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Some of the most highly-reviewed and recently published science fiction novels include award winners and popular hits from the past few years. Recently published and acclaimed The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024) A 21st-century civil servant is recruited to a secret government project to rescue "expats" from different historical eras before they die and bring them to the present. This speculative time-travel novel explores themes of history, colonialism, and identity. The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera (2023) The winner of the 2023 Nebula Award for Best Novel, this book follows a man from a remote cult who travels to the city of Luriat to find and kill his sorcerous father. It combines elements of fantasy and sci-fi with themes of politics, identity, and mythology. System Collapse by Martha Wells (2023) The seventh and most recent installment in the popular Murderbot Diaries series, this novel continues the story of a socially awkward and self-aware security android. The series is known for its action-packed plots and witty narration. Translation State by Ann Leckie (2023) A nominee for the 2024 Hugo Award and 2023 Nebula Award, this novel is set in the same universe as Leckie's acclaimed Imperial Radch trilogy. It follows a non-binary character named Qven who is tasked with investigating the disappearance of a pair of ancient, respected aliens. The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler (2022) In this highly-reviewed sci-fi thriller, a marine biologist is recruited by a large tech corporation to study a newly-discovered species of hyper-intelligent octopuses. The novel delves into topics of consciousness, communication, and environmental stewardship. Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel (2022) A finalist for the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards, this novel is a multi-generational, time-traveling story with overlapping characters and themes. It deals with interconnectedness, pandemics, and the very nature of reality. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2022) The author of The Martian delivered another bestseller with this hard sci-fi novel about an astronaut who wakes up with amnesia on a spaceship. He must rely on his scientific knowledge to complete his mission and save Earth from a climate catastrophe. A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine (2021) This sequel to A Memory Called Empire won the 2022 Hugo Award for Best Novel. The book continues to explore themes of identity, diplomacy, and empire-building through its intricate, character-driven plot. Notable 2024 releases I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger This adventure follows a man in a bleak, near-future world who travels by boat up the Great Lakes after the disappearance of his wife. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky Set in a post-human world, this novel follows a semi-sentient, non-human butler as he tries to complete a series of seemingly arbitrary tasks. The story is a thoughtful exploration of artificial intelligence and servitude. The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey This space opera is a new series from the co-authors of The Expanse. It involves a high-stakes interstellar war and a captivating mystery.