Sci-Fi Romance discussion

Hey :)

Can anyone please recommend some good space opera romances? I'm new to the genre and am looking for (preferably some series although stand-alone books are ok as well) that have all the epic feeling of a space opera with all the heart of a good romance ...

Anyone have ideas?? :)

Check out Linnea Sinclair's books.

Is the Sirantha Jax series by Anne Aguirre considered space opera?

✿Michelle✿ wrote: "Is the Sirantha Jax series by Anne Aguirre considered space opera?"

I think it is, but I'm always a lot looser with my definitions.

The romance is pretty gritty, so if you want a typical, feel-good romance then that series may not be up your alley. FWIW, I adore the series.

lol does this series have HEA endings (or at least HFN endings) to each of the books?

Aestas wrote: "lol does this series have HEA endings (or at least HFN endings) to each of the books?"

Sirantha Jax? No, it's a continuous story, with lots of romantic ups and downs. Some of the books definitely end on a down note, romantic and otherwise.

If you want speculation, the last book hasn't been published yet, but ....



(Do you call speculation spoilers? If so, possible spoilers.)



... I can see the series ending on a bittersweet note. As in saving the universe, but loosing your personal happiness.

Pia wrote: "What is HFN?"

HFN = happy for now

There's always the tales of the Solar Clipper. Quarter Shareis the first one. Good space opera.

Thank you guys, please keep the recommendations coming :)

And if you could include whether the books have HEA or HFN endings, that would be amazing!

Feel free to give spoilers, I'm actually researching this for a good friend of mine. I personally am more of a PNR reader, so I don't mind knowing details in order to get the more perfect series for my friend.

@ Hugh: Does Quarter Share have a romance in it? How prevalent is it? and HEA/HFN?

It is a slow developing Romance, but yes, it does. I would say that it's not only romance. HEA? HFN? uh... your guess is as good as mine. It's a space opera, and the slow developing romance doesn't come out much until the second or third book of te series (though it is thick with romantic stuff up to then.)

HEA= happily ever after (ending)
HFN= happy for now (ending)

thanks for recommendation :)

oh, nad HFN, likely HEA, I've only read the first three of the series.

There's also HUS. Happy Until Sequel. Those are the romance series where each story ends on a happy note...until the sequel throws in a whole new box of wrenches into the works. (Kinda fond of those myself.)

Linnea Sinclair's Dock Five series is like that, especially the earlier books--Gabriel's Ghost and Shades of Dark.

My all time favorite Space Opera is still Sinclair's Games of Command--but it's a near tie with Sandra McDonald's The Outback Stars. If you're really partial to military SFR, either is a good bet.

I've been told The Key (my first SFR)is space opera. It has HEA, a romance, but no sex. I also consider it an action adventure romance.



Sara Donovan, the heroine, is a USAF pilot, on a mission to explore a new galaxy. Their expedition runs into aliens (of course), danger and adventure--and of course a romance.

ya HRN and HUS are the same... Happy for now until the sequel comes to mess things up again lol

I guess it seems that true space operas with heavy romance are not very common. It seems to be like an 80:20% ration either way, but never 50:50% .... sucks :(

Definately add Diamond Sand by Pia Sendato the Space Opera/SFR list.

Well again, the Liaden Series by Lee and Miller.

Canoeu wrote: The romance is pretty gritty, so if you wan..."


First of all, I want to apologize for a question that is perhaps really basic, and I should probably already know, but here goes.... Can you tell me what "pretty gritty" means? I'm not at all familiar with that terminology.

Lisa, it's not sweet and happy, and the characters aren't the nicest people. They're...well...Grim. GRIMspace is a perfect title.

Personally, I found both h/h a bit mental and dark.

Thanks AnnaM. These type of books would definitely NOT be something I would want to read.

I'm a HEA type of girl. :-)

AnnaM wrote: "Lisa, it's not sweet and happy, and the characters aren't the nicest people. They're...well...Grim. GRIMspace is a perfect title.

Personally, I found both h/h a bit mental and dark."

