Answer Details

Here are five highly-reviewed, recently-published science-fiction novels that would make excellent suggestions for your friend — with a mix of styles so you can pick depending on what kind of SF they like. If you tell me their favourite sub-genre (space opera, time-travel, hard SF, climate fiction, etc.), I can tailor a longer list too. Title Author Why it stands out & what kind of reader will like it The Mercy of Gods (2024) James S.A. Corey A launch of a new space-opera trilogy by the authors of The Expanse. Critics praise its expansive world–building, strong characterisation and big stakes.  — Great if your friend likes large-scale interstellar stories with both spectacle and humanity. Alien Clay (2024) Adrian Tchaikovsky A hard-SF flavour: a biologist exiled to an alien planet, dealing with evolution, politics, and alien society. Received strong critical praise.  — Ideal for someone who enjoys scientifically grounded SF with philosophical depth. The Ministry of Time (2024) Kaliane Bradley This one blends time-travel, romance, bureaucracy and politics. Described as “half sci-fi thriller, half rom-com” with thought-provoking themes about empire, identity and climate.  — If your friend likes genre-mashups and something a little lighter but still clever, this could be a fun pick. Annie Bot (2025) Sierra Greer A provocative pick: told from the perspective of a robot companion navigating autonomy, identity and power. Winner of the 2025 Arthur C. Clarke Award.  — Strongly recommended if your friend enjoys stories about AI, relationships and the human condition in speculative form. Private Rites (2025) Julia Armfield On best-of lists of 2025 SF, this one looks at climate collapse and family dynamics in near-future Britain.  — Good for someone who prefers more literary, near-future or “cli-fi” styles rather than epic space opera. If you like, I can pull together 10-15 additional titles, with German translations (since your friend might be German-speaking) and specify which are available in German and approx. publication date/edition. Would you like me to do that?