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Here are five highly-reviewed recent science-fiction novels you could recommend to your friend — each with a distinct tone and theme, so you can match what they might enjoy most: Annie Bot (by Sierra Greer) — 2024 A tightly focused novel told from the viewpoint of a robot companion named Annie, who begins to question her role and autonomy. The book explores AI, power dynamics, and what it means to be “owned.” It won the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2025. The Guardian +2 SFBook +2 Why it might work: Thought-provoking, emotionally intense, raises big ethical questions. The Ministry of Time (by Kaliane Bradley) — 2024 A genre-blend of time-travel sci-fi, romance, and spy thriller. It follows a civil servant in near-future London assigned to “bridge” a rescued 19th-century expedition member living in modern times. The novel mixes historical characters, temporal intrigue and personal identity issues. Kirkus Reviews +2 Tar Vol on +2 Why it might work: Great if your friend likes fast-moving plots, character drama plus speculative ideas. Private Rites (by Julia Armfield) — 2025 A novel set in a near-future Britain suffering climate collapse. It centres on sisters navigating illness, secrets and family breakdown amid societal collapse. It was listed among “Best Science Fiction Books of 2025”. Five Books Why it might work: More literary in style, darker and introspective — good if your friend likes “what-if” climate & family dramas. Extremophile (by Ian Green) — 2025 Selected for “Best Science Fiction Books of 2025” lists. (Less detailed synopsis available in public reviews yet but it’s on multiple shortlists.) Five Books Why it might work: A newer title, shows up in “must-read” lists — good if your friend likes to stay ahead of the curve. Dissolution (by Nicholas Binge) — 2025 A mind-bending sci-fi thriller about memory, time-loops and identity. The story features a husband whose “Alzheimer’s” is revealed to hide erasure of memories and a device that loops short moments until a desired outcome is reached. Starred reviews call it “rocketing toward an unforeseeable and unresolved ending.” en.wikipedia.org Why it might work: A puzzle-box novel, great if your friend likes speculative, twisty sci-fi with high concept. If you like, I can pull together 10 or 15 such titles (with a variety of sub-genres: hard sci-fi, space opera, climate fiction, cyberpunk) and include links and short blurbs. Would you like that?