Perseids – #MindforBooksPrompt

Space operas are one of my favourite types of Science Fiction, there is something so special about them and the escapism I get from reading them can’t be beat. Here is a list of some much loved ones. This is not an extensive list but they came to mind straight away so not much brain power was needed! 😀

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy #1) by Douglas Adams

The first space opera I ever read and it still holds up. Douglas Adams was such a loss. 😦

Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of the The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out of work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin their journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitch Hiker’s Guide “A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have” and a galaxy-full of fellow travellers: Zaphod Beeblebrox – the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out to lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod’s girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ball-point pens he has bought over the years.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer

Such a fun series. I don’t ordinally gravitate towards YA but when it comes to space settings YA is usually a winner. My lovely friend got me this box set a few years ago, I feel I may need a reread soon.

Lunar Chronicles is a New York Times–bestselling series of young adult novels that reimagine classic fairytales in a futuristic world where humans, androids, and cyborgs coexist. In the first book, a teenage cyborg named Cinder deals with her wicked step-mother, finds love, and discovers secrets about herself. As the series continues, Cinder forges an alliance with Scarlet, a spaceship pilot; Cress, an imprisoned computer hacker; and Winter, a Lunar princess. Along with a diverse crew that includes a soldier, a criminal, and a royal guard, they must work together to rise up against the evil Queen Levana to save the country and possibly even the world.

The Lunar Chronicles

The First Sister (The First Sister Trilogy #1) by Linden A. Lewis

This was one of my favourite books of 2020. A grim space opera is what I called it in my review and I stand by that. Unusual to be sure but entertaining AF! I still haven’t read the second book though. The seller I bought it from took so long to ship it and it messed with my plan for reading. The final book comes out in November so going to read them all back to back once I get that.

First Sister has no name and no voice. As a priestess of the Sisterhood, she travels the stars alongside the soldiers of Earth and Mars—the same ones who own the rights to her body and soul. When her former captain abandons her, First Sister’s hopes for freedom are dashed when she is forced to stay on her ship with no friends, no power, and a new captain—Saito Ren—whom she knows nothing about. She is commanded to spy on Captain Ren by the Sisterhood, but soon discovers that working for the war effort is so much harder to do when you’re falling in love.

Lito val Lucius climbed his way out of the slums to become an elite soldier of Venus, but was defeated in combat by none other than Saito Ren, resulting in the disappearance of his partner, Hiro. When Lito learns that Hiro is both alive and a traitor to the cause, he now has a shot at redemption: track down and kill his former partner. But when he discovers recordings that Hiro secretly made, Lito’s own allegiances are put to the test. Ultimately, he must decide between following orders and following his heart.

The First Sister

The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

This trilogy is AWESOME!! I love the format which is so much fun and makes for a fun experience while reading. The audiobooks are also top tier and worth a listen.

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra — who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it’s clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents — including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more — Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

Illuminae

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers

One of my absolute favourite books of all time! Wayfarers is a gorgeous and fabulous series but The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is a hug in a book and never fails to make me feel happy. Becky Chambers is a wonder.

Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space-and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe-in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.

Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. An introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain.

Life aboard the Wayfarer is chaotic and crazy—exactly what Rosemary wants. It’s also about to get extremely dangerous when the crew is offered the job of a lifetime. Tunneling wormholes through space to a distant planet is definitely lucrative and will keep them comfortable for years. But risking her life wasn’t part of the plan. In the far reaches of deep space, the tiny Wayfarer crew will confront a host of unexpected mishaps and thrilling adventures that force them to depend on each other. To survive, Rosemary’s got to learn how to rely on this assortment of oddballs—an experience that teaches her about love and trust, and that having a family isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the universe.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Skyward Series by Brandon Sanderson

This series is Brandon Sandersons to initiation YA/New Adult and it’s amazing. Anyone who has read any of his books knows he can write like nobodies business and this series is no exception. The height of entertainment. Of course book 3 is still on my TBR, with all the books I reread how could it not be? I do plan a reread and finally read book 3 soon though. This is the time of year I originally read Skyward so it feels right.

Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible—assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul.

Skyward

Saga by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Everyone will be shocked to learn that I’ve not finished Saga but the truth is I don’t actually want to. I’ve 3 more left and I love having them. Saga is wonderful. The characters, the plot and of course the art. An all time favourite graphic novels series and one I highly recommend.

SAGA is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in a sexy, subversive drama for adults.

Saga