Request for Recommendations

[Ray]

I have been reading science fiction for 55 years. I have an unlimited kindle account, so I read a lot of stuff for free as well as the zero and low priced books. I read about one book a day.

It's hard to find something that looks like space opera/hard science fiction that I have not read. It's also hard to make a list of authors that I have read.

Maybe some of you have some recommendations?

Thanks

[Anna]

Hi Ray!

When you're a voracious reader, you might try our LISTOPIAS where group members recommend books to other members based upon certain sub-sub-genres?

We don't have a 'hard' space opera section, but we have a link to a Space Opera For Men Listopia and also a Girls With Guns Listopia that both runs towards military space opera.

Hope this helps?

[Anna]

Might help if I put in the link to the Listopias, eh? :-)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Ray]

Anna wrote: "Might help if I put in the link to the Listopias, eh? :-)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

checking out the link now.

thanks

[Ray]

Anna wrote: "Might help if I put in the link to the Listopias, eh? :-)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

found https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... and https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... in https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

thanks

[Ronnie]

You could do worse than check out the "USS Merrimack" series by R.M. Meluch.

Old fashioned space opera that reads like an amalgam of "Star Trek", "Battletar Galactica" and "Starship Troopers".

[Ray]

Ronnie wrote: "You could do worse than check out the "USS Merrimack" series by R.M. Meluch ... "

i will check that out.

the first 1.5 of the vatta series is good.

thanks

[Britt]

Hi Ray,
If you don't mind a biased recommendation, my own work is military space opera and I'm happy to say Kindle reviews are quite good. I write story-driven space opera with grand space battles and have built an extensive galaxy of characters at this point. There are two series, one completed called This Corner of the Universe (also the name of Book 1 of 5) and another called The Parasite Initiative with the first book released this past September (Hero of the Republic). The two series are related, but can be read in either order, and I've put the links to both Book 1's below.

This Corner of the Universe
Hero of the Republic:

Britt

[Terrence]

This Japanese space opera novel series, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, I picked up on recommendation. I haven't listened to the audiobooks yet, but I know it has an anime (Japanese cartoon) made for it that a lot of people praise. Looks like traditional military based space opera.



I also found this novel recently in my search for novels by Japanese authors, and it's at the very least scifi (I think hard scifi). Female lead I believe. Trying to stay in the dark on it (the American release combines 3 books worth of content, I believe about 750 pages worth of reading).



Also, I can personally recommend the manga Terraformars. Volume 1 is a fairly self contained beginning to ending story, and then if you're intrigued enough, you can return for the main series that starts in the next volume (or watch the anime). It's scifi horror.

[Trike]

A book a day? Holy frijoles.

Have you dipped your toe into the Perry Rhodan universe? It's not hard SF, but it's at least plentiful.

From Wikipedia:

As of April 2016, more than 2850 booklet novels of the original series plus 850 spinoff novels of the sister series de:Atlan plus over 400 paperbacks and 200 hardcovers have been published, totalling over 300,000 pages.

Deathlands is comprised of 100 novels to date, post-apocalyptic wasteland adventures

The Destroyer (aka Remo Williams) is up to 149 books.

See also: Mack Bolan. 600+ novels to date.

[Ronnie]

If you're in the mood for some comedy, then give the Space Captain Smith series a try.

Wonderfully silly sci-fi that reads like a cross between "Dan Dare" and "Red Dwarf".

The latest book in the series, End of Empires, is quite possibly the only novel you'll ever read that makes fun of both "My Little Pony" and "Apocalypse Now" at the same time.

[Lizzie]

Ray wrote: "I have been reading science fiction for 55 years. I have an unlimited kindle account, so I read a lot of stuff for free as well as the zero and low priced books. I read about one book a day...."

Hi Ray,

check out the Big Sigma series by Josrph Lallo. I discovered him through bookbub. The first book in the series Bypass Gemini is avaikabke free on Amazon.

[Heather]

Have you tried Alastair Reynolds books? I consider it good/interesting science.

[Joel]

I have enjoyed The Risen Empire by Scott Westerfeld. This was written before all of his YA stuff, and I would consider it hard scifi/space opera. It's a two book series that centers around one major space conflict. Lots of cool gadgets and action.

[Fee]

My current space opera favourite is the Linesman series by Australian author duo S.K. Dunstall, starting with Linesman.

