Answer Details

If you’re looking to send some **recent, highly-reviewed science fiction novels** to your friend, here are five strong picks — each with a slightly different flavour. I’ve included what reviewers are saying so you can pick based on what style your friend prefers. --- ### 1. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * A vibrant debut mixing time-travel, romance, spy-thriller and historical characters. Reviewers call it “a seriously fun sci-fi romcom”. ([The Guardian][1]) * It won the Goodreads Choice Award for Science Fiction in 2024. ([Goodreads][2]) * For someone who enjoys a lighter, character-driven SF with time-travel and some romance, this is a great pick. **Note:** If your friend prefers hard science fiction (big ideas, less romance) they might prefer something else on this list. --- ### 2. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * A more serious, thought-provoking novel: a biologist exiled to a brutal alien planet, exploring both alien life and oppressive regimes. ([Tar Vol on][3]) * It received strong critical attention and was a finalist for major awards. ([Wikipedia][4]) * For a friend who enjoys hard sci-fi, biologically rich world-building, and serious themes. --- ### 3. The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * A space-opera epic launching a new series by the authors behind *The Expanse*. ([Wikipedia][5]) * Reviewers praise its “dazzling new world” and blend of massive scope + human vulnerability. ([Wikipedia][5]) * Great for someone who loves big interstellar settings, alien invasion themes, and epic storytelling. --- ### 4. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * A different flavour: a science-fiction novel told from the perspective of a robot valet in a collapsing human society. ([Wikipedia][6]) * Reviewers note the humor + heart amid dystopian collapse; good for someone who likes SF with introspection and social commentary. --- ### 5. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab (2025)       **Why it stands out:** * A 2025 release with buzz: spans three women across centuries, a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, vampire elements. ([BOOK RIOT][7]) * For a friend who doesn’t rigidly care for “pure” science fiction but is open to speculative, genre-blending reads. --- ### 🍃 How to pick the right one for your friend * **If they love time-travel + romance + fun:** Go with *The Ministry of Time*. * **If they lean toward classic sci-fi themes (alien worlds, resistance, biology):** *Alien Clay* or *The Mercy of Gods*. * **If they like robots + society collapse + introspective SF:** *Service Model*. * **If they like genre-blending, big ideas + strong women across time:** *Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil*. --- If you like, I can pull together **10 more** such titles (including some lesser-known gems) with mini-reviews and release years, so you’ll have a full list to choose from. Would that be helpful? [1]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/may/03/the-ministry-of-time-by-kaliane-bradley-review-a-seriously-fun-sci-fi-romcom?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley review" [2]: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/readers-favorite-science-fiction-books-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Readers' Favorite Science Fiction 2024 — Goodreads Choice Awards" [3]: https://www.tarvolon.com/2024/09/02/sci-fi-novel-review-alien-clay-by-adrian-tchaikovsky/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Sci-fi Novel Review: Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky" [4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Clay?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Alien Clay" [5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mercy_of_Gods?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Mercy of Gods" [6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_Model?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Service Model" [7]: https://bookriot.com/new-sci-fi-and-fantasy-books-june-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "10 Terrific New Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books Out in June 2025 - Book Riot"