Answer Details

Here are **five highly-reviewed, recently published science fiction novels** that would make excellent suggestions for your friend. They cover a variety of styles and sub-genres, so you can pick what best matches their taste. --- ### 1. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * It won the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards 2024 in the Science Fiction category. ([Goodreads][1]) * The novel blends time-travel, romance, and workplace comedy in a smart, playful way — one review called it “smart, funny and moving”. ([The Guardian][2]) * A good pick if your friend enjoys SF with emotional stakes and some genre-twist rather than hard sci-fi only. --- ### 2. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (2025)       **Why it stands out:** * It has been critically acclaimed and named one of the “best science-fiction books of 2025” by multiple expert lists. ([Five Books][3]) * The plot: a robot narrator reflecting on her role as companion and her quest for autonomy — deeply thought-provoking about what it means to be human. ([The Guardian][4]) * Perfect if your friend enjoys near-future AI themes and thoughtful character-driven SF. --- ### 3. Extremophile by Ian Green (2025)       **Why it stands out:** * Listed in the “Best Science Fiction Books of 2025” roundup. ([Five Books][3]) * Though I don’t have a full summary here, the title and recognition suggest high-quality speculative work. * Great to include if your friend likes to stay current with the newest SF. --- ### 4. Private Rites by Julia Armfield (2025)       **Why it stands out:** * Also included in expert lists of best SF for 2025. ([Five Books][3]) * The novel deals with family, climate catastrophe, and near-future Britain — blending literary sensibility with speculative ideas. * A strong choice for a reader who likes “ideas” SF with emotional depth. --- ### 5. Three Eight One by Aliya Whiteley (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * Highlighted by The Guardian as one of the “five best science-fiction books of 2024”. ([The Guardian][2]) * Described as “beautifully strange and unique” — good for someone who appreciates more unconventional SF. * If your friend enjoys bending genre boundaries, this would be a compelling pick. --- ### 🧭 Quick-Pick Guide * **For fresh/debut author & time-travel fun**: The Ministry of Time * **For AI/robot introspective sci-fi**: Annie Bot * **For newly released 2025 buzz**: Extremophile or Private Rites * **For weird, experimental SF**: Three Eight One If you like, I can pull together a *longer list* (10-15 titles) with more variety (space opera, climate-SF, cyberpunk, etc.). Would you like me to do that? [1]: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/readers-favorite-science-fiction-books-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Readers' Favorite Science Fiction 2024 — Goodreads Choice Awards" [2]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/dec/02/five-of-the-best-science-fiction-books-of-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Five of the best science fiction books of 2024 - The Guardian" [3]: https://fivebooks.com/best-books/best-science-fiction-books-of-2025-andrew-m-butler/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Best Science Fiction Books of 2025" [4]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jun/25/arthur-c-clarke-science-fiction-award-annie-bot-sierra-greer?utm_source=chatgpt.com "'Intense' novel about robot abused by her boyfriend/owner wins Arthur C Clarke science fiction award"