[Bhaswar]

https://www.amazon.in/Cycle-Bhaswar-L... The Cycle
You will certainly enjoy!

[J.]

Ray, I would like to invite you to try our recently-released novel Life Sentence: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Sentence-... It deals with several types of alien-human encounters that revolve around sexuality, politics, religion, economics, and planetary domination. So far, we've got 5 star reviews and we would be interested in your opinion, Jim and John Gaines

[Matt]

Ray wrote: "I have been reading science fiction for 55 years. I have an unlimited kindle account, so I read a lot of stuff for free as well as the zero and low priced books. I read about one book a day.

It's ..."
Hi, I'd like to recommend the The Alliance I just recently finished it and left a review. I'm pretty sure you haven't read this author. It's one to look out for. It's not hard sci-fi, but as it's the first of a series, I can't say what the rest will look like.

[Michael]

You've probably read this, but if you haven't you owe it to yourself to read Hyperion by Dan Simmons. I avoided reading it for a long time since the cover text never grabbed me.

I finally did because I was writing our own space opera (Cough, cough Shadow Run) and was trying to read up on anything that could be considered Space Opera.

Holy smokes, did I love that book. One of those stories that got me emotionally and mentally, and I dearly wish I could weave a tale like that.

If you have read it, and you've read most 'major' sci fi/space opera works, we'll go for some deeper cuts!

1. On Basilisk Station - the Honor Harrington books are essentially Horatio Hornblower in SPAAAACE and violate quite a few rules of what should make an interesting book but... dang if the ship battles at the end aren't awesome, anTimothy Zahnd some of the character relationships sneak into your heart.

2. Have you read any of the Star Wars extended universe (EU) books? It's my humble opinion that can be a somewhat desolate wasteland, but it is populated by some real gems, that definitely hit the Star Wars space opera itch. Anything byTimothy Zahn , Michael A. Stackpole and Barbara Hambly tends to be excellent (this goes for their other books as well, incidentally).

3. The Sheep Look Up This is not a space opera book by any stretch of the imagination, but it is science fiction, and very dystopian... except for that parts that are frighteningly true now, considering they were written in the 70's when it was nothing but guesses. A grim book, but one that ended up making a real impression on me.

[Nina]

Michael wrote: "You've probably read this, but if you haven't you owe it to yourself to read Hyperion by Dan Simmons.

That's my favorite book too! The whole Cantos is absolutely divine. I'm reading Pandora's star by Peter Hamilton right now and really enjoying it very much.

[Brad]

I hear a lot of good about Hyperion. I'll give it another try. I wish the first 15 pages captured me better.

[Trike]

Brad wrote: "I hear a lot of good about Hyperion. I'll give it another try. I wish the first 15 pages captured me better."

I'm in the anti-Hyperion group. I do not understand the love that book gets.

[Michael]

Brad wrote: "I hear a lot of good about Hyperion. I'll give it another try. I wish the first 15 pages captured me better."

You know, I avoided it because the description didn't sound that gripping and yes... the first chapter, heck, two chapters don't spend any time at all trying to inform the reader of why they should be invested.

But honestly, I'm okay with that as a reader. Some of my favorite books required you commit to them at the beginning! But it's a huge turn off for others, I know.

Of course, it might just not be your cup of tea, period.

[Michael]

Nina wrote: "That's my favorite book too! The whole Cantos is absolutely divine. I'm reading Pandora's star by Peter Hamilton right now and really enjoying it very much."

Oh man, I've never read his stuff before, and I just looked up the Nights Dawn Trilogy - it looks awesome! Have you read it?

[AndrewP]

Just my opinion but I found Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained vastly superior to the first two Hyperion books.

[Shikha]

Ray wrote: "I have been reading science fiction for 55 years. I have an unlimited kindle account, so I read a lot of stuff for free as well as the zero and low priced books. I read about one book a day.

It's ..."

You can check out Starship Samudram. It was a very interesting read.

The book is on KU. The author is also new. But, it is an interesting read and pretty different as compared to many sci-fi books out there....

[Matt]

I've recently finished The Alliance by Chris G. Wright and I thought it was a brilliant sci-fi by an indie author. It's a big book and has some decentreviews, my own included. But I think this guy really hits the nail on the head https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I highly recommend it if you like melodrama, action, adventure, an intriguing plot and engaging reading.


I'm also reading Ninefox Gambit, another great book. Not as diverse, but really enjoyable.

