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Here are five excellent recently-published science-fiction novels that have been receiving strong reviews — each with a different flavour, so you can pick depending on your friend’s taste. 1. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (2024/2025) 6 Why it’s a standout: Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award for 2025. The Guardian +2 Five Books +2 Reviewers highlight its sharp exploration of AI, autonomy, and power dynamics through the story of a robot companion evolving beyond her programming. The Reader Life +1 Even though it’s speculative, it engages deeply with human-relationship themes rather than just technological spectacle. Best for a reading friend who likes: speculative near-future, AI/robot ethics, psychological depth. 2. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024) 6 Why it’s a good pick: It won the 2024 Goodreads Choice Award for Science Fiction. Goodreads +1 Kirkus calls it “a time-toying spy romance that’s truly a thriller.” Kirkus Reviews The premise: a near-future UK government uses time-travel to bring “historical expats” into the present. Big ideas plus quirky romance and cultural identity. Wikipedia +1 Best for someone who enjoys: time-travel with emotional stakes, playful genre-mixing (romance + sci-fi + spy). 3. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) 6 Why it’s featured: Published 2024, and picked up considerable praise (e.g., finalist for major awards). Wikipedia Plot: a biologist is exiled to an alien planet, upending beliefs about humanity’s place and evolution — big scale, elevation of ideas. Best for: readers who like hard/speculative sci-fi, alien worlds, philosophical stakes. 4. The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey (2024) 6 Why include this: Launch of a new space-opera trilogy (The Captive’s War) by a major name in the genre. Wikipedia Reviewers praise its grand scale, detailed world-building, and mix of epic events + intimate human stories. Wikipedia Best for: fans of expansive space operas, series starters, alien conflict. 5. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes (2023) 6 Why it qualifies: Although published in 2023, it was awarded the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2024. The Guardian +1 The novel moves from the ocean’s depths to outer space — sweeping and thought-provoking. Best for: someone who appreciates literary-leaning sci-fi with atmospheric descriptions and big questions. 🎯 Summary Table Book Year Style Why choose it Annie Bot 2024/25 Near-future AI/psychological Sharp, provocative, award-winning The Ministry of Time 2024 Time-travel rom-spy blend Fun genre-mix with emotional core Alien Clay 2024 Alien planet / speculative Hard sci-fi + big ideas The Mercy of Gods 2024 Space opera Grand scale, series starter In Ascension 2023/4 Literary sci-fi Atmospheric, elegant, awarded If you like, I can pull together 10 or 15 more titles (including some from indie or international authors) that are highly reviewed and recently published, with mini-blurbs for each. Would that be helpful?