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Hi all,
I have read all of Elizabeth Moon. I've read a lot of David Weber and Jack Campbell. Scalzi. Everything Miles Vorkosigan (Bujold). If you were to create a continuum of space adventure novels spaced on quantity and level of detail of space battles per novel, you might find David Weber on one end and Anathem (with arguably only one) on the other. What/who else can I read that is located near Elizabeth Moon on my continuum? I like the strategy and all the above mentioned writers have great characters, but...well, I just need a few fewer in-depth space battles than some I've been reading lately. Does this make sense? I'm looking for some great space adventures. Cmon, help me out. I'm desperate here...
Thanks!
Michele

You might like Jack McDevitt. The books I've read by him are pure space adventure that don't involve battles.

Thanks a lot, Sandi. I'm off to the library to pick one up. In case anyone else has any ideas, I do like space battles, just a medium amount of them. (That's a technical term of course. You hear generals saying all the time, "Last year we had a medium amount of battles. Well done.")
Michele

The Kris Longknife series by Mike Shepherd reminded me a bit of the Honor Harrington series without all the mind-numbing statistics.

Is the Planet Pirate series by Anne McCaffrey considered space adventure? First one is Sassinak. This series is also connected to the Dinosaur Planet series.

Michele wrote: "Hi all,
I have read all of Elizabeth Moon. I've read a lot of David Weber and Jack Campbell. Scalzi. Everything Miles Vorkosigan (Bujold). If you were to create a continuum of space adventure nove..."

Try R M Meluch - if you want more serious themes, any of her one off novels. I thought Jerusalem Fire was her absolute best, with the most depth. If you like fun space adventure with great characters, her series, The Myriad fits the bill. She develops her characters every bit as well as Bujold, and her plots for the Myriad move faster than any of the Honor Harrington I've read. She's a spicier read that Elizabeth Moon.

Here's a link to a list I started with a whole pile of this kind of book:
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/11...
(more suggestions always welcome!)

And someone else asked a similar question and asked for recommendations for 'naval/space opera', you might find some good suggestions here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Happy reading!

Thank you thank you thank you all!
Michele

Well, there's always me and my book 'Mindset'. No space battles, but not a bad tale by all (independent) accounts and some very realistic technology.

Michele wrote: "Hi all,
I have read all of Elizabeth Moon..."

Hi Michele,

If you want a rollicking, yet intelligent read, that grabs you then won't let go as it twists and turns through a complicated space thriller, then try
Stephen R. Donaldson's Gap series.
It consists of 5 books, but the first The Real Story The Gap Into Conflict is a quick read, so you can easily dip your toe in and see if you like it.
I think the author based his story on the Wagnerian 'Ring Cycle', but don't let that frighten you off, I found it a compulsive and highly enjoyable series of books. Got some Space Battles in there too, if I remember rightly.

Michele wrote: "Hi all,
I have read all of Elizabeth Moon. I've read a lot of David Weber and Jack Campbell. Scalzi. Everything Miles Vorkosigan (Bujold). If you were to create a continuum of space adventure nove..."

Hi Michelle,

You have got to try The Sparrow and The Children of God!!! Mary Doria Russell - Brilliant

Thanks, Richard. I've read a lot of SD's fantasy, but never read the Gap series. Thanks for recommending.
Michele

LOVE The Sparrow and Children of God. The Sparrow is one of my all time favorite books to buy for people. Although, once it is in paperback, it will get stiff competition from the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. If you are interested in non-sci-fi novels, I can't recommend this one highly enough.
Thanks so much for the recommendation.
Michele

Pat wrote: "Well, there's always me and my book 'Mindset'. No space battles, but not a bad tale by all (independent) accounts and some very realistic technology."

Thanks for the recommendation, Pat. I'll check it out.
Michele

Michele wrote: "What/who else can I read that is located near Elizabeth Moon on my continuum?"
Tanya Huff's Confederation of Valor series is truly excellent. Also try R. M. Meluch's work, including Sovereign and most especially The Queen's Squadron. She has a more recent series but I wasn't happy with book 4.

