Answer Details

Here are **five highly-reviewed and recently published science-fiction novels** that would make excellent suggestions for your friend. If you tell me more about the type of SF your friend enjoys (hard sci-fi, space opera, dystopia, social speculative, etc.) I can tailor further picks. --- ### 1. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (UK/US, 2024)       **Why it’s recommended:** * This novel won the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2025. ([The Guardian][1]) * It explores a near-future world where a robot companion (“Annie”) begins to become self-aware and questions the nature of her relationship with her human owner—raising themes of intimacy, power, autonomy and what it means to be human. ([Glamour][2]) * Reviewers mention that it’s both thought-provoking and emotionally sharp: > “This is an excellent science fiction novel … explores … very intelligently, and very movingly.” ([rrhorton.blogspot.com][3]) * Because of its theme and recent award, it’s both accessible and relevant. **Good if your friend likes:** AI, relationship-driven sci-fi, psychological/ethical speculation. --- ### 2. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (UK/US, 2024)       **Why it’s recommended:** * One of the “best science fiction books of 2025” according to several lists. ([Five Books][4]) * The novel combines time-travel, romance, and speculative social commentary: The narrator is a 21st-century civil servant in the UK who becomes a “bridge” to a 19th-century polar explorer who has been time-extracted. ([Wikipedia][5]) * Reviews highlight its wit and thematic richness: > “A bureaucrat in near-future London finds love with a Victorian Arctic explorer in a thrilling debut …” ([The Guardian][6]) * There’s a forthcoming TV adaptation in the works, which adds cultural buzz. ([Wikipedia][5]) **Good if your friend likes:** time travel, blending of genres (sci-fi + romance + thriller), cultural/social themes. --- ### 3. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (UK, 2024)       **Why it’s recommended:** * This is a bold speculative novel from a well-regarded author. ([Wikipedia][7]) * The story follows a robotic valet who murders his master, then journeys through the collapse of human society and the question of what a machine’s purpose is. ([Wikipedia][7]) * Reviewers call it “very contextually powerful”, “philosophical”, and interesting for what it says about automation, purpose and society. ([The Quill to Live][8]) **Good if your friend likes:** AI/robot perspectives, dystopia, philosophical sci-fi. --- ### 4. Dissolution by Nicholas Binge (2025)       **Why it’s recommended:** * A 2025 published novel that is already gathering strong critical response: it was described as “mind-blowing science-fiction” and compared to the works of Philip K. Dick. ([Wikipedia][9]) * The plot revolves around technology for memory erasure, time loops, and the fragility of identity and recollection. ([Wikipedia][9]) * It offers a mix of thriller, speculative tech, and emotional stakes. **Good if your friend likes:** mind-bending sci-fi, memory/time puzzles, thriller vibes. --- ### 5. Private Rites by Julia Armfield (2025)       **Why it’s recommended:** * Listed among the best sci-fi books of 2025. ([Five Books][4]) * Though published in 2025, it’s already getting attention for its near-future setting dealing with climate catastrophe and family dynamics. ([Five Books][4]) * It offers something a bit different—more of a literary speculative blend rather than pure space opera. **Good if your friend likes:** speculative near-future, climate themes, literary style in sci-fi. --- ### Final thoughts * All five picks are **recent** (2024-2025) and **well reviewed**. * If your friend prefers **hard science-based/space opera**, I can pull a few more specialized titles. * If they prefer **lighter or more adventure-oriented** SF, I can also curate from that side. Would you like me to compile **10 more** (including some upcoming 2025/2026 releases) with a broader spread of sub-genres? [1]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jun/25/arthur-c-clarke-science-fiction-award-annie-bot-sierra-greer?utm_source=chatgpt.com "'Intense' novel about robot abused by her boyfriend/owner wins Arthur C Clarke science fiction award" [2]: https://www.glamour.com/story/annie-bot-novel-what-happens-when-a-sex-robot-realizes-her-worth?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Annie Bot Is a Chillingly Prescient Novel That Asks What Happens When a Sex Robot Realizes Her Worth" [3]: https://rrhorton.blogspot.com/2025/03/review-annie-bot-by-sierra-greer.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Review: Annie Bot, by Sierra Greer" [4]: https://fivebooks.com/best-books/best-science-fiction-books-of-2025-andrew-m-butler/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Best Science Fiction Books of 2025" [5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_of_Time_%28novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Ministry of Time (novel)" [6]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/may/03/the-ministry-of-time-by-kaliane-bradley-review-a-seriously-fun-sci-fi-romcom?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley review" [7]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_Model?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Service Model" [8]: https://thequilltolive.com/2024/06/18/service-model-unplanned-obsolescence/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Service Model - Unplanned Obsolescence" [9]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_%28Binge_novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Dissolution (Binge novel)"