“Eclipse” starts out like a standard Space Opera, in the middle of a thrilling escape from an exploding spaceship. Once the story starts, though, it is light on the science end, with the setting element concentrated on visual descriptions of the vessels, living spaces and clothing styles of this future environment. The emotional content of […]
“Sandorn’s Command” by Thom Bedford
To enjoy Science Fiction, the reader must suspend the disbelief that all those technological wonders are possible. Fans of Space Opera need to practise this technique to a greater degree, because the situations and the coincidences are even harder to believe. We are willing to trade this effort for the enjoyment we get from the […]
“Sandorn’s Command” by Thom Bedford
To enjoy Science Fiction, the reader must suspend the disbelief that all those technological wonders are possible. Fans of Space Opera need to practise this technique to a greater degree, because the situations and the coincidences are even harder to believe. We are willing to trade this effort for the enjoyment we get from the […]
Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.” by Ash Bishop
This novel is lighthearted Space Opera with a strong but chaste romantic element, making it appropriate for young adults. However, there is enough action and serious conflict to make it appealing to adult Sci-Fi readers as well. The earthly section of the plot is portrayed realistically and well described, with just enough detail to put […]
“Lou” by Molly Leasure
This novel does not follow the usual patterns. It is technically a Space Opera, but while conforming to one of the usual plot lines, it has a mood and a style all its own. This is not your average space mission. The ship is a rambling wreck called TedRyan, and the crew and passengers are […]
“Navigators of Draconis” by Jake Ashwell
This is a freewheeling, action-packed Space Opera, full of spaceships and technology set against a background of interstellar politics. The characters are the usual mixture of races and rogues, well portrayed and sympathetic. There seems to be a disconnect at the beginning, as if the author started the book, forgot what he wrote, then picked […]
“Offworld Empire” by Scott Billups
This story has all the elements of a Space Opera and a few more besides. In fact, it gives the impression that the author is not too sure who his audience is. But first the positives, especially the worldbuilding. This author has spent a great deal of creativity and effort to create a 200-years-in-the-future solar […]
“Rogue Marauder: The Adventures of Haunalyn, Korbot, and Sneighd Book 1 by Cherie Waggie
Space Opera is a style of writing that stretches all the literary conventions in search of an entertaining read. Sometimes this results in great enjoyment. At other times, it descends into just plain poor writing. “Rogue Marauder” has its share of both. This is a sweeping, rambling collection of every cliché ever invented in the […]
“Missing on Orbital 4” by Cory Wilcox
This book has all the requisite elements of both a Noir Detective Novel and a Space Opera. We have a former cop turned private investigator, trying to make a living with his wits. Because of the nature of the game, he plays both sides, having friends in the police and administration as well as contacts […]
“A Jack for All Seasons” by Lesley L. Smith
We have here a full-blown Space Opera of the humorous variety. In books such as this, everything is tongue in cheek: Characters are overly weird, plotlines are purposely shaky, and creativity and invention is the order of the day. This novel does not disappoint in any of these areas. The aliens are improbable, their names […]