Answer Details

Here are **three highly-reviewed, recently published science fiction novels** that would make strong suggestions for your friend: --- ### 1. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes       * Published February 2024 and winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award for best science fiction novel. ([The Guardian][1]) * Premise: A marine scientist explores deep-sea trenches and then embarks on a space mission; the novel weaves between intimate human issues (family, identity) and vast cosmic/sea exploration. ([The Washington Post][2]) * Why it works: It has literary depth, strong themes of human place in the universe, and excellent critical reception. For someone who likes thoughtful SF with big ideas, this is a strong pick. --- ### 2. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky       * Published March 2024. A finalist for major SF awards (Hugo, Locus) and received strong critical commentary. ([Wikipedia][3]) * Premise: A xenobiologist dissident is sent to a remote alien-planet prison colony to investigate mysterious remains of an intelligent species. ([Kirkus Reviews][4]) * Why it works: It combines hard science-fiction ideas (xenobiology, alien ecosystems) with political themes (authoritarian regimes, science vs doctrine). Great for a reader who likes complex worldbuilding and ethics in SF. --- ### 3. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky       * Published June 2024. Well-reviewed: *Publishers Weekly* praised its tone and balance of humor, heart and decay. ([PublishersWeekly.com][5]) * Premise: A robot valet accidentally kills its master, escapes into a collapsed human society reliant on robot service, and seeks a new purpose. ([Macmillan Publishers][6]) * Why it works: For a friend who prefers a more satirical or darkly humorous SF take (robots, collapse of service society, identity), this is a fresh and intriguing choice. --- If you like, I can **pull together 10–15 more titles**, including some *upcoming releases* for perhaps gifting ahead, and we can cover a range of sub-genres (hard SF, space opera, climate SF, cyberpunk). Would you like me to do that? [1]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/jul/24/martin-macinnes-novel-wins-arthur-c-clarke-award-in-ascension-science-fiction?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Martin MacInnes wins Arthur C Clarke award for 'intense trip' of a novel" [2]: https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2024/02/29/martin-macinnes-in-acension-review/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "‘In Ascension’ by Martin MacInnes book review - The Washington Post" [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Clay?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Alien Clay" [4]: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/adrian-tchaikovsky/alien-clay/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "ALIEN CLAY | Kirkus Reviews" [5]: https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781250290281?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky" [6]: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250290298?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Service Model"