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Weiter zum Inhalt Du: I want to suggest some highly-reviewed, recently published science fiction novels to a friend. What are the best books I should send them? ChatGPT: Here are five highly-reviewed, recently published science-fiction novels you could suggest to your friend — each with a different flavour, so there’s something for varied tastes: 1. The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing‑Giwa (2023) https://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/book_images/onix/cvr9781668008485/the-splinter-in-the-sky-9781668008485_hr.jpg https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686761083l/62919382.jpg https://locusmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/kemi_ashing-giwa_Sept2022-scaled.jpg 6 A debut space-opera featuring a protagonist from a colonised moon who becomes embroiled in political intrigue and empire-scale machinations. Kirkus Reviews +2 PublishersWeekly.com +2 It has starred reviews (e.g., Publishers Weekly) and tackles themes of colonialism, cultural identity, and resistance. Barnes & Noble Very accessible, full of action plus thoughtful world-building — a good pick if your friend enjoys strong characters and big speculative settings. 2. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71b0jk5Jw1L._AC_UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81P3vTguRBL._AC_UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg https://mpd-biblio-authors.imgix.net/200055710.jpg?crop=faces&fit=crop&h=290&w=290 6 Set on a strange exoplanet “Kiln”, this novel centres on a biologist-dissident sent into exile to a brutal prison-colony planet. Longfellow Books +1 The novel has received excellent critical reception for its ambitious alien ecology, its political commentary, and its world-building. libraryjournal.com +1 If your friend likes harder sci-fi or worlds that feel very “other” and challenging, this is a strong pick. 3. Machine Vendetta by Alastair Reynolds (2024) https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81OnfyiPO5L._AC_UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81N9B755%2BmL._UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg https://images3.penguinrandomhouse.com/author/176409 6 Part of the renowned Revelation Space universe, this entry is from a veteran author known for deep space opera with large scope. Wikipedia Praised for being “starred” in Publishers Weekly and for its intricacy. Wikipedia Great choice if your friend enjoys epic space opera, big ideas, interstellar politics, and plenty of plot. 4. Exodus: The Archimedes Engine by Peter F. Hamilton (2024) https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81aZVGyZLLL._AC_UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jr0Otb0HL._SL240_CATL%2C225%2C225_RO112%2C1%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C8_.jpg https://images1.penguinrandomhouse.com/author/51086 6 A recent huge-scale science-fiction novel (over 900 pages) from a master of the genre; combines transhuman futures, vast interstellar arcs, and complex societies. Wikipedia Reviewers mention its intricate world-building and dense plot. Wikipedia If your friend has the time and likes big books and epic scope, this is a major one. 5. The Book of Love by Kelly Link (2024) https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81CzDkXNKEL._AC_UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Js77dDoQL._AC_UF1000%2C1000_QL80_.jpg https://images3.penguinrandomhouse.com/author/76127 6 While straddling fantasy and SF, this novel has been featured on The New York Times “best of” list for science fiction and fantasy in 2024. Wikipedia It’s more lyrical, magical-realism tinged, dealing with resurrection, liminal realms, and strange competition for living among the returned. Wikipedia Good if your friend likes something a little off-beat or genre-blending rather than straight space opera. A few notes & tips: Make sure to check the publication date in the edition your friend can obtain; availability in Germany/EU might differ (translations, shipping, etc.). If you know your friend’s preferences (hard vs soft sci-fi, space opera vs near-future, character-driven vs idea-driven) you can pick accordingly from this list. You might include a short note with your suggestion — e.g., “If you like alien worlds & biology with political intrigue → Alien Clay” or “For epic space opera scale → Exodus: The Archimedes Engine”. If you like, I can look up 10 more (say, a “top-10 recent sci-fi novels from 2022-2025”) with variety across subgenres and price/availability in Germany. Would that interest you?