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Some of the most highly reviewed and recently published science fiction novels include award winners and critically acclaimed titles from 2023, 2024, and 2025. Best of 2025 (so far) The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley: This romantic comedy and time-travel novel follows a civil servant tasked with chaperoning a 19th-century Arctic explorer who has been plucked from his timeline. The book has been featured in The New York Times and shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky: In this novel, the final human on Earth commands a loyal but dysfunctional butler robot to help clean up the polluted planet. It was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and highly rated on Goodreads. Private Rites by Julia Armfield: A novel that addresses climate change through a surreal, satirical narrative. It has been highlighted by The New York Times and shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer: A novel exploring identity and humanity through the perspective of an advanced domestic android that learns about human flaws. Extremophile by Ian Green: The latest novel from the author of The Rot. It was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2025. Best of 2024 The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera: A fantasy/science fiction novel that won both the Nebula Award for Best Novel and the Ignyte Award in 2024. It follows a man who grew up in a cult as he investigates a new one. The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey: The start of a new space opera series, The Captive's War, from the acclaimed authors of The Expanse. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky: This novel explores the hostile ecosystem of an alien planet and the desperate decisions a convict is forced to make. It was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and included in Reddit reader polls. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes: An epic and intimate novel that follows a marine biologist on an expedition to the deep sea and beyond. It was a Booker Prize nominee and shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah: A gripping, dystopian thriller about a televised gladiatorial sport for incarcerated people that serves as a powerful commentary on the U.S. prison system. The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler: In this first-contact story with an ancient, highly intelligent species, a biologist studies a newly discovered octopus colony. It was a Hugo and Arthur C. Clarke Award nominee. Translation State by Ann Leckie: The latest space opera set in the award-winning Imperial Radch universe, exploring issues of identity, personhood, and culture. It was nominated for a Hugo and won the Locus Award for Best SF Novel. Best of 2023 The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz: Spanning thousands of years, this heartfelt sci-fi novel addresses climate change and explores concepts of personhood and capitalism. The Blue, Beautiful World by Karen Lord: A near-future, first-contact novel praised for its lyrical prose and exploration of humanity's past and future. It won the Locus Award for Best SF Novel. Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman: A satirical thriller set in a near future where corporations exploit endangered species. It won the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2023. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh: This queer space opera follows a young soldier trained for vengeance against the aliens who destroyed Earth. It was nominated for both Hugo and Nebula Awards. The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older: A charming sapphic sci-fi mystery in a cozy, Holmesian style, set on a refugee colony on Jupiter. In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune: This heartfelt science fiction adventure is a retelling of Pinocchio with robots.