Answer Details

1. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) 6 Why it stands out: Set on a brutal exoplanet called Kiln where humans are sent into a labour/prison-camp under a fascist regime. Wikipedia +2 BookBrowse.com +2 Reviews praise its inventiveness, alien ecology, and sharp social commentary: e.g., Kirkus calls it “a savagely satirical take on the consequences of repressive doctrine and the power of collective action.” Kirkus Reviews +1 It’s been nominated for major awards and confirms Tchaikovsky’s place as a modern master of SF. BookBrowse.com Good for: Someone who likes strange-alien-world settings + big ideas about power and resistance. Note: It’s fairly heavy on world-building and speculative biology. 2. The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey (2024) 6 Why it stands out: This is the first book in the “The Captive’s War” trilogy and follows humanity under alien conquest on the planet Anjiin. Wikipedia +2 PublishersWeekly.com +2 Professional reviews are strong: Publishers Weekly calls it “masterful … space opera at its best.” PublishersWeekly.com +1 It has a wide scope (alien empires, human survival, biology-inspired aliens) but also personal stakes. Kirkus Reviews +1 Good for: Someone who enjoys expansive space opera, aliens, epic stakes and series potential. Note: Because it’s the first in a new trilogy, there may be appetite for reading further. 3. The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing‑Giwa (2023) 6 Why it stands out: A debut novel (published 2023) that earned starred reviews and won the 2024 Compton Crook Award. Wikipedia +1 It blends espionage, politics, empire and identity through the story of Enitan who becomes embroiled in inter-planetary intrigue under conquest. Lightspeed Magazine +1 Good for: Someone who wants something a bit newer and socially conscious in their sci-fi — especially around empire, identity, colonialism. Note: It may feel lighter in scale compared to grand space operas, but it has strong promise. If you like, I can pull together 8-10 more recent titles (2023-2025) with brief summaries and reviewers’ comments — would that be helpful?