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To help a friend find recently published, highly-reviewed science fiction novels, consider these award-winners and highly-rated options from 2024 and 2025 . The best choice depends on what subgenres or themes your friend enjoys. Award-winning novels from 2024 The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley: Winner of the 2024 Goodreads Choice Award for Science Fiction, this novel is about a civil servant from modern-day London who is tasked with assisting a time-traveler from the 17th century. The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey: The first book in The Captive's War series by the bestselling author of The Expanse. This space opera focuses on a powerful conflict between humanity and a mysterious alien species. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh: This Hugo Award-winning debut novel is set in a far-future where humanity, living on a remote planet, has been at war with aliens for centuries. It explores themes of identity, gender roles, and militarization. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes: An Arthur C. Clarke Award winner, this book follows a micro-biologist who joins a space mission to explore a mysterious organism in the deep ocean, only to find herself on a journey toward the solar system's edge. Translation State by Ann Leckie: The author of the award-winning Imperial Radch series offers a standalone novel about a pair of mismatched companions searching for a long-lost fugitive. It explores themes of belonging and family, both biological and found. Highly-rated books from late 2024 and 2025 Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky: In this novel, the acclaimed science fiction author delves into a world where a robot embarks on a journey of self-discovery after its owner dies. It explores what it means to be alive and conscious. The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei: A follow-up to her debut, The Deep Sky, this novel is a space-opera mystery. It focuses on a treasure hunt for a mysterious and dangerous alien relic, taking readers on a fast-paced, twisting journey. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky: Another highly-rated 2024 novel from Tchaikovsky, this story follows a rebellious archaeologist sent to an inhospitable alien world. As she investigates strange findings, she uncovers a secret that could change everything. The Book of Love by Kelly Link: Nominated for a Nebula Award, this book from the fantasy and short fiction master has a distinctly speculative feel. It follows four friends who return from the dead and must perform magic to survive. Katabasis by R. F. Kuang: From the bestselling author of Babel, this book is a science fantasy epic about a crew of space travelers on a generation ship. It is one of the most anticipated releases of late 2024.