Space Opera

Project Hail Mary

Andy Weir · Sci-Fi

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission–and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

quest · space opera · survival · high stakes survival

The Martian

Andy Weir · Sci-Fi

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

survival · space opera

Dune

Frank Herbert · Sci-Fi

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where…

space opera · chosen one · quest · political intrigue

Operation Bounce House

Matt Dinniman · Sci-Fi

All New Sonoran colonist Oliver Lewis ever wanted to do is run the family ranch and keep their aging fleet of intelligent agriculture bots ticking.

survival · space opera · high stakes survival

The Left Hand of Darkness

Ursula K. Le Guin · Sci-Fi

[Comment by Kim Stanley Robinson, on The Guardian's website][1]: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin (1969) > One of my favorite novels…

space opera · coming of age · political intrigue · first contact

Children of Time

Adrian Tchaikovsky · Sci-Fi

The last remnants of the human race left a dying Earth, desperate to find a new home.

space opera · survival · post apocalyptic · first contact

Empire of Silence

Christopher Ruocchio · Sci-Fi

It was not his war. On the wrong planet, at the right time, for the best reasons, Hadrian Marlowe started down a path that could only end in fire.…

space opera · grimdark · anti hero · revenge plot · morally grey character

The Last Contract of Isako

Fonda Lee · Sci-Fi

Get ready to be blown away by this searing standalone science fiction epic where corporate samurai fight beneath merciless stars, and death is always…

space opera · revenge plot · quest

Dune Messiah

Frank Herbert · Sci-Fi

**Book Two in the Magnificent Dune Chronicles—the Bestselling Science Fiction Adventure of All Time** Dune Messiah continues the story of Paul…

space opera · grimdark · political intrigue · morally grey character

Neuromancer

William Gibson · Sci-Fi

Henry Dorsett Case was the sharpest data-thief in the Matrix, until an ex-employer crippled his nervous system.

space opera · dystopian society · heist · cat and mouse

Hyperion

Dan Simmons · Sci-Fi

In the 29th century, the Hegemony of Man comprises hundreds of planets connected by farcaster portals.

space opera · quest · multiple timelines · found family

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Douglas Adams · Sci-Fi

DON'T LEAVE EARTH WITHOUT IT! THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY is the hilarious international bestseller--with over one million copies in…

space opera · fish out of water · road trip · found family

Dark Age

Pierce Brown · Sci-Fi

*He broke the chains. Then he broke the world….* A decade ago Darrow led a revolution, and laid the foundations for a new world. Now he’s an…

space opera · dystopian society · high stakes survival

All Systems Red

Martha Wells · Sci-Fi

The series is about an artificial construct designed as a Security Unit, which manages to override its governor unit, thus enabling it to develop…

space opera · anti hero · redemption arc

The Murderbot Diaries

Martha Wells · Sci-Fi

"We are all a little bit Murderbot." - NPR on Martha Wells's The Murderbot Diaries...

space opera · found family · anti hero

2001: A Space Odyssey

Arthur C. Clarke · Sci-Fi

A deluxe hardcover edition of the wondrous space adventure that is the basis for Stanley Kubrick’s Oscar-winning film—now celebrating its 50th…

space opera · first contact · high stakes survival

Foundation

Isaac Asimov · Sci-Fi

One of the great masterworks of science fiction, the Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are unsurpassed for their unique blend of nonstop action,…

space opera · political intrigue · quest · chosen one