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Here are five standout science-fiction novels from recent years that have strong reviews and would make great recommendations for your friend. I’ve included a mix of styles so you can match their preferences. 1. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes (2023/2024) 6 Why it’s worth the pick: The novel follows a marine scientist who goes from exploring deep-sea trenches to being part of a space mission — bridging the very small and the very large in a thoughtful way. Reddit +3 Kirkus Reviews +3 The Washington Post +3 It’s highly praised for its ambitious scope and lyrical writing. For example: “I cannot stop thinking about this book… It is literary science fiction and so deeply moving.” Reddit It also won the Arthur C. Clarke Award for best science-fiction novel in 2024. The Guardian Consider if your friend likes: Big ideas, strong literary style, slower paced but rewarding reads. 2. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) 6 Why it’s worth the pick: This is a hard-SF / speculative novel about a biologist exiled to an alien planet, part of a repressive regime’s experiment. Reviewers highlight its strong alien ecology, political themes, and haunting atmosphere. Kirkus Reviews +1 It’s recognized as a finalist for major awards; it’s been singled out for how it uses alien life and authoritarian themes to ask deeper questions. Wikipedia Consider if your friend likes: Alien worlds, exploration of power & science, somewhat darker tone. 3. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024) 6 Why it’s worth the pick: A time-travel novel that blends elements of romance, thriller, and speculative sci-fi — set in near-future London with historical figures pulled through time. One review calls it: “50% sci-fi thriller and 50% rom-com… a love story between a disaffected civil servant… and a 19th-century naval officer.” The Guardian It also brings in themes of empire, cultural dislocation and climate change — layering in more than just plot. Best New Authors Consider if your friend likes: Genre-blending, time travel with heart, light but meaningful. 4. The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing‑Giwa (2023) 5 Why it’s worth the pick: A debut novel published in 2023, highly reviewed, with themes of colonialism, big space-concepts and a young author’s fresh voice. Wikipedia It won the Compton Crook Award in 2024 for best first novel in the genre. Wikipedia Consider if your friend likes: Emerging voices, space-faring futures with social commentary. 5. The Book of Love by Kelly Link (2024) 6 Why it’s worth the pick: Although blending fantasy & speculative elements, it made ‘best of sci-fi & fantasy’ lists, signalling strong cross-genre appeal. Wikipedia It explores a group of teens who vanish and return, with a magical competition between life and death: the premise offers something unusual and evocative. Wikipedia Consider if your friend likes: Speculative + emotional stories, magical realism, genre-bending. 🎯 Quick Recommendation Guide Here’s a simple way to choose based on your friend’s interest: Likes big scale, deep ideas, literary SF → In Ascension Prefers alien worlds + hard science + political undertones → Alien Clay Enjoys romance + time travel + fun speculative twist → The Ministry of Time Wants a fresh voice + space colony setting + social themes → The Splinter in the Sky More into magical realism or genre-hybrid with a heart → The Book of Love If you like, I can pull together 10 or even 15 recent sci-fi novels (from 2023-2025) with shorter blurbs, so you have a bigger list to choose from. Would that be helpful?