Answer Details

I'll search for highly-reviewed science fiction novels published recently to give you the best current recommendations.Based on recent reviews and awards, here are some excellent science fiction novels to recommend to your friend: ## Top Recent Picks: **The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley** (2024) This debut novel combines time-travel romance with workplace comedy, roommate drama, espionage, and temporal physics. It's been highly praised and was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist. **The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett** (2024) This was one of the most anticipated releases of 2024 and features mystery elements alongside its sci-fi worldbuilding. **In Ascension by Martin MacInnes** (2024) This novel explores themes of wonder and awe through humanity's existence and movements and has been described as "glorious." **Translation State by Ann Leckie** (2024) From the author of the Imperial Radch series, this novel features compelling worldbuilding where small details have extraordinary significance on larger scales. **The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang** (2024 Nebula Nominee) This Hugo Award winner combines martial-arts epic, heist story, and resistance tale, written with effortless clarity and breathless pacing by a Hollywood stunt performer. **The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson** (2024) A follow-up focusing on themes of literacy and resilience. These books offer diverse subgenres—from time travel to space opera to climate fiction—so there should be something that matches your friend's particular interests!