Michele,

Whenever I see a post like this I love to recommend the Hyperion series by Dan Simmons. The first one is one of my favorite books of all time, and the other 3 aren't far behind. Some space battles, but also contains a deeper story and characters that you care about.

Marc, John,
Thanks for the recs. I've added Hyperion and The Queen's Squadron. I can't wait!
Michele

I loved Hyperion. I, too, have it as one of my fave books of all time, but I wouldn't call it Space Opera. (Do read it, though, Michelle, if you liked The Sparrow.)

Elizabeth Moon is one of my faves, as well, so thanks for this topic. I'm getting great suggestions as well!

Here are my suggestions:

1. Expendable-James Alan Gardner (first in Expendables universe) Tied for my favorite author of all time. I love everything he has written and I think it would appeal to a fan of Moon.

2. Stardoc by S.L. Viehl (Stardoc series)

3. Heavy Time by C.J. Cherryh (Alliance-Union Universe)

4. The Price of the Stars Book One of Mageworlds-Debra Doyle (Magewords)

5. Agent of Change-Sharon Lee (Liaden Universe book #1) The first three are fantastic, later ones not so much.

Kelly, thanks so much for the spirit of your recommendations as well as the letter. My father in law wrote science fiction reviews for the NYTimes for a long time and he has always recommended C.J. Cherryh, but I have never read one! I also loved Agent of Change, but a read a later one and didn't love it, so I'll go back for the 3rd and 2nd. I'll add the others to my list. Thanks so much.
Michele

You're welcome. Your father-in-law must be so cool! I love some of Cherryh's work and don't like others. I'm not as fond of the Chanur series but love the merchanter stuff and Cyteen is one of my faves of all time.

Sandra McDonald has written 2 military sf novels which are great.

Wen Spencer came out with Endless Blue last summer and I recommend it highly as well.

Naomi Novik's series Temeraire could be called military fantasy, and anyone who likes the Hornblower series will like it, I predict.

I haven't seen the Naked God trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton recommended yet. The first book is The Reality Dysfunction. It's an excellent space adventure/space opera that includes sentient space ships. I like almost everything else this author has written, but I think that series is the closest to what you're looking for.

Another series you might like is the Dream Empire's Fall trilogy by Walter Jon Williams. The first book is The Praxis.

I'd second the recommendation for the Gap series by Stephen R. Donaldson, but one word of warning: IMO the first book is by far the weakest in the series. If you don't like it, make sure to at least try book 2.

Oh, one more: since someone already recommended C. J. Cherryh (one of my favorite authors ever), make sure to also try her Chanur series, which is one of her most fun, pure space adventure series. The first 3 books are available in one paperback.

You might look at Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet books. Dauntless is the first one. They're military SF, and may be a little heavy on battles, but I (who am not a huge fan of battles) found them fascinating. It's another series for anyone who loved Temeraire, or Hornblower.

I loved C.J. Cherryh's Chanur series. You might also enjoy The Faded Sun Trilogy which is three books in one. Cherryh does a lot with human adaptability.

I didn't like the first Gap book by Donaldson, so maybe I'll take a peek at book 2. It's not like I don't have enough to read now.

I'm enjoying all these recommendations... Making my own list...

Piers Anthony had a 5-part series back in the Eighties called "Bio of a Space Tyrant". It's been out of print for years, but I really wish it would be re-issued. I have no idea what happened to my copies. If you can find it at the library, it's very entertaining.

I've read that series Sandi! I still have a couple of the paperbacks (but not all of them.)

Carolyn wrote: "I've read that series Sandi! I still have a couple of the paperbacks (but not all of them.)
"

As I was looking at it a while back, I noticed that there's a sixth book that's told from the POV of the sister. I never read that one.

>I have read all of Elizabeth Moon.

Have you read Speed of Dark? It's not a space adventure, but it's one of my all-time favorites. I like it so much I buy it and give it to non-readers of sf. And then they pass it on.

