Answer Details

Great — if you’re looking for some recent science-fiction novels your friend will dig, here are **five standout picks** (forward-thinking, smart, and all with strong reviews). I’ll give a little description of each so you can match them to your friend’s taste. --- ## 1. Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024) **Why it stands out:** * Set on a strange planet called Kiln, used as a forced labour/exile colony by an authoritarian Earth-state called the Mandate. The biology of the planet is weird, wild and fully alien. ([Transfer Orbit][1]) * Reviewers like that Tchaikovsky uses the speculative setup to interrogate authoritarianism, ideology, the place of humanity in the universe. ([Transfer Orbit][1]) * Good for someone who likes: big ideas + alien ecology + hard-ish sci-fi with political edge. **Heads-up:** It has some heavy themes and isn’t just “fun space romp”; its narrator is a bit cynical. If your friend wants a more light-hearted read, maybe go elsewhere. --- ## 2. The Mercy of Gods by Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck (writing as “James S.A. Corey”) (2024) **Why it stands out:** * A big-scale space-opera launch: humans have been conquered by an alien species (“Carryx”) and the story follows survival, resistance and identity. ([Wikipedia][2]) * Reviewers praise it for vivid world-building, combining epic scope with human vulnerability. ([Wikipedia][2]) * Good choice if the friend is into sweeping epics, “what happens after the alien takeover” scenarios, and well-written character arcs. **Heads-up:** Since it’s a series starter, there will be more volumes (so if they hate waiting, make sure they’re okay with ongoing series). --- ## 3. Infinite Archive by Mur Lafferty (2025) **Why it stands out:** * It’s a hybrid of science fiction + mystery: set aboard a space station (“Eternity”), a murder occurs within a lit-up “internet meets alien life” environment. ([Wikipedia][3]) * Reviewers comment on the fast pace, snappy humour and strong characters. ([Twimom227][4]) * Great for someone who likes: space setting, detective work, lighter tone with fun elements. **Heads-up:** Because it’s installment #3 of a series (the “Midsolar Murders”), your friend might prefer to start from the first book in the series. --- ## 4. The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing‑Giwa (2023) **Why it stands out:** * A debut novel with a fresh voice: the protagonist is a tea-expert turned spy in a colonised empire, combining space opera with intrigue and cultural commentary. ([Lightspeed Magazine][5]) * Earned strong early recognition (award for debut etc) and readers appreciate the cultural setting and voice. ([Wikipedia][6]) * Good for someone who enjoys: space opera + espionage + rich cultural world-building. **Heads-up:** Some reviewers felt it didn’t fully deliver on all its promise (so might be a bit rough around edges). Good if your friend doesn’t mind a debut with ambition. --- ## 5. Annie Bot by Sierra Greer (2025) **Why it stands out:** * This one won the 2025 Arthur C. Clarke Award for best sci-fi novel. ([The Guardian][7]) * The story is about a robot companion in a relationship with its owner, exploring issues of autonomy, identity, human/robot boundaries — so more introspective. ([The Guardian][7]) * Great for a friend who’s into thought-provoking sci-fi, robots, questions of consciousness rather than big space battles. **Heads-up:** It might be a bit more “literary” or slower-burn in theme than full-on action. So if your friend wants non-stop adrenaline, maybe pick one of the others. --- ### Quick Recap Table | Book | Style | Good For | | ----------------------- | ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | | Alien Clay | Alien ecology, big ideas | Hard-sci-fi + political edge | | The Mercy of Gods | Space opera epic | Fans of large-scale interstellar drama | | Infinite Archive | Space mystery + humour | Light-hearted but smart sci-fi detective | | The Splinter in the Sky | Spy/space opera with cultural depth | Debut, fresh voice, intrigue | | Annie Bot | Introspective, robot/AI theme | Thoughtful sci-fi about identity | --- If you like, I can pull **10 more** (so you have a “top 10 list” to send) with a variety of tones (light vs heavy) and sub-genres (cyberpunk, near-future, etc.). Want me to dig those up? [1]: https://transfer-orbit.ghost.io/adrian-tchaikovsky-alien-clay-sci-fi-book-review/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Review: Adrian Tchaikovsky's Alien Clay - Transfer Orbit" [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mercy_of_Gods?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Mercy of Gods" [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Archive?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Infinite Archive" [4]: https://twimom227.com/2025/07/review-infinite-archive-by-mur-lafferty.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Review: Infinite Archive by Mur Lafferty" [5]: https://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/nonfiction/book-review-the-splinter-in-the-sky-by-kemi-ashing-giwa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Book Review: The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa" [6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Splinter_in_the_Sky?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Splinter in the Sky" [7]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jun/25/arthur-c-clarke-science-fiction-award-annie-bot-sierra-greer?utm_source=chatgpt.com "'Intense' novel about robot abused by her boyfriend/owner wins Arthur C Clarke science fiction award"