The Greatest "Space Opera, Fiction" Books Since 2017

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 286 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Space Opera

Space Opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, usually involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. These narratives are characterized by their grand scale and dramatic stakes, focusing on epic battles, intricate politics, and explorations of futuristic societies. Unlike hard science fiction, which prioritizes scientific accuracy and technical detail, Space Opera leans towards the fantastical, with stories that feature heroic characters, expansive world-building, and complex, often morally ambiguous conflicts. This genre is akin to the swashbuckling tales of high adventure, transposed onto a cosmic backdrop, offering readers escapades among the stars, where the bounds of imagination are the only limits.

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  1. 1. Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

    In a universe where necromancers hold power, Gideon, a skilled swordswoman, is reluctantly paired with her childhood rival, Harrow, to compete in a deadly trial that could grant them immortality. As they venture into an ancient, decaying mansion filled with secrets and puzzles, they must unravel the mysteries of their world and face sinister forces lurking within. With a blend of dark humor, complex characters, and a gripping plot, "Gideon The Ninth" is a thrilling and unique blend of science fiction and fantasy.

  2. 2. The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley

    "The Stars Are Legion" is a science fiction novel set in a universe comprised of living, organic worlds known as the Legion. The story follows Zan, a warrior with no memory of her past, as she navigates a treacherous landscape of warring factions and decaying civilizations. With the fate of the Legion at stake, Zan embarks on a dangerous mission to unlock the secrets of her identity and save her people from extinction. Filled with complex characters, vivid world-building, and a gripping plot, this book explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the power of choice in a unique and imaginative way.

  3. 3. Persepolis Rising by James S. A. Corey

    In the science fiction novel set in a distant future where humanity has colonized the solar system, an aging crew of a well-known ship faces a new authoritarian threat emerging from the shadows of the past. Thirty years after their last major conflict, the crew must come to terms with their own mortality and the evolution of their relationships while confronting the rise of a militant empire. This empire, armed with advanced technology from an ancient alien civilization, seeks to impose a rigid order on the disparate colonies of humans. The crew must navigate political intrigue, shifting alliances, and the moral complexities of war to protect the fragile balance of power and prevent the solar system from plunging into tyranny.

  4. 4. Tiamat's Wrath by James S. A. Corey

    In this science fiction epic, humanity is embroiled in an interstellar conflict with an authoritarian regime seeking to control ancient alien technology. The story follows a band of renegade heroes who struggle against the oppressive Laconian Empire, which has harnessed the power of the mysterious protomolecule to assert its dominance over the human colonies. As the empire faces an unforeseen threat from the alien entities that created the protomolecule, the protagonists must navigate political intrigue, personal loss, and the complexities of human and alien morality to protect humanity's future and unravel the secrets of the universe itself.

  5. 5. Leviathan Falls by James S. A. Corey

    In the epic conclusion to a sweeping space saga, humanity faces its greatest challenge as factions within the solar system struggle for power amidst the looming threat of an ancient alien empire. As the fabric of reality itself begins to unravel, the crew of a storied ship must navigate political intrigue, personal demons, and cosmic mysteries to prevent the annihilation of human civilization. With the fate of countless worlds hanging in the balance, alliances are tested, sacrifices are made, and the very nature of existence is questioned as the series culminates in a dramatic showdown that promises to reshape the future of humanity and the universe beyond.

  6. 6. The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi

    In "The Collapsing Empire," humanity has spread across the galaxy thanks to a network of extradimensional pathways known as the Flow, which makes interstellar travel possible. The Flow is controlled by the powerful Interdependency, a quasi-feudal empire that relies on the pathways to maintain its political and economic dominance. However, when it's discovered that the Flow is shifting and may soon disappear, the empire faces the threat of collapse. As various factions vie for power and survival, a scientist, a starship captain, and a member of the ruling elite embark on a desperate quest to uncover the truth about the Flow's instability and seek a way to save human civilization from impending doom.

  7. 7. Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

    "Dragon Pearl" is a science fiction novel that follows the story of Min, a young fox spirit who dreams of leaving her impoverished planet and joining the Space Forces like her older brother Jun. When Jun is accused of deserting his post to search for the mythical Dragon Pearl, Min sets out to clear his name and find the pearl herself. Along the way, she discovers secrets about her family and the universe that threaten to unravel everything she knows. With the help of new friends and her shape-shifting abilities, Min embarks on a thrilling adventure filled with danger and discovery.

  8. 8. The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi

    In this science fiction novel, the sequel to a space opera series, an interstellar empire is on the brink of collapse due to the failure of the extradimensional Flow, the sole means of interstellar travel. As political intrigue and rebellion threaten to tear the empire apart, the emperox must confront internal and external enemies while seeking a way to save humanity from impending isolation and the subsequent downfall of civilization. With the help of a brilliant scientist and a cunning diplomat, the emperox navigates the treacherous political landscape, racing against time to uncover the secrets of the Flow before it's too late.

  9. 9. A Star Wheeled Sky by Brad R. Torgersen

    This science fiction novel unfolds in a distant future where humanity has spread across the stars, thanks to mysterious alien gateways. When a new, unexplored gateway is discovered, it sparks a frenzied race among various factions of a fragmented human civilization, each seeking the potential new world and resources it could lead to. The story weaves together the perspectives of diverse characters, from a seasoned starship captain to a rebellious freedom fighter, as they navigate political intrigue, warfare, and the unknowns of space to secure a future for their people. Amidst the backdrop of interstellar conflict, the novel explores themes of survival, the quest for knowledge, and the hope of finding a new home among the stars.

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download