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Here are 5 highly-reviewed, recently published science fiction novels that would make fantastic suggestions for your friend: ⸻ 1. The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing‑Giwa (2023) Why it stands out: • A debut space-opera novel set in an occupied moon-nation, with rich themes of colonialism, identity, resistance, and political intrigue.  • Received starred reviews and won the 2024 Compton Crook Award.  • Strong crossover appeal: it mixes space setting with emotional human stakes and fresh world-building. Good for your friend if they like: layered world-building, politically charged sci-fi, strong characters in oppressed systems. ⸻ 2. The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei (2024) Why it stands out: • A thrilling space-adventure/heist novel: a former art thief, an alien species in peril, a universe-spanning chase.  • Very well received: starred reviews from e.g. Kirkus, nominated for multiple awards.  • Explores serious themes (personhood, cross-cultural ethics) while maintaining pace and excitement.  Good for your friend if they like: space opera with action, heist-style plotting, moral complexity. ⸻ 3. Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini (2023) Why it stands out: • Set in his “Fractalverse”, it’s a harder-sci-fi tale about an alien artifact and psychological pressure on a survey team.  • Reviewers describe it as “tense and gripping”.  • Good for someone who wants something more serious, introspective, with cosmic stakes. Caveat: It has mixed feedback from readers — some love the character depth; others found the pace slow or tonal shifts strange. (See reddit discussion.)  If your friend enjoys harder sci-fi and isn’t deterred by some unevenness, this is a solid pick. ⸻ 4. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (2023) Why it stands out: • Won the 2024 Hugo Award for Best Novel.  • Big ideas: aftermath of an alien war, human integration with alien species, survival and identity.  • Excellent for someone interested in sweeping space-epic concepts and emotional resonance. ⸻ 5. Machine Vendetta by Alastair Reynolds (2024) Why it stands out: • A return to Reynolds’ established “Revelation Space” universe; final part of the Prefect/Dreyfus trilogy.  • Received starred review in Publishers Weekly.  • For a reader who enjoys mature, well-crafted hard sci-fi with grand scope and refined style. ⸻ Quick summary table Book Best suited for Publication Year The Splinter in the Sky Intrigue + social themes in space 2023 The Stardust Grail High-adventure space heist with moral depth 2024 Fractal Noise Harder sci-fi, psychological sci-fi elements 2023 Some Desperate Glory Epic space war aftermath, big ideas 2023 Machine Vendetta Fans of series and mature hard sci-fi 2024 ⸻ If you like, I can pull together 10 more (so you’ve got a list of ~15) across different sci-fi sub-genres (dystopian, cyberpunk, alien first-contact, near-future) with recent publication dates and strong reviews. Would you like me to do that?