SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Hi all

I have been on a sci-fi bender as of late, but now have nothing to read.

More specifically, I reread "The Expanse" series, Marko Kloos's Frontline series, Some of the Undying Mercenary books, and Joshua Dalzelle's Omega Force books.

I need more action-heavy, occasionally light-hearted, space opera-y fun.

What have you got?

How about H. Paul Honsinger's Man of War series?

Oh ok, I'll look at it. I've seen the covers on Audible quite a bit, but I had assumed two dapper dudes standing valiantly on the bridge implied it would involve romance.

Try David Weber's Honor Harrington series for space opera at it best, or Gordon Dickson's Dorsai novels (Childe Harold series).

For fast-paced action, I'd recommend the Sten series by Allan Cole and Chris Bunch. Their writing is about as lean as you'll find. The first book is Sten.

Also, R.M. Meluch's "Tour of the Merrimack" zips right along. Pure space opera. The first is The Myriad.

John Scalzi's Old Man series is military sci-fi. First one is Old Man's War.

You should also check out Protector by Larry Niven. If you like that (and you probably will, since the Expanse series owes a great deal to Niven's work), follow it with Ringworld.

The Destroyermen series by Taylor Anderson isn't space opera, but I will bet money you'll like it. It's about a rickety WW I-era destroyer going up against a state-of-the-art Japanese battleship in WW II when they're caught in a weird storm that transports them both to a parallel Earth where dinosaurs never went extinct and humans never evolved. However, the giant lemurs of Madagascar evolved intelligence and developed a sea-faring civilization, only to become embroiled in a war of extinction with intelligent dinosaurs. Now the humans are dropped in the middle of an even bigger war than they left behind, but their "advanced technology" is offset by the sheer teeming numbers of the enemy. It is genuine widescreen epic action written by a guy who specializes in naval history. The first one is called Into the Storm.

Charles wrote: "Try David Weber's Honor Harrington series for space opera at it best, or Gordon Dickson's Dorsai novels (Childe Harold series)."

I think I read Honor Harrington aaaaages ago. Might need to take it for another spin.

Thanks

Trike wrote: "For fast-paced action, I'd recommend the Sten series by Allan Cole and Chris Bunch. Their writing is about as lean as you'll find. The first book is Sten.

Also, R.M. Meluch's "Tour o..."

Awesome. I've read all of scalzi's stuff (hanging out for the new one this month), Ringworld and the first couple destroyer men books.

I've added the rest to my "to reads".

Thanks!

Earth Strike and the other Star Carrier books are easy, forgettable sci-fi funtime reads.

I thought Elizabeth Moon's Trading in Danger was a fun romp.

Added. Thanks Liam and Lisa

Peter f Hamilton
iain m banks

Patty Jansen's Ambassador is excellent.

Leonie wrote: "Patty Jansen's Ambassador is excellent."

I'm in the same writer circles as she is :) I recently picked up the first book when she got an awesome new cover.

Mark wrote: "Peter f Hamilton
iain m banks"

Awesome authors, but I've read everything by both (several times).

:)

Thanks, though.

Paul wrote: "Leonie wrote: "Patty Jansen's Ambassador is excellent."

I'm in the same writer circles as she is :) I recently picked up the first book when she got an awesome new..."

I really enjoy her stuff. And her new covers are awesome!

I read years ago a pretty good space opera-type SF series by Michael McCollum, with its first book being Antares Dawn. You may want to check his books out.

I highly recommend the Deathstalker series by Simon R. Green. They've got something for everyone!
Green is a strong example of the "Cool Stuff Theory of Literature" and throws everything but the kitchen sink into his novels - space battles, Byzantine conspiracies and plot twists, sword fights, espers, alien invasions, humans evolved into superbeings by alien tech, revolution against a galactic empire, etc, etc..
They can get a bit frenetic at times, but they are tons of fun, with strong characters and a good plot.

Jeremy wrote: "I highly recommend the Deathstalker series by Simon R. Green. They've got something for everyone!
Green is a strong example of the "Cool Stuff Theory of Literature" and..."

That sounds fun! Sold!

8-)
Glad I could be of service. Let me know what you think when you've finished the first book.

FYI - The full-cast audiobook production by Graphic Audio is also great!

Jeremy wrote: "FYI - The full-cast audiobook production by Graphic Audio is also great!"

Good! I mostly audiobook.

C J Cherryh, her Merchanter Universe, starting with DOWNBELOW STATION. The CYTEEN novels are part of that world, too. I can't say about the rest, but the collection of her novellas and short stories is pretty good.

So what do you think of dorsal series? You haven't said anything yet.

Vorkosigan saga by bujold for one. Not exactly action but space opera military fiction.

Seal Team 13 by Evan Currie and the Joe Ledger Books by John Mayberry

How about Legion of the Damned, start of a series about cyborgs, clones and aliens in a future Foreign Legion. Or Altered Carbon.

What about a classic..Beyond the Blue Event Horizon ?

Peter Hamilton's Commonwealth series (Pandora's Star, Judas Unchained) is great!

MadProfessah wrote: "Peter Hamilton's Commonwealth series (Pandora's Star, Judas Unchained) is great!"

I second that

My Trailokya series uses premises of energy from Tesla, but also incorporates myth...sort of like the Thor comics, sort of like Clash of the Titans, but anchored with science.

John Bowers has published a couple of great space opera series that might interest you:

The Fighter Queen saga is military space opera.
The Starport series is also military.

If you want something more retro, try E. E. "Doc" Smith's Lensman series.

Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet series, starting with Dauntless

Also Sandy Mitchell's Ciaphas Cain: Hero of the Imperium and Dan Abnett's Gaunt's Ghosts: The Founding, even though you find them in the tie-in section.

Paul wrote: "That sounds fun! Sold!"

I was looking through my old comments and came across this interchange. I was wondering if you ever got around to picking up the Deathstalker books and if so, what you thought of them.

Iain M Banks - Culture cycle (great ideas, big scenarios, all a bit tongue in cheek)
Neal Asher - Polity cycle (amazing world building, loads of action)
Rachel Bach (great popcorn entertainment, action and romance)
Dan Simmons - Hyperion (amazingly well written space opera - maybe a bit too literary for what you were asking for)

Hi Paul,

My first book, Rebirth goes on sale tomorrow for 99 cents for a Kindle Countdown Deal. Based on my interpretation of your taste, I think you might enjoy it.

Here's the Amazon link if you decide to have a look at it:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A...

Hope you find some great reads!

David