Answer Details

Here are three highly-reviewed, recently published science-fiction novels you can confidently suggest — each offering something distinct in tone and theme: --- ### 1. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes (2023/2024) Set largely in the near future, this novel follows a marine biologist who moves from deep-sea exploration into space travel, probing the origins of life and humanity’s place in the cosmos. ([Grove Atlantic][1]) It has garnered strong acclaim for blending literary depth with hard science-fiction scope: for example, it won the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award for best sci-fi novel. ([The Guardian][2]) **Why suggest it?** It’s thoughtful, ambitious, and immersive — great for a friend who enjoys rich world-building and big ideas. --- ### 2. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) This novel drops you into a bleak, authoritarian regime on Earth that sends dissidents to a bizarre alien planet—one with its own radically different ecosystem—where the protagonist must survive and uncover hidden truths. ([Wikipedia][3]) Reviews praise its striking alien-world design, political tension, and speculative scope. ([Tar Vol on][4]) **Why suggest it?** For a friend who likes more action, alien-biological weirdness, and dark speculative themes. --- ### 3. Dissolution by Nicholas Binge (2025) A newer release, this novel explores memory, identity, and time: a man’s Alzheimer’s-like condition turns out to be something far stranger, and the narrative weaves between multiple perspectives and decades. ([Wikipedia][5]) It’s been described as “a mind-blowing science-fiction novel that plumbs the edges of memory and time.” ([Wikipedia][5]) **Why suggest it?** If your friend enjoys cerebral thrillers that bend reality and science-fiction conventions, this is a strong pick. --- If you like, I can pull together **5–10** recent sci-fi novels (2023-2025) with short blurbs and links so you can offer your friend a broader list. Would you like that? [1]: https://groveatlantic.com/book/in-ascension/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "In Ascension" [2]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/jul/24/martin-macinnes-novel-wins-arthur-c-clarke-award-in-ascension-science-fiction?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Martin MacInnes wins Arthur C Clarke award for 'intense trip' of a novel" [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Clay?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Alien Clay" [4]: 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" [5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_%28Binge_novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Dissolution (Binge novel)"