Space Opera Fans discussion

Another possible theme is Invasion. In space opera this is typically aliens invading a human territory of some kind, but sometimes it’s humans invading someone else’s territory (possibly not realizing the aliens are there) or even another human group’s territory.

Here are two oldies that I enjoy rereading, where aliens invade a human planet.
The Demon Breed by James H. Schmitz

Pandora's Legions by Christopher Anvil

No-one has ever done this better than H G Wells with The War of the Worlds (though Niven and Pournelle had a very good try with Footfall).

Once you start talking about planets being invaded the genre tends to shift from Space Opera to Military SF, essentially going from navy to army. Some series switch off by including both, such as the Bolo stories.

As much as I despise Orson Scott Card as a horrible human being, I will admit that Ender's Game is probably one of the definitive Space Opera versions of this story. (Although I vastly prefer the short story over the novel.)

Dancers in the Afterglow by Jack L. Chalker takes place on a human resort planet invaded by aggressive aliens, but I wouldn’t call it Space Opera. Humanity sends a single resistance fighter who controls 23 cyborg bodies to free the population.

Another invasion story would be The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein. Forces from Earth attempt to invade the Lunar settlements. While they had the power to bomb those cities they needed to force the Loonies to grow grain and ship it to Earth, so soldiers had to be fielded. Soldiers who were not used to Lunar gravity and made very typical noobie mistakes trying to run down ramps deeper into the cities.

The Jao series starting with The Course of Empire by Eric Flint which is quite funny.

Please note that Invasion is the theme for September’s Themed nominations. If you would like to discuss one of the books mentioned here, please nominate it on the nomination thread
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...