Answer Details

If you’re looking for **recent, highly‑reviewed science fiction novels** to recommend to a friend, here are five strong picks (all published within the last ~2 years) across a variety of styles and tones. I’ve included a short blurb for each to help you pick what might suit your friend’s tastes best. --- ### 1. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes       * Published in 2024. * It follows a marine biologist who investigates an ocean trench in the Atlantic, then transitions to deep‑space missions — so it bridges deep‑sea exploration and cosmic scope. ([Kirkus Reviews][1]) * Critics praised it for the atmospheric detail and its blending of the personal and the cosmic: “richly atmospheric, full of brilliantly evoked detail… capturing a numinous, vatic strangeness.” ([The Guardian][2]) * Ideal for someone who enjoys **literary sci‑fi**, big ideas about humanity’s place in the universe, thoughtful pacing over non‑stop action. --- ### 2. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh       * Published in 2023, and won the 2024 Hugo Award for Best Novel. ([Wikipedia][3]) * Premise: Earth was destroyed in a galactic war; humans who survived integrate with alien species but some survive on a separatist station. Themes of identity, survival, cultural contact. ([Wikipedia][3]) * Good for someone who likes **space opera with emotional depth**, alien‑human interaction, and high stakes. --- ### 3. The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing‑Giwa       * Debut novel (2023) by a young author, already starred in many reviews. ([Wikipedia][4]) * Received **starred reviews** from major outlets and won the 2024 Compton Crook Award. ([Wikipedia][4]) * Theme: tackles issues of cultural divides, colonialism, bigotry, through a sci‑fi lens. * Great pick for someone who likes **thought‑provoking social sci‑fi**, with emerging voices and meaningful themes. --- ### 4. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley       * Debut novel by Bradley (2024). A mix of **time‑travel, romance, thriller**, near‑future setting. ([Best New Authors][5]) * Reviewers highlight its emotional core, political undercurrents (identity, heritage, displacement) and quirky tone. ([The Washington Post][6]) * Best for someone who enjoys **genre‑blending sci‑fi** (not just hard science), with emotional stakes and a bit of fun. --- ### 5. Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini       * Published May 2023. ([Kirkus Reviews][7]) * Plot: a crew investigates a mysterious circular hole on alien planet Talos VII; underlying grief‑drama in the mix. ([Kirkus Reviews][7]) * Kirkus called it “tense and gripping;” Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review for smart world‑building and stakes. ([PublishersWeekly.com][8]) * Note: Some readers felt the pacing was uneven or the emotional tone very heavy. ([Reddit][9]) * Best for someone who likes **harder sci‑fi or first contact narratives**, with psychological depth and alien mystery. --- ### How To Choose for Your Friend Here’s a quick cheat‑sheet: * If they like **big scope, literary style** → go with *In Ascension*. * If they prefer **epic space opera + aliens + survival** → *Some Desperate Glory*. * If they appreciate **social themes + a fresh voice** → *The Splinter in the Sky*. * If they enjoy **time‑travel, romance, spy/genre mash‑ups** → *The Ministry of Time*. * If they tend toward **hard sci‑fi, alien artefacts, mystery + psychological stakes** → *Fractal Noise*. --- If you like, I can pull together **10–15 more titles** (including some upcoming 2025 releases) with a *broader* range of style (cyberpunk, climate‑sci‑fi, AI‑driven etc.). Would you like that? [1]: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/martin-macinnes/in-ascension-macinnes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "IN ASCENSION | Kirkus Reviews" [2]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/jul/24/martin-macinnes-novel-wins-arthur-c-clarke-award-in-ascension-science-fiction?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Martin MacInnes wins Arthur C Clarke award for 'intense trip' of a novel" [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Desperate_Glory_%28novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Some Desperate Glory (novel)" [4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Splinter_in_the_Sky?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Splinter in the Sky" [5]: https://www.bestnewauthors.com/post/review-the-ministry-of-time?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Review: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley" [6]: https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2024/05/03/ministry-of-time-kaliane-bradley-book-review/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "‘The Ministry of Time’ by Kaliane Bradley book review - The Washington Post" [7]: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/christopher-paolini/fractal-noise/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "FRACTAL NOISE | Kirkus Reviews" [8]: https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781250862488?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Fractal Noise: A Fractalverse Novel by Christopher Paolini" [9]: https://www.reddit.com/r/printSF/comments/140o3kc?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Fractal Noise\" is a miserable slog [Spoilers]"