Answer Details

Here are **five highly-reviewed, recently published science-fiction novels** that would make great suggestions for your friend. They vary in tone and sub-genre, so you can pick ones that match what your friend tends to enjoy. --- ### 1. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer       * Debut novel about a robot companion (“Annie”) built to serve a human owner, who begins to question her role, autonomy and what it means to be human. ([HarperCollins][1]) * Received major recognition: winner of the 2025 Arthur C. Clarke Award for best science-fiction novel. ([The Guardian][2]) * Reviewers highlight its emotional depth, unsettling intimacy and sharp commentary on power dynamics. ([rrhorton.blogspot.com][3]) * Why it’s a strong suggestion: If your friend enjoys speculative fiction with AI/robot themes, strong character focus and ethical questions, this is a standout. --- ### 2. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley       * Debut sci-fi novel (2024) blending time-travel, romance, spy-thriller and immigrant/future-settler themes. ([Wikipedia][4]) * Critics called it “a seriously fun sci-fi rom-com” (The Guardian) and noted its playful take on history + future. ([The Guardian][5]) * It won the Goodreads Choice for Science Fiction 2024. ([Goodreads][6]) * Why pick it: For a lighter-toned but still thoughtful SF novel with love, time-travel and identity at its core. --- ### 3. Extremophile by Ian Green       * Set in a near-future, climate-crisis London. Punk biohackers, corporate dystopia, bio-engineering gone wrong. ([No Rerolls][7]) * Reviewers described it as “a punk rock song” in novel form with gritty energy and moral urgency. ([Runalong The Shelves][8]) * Why suggest it: For readers who prefer hard-edged, dark-ish sci-fi with social critique, bio-punk vibes and world-building. --- ### 4. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky       * Published in 2024. Story of a robotic valet who murders his master and wakes up in a collapsing human society — exploring what it means to have purpose, free will, meaning. ([Wikipedia][9]) * Tchaikovsky is well-known for his imaginative and high-concept narrative. * Why choose this: For a combination of speculative tech, robotics, philosophical questions PLUS the thrill of a twisted plot. --- ### 5. Dissolution by Nicholas Binge       * Released in 2025. Premise: a woman discovers her husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis is hiding something far stranger — his memories are being erased deliberately. A mind-bending story of memory, identity, and reality. ([Wikipedia][10]) * Library Journal called it “mind-blowing” for pluming the edges of memory and time. ([Wikipedia][10]) * Why this one: Great if your friend enjoys cerebral sci-fi — twists, thriller pace, and speculations about consciousness. --- If you like, I can pull together a longer list (10-15 books) with mini-summaries and sort by tone (e.g., “feel-good sci-fi”, “hard dystopian”, “romantic sci-fi”). Would that be helpful? [1]: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/annie-bot-sierra-greer?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Annie Bot" [2]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jun/25/arthur-c-clarke-science-fiction-award-annie-bot-sierra-greer?utm_source=chatgpt.com "'Intense' novel about robot abused by her boyfriend/owner wins Arthur C Clarke science fiction award" [3]: https://rrhorton.blogspot.com/2025/03/review-annie-bot-by-sierra-greer.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Review: Annie Bot, by Sierra Greer" [4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_of_Time_%28novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Ministry of Time (novel)" [5]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/may/03/the-ministry-of-time-by-kaliane-bradley-review-a-seriously-fun-sci-fi-romcom?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley review" [6]: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/readers-favorite-science-fiction-books-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Readers' Favorite Science Fiction 2024 — Goodreads Choice Awards" [7]: https://norerolls.co.uk/2024/07/27/book-review-extremophile-by-ian-green/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Book Review: Extremophile by Ian Green" [8]: https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/5/28/extremophile-by-ian-green?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Extremophile by Ian Green" [9]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_Model?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Service Model" [10]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_%28Binge_novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Dissolution (Binge novel)"