Sandi wrote: "As I was looking at it a while back, I noticed that there's a sixth book that's told from the POV of the sister. I never read that one.
..."

I haven't read it either, so I added it to my tbr list. I'd probably need to reread the whole series before it though, so it's pretty far down my list. = ) I think it's called "The Iron Maiden"

Julia wrote: ">I have read all of Elizabeth Moon.

Have you read Speed of Dark? It's not a space adventure, but it's one of my all-time favorites. I like it so much I buy it and give it to non-readers of sf. ..."

Speed of Dark was a great surprise for me. I kept putting that one off and finally broke down to read it. Excellent book.

Michelle,
I saw someone recommend Peter F Hamilton's "The Naked God" series, but I would say that you can't go wrong with most of his other books. Hamilton cranks out some mighty fine Space Opera. He is a credit to world building, and vast huge epic stories. I really enjoyed "Fallen Dragon" by him.

Also, two books by Scott Westerfeld, "The Risen Empire" and "The Killing of Worlds" are two of my all time favorite science fiction books. They are some of the best Space Opera I have ever read. Scott is better known for writing YA Fantasy, but good lord, that guy can sure write some awesome adult Science Fiction. I wish that he would do more of it.

Hope that helps.

I'm reading The Speed of Dark right now and it's excellent. I think I liked Bio of a Space Tyrant as well.

I thought Piers Anthony's Macroscope was better than his 'Bio of a Space Tyrant', Refugee & the other 4. They were OK, though.

I'd be remiss not to recommend Iain M Banks' Culture novels. It starts chronologically with Consider Phlebas, although each of the novels are standalone. I've read the first three so far, and they're really fantastic. Not a lot of space battles, but a good amount of action and truly great storytelling. He's got a good sense of humor (as evidenced by the names of the Culture's starships, which are sentient). Give it a shot.

Kevin J. Anderson's Saga of the Seven Suns is a good space opera. Lots of complex and interwoven character-driven stories. The first book is Hidden Empire.

Hi Michelle!

A great place to start with Cherryh is her Chanur series, as someone already said. It does have some space battles, but doesn't linger on them. It's so much more than that, with fantastic characters, a deeper meaning, yet very easy, light read too. Perfect for this kind of weather!

Hyperion is very intense, and will require much more concentration than Chanur, but it is a great read.

I also love Vernor Vinge's A Deepness in the Sky, and A Fire Upon the Deep.

And then there's Bujold's Miles series. Wonderful stuff. Also fast read. Quite addictive!

I also love Banks' Culture novels. They are a bit meatier.

When I say easy or meatier read, I don't mean one is better than the other, sometimes I am in the mood for something that doesn't require my utmost concentration to get it.

THose are the space operas that come to mind.

Sheesh, I've really got to get to Elizabeth Moon! The only one I've read is Speed of Dark.

You know, I didn't really like Consider Phlebas that much and didn't really plan to read any more until someone urged me to give the series a second chance. But I read it months ago and I can't get it out of my head. That is a very good sign, I think.

Yeah, Kelly, that you didn't like it, but still can't it out of your head, to me, says a lot. I have Banks' The Algebraist on my TBR pile/ shelf/ stack. Maybe I should move it up?!

Julia wrote: "Yeah, Kelly, that you didn't like it, but still can't it out of your head, to me, says a lot. I have Banks' The Algebraist on my TBR pile/ shelf/ stack. Maybe I should move it up?! "

The thing with The Algebraist is that it's a stand-alone novel, not linked to his "Culture" universe, though it has much the same flavor. I read it and found it fascinating in parts (I really liked the concept of an alien race inhabiting gas giant planets), in parts quite exasperating. At first I didn't think I'd be reading any more Banks, but I couldn't stay away. He writes the richest, most outlandish space opera around right now, it would seem.

For a fun and interesting read, I'd like to suggest my own novel, MAGENTA ZEPHYR & THE UNIVERSE BENDER. It's written for pure fun, with only one extremely short and sweet space battle . . . Lots of interesting characters and oddball humor.{:>) magentazephyr.com........

