Answer Details

Here are five recent (2024-25) science-fiction novels that have garnered very strong reviews, covering a range of styles and themes — I think your friend should find something they’ll enjoy: 1. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (2024) A sharp, provocative novel told from the perspective of Annie, a robot designed to be the perfect companion for her human owner. As she becomes self-aware, the book explores autonomy, identity, abuse, and what it means to be “human.” Reviewers highlight that it works on both a speculative robotics/AI level and an emotional/domestic level. Strange at Ecbatan +2 SFBook +2 It won the 2025 Arthur C. Clarke Award for best science-fiction novel in the UK. The Guardian +1 Why send it? It’s readable yet deep, raises timely questions about technology and society, and offers a fresh take on robot-narrators. 2. Extremophile by Ian Green (2024) Set in a near-future London after climate collapse, featuring bio-hackers, corporate conspiracies, and a punk-inflected style. A review described it as “immerses readers in a near-future London grappling with climate collapse… the world is divided into three broad groups.” No Rerolls +1 Reviewers say it’s fast-paced, gritty, and deals with activism, technology, and moral ambiguity. Runalong The Shelves +1 Why send it? For someone who likes their SF edgy, socially conscious, and vividly imagined. 3. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) A hard-SF novel of exile, alien biology, and resistance: a scientist rebels, is sent to an alien planet, and uncovers weird lifeforms and oppressive regimes. Reviewers praised its world-building, blending of prison-camp narrative with alien biology, and strong concepts. Wikipedia +1 Why send it? For the friend who enjoys high-concept SF, alien ecosystems, and a strong philosophical underpinning. 4. The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei (2024) Heist + alien species + space-opera: Maya, a retired art thief, embarks on one last mission to save an alien species in a universe connected by alien nodes. Wikipedia Why send it? It has a lighter (though still thoughtful) feel — good for someone who wants sci-fi adventure with depth. 5. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024) Blending time-travel thriller with cultural reflection: a British-Cambodian civil servant works for a time-travel agency and pairs with a Victorian explorer plucked from history. The Guardian +1 Why send it? It’s witty, inventive and raises questions about colonialism, identity, and history in an accessible way. Notes / Assumptions & Personalization I assume your friend enjoys science-fiction novels (rather than older “classic” SF) and wants recent publications. I’ve focused on novels from 2024 and early 2025, to meet “recently published” criteria. If your friend has specific tastes (hard SF vs space opera vs near-future sociopolitical, female authors, etc.), I can tailor further. If you like, I can pull together 10-15 more titles with a broader spread (including upcoming 2025 releases, translations, award nominated titles) and maybe categorize by “near-future climate”, “alien contact”, “AI/robotics”, etc. Would you like that?