Space Opera Fans discussion
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Favourite Sci-Fi series?
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Honorverse. Sentient cats. Kick ass heroine. A very complex and realistic universe. Plots complex enough to both frustrate me and keep me interested throughout.
![Anna Erishkigal (annaerishkigal)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1333859620p1/7819231.jpg)
![Hard Duty (Merkiaari Wars, #2) by Mark E. Cooper](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1349665909s/15929242.jpg)
![What Price Honour (Merkiaari Wars, #2) by Mark E. Cooper](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347698902s/1774650.jpg)
![Operation Oracle (Merkiaari Wars, #3) by Mark E. Cooper](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1363074808s/17607275.jpg)
![Operation Breakout (Merkiaari Wars, #4) by Mark E. Cooper](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-4845f44723bc5d3a9ac322f99b110b1d.png)
I also enjoy the Fuzzy series, written by various authors starting with Fuzzy Bones, including a title by John Scalzi (who will be at ARISIA as guest-of-honor this year ... SQUEE!).
![Fuzzy Bones by William Tuning](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392470230s/1526416.jpg)
![Fuzzy Ergo Sum by Wolfgang Diehr](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328338190s/11399335.jpg)
![Fuzzy Sapiens (Fuzzy Sapiens, #2) by H. Beam Piper](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1332094346s/676224.jpg)
![Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1316132345s/9647532.jpg)
![Anna Erishkigal (annaerishkigal)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1333859620p1/7819231.jpg)
Ooh! I've read that and enjoyed it :-)
![Anna Erishkigal (annaerishkigal)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1333859620p1/7819231.jpg)
Have you read the three sequel novels?"
I believe I read Undercurrents, but not the other two. My local public library has a pathetically dwindling sci-fi section with lots of incomplete, sporadic and random books-in-series, so most of my space opera readings are out of sequence.
![Ronnie (ronnieb) | 322 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1676500813p1/4469086.jpg)
![Ed (willcodeforipa)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1705792556p1/5622997.jpg)
The Culture series by Iain M. Banks is another obvious choice.
![Philip Athans (philathans) | 15 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1725228712p1/3146558.jpg)
Love...
![Dune (Dune Chronicles, #1) by Frank Herbert](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389569143s/234225.jpg)
currently re-reading Dune with an eye toward finishing the entire expanded series, in order... if I live that long.
![Gateway (Heechee Saga, #1) by Frederik Pohl](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388262265s/218427.jpg)
Frederick Pohil IS hard SF to me!
![Foundation (Foundation, #1) by Isaac Asimov](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386922291s/29579.jpg)
started reading as a kid, worked through the later books in college. May not hold up well now, but a pivotal series in the history of the genre.
![The Complete Adventures of Lucky Starr (Lucky Starr, #1-6) by Isaac Asimov](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1323649655s/397367.jpg)
LOVED these books as a middle schooler, now collecting them again for a nostalgia re-read. If you haven't read these, the Lucky Starr series IS space opera in its purest, most delightful form.
Also collecting all the Berserker books by Saberhagen for a full in-order read-through, likewise Iain Banks's Culture novels. I've read almost everything else by Banks but those, and the time has come!
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![Chuck Hatcher | 11 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1412911688p1/30831642.jpg)
![Anna Erishkigal (annaerishkigal)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1333859620p1/7819231.jpg)
Yes. But I couldn't find the book cover in a quick search :-) John Scalzi's reboot was a lot more edgy than the original books, which are being billed as 'middle grade readers' today. I read them as an adult, though, and still enjoyed them, albeit a long time ago. Murder of a sapient, child-like being really isn't kid-lit.
![Anna Erishkigal (annaerishkigal)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1333859620p1/7819231.jpg)
My vote is for whatever series you're reading (old or new, finished or still evolving) that is your favorite. I mean, some series never end (Honorverse, anyone :-).
Well, if I can list more than one, in addition to the Honorverse, and if I can include Sci-Fi and not just SO, then:
The Faded Sun by C.J. Cherryh
Golden Age of the Solar Clipper by Nathan Lowell
Catteni by Anne McCaffrey
Vatta's War by Elizabeth Moon
Saga of the Well World by Jack L. Chalker
All of which I've read multiple times.
The Faded Sun by C.J. Cherryh
Golden Age of the Solar Clipper by Nathan Lowell
Catteni by Anne McCaffrey
Vatta's War by Elizabeth Moon
Saga of the Well World by Jack L. Chalker
All of which I've read multiple times.
![Anna Erishkigal (annaerishkigal)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1333859620p1/7819231.jpg)
![Aaron Nagy | 111 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1424657870p1/25871929.jpg)
![Anna Erishkigal (annaerishkigal)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1333859620p1/7819231.jpg)
Like A Canticle for Leibowitz? I believe that's the author's one and only book he ever wrote.
![Conal (conalo) | 143 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1536868097p1/19832556.jpg)
![Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman by Walter M. Miller Jr.](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387027489s/258936.jpg)
![Rosemarie (rosemariel) | 1 comments](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
A Canticle for Leibowitz was amazing; I didn't know there was a sequal. Thanks!
![Frank | 5 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1370957022p1/21034578.jpg)
Hyperion - Simmons some elements of space opera
Night's Dawn (Hamilton)
Revelation Space - Reynolds
Gap - Donaldson
Foundation (the expanded 14 books)dated but great reads.
