSF/comments/1dsy0ik/review_alien_clay_adrian_tchaikovsky/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "[Review] Alien Clay - Adrian Tchaikovsky : r/printSF" [4]: https://www.tarvolon.com/2024/09/02/sci-fi-novel-review-alien-clay-by-adrian-tchaikovsky/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Sci-fi Novel Review: Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky" [5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Desperate_Glory_%28novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Some Desperate Glory (novel)" [6]: https://chireviewofbooks.com/2023/04/24/some-desperate-glory/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Revising Worlds and Worldviews in \"Some Desperate Glory\"" [7]: https://www.eyrie.org/~eagle/reviews/books/1-250-83499-6.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Review: Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh - The Eyrie" [8]: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/139zcuy/review_some_desperate_glory_by_emily_tesh/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Review: Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh : r/Fantasy" [9]: https://www.tarvolon.com/2024/06/20/sci-fi-novel-review-some-desperate-glory-by-emily-tesh/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Sci-fi Novel Review: Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh" [10]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mercy_of_Gods?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Mercy of Gods" [11]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_Vendetta?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Machine Vendetta" [12]: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-science-fiction-and-fantasy-2024/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2024 | Kirkus Reviews"