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Here are five highly-reviewed and recently published science fiction novels (from 2024–2025) that could make great suggestions for your friend. I’ll include a short synopsis and why each is worth checking out. 1. When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi (2025) <images removed> Why it’s good: • The premise is delightfully absurd: the moon inexplicably turns into cheese (or a cheese-like substance), and humanity has to cope. • Critics gave it strong praise: for example, a Kirkus starred review called it “a ridiculous concept imbued with gravity, charm, humor, plausible cynicism, and pathos.” • It offers a fun mix of social satire and speculative weirdness: “chock-full of Scalzi’s trademark humor … readers … are going to be rolling on the floor laughing” according to Library Journal. • If your friend enjoys something lighter, comedic, and inventive in the sci-fi space, this is a strong pick. Good to know: • The tone is humorous and absurd, so if your friend prefers ultra-serious hard science fiction they might find it a bit off-beat. • It has many characters and vignettes exploring different responses to the moon-cheese event. 2. Infinite Archive by Mur Lafferty (2025) <images removed> Why it’s good: • Part of a sci-fi mystery series (the Midsolar Murders), featuring detective/author Mallory Viridian on space station Eternity. • The Library Journal review notes its “fast pace” and that it “still leaves room for continuing character subplots and snappy dialogue.” • If your friend enjoys a blend of sci-fi setting + mystery/detective work, this one appeals to both genres. Good to know: • Being the third in the series, there may be details or cameo threads from earlier books (though reviews suggest it’s accessible). • It leans more towards entertainment than deep speculative science, so if your friend wants heavy “hard sci-fi,” keep that in mind. 3. Alliance Unbound by C. J. Cherryh & Jane S. Fancher (2024) <images removed> Why it’s good: • Set in Cherryh’s established Alliance-Union universe—a richly imagined space-opera setting with politics, corporate intrigue, and interstellar travel. • The synopsis highlights: “With deft prose and complex characters… thought-provoking science fiction that shrewdly examines technological and sociopolitical challenges of humanity’s journey to the stars.” • This one appeals to readers who like more serious, classic space-opera. Good to know: • Because it’s part of a larger universe/series, some familiarity with the setting might enhance the experience (though many reviewers say it also works standalone). • More weighty and less comedic than the first two picks. 4. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024) <images removed> Why it’s good: • A debut novel blending science fiction and romance, with a time-travel agency and “expats” who travel through time. • The unique blend of genre elements (time-travel + romance) offers something different for a sci-fi reader who may want a shift from purely space-opera or tech-drama. • Strong reviews (e.g., Kirkus) and noted as one of the standout new sci-fi releases of 2024. Good to know: • If your friend prefers purely hard-sci-fi with minimal romance, this book might lean more into emotional/relational aspects. • It may have fewer major interstellar battles and more personal/time-drama. 5. Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini (2024) <images removed> Why it’s good: • Though known for fantasy, Paolini’s foray into science fiction is notable: Fractal Noise is described as “on the planet Talos VII … a vast circular pit … could only have been the result of conscious design” and involves a xenobiologist’s expedition. • For readers who like something in between hard sci-fi and mystery/exploration, this offers new terrain. Good to know: • As a newer departure by the author into sci-fi, it may have mixed responses from longtime readers. • If your friend is strictly about “serious” sci-fi and less concerned with author-brand experiments, this is more a wild card. 🎯 My Recommendation Strategy • For fans of humor / fun high-concept: Go with When the Moon Hits Your Eye. • For mystery + sci-fi: Try Infinite Archive. • For serious space-opera and politics: Alliance Unbound. • For something genre-blending (time-travel + romance): The Ministry of Time. • For a fresh sci-fi exploration by a fantasy author: Fractal Noise. If you like, I can pull together 10 or 15 more recent sci-fi novels (2023-2025) with a variety of styles (hard sci-fi, dystopia, climate-fiction, etc.), along with reader ratings and links. Would you like that?