I'll admit the plot isn't light, but I adored all the characters in the Grimspace series. Sometimes it's a more touching love story when they don't have a smooth road to travel, and a HEA isn't guaranteed. It's more real.

And eventually they have a type of HEA after 3 or 4 books. I love that series too.

I think I wrote a review of Grimspace. I liked it and didn't like it, but, there's more of a message there I think. It's a good read. HEA probably. Diamond Sand is an HUS.

I gave Grimspace a high rating but didn't write out a review. I do remember thinking the SF was really good, but also not being sure I wanted to read the second one.

I also remember it had some of the best and most unique language describing growing attraction that I'd read anywhere up to that point. In my opinion.

I had issues with the writing style, but I liked the spiritual side of things in there. I'm not sure I'd have called it a SFR, thought it was an SF with some R in it.

While I read Grimspace and liked it, I have not read the rest of the series because, yeah, just too dark. I have so many books on my TBR, and such limited reading time (while I finish my own book) that I just moved on. Plus, I tend to avoid dark when my life is interesting and its been very interesting with the hubby's hip surgery. Also need lighter and happier!

Just have to jump in to say that while the Sirantha Jax series (Grimspace, etc.) is very dark and gritty, I found the humor phenominal! AA really has unique talent in that area, and it helps balance the sometimes depressing plot lines.

Definitely worth a shot. If you like Grimspace, I bet you'll love the rest of the series.

First of all, I want to apologize for a question that is perhaps really basic, and I should probably already know, but here goes.... Can you tell me what "pretty gritty" means? I'm not at all familiar with that terminology"

I just meant that it is kind of a dark series. The whole feel of the entire series is gritty. It's sweaty and intense and a bit in-your-face at times. The romance is between two very flawed characters, and it feels more realistic than, say, your average historical romance.

The series isn't complete so no idea if it will be a HEA. I can say that the love and friendship that arises between Sirantha and Vel is almost more touching to me than her relationship with March.

I was just thinking the same thing Pia :)

Pia said: [The Outback Stars] sounds like it might qualify for space opera with a minor romance aspect.

The Outback Stars actually has a wonderful romance. Sgt. Terry Myell is one of my favorite SFR heroes of all times. He's so real to life--flawed, but in very endearing way.

Re: Outback Stars.

Not sure I'd define it as space opera since most of it doesn't happen in space, per se. LOL. And there's much more than a minor romance in it because the love story is the main driving force for the h/h for much of the series, though it's not Romancy in the "constant lusting" and sex scenes way some Romance novels are. Their love literally overcomes all.

Laurie, I agree. Love that Myell!

Also, as I say to anyone who wants to read the whole Outback Stars series, if you read book 2, have book 3 on hand before you finish so you can read chapter 1 immediately after the end of book 2. Just trust me on that. Please?


I think Moonstruck is Space Opera Romance.

The Skolian books? Mmm, I don't know. Some of them maybe. Others felt like military SF with R.

I haven't read it yet, but I just came across this one on The Galaxy Express:



It's described as "a Jane Austen Space Opera."

Pia wrote: "Actually, I just thought of something: would the monthly Moonstruck read qualify as space opera romance, at least a little bit?"

Do tell, what is the 'monthly Moonstruck read' ?? sounds interesting :P

Aestas wrote: Do tell, what is the 'monthly Moonstruck read' ?? sound..."

Every month we as a group nominate and pick an SFR book to read and discuss a bit. There's a thread for it on the main group page under Group Reading. There's also a picture on that page. Here's a link to the thread for October.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

We're also taking nominations under Group Reading for November books.

To get to the main page you go to the top of THIS page where it says Sci-Fi Romance discussion and click on the word-link.

:-)

I just read the first two books of Marianne de Pierres' Sentients of Orion series, and I really enjoyed them. They are character-driven and tightly written, mostly dialogue, but she characterizes her protagonists (it's a cast) very well, and they are very grey characters, plenty of moral ambiguity. Since it's on an epic scale with multiple characters, I would definitely call it a space opera. (Now that I've read it, I realize what that means, LOL.)

