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!

Thanks Alex - I'm looking forward to reading this one.

Alex is that a second or just a comment?

Good question Teresa - I'd assumed it was just a comment from Alex.

The state of play at the moment is that we have only one nomination, with no seconds - The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez.

If anyone has already read this one, please let us have your feedback - good or bad.

And if you don't want to read it.....why not nominate something else instead?

I will second The Vanished Birds, it sounds really interesting

Thank you, Paul.

Some notes from Wiki on the novel critical reception are - "The novel received critical praise. Writing for Locus, Paul Di Filippo called it "not only the best debut novel I’ve read in ages, but simply one of the best SF novels in recent memory." Di Filippo praised the evocative worldbuilding and lush prose, comparing it positively to the works of Samuel R. Delany and Ursula K. Le Guin. In another review for Locus, Gary K. Wolfe called it "the most impressive debut of 2020". Kirkus Reviews called the novel "the best of what science fiction can be" and "a gorgeous debut". The review praised its exploration of human connection as well as the well-written characters. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly wrote that the book is an "extraordinary science fiction epic... perfect for fans of big ideas and intimate reflections." A writer for Tor.com said "The Vanished Birds may be one of the best debuts of 2020" and praised the way in which the plot developed and showcased the interconnected lives of the characters. A Lambda Literary review praised the novel's exploration of human cruelty, the need for family, and its realistic depictions of the ways in which technology might affect human civilization in the future. A reviewer for The A.V. Club called the novel "impressively ambitious" and felt that the strongest sections of the novel were devoted to the characters' interpersonal relationships, both romantic and platonic. The same reviewer found the quality of the various interludes to be somewhat uneven. A review in The Nerd Daily praised the introductory section but felt that the final part of the novel did not live up to the promise of the first, stating that the plot structure is "the main flaw of this otherwise flawless debut novel".

Teresa wrote: "Alex is that a second or just a comment?"

Oops sorry to confuse! I would like to second The Vanished Birds as well. :)

No problem Alex - and thanks for seconding The Vanished Birds

With three days to go before voting ends, we have a clear winner at the moment - the only nomination so far is The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez; nominated by John and seconded by Paul and Alex.

I want to nominate Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell. It's a follow up to Winter's Orbit, but the story involves different characters and is set in a different part of the same universe. Both are excellent and I would love to have a discussion about Ocean's Echo in particular since between the two it has more space opera elements.

Thank you Caitlin - it's always better that we have a choice and a contest!

The Amazon blurb states - "Ocean's Echo is a stand-alone, romantic space adventure, set in the same universe as Everina Maxwell's hit debut, Winter's Orbit.

When Tennal - a rich socialite, inveterate flirt, and walking disaster - is caught using his telepathic powers for illegal activities, the military decides to bind his mind to someone whose coercive powers are strong enough to control him.

Enter Lieutenant Surit, the child of a disgraced general. Out of a desperate need to restore a pension to his other parent, Lieutenant Surit agrees to be bound to Tennal and keep him conscripted in the army, a task that seems impossible even for someone with Surit's ability to control minds.

Tennal just wants to escape, but Surit isn't all that he seems. And their bond may just be the key to their freedom."

With one day to go, the current status is -

The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez; one nomination and 2 seconds

Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell; one nomination and no seconds

Since Ocean's Echo received no seconds, The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez, with two seconds, becomes our READER pick for November.

Thanks to nominators and voters - and please come back and participate again next month!