Space Opera Fans discussion

This thread is for nominations for READER category for November 2025.

READER books need to be
* currently in print in either hardback or paperback (or both). Requiring a special order from a store or website counts, but not if the book is only available used.
* currently available in multiple ebook formats, from multiple vendors
* Space Opera, which means a spaceship has to be involved in the story somewhere.
* If it is part of a series, it needs to be suitable to being read without having read other books in the series.
* Please no blatantly erotic books, as some of our members are not full adults yet.

RULES:
* you may nominate one book on this thread.
* you may second as many nominations as you like on this thread.
* it is okay to nominate the same book on more than one nomination thread, as long as it meets the criteria
* books we already have on our bookshelf will be disqualified if they were added less than two years ago
* If a book you nominate or second is selected, you are expected to post at least one comment about it on the thread about the book.
* On the 22nd I will draw a book randomly, with each second being one raffle ticket for the book. That is, a book with three seconds (so four of us want it) will get three chances in the pool.

It is likely helpful if you know something about a book that has been nominated if you mention it in this thread, whether it is for or against the book.

In October we had several nominations which made the process more interesting - hopefully we'll have the same this month?

I'll start the ball rolling by nominating The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez.

"The Vanished Birds is a 2020 space opera novel, the debut work by Simon Jimenez. In a plot that spans millennia, the story focuses on the interconnected lives of several characters, including a boy whose special ability may hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe. The novel received critical acclaim. It was a finalist for the 2021 Locus Award for Best First Novel and was shortlisted for both the 2021 Arthur C. Clarke Award and the British Fantasy Award for Newcomer."

According to Amazon its "Bold, lyrical and imaginative, this space opera is a must for fans of Becky Chambers and Alastair Reynolds."

John wrote: "In October we had several nominations which made the process more interesting - hopefully we'll have the same this month?

I'll start the ball rolling by nominating [book:The Vanished Birds|4542226..."

This one sounds really interesting, John!