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Drawing from recent "Best Of" lists and recommendations from science fiction reviewers, here are some of the best and most highly-reviewed science fiction novels published within the last few years. The books span different styles and subgenres, offering a variety of excellent choices for your friend. For fans of human-centric stories and exploration Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021). An astronaut wakes up from a coma with no memory of his identity or mission. He must piece together the past to save Earth from a cataclysmic event. This book is a hard sci-fi novel known for its clever scientific puzzles, suspense, and humor. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (2014). A "cozy sci-fi" novel following the crew of the Wayfarer, a ship punching wormholes through the galaxy. The story focuses on the interpersonal relationships of the multi-species crew as they embark on their journey. The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler (2022). A near-future story about a marine biologist and a humanoid android who attempt to communicate with a newly discovered species of intelligent octopuses. It's a thoughtful exploration of communication, artificial intelligence, and consciousness. For those who enjoy character-driven plots and unique premises The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024). A time-travel story that is also a romantic and literary historical sci-fi novel. A civil servant in a secret British agency is assigned to help a Victorian explorer adapt to the 21st century. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (2025). A dystopian novel that explores the fraught and complex relationships between humans and advanced androids, focusing on the story of a service model robot named Annie. Flux by Jinwoo Chong (2023). This story blends multiple genres to create a surreal and unsettling narrative about a young man whose past and reality are not what they seem, all tied to a retro TV series. For readers who like epic, adventurous sagas The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville (2025). An 80,000-year-old warrior known as B must face the demons of his past in a story that combines brutal action with themes of loneliness. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2025). From a prolific and acclaimed author, this recent release continues to showcase Tchaikovsky's skill with creating compelling stories about alien life and the human condition. Leviathan Falls by James S.A. Corey (2021). The final book in The Expanse series provides a dramatic conclusion to the long-running saga of humanity's expansion into the solar system and beyond. For fans of thoughtful and hard-hitting social commentary The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan (2022). This "soft sci-fi" novel explores the psychological aspects of a dystopian society where the state monitors mothers for any perceived parenting mistakes. The City Inside by Samit Basu (2022). A near-future tale set in a version of Delhi, following a "data detective" and a reality-show star as they deal with a future dominated by corporate power and surveillance capitalism. Upgrade by Blake Crouch (2022). A thriller exploring the ethical implications of genetic engineering. A man finds himself on the run after his DNA is altered, giving him superhuman mental abilities, and must outwit those who created him.