Answer Details

Some highly-reviewed, recently published science fiction novels include Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, and The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu. Other strong choices are A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine and The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal. For a newer series starter, consider Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse, #1) by James S.A. Corey. Individual novels Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: A lone astronaut wakes up with amnesia on a mission to save the world. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky: A classic sci-fi concept of terraforming meets evolutionary biology. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu: A novel about humanity's first contact with an alien civilization, which has been praised for its complexity and grand scale. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine: A space opera that explores themes of identity and memory. The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal: A novel about a female astronaut who becomes a star pilot in an alternate 1950s history. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch: A mind-bending thriller about a man who discovers a portal to alternate realities. Series starters Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse, #1) by James S.A. Corey: A gritty space opera set in a colonized solar system that blends noir and political intrigue. Red Rising (Red Rising Saga, #1) by Pierce Brown: A dystopian, Hunger Games-esque story set in a space-faring society. Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5) by Martha Wells: A social-awkward, and sometimes cynical, security android must protect its human clients.