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Some of the most highly-reviewed and recently published science fiction novels include Adrian Tchaikovsky's Service Model, Kaliane Bradley's The Ministry of Time, and James S.A. Corey's The Mercy of Gods. Many of these acclaimed works were nominated for or won major awards in 2024 and 2025. Nebula and Hugo award-nominated books (2024) These novels were recognized on the Nebula and Hugo award shortlists, indicating high praise from critics and readers. The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera: A fantasy novel blending South Asian mythology with sci-fi elements. It follows a man raised to kill his father, a feat that would destroy their society. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh: This debut novel and 2024 Hugo Award winner is set in a distant future where humanity has been decimated by an alien war. The story centers on a young protagonist who must navigate politics and identity while preparing for revenge. Translation State by Ann Leckie: Set in the same universe as Leckie's award-winning Imperial Radch series, this standalone novel follows a search for a missing fugitive that evolves into a deeper exploration of relationships and belonging. Witch King by Martha Wells: The celebrated author of the Murderbot Diaries offers a standalone fantasy novel about a protagonist who inherits the title of "Witch King" and must survive political intrigue and magic. Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi: A debut novel that weaves Yoruba mythology into a modern fantasy. A nightmare god and a succubus embark on a magical heist. In Ascension by Martin MacInnes: A challenging, literary sci-fi novel that was also longlisted for the Booker Prize. It blends personal and universal perspectives in an introspective, existential story. Standout novels published in 2024 and 2025 Recent lists of recommended books from publishers and literary sites highlight the following titles: Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2025): In this novel, a robot servant becomes sentient after a fatal error and must find his purpose in a disintegrating human world. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024): This highly reviewed novel involves a unique time travel experiment. It was a nominee for the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (2025): A novel exploring the uncanny valley of artificial intelligence and human connection. The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune (2025): A novel about a man who retreats to a family cabin and becomes intertwined with a powerful little girl and a government conspiracy. The Mars House by Natasha Pulley (2024): A novel set on Mars that explores human drama in an otherworldly setting. Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini (2025): A prequel to To Sleep in a Sea of Stars that follows a team investigating a strange anomaly on a distant planet. The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey (2024): The start of a new series from the co-author of The Expanse about humanity's conflict with hostile aliens. It was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award.