2026 Reading Challenge

Listopia > Space Opera Book Lists

Dune by Frank HerbertOld Man's War by John ScalziLeviathan Wakes by James S.A. CoreyStarship Troopers by Robert A. HeinleinPandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton
Excellent Space Opera
1,018 books — 3,645 voters
Dune by Frank HerbertOn Destiny by Aileen ErinLeviathan Wakes by James S.A. CoreyNot Till We Are Lost by Dennis E. TaylorLight Bringer by Pierce Brown
Space Opera
836 books — 1,074 voters

The Way of Shadows by Brent WeeksThrone of Glass by Sarah J. MaasGraceling by Kristin CashoreAssassin's Apprentice by Robin HobbPoison Study by Maria V. Snyder
SF/F Assassins!
308 books — 804 voters
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. CoreyOld Man's War by John ScalziAncillary Justice by Ann LeckieRed Rising by Pierce BrownThe Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Best Space Opera of the 21st Century
290 books — 554 voters

On Basilisk Station by David WeberFortune's Pawn by Rachel BachTrading in Danger by Elizabeth MoonValor's Choice by Tanya HuffA Soldier's Duty by Jean Johnson
Girls With Guns: Military Space Opera Starring Female Soldiers
214 books — 472 voters
Rules of Redemption by T.A. WhiteFortune's Pawn by Rachel BachPolaris Rising by Jessie MihalikShards of Honour by Lois McMaster BujoldGrimspace by Ann Aguirre
Space Opera with Female Protagonists and a Bit Of Romance
205 books — 372 voters

Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. ClarkeChildhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke2001 by Arthur C. ClarkeThe War of the Worlds by H.G. WellsBlindsight by Peter Watts
First Contact
261 books — 360 voters
Imzadi by Peter DavidSpock's World by Diane DuaneUhura's Song by Janet KaganYesterday's Son by A.C. CrispinThe Vulcan Academy Murders by Jean Lorrah
Best Star Trek Books
396 books — 276 voters

Old Man's War by John ScalziStarship Troopers by Robert A. HeinleinEnder’s Game by Orson Scott CardOn Basilisk Station by David WeberThe Forever War by Joe Haldeman
Space Opera & Military SF
450 books — 253 voters
Old Man's War by John ScalziOn Basilisk Station by David WeberDauntless by Jack CampbellEnder’s Game by Orson Scott CardStarship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
Kick-Ass Military Science Fiction Books
364 books — 250 voters

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-ChanThe Witch's Heart by Genevieve GornichecEmpire of the Vampire by Jay KristoffProject Hail Mary by Andy WeirHall of Smoke by H.M. Long
Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy of 2021
210 books — 241 voters
Watership Down by Richard AdamsAnimal Farm by George OrwellThe Call of the Wild by Jack LondonBlack Beauty by Anna SewellAll Systems Red by Martha Wells
Through Another's Eyes: Xenofiction
433 books — 233 voters

The Poppy War by R.F. KuangDescendant of the Crane by Joan HeThe Deep Sky by Yume KitaseiMonstress, Volume 1 by Marjorie M. LiuAn Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Asian Speculative Fiction by Asian Authors -- #ownvoices
349 books — 221 voters
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. SchwabNostalgia by Iris LakeKatabasis by R.F. KuangHesha Vira's Challenge by Lyn McGinnisAmarel Mountain by Lyn McGinnis
2025 Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction
254 books — 191 voters

The Martian by Andy WeirLeviathan Wakes by James S.A. CoreyRed Mars by Kim Stanley RobinsonFoundation by Isaac AsimovThe Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
Near Future Space & Realistic Space Science Fiction
69 books — 187 voters
Accelerando by Charles StrossA Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor VingeDiaspora by Greg EganPermutation City by Greg EganAltered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
Transhuman Science Fiction
153 books — 186 voters

Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. CoreyHouse of Suns by Alastair ReynoldsThe Player of Games by Iain M. BanksChildren of Time by Adrian TchaikovskyOld Man's War by John Scalzi
Space Opera Books With a Goodreads Average Rating of 4.1 and Above
28 books — 153 voters
A Stitch in Time by Andrew Jordt RobinsonImzadi by Peter DavidSarek by A.C. CrispinSpock's World by Diane DuaneQ-Squared by Peter David
Star Trek Books That Don't Actually Suck
214 books — 127 voters

Barbarian Lover by Ruby DixonIce Planet Barbarians by Ruby DixonThe Corsair's Captive by Ruby DixonLauren's Barbarian by Ruby DixonBarbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon
Space Opera Erotic Romance
181 books — 124 voters
Slave to Sensation by Nalini SinghFury by Laurann DohnerCaressed by Ice by Nalini SinghValiant by Laurann DohnerPlay of Passion by Nalini Singh
Monogamy's DNA. Monogamy is genetic and impossible to avoid it romance novels!
222 books — 113 voters

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky ChambersAncillary Justice by Ann LeckieAll Systems Red by Martha WellsShards of Honour by Lois McMaster BujoldThe Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Space Opera Written By Women
248 books — 102 voters
The Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee SmithFury by Laurann DohnerIce Planet Barbarians by Ruby DixonDark Horse by Michelle DienerRal's Woman by Laurann Dohner
Best SFR (Science Fiction Romance)
286 books — 98 voters

Obsidio by Amie KaufmanThe Disasters by M.K. EnglandDefy the Worlds by Claudia GrayBrightly Burning by Alexa DonneSanctuary by Caryn Lix
2018 YA... in SPACE!
39 books — 94 voters
Cinder by Marissa MeyerWinter by Marissa MeyerScarlet by Marissa MeyerCress by Marissa MeyerFairest by Marissa Meyer
Sci-Fi Fairytale Retellings
68 books — 84 voters

Heir to the Empire by Timothy ZahnStar Wars by Timothy ZahnStar Wars by Timothy ZahnPath of Destruction by Drew KarpyshynRule of Two by Drew Karpyshyn
Best galactic fantasy books
104 books — 75 voters
The Stonegate Sword by Harry James FoxThe False Prophet by Harry James FoxUncommon Purpose by P.J. StreborHeart Blade by Juliana Spink MillsLiberator by Nick Bailey
Exciting New Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors To Try In 2017
50 books — 70 voters

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsGood Omens by Terry PratchettDirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas AdamsThe Colour of Magic by Terry PratchettPink Eye by Tom Norton
Zaphod's Science Fiction & Fantasy - Hilarious List!
80 books — 68 voters
The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda LeeThis Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona AndrewsPlatform Decay by Martha WellsAicha by Soraya BouazzaouiThe Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu
2026 Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction
144 books — 62 voters

La Nuit des temps by René BarjavelVingt mille lieues sous les mers by Jules VerneEmpire of the Ants by Bernard WerberLa Planète des singes by Pierre BoulleContact Immédiat Nous Ne Sommes Pas Seuls Dans L'Univers by Bryant Johnson
French Science-Fiction / Science-Fiction Française
88 books — 52 voters
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsRedshirts by John ScalziSo Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas AdamsSpace Opera by Catherynne M. ValenteThe Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
Humorous Space Opera
47 books — 36 voters

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