November 2025 promises a diverse range of science fiction releases, spanning from deeply moving literary fiction to terrifying tales of the unknown. To help navigate the selection, New Scientist has compiled a list of noteworthy titles. Here’s a breakdown of what’s worth reading this month, with recommendations from our columnist and a little context for each.
Standout Recommendations
Slow Gods by Claire North is garnering significant praise. Our sci-fi columnist, Emily H. Wilson, calls it a must-read for science fiction fans, lauding its compelling narrative following Mawukana na-Vdnaze, a deep-space pilot who dies and is reborn after a devastating supernova event. North’s storytelling weaves together themes of rebirth, loss, and the scope of the universe – a true highlight for the month.
Literary Science and Sea Cow Stories
Beasts of the Sea by Iida Turpeinen, translated by David Hackston, offers a unique blend of fiction and science history. It follows naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller’s 1741 expedition to encounter the now-extinct Steller’s sea cow, a gentle giant named for him. The novel weaves together three timelines—1741, 1859, and 1952—centered around the discovery, loss, and attempted restoration of the sea cow’s skeleton. This novel, more akin to literary fiction than traditional sci-fi, is a perfect choice for those interested in natural history and poignant stories.
Time, Memory, and Government Control
The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso explores the complexities of time travel and memory. The novel’s premise, comparing it to Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time, centers on Lisavet, who grows up within a library called “the time space,” filled with memories of the deceased. As she learns about the world, she discovers that government agents are systematically destroying memories deemed undesirable, raising questions about historical manipulation.
Intriguing Concepts and Unseen Enemies
There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm, already a cult favorite after its initial self-publication, has now found a wider audience with a major publisher. This unsettling story focuses on antimemes, entities that steal cherished memories, leaving characters unaware of the loss. The narrative’s fittingly spooky atmosphere makes it an engaging read for those enjoying the spooky season.
Unusual Scenarios and Multiverse Adventures
Other noteworthy titles delve into equally inventive scenarios. Ice by Jacek Dukaj, translated by Ursula Phillips, presents a chilling tale of Russia in the aftermath of the 1908 Tunguska asteroid impact. The Merge by Grace Walker explores a controversial experimental Alzheimer’s treatment, blurring the lines between individuals and raising profound ethical questions. This Gilded Abyss by Rebecca Thorne combines zombies, submarines, and maritime terror— a captivating blend of horror and sci-fi.
Outlaw Planet by M. R. Carey, a standalone novel by the author of The Girl With All the Gifts, throws readers into an interdimensional war with a renegade hero and a smart gun. Further expanding the landscape of sci-fi is Shadows Upon Time, the seventh novel in Christopher Ruocchio’s Sun Eater series.
Special Editions and Online Sensations
For dedicated fans, the 10th-anniversary edition of Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky includes an exclusive short story. Finally, All Tomorrows by C. M. Kosemen, now in its first English-language print edition, is a “cult sensation” exploring human evolution and Martian colonization.
High-Concept Thrillers and Surreal Storytelling
Rounding out the list, The Confessions by Paul Bradley Carr explores a world where AI has stopped working after revealing everyone’s deepest secrets. And Mindworks by Neal Shusterman offers a collection of surreal short stories, including ones featuring a world perpetually shrouded in bats and one where the essence of a glacier can restore life.
November 2025’s science fiction releases demonstrate the genre’s enduring ability to explore complex themes, invent new realities, and provide compelling narratives. Whether you prefer thought-provoking literary fiction or pulse-pounding thrillers, there is something for everyone to enjoy this month.
