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For a friend looking for highly-reviewed, recently published science fiction novels, consider these standout titles from 2023 and 2024, many of which are award winners or nominees. Award-winning and critically acclaimed novels 2024 Hugo Award Nominees Translation State by Ann Leckie (2023): From the acclaimed author of the "Imperial Radch" series, this space opera explores themes of identity and belonging as a young human searches for their origins. Starter Villain by John Scalzi (2023): A humorous story about a man who unexpectedly inherits a supervillain enterprise, complete with a volcano lair and talking cats. The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera (2023): This fantasy-infused novel follows a detective who investigates a secret society in a world full of machine gods. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (2023): A queer space opera about a young woman raised to fight a hopeless war, who must re-evaluate everything she knows to save humanity. 2024 Arthur C. Clarke Award Shortlist In Ascension by Martin MacInnes (2023): The winner of the 2024 award, this novel explores environmental themes through the story of a biologist who travels to the deep sea and then space, where she confronts her past. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (2023): A dystopian novel about a televised, for-profit gladiator-style combat system within the prison industrial complex. 2023 Nebula Award Winner The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera (2023): A Nebula Award winner in addition to its Hugo nomination, making it a highly decorated and recommended title. Other standout releases from 2023–2024 From authors with strong reputations Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024): The prolific and award-winning author offers a new perspective on humanity with a book that follows a robotic servant's journey in a world without humans. The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey (2024): A fresh entry from the authors of The Expanse series, this space opera delivers new adventures and galactic conflicts. System Collapse by Martha Wells (2023): The latest installment in the fan-favorite "Murderbot Diaries" series sees the socially awkward security construct facing new challenges. For diverse genre blends and themes The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler (2023): Nominated for a Nebula Award, this novel investigates first contact with a newly discovered sentient species of octopus, exploring themes of consciousness and communication. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024): A witty and romantic time-travel novel about a civil servant from the near future who falls in love with a Victorian-era explorer. Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase (2024): An immersive cyberpunk story set in a Botswana of the future, involving virtual reality, corporate power, and body autonomy. The Book of Love by Kelly Link (2024): From a renowned author of fantasy and short stories, this ambitious novel weaves together multiple characters and mythologies into a single, intricate narrative.