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Drawing from recent literary awards and highly-rated lists, here are some of the best and most talked-about science fiction novels published within the last few years. The recommendations cover a range of subgenres, from hard sci-fi to literary fiction with a speculative twist. Novels from 2025 The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. This acclaimed novel follows a civil servant who is tasked with assisting a time-traveler from the 19th century in acclimating to the modern world. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky. A standalone story from a prolific author in the genre, this book explores the role of artificial intelligence. Private Rites by Julia Armfield. Selected for multiple "best of 2025" lists, this novel is an immersive read that deals with the emotional fallout of an environmental crisis. When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi. The latest work from a beloved and award-winning sci-fi author, this new novel was released in March 2025. Novels from 2024 The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler. This book was shortlisted for the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award and explores the timely and thought-provoking topic of human-alien encounters. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. A dystopian novel and Arthur C. Clarke Award finalist, this book offers a gripping and harrowing commentary on society through the lens of a futuristic justice system. The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. A mix of murder mystery and science fiction, this was praised on Reddit's r/printSF as one of the year's standout titles. Translation State by Ann Leckie. Set in the same universe as Leckie's award-winning Imperial Radch series, this thought-provoking standalone novel about identity was nominated for several awards. Novels from 2023 The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz. This classic-style science fiction story examines the moral complexities of planetary colonization and indigenous life on a new world. Starter Villain by John Scalzi. Known for his accessible and entertaining style, Scalzi delivers a fun adventure with a unique premise involving a protagonist who inherits a supervillain's business. Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The third book in the Children of Time series, this installment offers a more intimate and character-driven story. The Will of the Many by James Islington. The start of a new series, this book was a popular and much-discussed fantasy-infused sci-fi read, drawing on tropes of a hierarchical society and "magical school" but executing them in a fresh way. All-time fan favorites These celebrated recent and ongoing series are great suggestions if you want to recommend a longer commitment. The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells: A beloved series of novels and novellas centered on a socially awkward human-robot construct. The Expanse by James S.A. Corey: A popular hard sci-fi series with a detailed and complex political storyline, which was also adapted into a TV show. Wayfarers by Becky Chambers: A quieter, character-focused space opera known for its empathetic stories and diverse alien species.