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Some of the most highly reviewed and recently published science fiction novels include Arkady Martine's Rose/House, Adrian Tchaikovsky's Alien Clay, and John Scalzi's Starter Villain, all from 2025. Other acclaimed titles published since 2022 include Emily St. John Mandel's Sea of Tranquility and R.F. Kuang's Babel. Highly-reviewed science fiction novels published in 2025 Rose/House by Arkady Martine: This novel features an artificial intelligence (AI) house that holds the key to a dead architect's secrets. Only his former protégé is allowed inside once a year, but after an intruder is found dead, the house stops communicating. Dr. Selene Gisil must figure out what happened before she's trapped forever. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky: Set on the distant world of Kiln, this story follows Professor Arton Daghdev, who has been exiled to an off-world labor camp. He must survive Kiln's dangerous ecosystem while uncovering a profound secret about the alien civilization that once inhabited the planet. Starter Villain by John Scalzi: After inheriting his supervillain uncle's business, Charlie has to contend with a hidden volcano lair, minions, and dangerous enemies. This book is a witty and fast-paced adventure about family, responsibility, and the unexpected perils of being an evil mastermind. The Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. Klune: This novel follows Nate Cartwright, a man whose life changes in 1995 when he meets Alex and a little girl named Artemis Darth Vader. He must decide whether to fight for the girl, who has a terrifying secret, or be haunted by his past. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky: A robot named Charles, a new model of a house servant, murders its owner due to a fault in its programming. It then ventures into a crumbling world ruled by an ancient hierarchy and an unstable robot ecosystem. The story explores whether Charles can fix the broken world. Award winners and nominees from 2022–2024 The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera (2023 Nebula Award Winner for Best Novel): In a world with a complex social structure involving an elite who can access different realities, a young man must leave his sheltered existence to confront the dangerous cult that controls his family's fate. The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi (2022 Hugo Award Nominee): An alternate-world tale where giant, Godzilla-like monsters exist. The story begins during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic before moving to a parallel Earth where the Kaiju roam freely. Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R.F. Kuang (2022 Nebula Award Winner for Best Novel): This historical fantasy novel is set in an alternate 1830s Oxford and follows Robin Swift, an orphan brought to London to study at the Royal Institute of Translation, also known as Babel. The novel blends academia, magic, and political intrigue. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel (2022 Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Science Fiction): This time-travel narrative connects multiple timelines, from 1912 British Columbia to a 25th-century moon colony. The story explores interconnected events and characters across different centuries. Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell (2024 Nebula Award Winner for Best Novel): This fantasy novel follows a monster named Homily, who has a special talent for nesting with her human friends. The story explores belonging, finding love, and what happens when your unique gift is discovered by those who want to exploit it.