The best new science fiction books of February 2025

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During this chilly and dimly lit time of the year. Whether you're after classic science fiction from the likes of Gareth L. Powell and Adrian Tchaikovsky, high-concept thrillers or flooded future Earths, you'll find it here. Enjoy!

by Adrian Tchaikovsky

For the New Scientist Book Club - we're in the middle of it now, so please sign up and join us; it's free, and we'll be talking to Adrian next month! I'm definitely in the mood for more from this outstanding author. This latest book tells a story of survival and first contact on a deadly, pitch-black moon filled with radio signals. When two humans are forced to land on the hostile moon, they start to learn more about the unusual species that inhabits it. Our science fiction columnist, Emily H. Wilson, thoroughly enjoyed this one - look for her review next week.

Adrian Tchaikovsky: "Could life have taken a different path?"

The author of the latest book read by the New Scientist Book Club, which is centered around the science behind his novel "Alien Clay," discusses his novel, set on a prison planet with biology that is quite distinct from what exists on Earth.

by Carys Green

Elijah persuades Anna to go to OneMind to celebrate their 10th anniversary; this cutting-edge technology company will give them implants allowing them to tap into each other's thoughts. However, Anna might be concealing something from her partner.

by Gareth L. Powell

He's just released a new novel, and his latest book appears to be another compelling example of hard science fiction. His latest novel tells the story of archaeologist Ursula Morrow, who gets infected with an extraterrestrial parasite. She's initially concerned about the harm her career might suffer, but her concerns prove irrelevant, as Earth is destroyed, and there's no longer a need for archaeologists. Two years later, she's in a refugee camp on a distant planet when she's assigned the task of finding the alien artifact that infected her. This artifact may hold the key to humanity's survival.

by Michel Nieva

I'm absolutely intrigued by how uniquely captivating this novel appears. In the year 2272, New York and Buenos Aires have been underwater for years, and the only areas that remain habitable are the Patagonian archipelagos. The main character is a humanoid mosquito who has a repulsive appearance that drives everyone away. As the world is falling apart, Dengue Boy tries to find out the truth about his origins and the purpose of his existence. This is a translation from Spanish by Rahul Bery, and I think it's fantastic!

by Harriet Hitchen

I'm drawn to the combination of archaeology and science fiction, where a mountain appears out of nowhere in the Marlborough Downs, towering over the city of Swindon. Clare Holworth is involved in an archaeological investigation to figure out the mountain's origins, with the goal of controlling the site before public interest gets out of hand and people rush to reach the summit.

Here are some science fiction books that are highly recommended for readers.

We asked members of the New Scientist staff to choose their favorite science fiction books. Their selections range from 19th-century classics to modern-day releases, and include works by authors such as Octavia E. Butler and Iain M. Banks.

by TJ Klune

A sci-fi thriller follows Nate Cartwright, who's feeling lonely and unemployed, as he heads back to his parents' vacation home in Oregon to start fresh. In the cabin, he meets Alex and a 10-year-old girl named Artemis Darth Vader, who turns out to be more than just a typical kid – she's in grave danger from those who seek to dominate her.

by Susan Barker

The premise sounds very captivating. It focuses on a woman who remains ageless and impervious to death, yet those around her suffer gruesome and consistently similar fates across centuries and continents. Can this enigmatic figure be halted? This might blur the lines between horror and science fiction; I'll have an update either way.

by Neena Viel

– a comparison I’m very much looking forward to. Calla is 25, and reluctantly takes care of her 16-year-old brother Jamie. At the same time, she's tormented by "The Nightmare", in which Jamie and their middle brother Dre keep dying. When Jamie's behavior becomes increasingly out of hand, the siblings are forced to flee, only to find themselves facing a threat that puts their lives and their understanding of reality at risk.

by Chi-Ming Yang

This is for fellow fans of Octavia E. Butler and for you completists out there: the book examines lesser-known writings and manuscripts in Butler’s collection, along with the influences and childhood writings of hers, and delves into "animals, science fiction, Black girlhood, and racial and environmental justice", according to the publisher.

by by Nnedi Okorafor

I brought this up last month, but the hardcover edition will actually be released in February, so I wanted to remind you about it since it does sound interesting. As I mentioned before, our sci-fi columnist Emily H. Wilson highly recommends it, and it follows sci-fi author Zelu through her process of writing a novel about androids and AI after humanity's extinction. However, as the author writes, the distinctions between what's in her story and what's happening in real life begin to get confused.