I don't see a problem with it as long as you aren't telling them how to do their job, what they need to do to make it better, or how things should have gone in their story, etc. Which it doesn't sound like you have intentions of doing. Most authors have a mailing address or email listed somewhere in their online bio these days. There are a lot that are even available for direct communication through various messing apps. A lot of them are more easily accessible due to social media. Some even have author pages and fan groups that they're active with. If they're bigger name authors you're less likely to get a response though. But from what I've seen, most authors love to get messages like that. It makes them feel good to know that their work has had such a positive impact on people.

Yeah I've seen and harm many people refer to it as sci-fi. I guess I need to finish the series and revisit my assessment.

In regards to your original question, I'm one of those people that if I'm half way in and I don't like it I'll either put it down for a long while and revisit when I'm in a different headspace and can come back to it with fresh eyes, or I'll completely dnf it. I really like this book and I see why it's so well loved, but I can also understand why it would be difficult for some to get into. You know yourself and your reading habits and interests better than anyone. Is this a book you think you might be able to get into later or is it something you think you'll have to force yourself through? If it's the latter, just dnf it. Life is too short to waste time reading things you don't like if you don't have to and there are so many other books out there that you'll enjoy more if this one isn't doing it for you.

I actually have been wondering what exactly puts this one into sci-fi territory. I've read almost all of the first book. I've only got a few pages left and I already know all the big plot things being alluded to in the comment section here. I personally absolutely love it. But it feels more fantasy or a little dystopian to me personally. I just don't get where the sci-fi part comes into play.

I've talked about it before and I know I'm in the minority, but I liked the way it ended. It was unexpected, especially for the time and genre and it felt like a very real and possible ending where the rest of the story was (obviously) more fantastical and dystopian.

I think the most important thing in these cases is to know your kid and their maturity level and to be involved in their reading process. By that I mean know what they're reading, read it yourself, and be available to discuss concepts and events and answer any questions your kid may have regarding their reading. I was like you, when I was growing up I read whatever I wanted without restrictions. My parents weren't involved though. They didn't know what I was reading and didn't care. I was pretty mature and was able to handle whatever I picked out but I also think it would have been nice to have a close enough relationship with my parents to be able to ask questions if I'd had them.

Considering op says this is their friend it's pretty safe to assume they are close to the friend in age. It's not like it's their kid or anything. So while this is true enough for adults looking at gifting a young person they're responsible for, it doesn't appear to be relevant advice in the context of this post.