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I'll search for highly-reviewed recent science fiction novels to give you current recommendations.best science fiction novels 2024 2025 reviews10 resultsMy 2024 in Review (Best Science Fiction Novels and Short Fiction, Articles/Podcasts, Reading Initiatives, and Bonus Categories) | Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminationssciencefictionruminations.comReaders' Favorite Science Fiction 2024 — Goodreads Choice Awardsgoodreads.comLiterary Hub » 17 of the Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Books of 2024lithub.comThe best fantasy, horror, and Sci-fi books of 2024 - Grimdark Magazinegrimdarkmagazine.comThe best science fiction & fantasy books of 2024 | Mediummedium.comCan't Wait Sci-Fi/Fantasy of 2024 (492 books)goodreads.comScience Fiction Favourites (Updated 2024)thefictionfox.comThe 10 Best Science Fiction Books of 2024bookriot.comThe 30 Best Sci-Fi Books of 2024esquire.comAnticipated Science Fiction & Fantasy Books of Summer 2025 | Penguin Random Housepenguinrandomhouse.comBased on my search of recent highly-reviewed science fiction novels, here are some excellent recommendations for your friend: Top Picks from 2024: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Goodreads - This debut novel playfully blends time-travel romance with workplace comedy, roommate drama, espionage, and temporal physics Goodreads. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards favorite. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes Esquire - Described as glorious by Esquire's best-of list, this appears to be a profound exploration of human existence and wonder. The Actual Star by Malka Older Esquire - Opens with the idea "There are other ways to live" and explores different ways humans might exist together Esquire. Lake of Souls by Ann Leckie Esquire - This collection includes both the titular novelette about a sentient crustacean seeking answers about its world, and "She Commands Me and I Obey," depicting political turmoil through a young monk's eyes Esquire. Archivist Wasp by Andrea Hairston Esquire - Features former coder Cinnamon Jones running a festival with help from AI trained on ancestral memories, demonstrating that science fiction encompasses the technology of living and community Esquire. For Different Tastes: For feminist cyberpunk: A dark novel examining African society through Nelah, who lives in a borrowed body and must unravel a deadly mystery BOOK RIOT For big ideas: The Ferryman by Justin Cronin, full of twists and thought-provoking concepts Medium For character-driven stories: Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky, the third in his acclaimed series Medium These books range from intimate character studies to galaxy-spanning adventures, with strong themes about humanity, community, and imagining different futures.