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Some of the most highly-reviewed and recently published science fiction novels from 2023–2025 include award winners and critic favorites like Some Desperate Glory, The Ministry of Time, and Service Model. These recommendations feature a range of styles, from space opera and cozy mystery to climate fiction and dystopia. 2025 releases The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville: An 80,000-year-old warrior with superhuman strength grapples with loneliness in this surreal tale from an unexpected pairing. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky: Following the disappearance of humans, a "service model" robot goes on a bizarre and existential journey to find purpose. Private Rites by Julia Armfield: A strange, otherworldly story with a compelling narrative that has earned critical praise. Extremophile by Ian Green: This highly-rated novel is another strong contender for recent sci-fi awards. 2024 releases The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley: A charming time-travel romance follows a civil servant tasked with integrating "chrononauts" rescued from the past into modern-day London. It is a Goodreads Choice Award nominee. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky: Another acclaimed work from a prolific author, this features a story with an extraterrestrial setting that has been well-received by readers. The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler: A story that explores communication with a sentient species of octopus, it was also shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah: A dystopian novel set in a future U.S. where incarcerated people battle gladiator-style for freedom. It was a nominee for the 2024 Hugo Award and won the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2023. 2023 releases Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh: In this queer space opera, the last remnants of humanity on a military station plan to exact revenge on the aliens who destroyed Earth. The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz: Spanning centuries, this novel follows a team working to terraform a planet who unearth its buried history. Starter Villain by John Scalzi: A fun, accessible novel about a man who inherits a supervillain empire with all its attendant quirky perks and deadly threats. Translation State by Ann Leckie: Set in the complex and imaginative Imperial Radch universe, this is a highly rated space opera with empathetic characters. The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older: A cozy, sapphic Holmesian mystery set on a human refugee colony orbiting a gas giant.