Answer Details

Here are five highly-reviewed, recently published science fiction novels that would make excellent suggestions to your friend — I can pull together more if you like, but these are strong picks across different styles: ⸻ 1. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (2024) • A robot-companion (Annie) designed to serve her owner begins to question her programming and autonomy.  • Winner of the 2025 Arthur C. Clarke Award for best science fiction novel.  • Themes: AI and autonomy, identity, control and consent. • Why it’s a good choice: Thought-provoking and emotionally charged, blending speculative tech with human concerns. ⸻ 2. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) • Features a robot valet named Charles who discovers he has killed his master and must navigate a collapsing society.  • Described as a mix of satire, existential sci-fi and social commentary.  • Why it fits: It’s recent, well-reviewed and offers a fresh take on AI, servitude, and societal breakdown. ⸻ 3. Private Rites by Julia Armfield (2024) • Follows three sisters in a flooded world dealing with family, loss and crisis.  • Combines climate-fiction, family drama and speculative elements.  • Why recommended: If your friend likes sci-fi that leans literary and contemplative (rather than pure action), this one is a strong pick. ⸻ 4. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) • A biologist exiled to an alien world and confronting both an authoritarian regime and alien life forms.  • Received strong acclaim for its world-building and thematic depth.  • Why include it: For someone who enjoys “harder” science-fiction or alien worlds, this is a strong recent entry. ⸻ 5. Dissolution by Nicholas Binge (2025) • A mind-bending time-loop/memory-erasure sci-fi thriller: an elderly woman discovers her husband’s “Alzheimer’s” is something far more sinister.  • Selected as one of the best books of 2025 by major media.  • Why it works: Very recent publication, strong critical buzz, and rich speculative concept. ⸻ If you like, I can compile 10-15 titles across sub-genres (space opera, climate fiction, AI/robot-centric, alien worlds) with a short summary for each, and sort by “recent published” (2023-2025). Would that be helpful?