If you want to try a real classic of Sf try "Galactic Patrol" by Edward E. Smith! It is number #3 in the Lensment series; but it was written first. Lensman #1 and 2 are prequels and you can read them later if you like the series!

Very dated now, but you can see where Smith used many concepts later adapted by later sf writers!

Stefan wrote: "I haven't seen the Naked God trilogy by Peter F. Hamilton recommended yet. The first book is The Reality Dysfunction. It's an excellent space adventure/space opera tha..."

I agree, I think Peter F. Hamilton is the best hard sci-fi space opera (esp military sci-fi) out there...

if you aren't ready for some 3,000 pages you could start with Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained. They are EXCELLENT!

Gabriel wrote: "I'd be remiss not to recommend Iain M Banks' Culture novels. It starts chronologically with Consider Phlebas, although each of the novels are standalone. I've read the first three so far, and the..."

I tried one of these Iain M. Banks books, I think Excession but could BARELY get through it.

What's the best of the Culture books? I also couldn't stomach Stephen Baxter, in case you want to recommend him. (I read all three Mainfold books.

Have you read David Brin's Uplift books? The first one is Sundiver. I don't remember that one well, but I do know that the second one, Startide Rising, has space battles.

Mad wrote: "if you aren't ready for some 3,000 pages you could start with Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained. They are EXCELLENT! "

I started Pandora's Star a couple days ago and so far I'm enjoying it. I'm about 1/3 of the way through at the moment.

Re: Stephen Baxter and Manifold books. I haven't read them myself, but my husband has and he says they are not up to snuff compared to the author's other books. You might consider The Time Ships. Its a sequel to The Time Machine and is quite good IMO.

Pandora's Star has such a great beginning, I think. The first scene on the trains is just such an eye-opener.

I do like his Naked God series (starting with The Reality Dysfunction better.

You may enjoy reading Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire Trilogy for the Star Wars line of novels. It's easily one of the greatest trilogies of space adventure novels ever written. Great thing is you don't have to be familiar with the other books to read it.

Oh, the Zahn novels were awesome. Really well done.

Many great suggestions and I agree with many of them.

My A-List would start with:

1. The Pride of Chanur books by Cherryh; Rimrunners by Cherryh also fits this category well
2. The Reality Dysfunction series is good (a little macabre) by Peter Hamilton. The last book is a monster.
3. The Vernon Vinge books A Deepness in the Sky and a Fire Upon the Deep are the best space opera books in a long time.
4. I also strongly agree on the Mageworld books by Debra Doyle. They are a great series for anyone who likes Moon.
5. I think anyone who likes these sf books should also look at Gateway by Frederick Pohl. This is classic sf.
6. Hammer's Slammers by David Drake is more of the military side of things.
7. Tanya Huff's Valor books is also more of the military side of things.
8. You might take a look at the Evergence trilogy by Sean Williams & Shane Dix.
9. Liege Killer by Christopher Hinz (this is an awesome read. Exceptional sf.
10. The Conquerors Saga by Timothy Zahn (not star wars)
11. David Feintuch's Hope series (just the first 3 after that it went down hill)
12. Darktraders (Hellflower)
by Eluki Bes Shahar
13. Deathstalker by Simon Green (very light very bloody)
14. The Solar Queen by Andre Norton (more traders than war but fun)
15. Fool's War by Sarah Zettel (traders, AI, space opera)


I would not put Hyperion or Dan Simmons on this list. His books take place almost entirely on Hyperion and while good reads are really novels of ideas rather than space opera with a military slant.

I've heard really good things about:

Spin State by Chris Moriarty
The Revelation Space series by Alastair Reynolds

I read Spin State and its a great book. One of the best sf I have read in a while, but I am not sure it fits the category.

Jeffrey wrote: "I read Spin State and its a great book. One of the best sf I have read in a while, but I am not sure it fits the category."

Ah, my mistake. The book jacket had me thinking this was along the same lines as Appleseed.