Space Operas

“The term Space Opera was originally used to belittle stories containing worn-out clichés and that were considered to be of poor quality. Now, however, it stands for adventure among the stars, featuring entire galaxies fighting for dominance or survival. The characters are largerthan-life and engage in fantastic adventures using incredible technologies.” — Novelist

Hidden Empire by Kevin J. Anderson
A long time from now in a spiral arm of our own galaxy, three factions of the human race have the place more or less to themselves. As for resident aliens, the Ildrians are aging pacifists, and the Kilkiss are extinct. Unfortunately, two archeologists, using an ancient Kilkiss artifact to turn a gas giant into a minor star to make its system habitable, thoroughly incense its inhabitants, the Hydrogues, who swarm out from their home world in a fleet of huge, deadly ships. The Saga of Seven Suns series continues with A Forest of Stars.

Nemesis by Isaac Asimov
In the 23rd century pioneers have escaped the crowded earth for life in self-sustaining orbital colonies. One of the colonies, Rotor, has broken away from the solar system to create its own utopia around an unknown red star named Nemesis two light-years from Earth. A Rotorian girl has learned of the dire threat that Nemesis poses to Earth's people. Soon she will realize that Nemesis endangers Rotor, as well. And so it will be up to her alone to save both Earth and Rotor as – drawn inexorably by Nemesis – they hurtle toward certain disaster. Also try Asimov's classic Foundation series.

The Precipice by Ben Bova
Once, Dan Randolph was one of the richest men on Earth. Now the planet is spiraling into environmental disaster, with floods and earthquakes destroying the lives of millions. Randolph knows the energy and natural resources of space can save Earth's economy, but the price may be the loss of the only thing he has left – the company he founded, Astro Manufacturing. Martin Humphries, fabulously wealthy heir of the Humphries Trust, also knows that space-based industry is the way of the future. But unlike Randolph, he doesn't care if Earth perishes in the process. The Asteroid Wars have begun - and continue with The Rock Rats.

The Hammer of God by Arthur C. Clarke
In the year 2110 technology has cured most of our worries. But even as humankind enters a new golden age, an amateur astronomer sees an asteroid hurtling toward Earth that could annihilate civilization. While a few fanatics welcome the apocalyptic destruction as a sign from God, the greatest scientific minds of Earth desperately search for a way to avoid the inevitable. On board the starship Goliath, Captain Robert Singh and his crew must race against time to redirect the meteor from its deadly collision course, and suddenly they find themselves on the most important mission in human history. Also try Fountains of Paradise.

Pandora’s Star by Peter Hamilton
In the Twenty-fourth-century humanity has colonized the stars, thanks to the discovery of wormhole travel, and established a commonwealth. Humans have even encountered aliens and space-faring artifacts. One remaining mystery is the barrier around stars known as the Dyson Pair. Human curiosity being what it is, a spaceship goes to investigate. When what’s behind the barrier is discovered, aliens formerly trapped inside it, fighting over limited resources, are freed to invade human space. The sequel is Judas Unchained.

The Engines of God by Jack McDevitt
Two hundred years ago, humans made a stunning discovery in the far reaches of the solar system: a huge statue of an alien creature, with an inscription that defied all efforts at translation. Now, as faster-than-light drive opens the stars to exploration, humans are finding other relics of the race they call the Monument-Makers – each different and heartbreakingly beautiful. On an epic journey that covers four planets, a group of archeologists uncovers ruins that offer clues to the builders' identity and follows them to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Also try McDevitt's other space-faring adventures, including: Chindi, Omega and Polaris.

Newton's Wake: A Space Opera by Ken MacLeod
In the aftermath of the Hard Rapture, a cataclysmic war sparked by the evolution of Earth's artificial
intelligences into godlike beings, a few remnants of humanity managed to survive. Some even prospered. Lucinda Carlyle had carved out a profitable niche for herself by taking control of a chain of interstellar gates left behind by the post-humans. But on a remote planet at the farthest rim of the galaxy, Lucinda stumbled upon a forgotten relic that could shatter the balance of power and change the nature of reality itself.

The New Space Opera edited by Gardner Dozois and Jonathan Strahan
The rich space opera tradition, extending from the off-world voyages of Verne and Wells to this galaxy embracing anthology, is arguably SF's most prolific subgenre. Veteran anthologist Dozois and coeditor Strahan present some of the newest boundary-stretching variations on the category's many themes. Accordingly, the roster of contributors includes some of contemporary SF's brightest innovators, such as Peter Hamilton and Robert Silverberg, as well as such rising stars as Tony Daniel and Mary Rosenblum. (Note: this book is filed by title under “New.”)

Star Soldiers by Andre Norton
The first starships from Earth have burst out into the universe...only to run straight into the restraining grasp of the alien federation known as Central Control. Humans can only go to the stars as interstellar mercenaries; the aliens who already dominate the galaxy allow no other recourse. But when Swordsman Third Class Kana Karr and his comrades-in-arms are betrayed and abandoned on a hostile world by their alien masters, the warriors from Earth begin a desperate but glorious march across a planet whose every sword is against them.

Revelation Space by Alistair Reynolds
In the far future, a singular question haunts humanity: why are there so few intelligent civilizations in the universe? Revelation Space is a sprawling operatic novel that ranges across vast gulfs of time and space – to arrive at a terrifying answer. Nine hundred thousand years ago, something annihilated the Amarantin civilization just when it was on the verge of discovering space flight. But the Amarantin were destroyed for a reason – and if that reason is uncovered, the universe – and reality itself – could be irrevocably altered.Reynold's Revelation Space series continues with Chasm City.

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
With his wife dead and buried, John Perry, age 75, takes the only logical course of action left him: he joins the army. Now known as the Colonial Defense Force (CDF), the armed service has extended its reach into interstellar space to pave the way for human colonization of other planets while fending off marauding aliens. Perry’s youth is restored with a new body and soon fights for his life on various alien-infested battlegrounds. This series continues with The Ghost Brigades.

Hyperion by Dan Simmons
On the planet Hyperion, beyond the Hegemony of Man, there waits the creature called the Shrike. There are those who worship it, those who fear it, and those who have vowed to destroy it. On the eve of Armageddon, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims set forth on a final voyage to Hyperion, and the Shrike, seeking the answers to the unsolved riddles of their lives. Each carries a desperate hope – and a terrible secret. And one may hold the fate of humanity in his hands. The Hyperion Cantos series continues with Fall of Hyperion.

Shatterpoint: a Clone Wars Novel by Michael Stover
The novels based on the universe that George Lucas first created are classic Space Operas with clear good guys and bad guys of many different races and species battling for freedom. In this first novel in the Clone Wars series Master Mace Windu returns to his Separatist-occupied homeworld to investigate the disappearance of his former Padawan, Depa Billaba, who had been working as an undercover agent. This series continues with The Cestus Deception; also try almost any other Star Wars novel. (Note: this book is filed by series under “Star Wars.”)