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I'll search for the best recently published science fiction novels to give you current, highly-reviewed recommendations.Based on my search of recent releases and award winners, here are some excellent, highly-reviewed science fiction novels published in 2024-2025 that would make great recommendations: ## Award Winners & Critical Favorites **The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera** - Won the 2024 Nebula Award for Best Novel. This debut combines fantasy and science fiction elements in a Sri Lankan-inspired setting with thought-provoking themes. **Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh** - Won the 2024 Hugo Award. A gripping work that explores complex issues of gender identities and expectations in a futuristic society where a young protagonist must navigate war, loyalties, and identity. **Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky** - Nominated for the 2025 Arthur C. Clarke Award, this novel brings humor and existential horror together, exploring what happens when service robots outlive their human masters. ## Popular Recent Releases **The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley** - Winner of the 2024 Goodreads Choice Award for Science Fiction. A time travel romance and spy thriller that explores whether time travel is feasible as a civil servant works with historical "expats". **The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey** - From the authors of The Expanse series, this follows humanity caught in an alien empire's conquest across the galaxy. **Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor** - A metafictional work about a Nigerian author whose science fiction debut brings unexpected fame when her AI apocalypse novel starts coming true. **When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi** - An absurd premise where Earth's moon suddenly turns into cheese, told through interconnected short stories exploring wildly varying perspectives. These books have all received strong reviews from critics and readers alike, and represent diverse styles within science fiction—from literary explorations to space opera to humorous takes on the genre.