Answer Details

Great — here are **six highly-reviewed recent science fiction novels** (mostly published in 2023-2024) that would make strong suggestions to your friend. I’ve included a bit about why each one stands out so you can pick the best fit. --- ### 1) In Ascension by Martin MacInnes (2023)       **Why it stands out:** * It follows a marine microbiologist who goes from exploring the deep sea to investigating mysteries in space — broad scope, big ideas of life and human place in the universe. ([Wikipedia][1]) * Critics praise it as “beautifully written… richly atmospheric” and “an exemplar of what the novel alone can still do.” ([Wikipedia][1]) * It won the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award for best science fiction novel. ([The Guardian][2]) **If your friend likes:** big-idea SF, literary writing, environmental/eco themes + space. --- ### 2) Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (2023)       **Why it stands out:** * A space-opera with weight: the aftermath of a war where Earth is destroyed, humans integrate with aliens, and themes of survival, identity, belonging. ([Wikipedia][3]) * It won the Hugo Award for Best Novel (2024) — a strong marker of critical acclaim. ([Wikipedia][3]) **If your friend likes:** sweeping epics, alien-human interaction, stories of integration and survival. --- ### 3) The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan (2023)       **Why it stands out:** * Set in a near-future tech-dystopia in “Apex City” (formerly Bangalore), examining meritocracy, caste-like stratification, artificial intelligence and control. ([Grimdark Magazine][4]) * Reviewers note: “finely honed prose … deeply thought-provoking and timely novel.” ([Grimdark Magazine][4]) * Short-listed for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. ([Five Books][5]) **If your friend likes:** cyberpunk-tinged dystopia, social critique, global settings (non-US/UK centric). --- ### 4) Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * Features a biologist exiled to an alien planet, where the very ecosystem becomes sentient and part of the revolution. A blend of biological science and speculative revolt. ([Wikipedia][6]) * Received high praise: Kirkus called it “a savagely satirical take … and the power of collective action.” ([Wikipedia][6]) **If your friend likes:** hard science speculative fiction, alien world-building, resistance narratives. --- ### 5) Orbital by Samantha Harvey (2023)       **Why it stands out:** * Set aboard the International Space Station, following six astronauts over 24 hours — a contained, intense story in space. ([Wikipedia][7]) * Winner of the Booker Prize (2024) — notable as it’s literary + science fiction. ([People.com][8]) **If your friend likes:** literary SF, character-driven stories, space settings but more introspective than epic. --- ### 6) The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey (2024)       **Why it stands out:** * Launches a new trilogy (“The Captive’s War”) from the authors of the *Expanse*. It’s expansive space-opera: humans conquered by aliens, struggle for survival and identity. ([Wikipedia][9]) * Reviews highlight it as “space opera at its best,” with both large-scale world-building and emotional depth. ([Wikipedia][9]) **If your friend likes:** action-packed, galaxy-spanning, adventure driven sci-fi with strong characters. --- If you like, I can pull together *10 or 15 titles* (with a mix of sub-genres: dystopian, space opera, near-future tech, etc.) and include a slightly more comprehensive mini-review for each, so you can choose a few to send based on their taste. Would that be helpful? [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Ascension?utm_source=chatgpt.com "In Ascension" [2]: https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/jul/24/martin-macinnes-novel-wins-arthur-c-clarke-award-in-ascension-science-fiction?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Martin MacInnes wins Arthur C Clarke award for 'intense trip' of a novel" [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Desperate_Glory_%28novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Some Desperate Glory (novel)" [4]: https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-ten-percent-thief-by-lavanya-lakshminarayan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "REVIEW: The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan" [5]: https://fivebooks.com/book/the-ten-percent-thief/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Ten Percent Thief - Five Books Expert Reviews" [6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Clay?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Alien Clay" [7]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_%28novel%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Orbital (novel)" [8]: https://people.com/orbital-by-samantha-harvey-wins-2024-booker-prize-8744439?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Orbital\" by Samantha Harvey Wins 2024 Booker Prize" [9]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mercy_of_Gods?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Mercy of Gods"