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Here are five highly‐reviewed, recently published science fiction novels you can recommend to your friend — each with a distinct flavour and strong critical reception. 1. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (2023) 6 Why it stands out: A space opera with bold themes of war, identity, and revenge — plus queer protagonists. emilytesh.net +1 Won the 2024 Hugo Award for Best Novel. Wikipedia +1 The narrative centers on Kyr, raised for combat on a human station after Earth’s destruction, who must confront militarism, alien rule, and her own fate. bookey.app +1 Good for: Readers who like brisk pacing + space warfare + political and personal stakes. 2. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes (2023) 6 Why it stands out: A rich, literary sci-fi novel that spans from deep-sea exploration to outer space. New Book Recommendation +1 Winner of the 2024 Arthur C Clarke Award. The Guardian +1 Follows Leigh, a marine microbiologist whose journey challenges both the small (microbes, ocean trenches) and the vast (space, human future). Goodreads +1 Good for: Those who like thought-provoking, beautifully written sci-fi with philosophical depth and strong world-building. 3. The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan (2023) 6 Why it stands out: A near-future dystopia set in a hyper-meritocratic city labelled Apex City, formerly Bangalore – with sharp social commentary. Grimdark Magazine +1 Mosaic narrative structure, exploring class, technology, and resistance. Hidden Sci-Fi +1 Good for: Readers who enjoy dystopian futures, socio-political critique, non-traditional narrative structures. 4. Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2025) 5 Why it stands out: A fresh release (2025) from a well-known author, exploring a dangerous moon in an alien star system with mysterious radio activity. Pan Macmillan Offers classic sci-fi themes (alien world, human limits, exploration) with contemporary polish. Good for: Readers who prefer newer releases and enjoy high-concept exploration stories. 5. Dissolution by Nicholas Binge (2025) 6 Why it stands out: A 2025 mind-bender: memory erasure, time loops, identity and reality become fluid. Wikipedia Critics compare it to Philip K. Dick for its speculative depth and twisty structure. Wikipedia Good for: Fans of metafiction, psychological sci-fi, stories that play with time, memory and narrative. How to pick one (or two) for your friend If they like space opera + big scale, go for Some Desperate Glory. If they prefer grounded science + big ideas, then In Ascension. For dystopia + social commentary, choose The Ten Percent Thief. If they’re up for brand-new releases and want something more cutting-edge: Shroud or Dissolution. Consider whether they prefer standalone novels (many here are) vs long series; all of the above work well as starting points. If you like, I can pull together 10 or even 20 suggestions (with a mix of genres, from climate-sci-fi, cyberpunk, space opera, to dystopia) along with rating info and availability in Singapore. Would that be helpful?