There are relationships, but it's not written as romance definitely with butterflies, etc. and the relationships and the people in them aren't precisely heroic and romantic either. I would rec it though!

Oh, Nu! I have these but haven't read them! Nice to hear they're good.

Yeah, this series is practically all one book, so good to have them on hand.

I didn't know that, so I'm glad I have them all. Thanks!

Aestas **aka Crazinneldy** wrote: "Hey :)

Can anyone please recommend some good space opera romances? I'm new to the genre and am looking for (preferably some series although stand-alone books are ok as well) that have all the ep..."

I don't see any mention of Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga yet and I JUST went blathering on about it over o another thread in this Talk Genre discussion when someone else ask "What the heck is space opera?" so...go here to read about the series:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/875652-please-help-me-differentiate-genres

I confess, I am Lois's Faithful Fangrrl and Minion. She's actually here on Goodreads....somewhere...she said over on Baen's Bar she won't be spending time here but she did check into her profile here. I am doing all her linkiness for her (UNauthorized, just because I wuv her stuff!)

NOTE: Because you're specifically looking for a romance,I highly recommend YOU start with Cordelia's Honor. It is a GALACTIC-sized Romance. Watch out for exploding spaceships and muddy boots! Let's go shopping! LOL. You gotta read the book to get that joke.

-Friday
@phoenicianbooks

I love the Vorkosigan series.

AnnaM wrote: "I love the Vorkosigan series."

Does anyone who's ever read it NOT love it? :-) I'm such a fangrrl, I know!

Nobody's mentioned the Liaden series by Sharon Lee/Steve Miller. That is my second favorite Space Opera series(Vorkosigan by LMB is by favorite).
There is much more romance in each book of the Liaden series than in Vorkosigan. I'm re-reading the series right now because a new book is coming out in the fall.(In fact the e-Arc is already out at baen's website)

Here's a link to the book list. http://www.goodreads.com/series/41879...

The first two books are pre-quels and great space opera with romance(Crystal Soldier/Crystal Dragon). The third book is very loosely connected to the remaining. I'd start with the fourth book Local Custom. However, it is less Space Opera than some of the other books but is is a great romance.

Forgot to mention you can get e-books of both the Vorkosigan and Liaden books directly from the publisher, BAEN. http://www.baenebooks.com

Everything there is DRM free and cheaper than buying the DRM'd version from Amazon or B&N, etc.

Oh yeah, and (the typical first place to start reading, as noted) is actually FREE right now! The Warrior's Apprentice is in the Baen Free Library. I can't believe I completely forgot to mention that before. Get it here:

The Warrior's Apprentice in the Baen FREE Library

Just download it. And yes, all those books are in the library are free, free, free. They have a cunning plan. The first one is free. The rest will cost ya' and like crack, you'll want the rest!!

Baen, makers of Reader Crack.

-Friday
@phoenicianbooks

Christine wrote: "Nobody's mentioned the Liaden series by Sharon Lee/Steve Miller. That is my second favorite Space Opera series(Vorkosigan by LMB is by favorite).
There is much more romance in each book of the Li..."

I'm slowly going through that series too Christine. A Goodfriend gave a timeline following of the books. In fact I think it's here in this group somewhere. I'm on my 4th book so far and I think they're just getting better and better.

Christine wrote: "Nobody's mentioned the Liaden series by Sharon Lee/Steve Miller. That is my second favorite Space Opera series(Vorkosigan by LMB is by favorite).
There is much more romance in each book of the Li..."

We've had quite a bit of discussion about the Liaden series in the "Which SFR Are You Reading Now?" thread. I love the Liaden series and you're right it's wonderful and my favorite SFR of all.

I have a lot of the Liaden series but haven't started reading them yet.

I've been MIA for a while..... I can't believe all the great suggestions that I've missed!

The Stardoc Series by S.L. Viehl. Hands down my favorite space operas. Also her spin offs (afterburn, bio rescue, shockball etc...)

Must read that. I've read all her other series.