[Nina]

Michael wrote: Oh man, I've never read his stuff before, and I just looked up the Nights Dawn Trilogy - it looks awesome! Have you read it?
No I haven't read Nights Dawn Trilogy yet. I read a lot of reviews and decided to start with the Commonwealth Saga, and then go into Void trilogy. I might read Night's Dawn after.

AndrewP wrote: "Just my opinion but I found Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained vastly superior to the first two Hyperion books."

I think loving Hyperion is a personal choice for me. It spoke to me on a different level than many other books that I had read at the time. I think it's unfair to judge Hyperion by the first 2 books because the last 2 books are very moving , and combined they make an epic story. Again, I think it's mostly a personal choice and flavor and like many books/movies some people like it and some just don't. I haven't read Judas Unchained yet but Pandora is amazing so far. I really love it, but I still haven't finished. I can say that in all honesty I'm enjoying Pandora's Star more than I did with the Alistair Reynold Revelation Space series. But Hyperion (the Cantos as a whole)... I think it's just different for me because of where I was and who I was when I read it. Not sure if that makes sense. Some books just stick with you.....

[Buzz H.]

Ray if you have not read C.J. Cherryh's space opera I'd strongly recommend the Faded Sun books, starting with Kesrith. Other excellent Cherryh books include Downbelow Station, Foreigner, and The Pride of Chanur.

Then there are Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan books, beginning with Shards of Honor. These are excellent.

Recent space opera reads of mine include Alive and Children of Time. The first was very good and the second good.

[Kirsten]

I back Buzz H. on the Chanur books and the Vorkosigan saga!

[Ray]

Britt wrote: "Hi Ray,
If you don't mind a biased recommendation, ... ..."

just got book 1 of tcotu.

thanks

[Ray]

Buzz H. wrote: "Ray if you have not read C.J. Cherryh's space opera I'd strongly recommend the Faded Sun books, starting with Kesrith. Other excellent Cherryh books include [book:Downbelow Station|57..."

i have read all of lmb books as well as cj cherryh's.

thanks

[Ray]

> Have you dipped your toe into the Perry Rhodan universe? ...
yes, a long time ago.

>Deathlands is comprised of 100 novels to date, post-apocalyptic wasteland adventures

sorta burned out on post apocalyptic stuff.

>The Destroyer ...
yes, i got through the first 100.

>See also: Mack Bolan. 600+ novels to date.

read many. a long time ago.

thanks

[Ray]

Heather wrote: "Have you tried Alastair Reynolds books? I consider it good/interesting science."

yes, read all of his.

thanks

[Ray]

Bhaswar wrote: "https://www.amazon.in/Cycle-Bhaswar-L... The Cycle
You will certainly enjoy!"

got it from amazon.

thanks

[Ray]

Michael wrote: "You've probably read this, but if you haven't you owe it to yourself to read Hyperion by Dan Simmons. I avoided reading it for a long time since the cover text never grabbed me.

I fi..."

yes, the hyperion series is great. read all of weber's stuff.

i avoid most of the star wars stuff.

sheep look up - yes.

can'r find shadow run.

thanks

[Ray]

Imagination_Hunter wrote: "I've recently finished The Alliance by Chris G. Wright and I thought it was a brilliant sci-fi by an indie author. It's a big book and has some decentreviews, my o..."

got first alliance from amazon.

thanks

[Ray]

Michael wrote: "Nina wrote: "That's my favorite book too! The whole Cantos is absolutely divine. I'm reading Pandora's star by Peter Hamilton right now and really enjoying it very much."

Oh man, I've never read h..."

read all of peter hamiltons stuff.

thanks

[Dougalishere]

Michael wrote: "Nina wrote: "That's my favorite book too! The whole Cantos is absolutely divine. I'm reading Pandora's star by Peter Hamilton right now and really enjoying it very much."

Oh man, I've never read h..."

The Nights Dawn is probably my favorite series of sci-fi books. It's amazing. The thing is I have found it is kinda polarizing, people either love it or hate it.
His commonwealth saga, starting with Pandoras Star and finishing with Judas Unchained is in my humble opinion a better introduction to Hamilton. This also leads to two other series set in the same Universe.
I have read all of Hamiltons books several times over now, I cant get enough of him.

