As someone who loves the prospect and adventure of space, I’ve found it really difficult to get into space opera.
I’ve found that a lot of books are…corny? Maybe a little too young adult? I don’t really enjoy comedic relief or romance in my novels, but a lot I’ve attempted to read end up coming across as kind of silly and it turns me away.
Anything more serious out there?
by arkitector
11 Comments
I liked Dune, but that’s the only one I’ve read out of the series. Same with Ender’s Game (not sure if that counts).
Dune
Hyperion
Solaris
Planetes (manga)
Kate Elliott has an ongoing space opera series, “Unconquerable Sun” that’s based on the rise and fall of Alexander the Great. It’s low on romance and comedic effect, it’s mostly about political maneuvering and geopolitics.
Elliott’s not traditionally a sci-fi writer, it might appeal to someone who doesn’t love conventional space operas. It is NOT a hard sci-fi book, it doesn’t delve into the mechanics of the tech.
Kameron Hurley has “The Stars Are Legion” which has a romance, but is primarily a dark adventure novel. It’s set in a world where bioengineered space ships compete for resources. Not much humor, more focus on cool and disturbing imagery.
Try *Ancillary Justice* for a semi-actiony space opera but that’s largely about the meaning of identity and consciousness along with themes of colonialism and gender.
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
The Expanse by James SA Corey. First book is Leviathan Wakes.
Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds.
Knowing what you read that you couldn’t suspend disbelief with would help some.
A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge is an incredible space opera.
The Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold.
Saga comic?
Ongoing though..
Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
Any of the Culture novels by Iain M Banks