Answer Details

If you’re looking to suggest **recent, highly-reviewed science fiction novels** to your friend, here are five strong picks — all published in the last 1-2 years, and each bringing something different in tone and theme. I’ve included a short summary and the standout reason why each is worth sending. --- ### 1. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (2023) **Why it stands out:** * It won the 2024 Hugo Award for Best Novel. ([Wikipedia][1]) * The narrative: Earth has been destroyed in an alien war, humans integrate (or don’t) with alien species, and survivors live in a separatist station. ([Wikipedia][1]) * It’s a smart, mature debut-novel that blends space opera scale with thoughtful reflection. **Good for your friend if they like:** ambitious scope, first-novel energy, alien/human integration themes. --- ### 2. The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing‑Giwa (2023) **Why it stands out:** * Debut novel published when the author was only 22. ([Wikipedia][2]) * It won the 2024 Compton Crook Award and received starred reviews across major platforms. ([Wikipedia][2]) * Themes include culture clash, colonialism, identity—all wrapped in sci-fi. **Good for your friend if they like:** fresh voices, socially conscious sci-fi, character-driven plots. --- ### 3. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) **Why it stands out:** * Published in March 2024; already recognized (finalist for Hugo & Locus in relevant categories). ([Wikipedia][3]) * The story: a biologist, exiled from Earth, survives/lives on an alien planet under a fascist government. Big ideas of biology, power, alien environment. ([Wikipedia][3]) **Good for your friend if they like:** hard-sci-fi flavour, big world-building, political undertones. --- ### 4. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) **Why it stands out:** * Also 2024. The novel features a robotic valet who murders his master and enters a process of discovery in a collapsing human society. ([Wikipedia][4]) * Critical praise notes its humour, heart, and exploration of the meaning of work, efficiency, rationality. ([Wikipedia][4]) **Good for your friend if they like:** speculative robots, satirical edge, exploring human machinery metaphorically. --- ### 5. The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei (2024) **Why it stands out:** * Recognized in best-of lists for 2024. ([Jenny Sandiford][5]) * A space opera focused on museum artifacts, alien cultures, and the consequences of theft, restitution, and identity. ([Jenny Sandiford][5]) **Good for your friend if they like:** high adventure, galaxy-spanning stories, moral complexity in a sci-fi setting. --- ### Suggested Approach to Sending Since you know your friend, you could send them a **short note** along with the list like: > “Here are five newer sci-fi novels I’ve come across and think you might enjoy. I’d pick one based on the tone you’re in the mood for: whether it’s big political scope, robot satire, or adventurous space opera. Let me know which you pick and we can talk about it!” You could also mention which you personally lean toward for each so they have a little guide (for instance: *“If you’re up for something that makes you think about society → Alien Clay. If you want something lighter and existential → Service Model.”*). --- If you like, I can **pull together 10-15 more** recent (2022-2024) sci-fi novels with mini-reviews and themes, so you can send your friend a strong curated list. Would that be helpful? [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Desperate_Glory_%28novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Some Desperate Glory (novel)" [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Splinter_in_the_Sky?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Splinter in the Sky" [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Clay?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Alien Clay" [4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_Model?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Service Model" [5]: https://www.jennysandiford.com/book-reviews-latest/10-best-science-fiction-books-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Best Science Fiction books of 2024! The winners of the 16th Annual Goodreads Choice Awards as decided by readers. — Jenny Sandiford"