Rama Clarke
I better stop now
![MadProfessah (madprofesssah) | 140 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1641190044p1/2116192.jpg)
Hyperion - Simmons some elements of space opera
Night's Dawn (Hamilton)
Revelation Space - Reynolds
Gap - Donaldson
Foundation (the expanded 14 books)dated but great reads.
Rama Clarke
I be..."
I love the same things as you! Especially the Dune, Revelation Space and Hyperion series. My current favorite is The Expance by James SA Corey. I do think the first three Foundation books by Asimov and The Night's Dawn series by Peter F. Hamilton are great.
I tried to read the Gap novels and couldn't get past the rampant sexism of the first book.
![Anna Erishkigal (annaerishkigal)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1333859620p1/7819231.jpg)
If you like Peter F. Hamilton, have you read our Space Opera Fans author interview with him on the first book in the Night's Dawn series?
HERE: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
It's an awesome interview and he is one heck of a gracious guy :-)
![MadProfessah (madprofesssah) | 140 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1641190044p1/2116192.jpg)
![Rotuma | 8 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1398046615p1/30714049.jpg)
![Triplanetary (Lensman, #1) by E.E. "Doc" Smith](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388555181s/444944.jpg)
It was a major catalyst in making me a life-long scifi fan ...
![Cory (12coryt) | 9 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1321405709p1/6972938.jpg)
I just started the Xeelee Sequence as well since I'm craving some far future stuff.
![Sandun Prabath | 3 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1599491473p1/106268386.jpg)
Hi Anna, any new updates about the author Mark. E. Cooper?
![Trike | 706 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1525980079p1/2135825.jpg)
The Well World Saga by Jack L. Chalker - Midnight at the Well of Souls is the first one.
The Murderbot Diaries, no question. First one is All Systems Red.
The Earthseed duology by Octavia Butler, Parable of the Sower & Parable of the Talents.
More Space Opera:
I echo Adam’s call-out of Larry Niven’s Known Space. But specifically the pre-1990s stuff.
The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. First one is Shards of Honor, although I read The Warrior's Apprentice first.
The Sten series by Cole & Bunch. Sten.
Old Man's War series by John Scalzi.
![Buzz H. | 34 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1359086282p1/13730081.jpg)
My faves:
The Pride of ChanurThe Chanur series by CJ Cherryh. Wonderful alien first contact space opera where the aliens are us!
Singularity Sky The Eschaton series by Charlie Stross. Great author who can write multi-dimensional characters in a hard SF setting.
Berserker This is an old series, but very good. Unusual premise that I won't spoil.
I'll echo the recommendations for Murderbot, the Vorkosigan books, and Cherryh's Foreigner and Faded Sun books.
![bob morrell (wallet55) | 13 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1365447539p1/19224750.jpg)
Niven’s early known space is delightful but a little dated, and of course the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy should be on anyone’s list. Murderbot is certainly the current champion.
I can’t narrow it down to favorites, but I’ll instantly buy any space opera books by these authors, without even reading the blurb:
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Liaden Universe)
Nathan Lowell (Solar Clipper)
Jerry Boyd (Bob and Nikki)
Mackey Chandler (April, Family Law)
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Liaden Universe)
Nathan Lowell (Solar Clipper)
Jerry Boyd (Bob and Nikki)
Mackey Chandler (April, Family Law)
![Damaged142 | 6 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1641356112p1/144128247.jpg)
![Buzz H. | 34 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1359086282p1/13730081.jpg)
I agree. _Startide Rising_ is excellent and _The Uplift War_ is quite good.
![John Gaver (john_gaver) | 3 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1407873213p1/33848130.jpg)
![Triplanetary (Lensman, #1) by E.E. "Doc" Smith](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388555181l/444944._SY75_.jpg)
It was a major catalyst in making me a life-long scifi fan ..."
I agree. The Lensman Series is still better than most of the modern SF, including modern adult SF.
I wish Smith had lived to finish the Skylark Series. Steven Goldin also did a respectable job of fleshing out the Family d'Alembert series, from Smith's notes.
I would be proud if my own work turns out to be half as good as Smith's work.
![C. John Kerry (cjkerry) | 611 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1574102776p1/5884053.jpg)
![David Foresi | 5 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1691422975p1/167860212.jpg)
The whole series, not just the first book. Also his Void trilogy was great, though a bit more supernatural than I would prefer.
![Joe Human | 1 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1701051090p1/171920999.jpg)
That being said, I love transformers. I love the comics and I love (most of) the cartoons. I especially love the worldbuilding in the comics!
![C. John Kerry (cjkerry) | 611 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1574102776p1/5884053.jpg)
![MadProfessah (madprofesssah) | 140 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1641190044p1/2116192.jpg)
And don’t sleep on his latest series, the SALVATION trilogy.
![Robert | 8 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1634920327p1/40078791.jpg)
Books mentioned in this topic
Pandora's Star (other topics)Pandora's Star (other topics)
Triplanetary (other topics)
The Pride of Chanur (other topics)
Singularity Sky (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Iain M. Banks (other topics)Peter F. Hamilton (other topics)
Peter F. Hamilton (other topics)
E.E. "Doc" Smith (other topics)
Anne McCaffrey (other topics)
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If you feel like it tell me why you like that particular series or book.