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I'll search for the best recent science fiction novels to give you current recommendations with reviews.Based on my research, here are some excellent recently published science fiction novels with strong reviews that I'd recommend: ## Top Recommendations **The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett (February 2024)** - This fantasy mystery features a Holmes-and-Watson style detective pairing investigating bizarre murders in a world threatened by giant sea monsters. The mystery is intriguing and well-paced, with a fun character dynamic and a satisfying ending. The worldbuilding is incredible, featuring nature engineered for human advancement and cryptic magic from killed leviathans. **In Ascension by Martin MacInnes (2023)** - Winner of the 2024 Arthur C. Clarke Award and longlisted for the Booker Prize, this literary science fiction novel follows a Dutch scientist whose deep-sea research eventually leads her to space exploration. The Guardian praised it as beautifully written, richly atmospheric, and full of brilliantly evoked detail. It's perfect for readers who enjoy both literary fiction and science fiction. **System Collapse by Martha Wells (2024)** - The seventh work in the Murderbot Diaries series, this won the 2024 Locus Award for Best Sci Fi Novel. The series has garnered multiple Hugo and Nebula awards. These three offer different flavors - mystery-fantasy hybrid, literary hard SF, and beloved space opera series - so your friend should find something that appeals to their taste!