Answer Details

If you’re looking for **recent, well-reviewed science fiction novels** to suggest to your friend, here are **five strong picks** (all published in the last ~2-3 years) that pull different directions, so you can pick based on what your friend might prefer. I’ll be the doubter too: none are perfect, but they’re among the most interesting right now. --- ### 1. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024)       **Why pick it:** This one is high-concept: a biologist rebel against an authoritarian Earth regime is exiled to a labor-camp on a bizarre alien world, “Kiln”. It received very strong notices for its world-building, alien ecology, and political edge. ([Wikipedia][1]) **Caveats:** Some reviewers felt that while the world was compelling, the character dynamics and revolutionary narrative were less fresh. ([Tar Vol on][2]) **Verdict:** Good choice if your friend likes weird-alien worlds + political speculative SF. --- ### 2. The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing‑Giwa (2023)       **Why pick it:** A debut novel, noted for multi-cultural space-opera setting, intrigue, colonialism themes. It won the 2024 Compton Crook Award and earned starred reviews. ([Wikipedia][3]) **Caveats:** Some readers found the story promising but under-realised in parts (saying it was “solid but not spectacular”). ([The BiblioSanctum][4]) **Verdict:** Great if they appreciate new authors + social/colonial themes in SF. --- ### 3. All That We See Or Seem by Ken Liu (2025)       **Why pick it:** From a strong author of speculative fiction. The premise is a near-future techno-thriller: a former teenage hacker, AI, “vivid dreaming” tech, disappearance of an artist, etc. The review roundup flagged it as “one of the best science-fiction books of the year.” ([The Guardian][5]) **Caveats:** Some readers felt it didn’t live up to Ken Liu’s best previous work and found characters or pacing weaker. > “It’s legitimately a bad book… it doesn’t feel like it was written by Ken Liu.” ([Reddit][6]) **Verdict:** Good pick if your friend is okay with “strong name + interesting idea” even if it may be uneven. --- ### 4. Machine Vendetta by Alastair Reynolds (2024)       **Why pick it:** For fans of space-opera/hard SF. It’s part of the author’s bigger “Revelation Space” universe, reviewed by major outlets (e.g., starred review in Publishers Weekly). ([Wikipedia][7]) **Caveats:** Because it is part of a larger universe, a new reader might feel some back-reference baggage or complexity. **Verdict:** Best for someone who enjoys big scope, complex SF universes. --- ### 5. When There Are Wolves Again by E.J. Swift (2025)       **Why pick it:** More character-driven, climate/eco speculative SF: Two women shaped by major events (COVID lockdowns & Chernobyl) become climate activists, set to meet in 2070. Reviewers call it “evocative, beautifully written, and an argument for rewilding.” ([The Guardian][5]) **Caveats:** Less “hard SF” and more “near-future / speculative” — if your friend wants aliens and starships, this might feel more grounded. **Verdict:** A strong choice if they lean toward socially-aware, character-rich speculative fiction. --- ### Summary & Recommendation * If your friend loves **alien weirdness + big ideas**, go with *Alien Clay*. * If they like **new voices + political space opera**, try *The Splinter in the Sky*. * If they enjoy **near-future tech thrillers** and a known author, pick *All That We See Or Seem*. * If they’re into **hard space opera/universes**, *Machine Vendetta* is solid. * If they prefer **character + climate-speculative** stories, *When There Are Wolves Again* is a standout. If you like, I can pull **10 more** recent sci-fi novels (2023-2025) with mini-descriptions, so you have a longer list to choose from. Would you like that? [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Clay?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Alien Clay" [2]: https://www.tarvolon.com/2024/09/02/sci-fi-novel-review-alien-clay-by-adrian-tchaikovsky/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Sci-fi Novel Review: Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky" [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Splinter_in_the_Sky?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Splinter in the Sky" [4]: https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/07/28/book-review-the-splinter-in-the-sky-by-kemi-ashing-giwa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Book Review: The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa" [5]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/oct/10/the-best-recent-science-fiction-fantasy-and-horror-review-roundup?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup" [6]: https://www.reddit.com/r/printSF/comments/1oadshx/ken_liu_new_novel_all_that_we_see_or_seem/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ken Liu new novel All That We See or Seem : r/printSF" [7]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_Vendetta?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Machine Vendetta"