Space Opera Fans discussion

This thread is for nominations for READER category for March 2026.

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

Apologies for raising a nomination so early - but there is so much that is depressing in the world at the moment that I feel as if I need a more light-hearted read. So I'd like to nominate Prime Deceptions by Valerie Valdes.

This is book 2 in her Chilling Effect trilogy; the group have previously read book 1 back in 2020 - so I'm hoping someone who read this will advise if its best to read it before book 2? (If so, we still have time to read book 1 in February).

Apparently the books feature psychic cats - so I'm counting on your vote Betsy!!!! (Personally, I've always regarded cats as more psychotic that psychic).

The blurb claims -

"Space adventure at its finest - Prime Deceptions is the outrageously fun sequel to Valerie Valdes' debut Chilling Effect, featuring the further adventures of Captain Eva Innocente and her misfit crew. For fans of Becky Chambers, Mass Effect and Firefly.

Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra find themselves once again on the edge - not just of populated space, but also of a covert war between The Fridge, the intergalactic crime ring, and The Forge, a secret alien research organisation.

When Eva's sister contacts her with a request to find a missing scientist, the trail ends at the last place Eva ever wanted to see, the site of her greatest failure. Joining a group of freedom fighters seeking to overthrow a dictator, Eva learns that The Forge is in the final phase of creating a new Gate - dangerous technology that was thought to be lost forever... "

The books apparently feature "an irresistible foul-mouthed captain and her misfit crew . . ."

It looks to me that it is necessary to have read Chilling Effect before reading Prime Deceptions.

There’s the option to reread book #1 since we discussed it more than 2 years ago.

Teresa wrote: "There’s the option to reread book #1 since we discussed it more than 2 years ago."

That's an excellent idea Teresa - could I change my nominiation to Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes please?

Of course.

I nominate The Pride of Chanur by C.J. Cherryh, which is currently on sale. We have discussed this book before in 2017 and 2021. From memory most if not all of the story is from the point of view of aliens, and I enjoyed them figuring out how to communicate with the stray human they adopted.

Thank you Teresa - the current status is that we have two nominations -

The Pride of Chanur by C.J. Cherryh. Nominated by Teresa, no seconds yet.

Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes. Nominated by John, no seconds yet.

Just over a week to go before nominations and voting close; would you like to second either of the two books above - or nominate something else entirely?

I've just realised that I hadn't included any information on Chilling Effect.

The blurb on Amazon states -

"Hilarious and heartwarming . . . my shields are at full strength and my heart is ready for Eva's next adventure' Patrick Weekes, Lead writer at BioWare (Dragon Age, Mass Effect)

A debut space opera that features an irresistible foul-mouthed captain and her misfit crew . . .

Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra cruise the galaxy delivering small cargo for even smaller profits. When her sister is kidnapped, Eva must undergo a series of dangerous missions to pay the ransom. But Eva may lose her mind before she can raise the money. The ship's hold is full of psychic cats, an amorous fish-faced emperor wants her dead, and her engineer is giving her a pesky case of feelings. The worse things get, the more she lies, raising suspicions and testing her loyalty to her found family.

To free her sister, Eva will risk everything: her crew, her ship, and the life she's built on the ashes of her past misdeeds. But when the dominoes start to fall and she finds the real threat is greater than she imagined, she must decide whether to play it cool or burn it all down.


'Jam-packed with weird aliens, mysterious artefacts, and lovable characters... A tremendous good time and an impressive debut'
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

'Mass Effect meets The Expanse in this energetic space opera adventure. Eva Innocente is an unforgettable starship captain and I love every member of her crew-slash-family. This book has enough twists to keep you up way past bedtime, and I can't wait for the sequel'
Michael R. Underwood, host of The Skiffy and Fanty Show

'This engaging space opera debut delivers a story that dances between hilarity and seriousness, with all the joy and frustration psychic cats can bring to the mix'
Library Journal (starred review)

'Imagine if Firefly and Mass Effect got together and had a baby, and that baby were delivered by Guillermo del Toro. This book is that baby. ¡Esto fue un triunfo!'
Curtis C. Chen"

I’ve read both nominations for March, and both are good! I’ll second Pride of Chanur because I’ve been meaning to get back to that series (I’ve read 3 of the 5 books).

Thank you Caitlin - that's strong recommendations from both you and Teresa for The Pride of Chanur.

With three days to go until nominations close, its looking likely that our book of choice for March will be The Pride of Chanur by C.J. Cherryh - which has just celebrated its 45th birthday. I'm unfortunately old enough to remember that the 80s were the decade of Big Hair...but those book covers!!!

Final call for nominations and votes for our READER pick for March!

The Pride of Chanur by C.J. Cherryh is our chosen READER book for March 2026. Thanks to Teresa and Caitlin for their nomination and vote.

This thread will now be closed to any further posts.