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For recent, highly-reviewed science fiction, here are some of the best novels from 2024 and 2025, according to literary awards, critics, and reader consensus. Highly recommended novels from 2025 Katabasis by R.F. Kuang Plot: R.F. Kuang's highly anticipated novel is an alternate history centered on a devastating volcanic eruption in 1925 that changed the course of world events. The story follows an assassin who learns of a horrifying secret tied to her family's past. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Plot: Shortlisted for the 2025 Arthur C. Clarke Award and named a top sci-fi novel by the New York Times, this book follows a 21st-century civil servant assigned to work with a "live-in" time traveler from the 19th century. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer Plot: This novel, a nominee for the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards, is a modern psychological thriller about a humanoid companion designed to serve her human owner. It explores themes of love, possession, and human nature. Extremophile by Ian Green Plot: This story explores humanity's efforts to survive on a hostile new world. Critics praised its deep world-building and challenging themes of adaptation and sacrifice. Highly recommended novels from 2024 Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh Plot: This is a 2024 Hugo Award winner and Arthur C. Clarke nominee, lauded for its queer themes and compelling plot. It is a coming-of-age space opera set in a distant future where a young protagonist, raised for war, finds her entire worldview upended. The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera Plot: Winner of the 2024 Nebula Award, this novel is an immersive work of fantasy-science fiction. It centers on a protagonist who must confront his mother's magical, cult-like machinations and his destiny to kill his own father. The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey Plot: This is the first book in The Captive's War series by the bestselling author of The Expanse. It is a tale of galactic empire, war, and political intrigue, which received high ratings from readers. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky Plot: An alien world is terraformed and colonized by humans, but its unique ecosystem has other plans. This novel from a celebrated sci-fi author was a highlight of 2024. Top-rated novels from recent years (2022–2023) Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2022) Plot: Written by the author of The Martian, this blockbuster novel follows an amnesiac astronaut who must race to save humanity from a celestial threat. It is a wildly popular and critically acclaimed book. The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler (2022) Plot: A finalist for the 2024 Arthur C. Clarke Award, this novel explores first contact with a sentient species of octopus. It is a meditative, thought-provoking novel on the nature of intelligence. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel (2022) Plot: A time-traveling science fiction novel about a writer on a book tour during a pandemic. It is a deeply-felt and introspective story, blending multiple genres. Network Effect and System Collapse by Martha Wells (2020, 2023) Plot: These are later books in the beloved Murderbot Diaries series, which follows a cynical, self-hacked human-robot security unit. Both were award-nominated and received high praise.