As for recommendations, I guess if your as voracious as it sounds you have probably already read the Polity books by Neal Asher. ( My personal favorite author)

Some other less known books, wich I am kind of in love with are:

Spinward Fringe series by Randolph Lalonde (up to 10 books now, a most excellent binge read)

and The Silver Ships by S. H. Jucha.

These last two are by no means up to the standard of Banks and Hamilton etc.. but I have spent many hours enthralled by them nonetheless.

[R.]

You could try my Arcturian books Run from the Stars and Turn to the Stars . They are set in a very upbeat universe. There are five hundred colonised planets, and there have been no major wars for five centuries, but this is an unstable utopia, it could disintegrate very quickly if critical technology was in the wrong hands.

Two unscrupulous adventurers believe that they can become very rich by stealing that technology.

Jane Gould, a young Space Fleet officer with a sense of fun and a creative approach to regulations, alone can stop them, but at what personal cost?

[Ray]

Dougalishere wrote: ... Spinward Fringe series by Randolph Lalonde (up to 10 books now, a most excellent binge read) ... ."

read the first 9, just got 10.

thanks

[Ray]

R. wrote: "You could try my Arcturian books Run from the Stars and Turn to the Stars . They are set in a very upbeat universe. There are five hundred colonised planets, and the..."

read the first. starting the second now.

thanks

[Bill]

Have you read the Union Station series Date Night on Union Station. The covers and titles may sound like it's some sort of cheesy Space Opera romance, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it's really all space station political intrigue and interesting aliens with quite a bit of humor thrown in, think the more light-hearted stuff in Babylon 5. Also you have to read the whole Culture series by Ian M. Banks Consider Phlebas. It's hard to even describe how good they are, some of the best space opera or fiction, period.

[Nina]

Hi Guys,
I'm also looking for some recommendations. I just started reading the Evolutionary Void (3rd book in Void Trilogy by Peter Hamilton) and I need to start getting my next batch of books in preparation for this series to be over.

I'd like to read something new by someone I've never read before. I've read Alister Raynolds so not his stuff please. And I've had enough of Hamilton for now so not going to start Nights Dawn.

Also, I really hate deus ex machina endings, where the writer just kind of gives up and finishes the book just cause .... well there's nowhere else to go? *cough* Absolution Gap *cough*. So none of that please! lol.

I was considering stating the Gap Series, but I've read how it's got a lot of rape/graphic stuff in it, which I'm not sure I'm down for right now... Or Consider Phlebas?

There are just so many options. Thoughts? Opinions?
Thanks guys!

[Trike]

Nina wrote: "Hi Guys,
I'm also looking for some recommendations. I just started reading the Evolutionary Void (3rd book in Void Trilogy by Peter Hamilton) and I need to start getting my next batch of books in p..."

You might want to try The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet as a palate-cleanser. Lots of space, not much opera, and more character-centric than plot-heavy.

[Najaf]

Nina wrote: "Hi Guys,
I'm also looking for some recommendations. I just started reading the Evolutionary Void (3rd book in Void Trilogy by Peter Hamilton) and I need to start getting my next batch of books in p..."
you havent read ender's game or dune so i guess you could start there and both are series so you'll be set for couple of weeks.

[D.]

If you have not read Consider Phlebas you should. If you like epic stories and great writing you cannot do better than Ian M Banks. No real graphic violence but epic storytelling. Maybe the Hydrogen Sonata would be the one. Each book is a standalone story so it really does not matter what order you read them in.

If you are looking for something very new, I have a new book coming out as part of a series started last year. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K7YS6PO

[AndrewP]

If you really like the content of Hamilton and Reynolds then Banks is the way to go.

[Budd]

I thought I saw one of Vernor Vinge's "Zones of Thought" books listed for reading a while back, but couldn't find it.
I would suggest the series.
I read the series a year ago, and as often happens, I started with #2 of a series.
#1 "A Fire Upon The Deep" is pretty much a stand alone story and very dramatic.
#3 "The Children of the Sky" does follow from #2. The pair were epic.

[Edward]

Nina wrote: "Hi Guys,
I'm also looking for some recommendations. I just started reading the Evolutionary Void (3rd book in Void Trilogy by Peter Hamilton) and I need to start getting my next batch of books in p..."

I'm currently re-reading (for the third time) Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War series, and I highly recommend it. It's one of those series you can't put down. She's started a new spinoff series, Vatta's Peace, so there's lots of good fast reading ahead of you.