Hey so do you like:
* Found family
* Complicated space-faring science fiction
* Serious queer content
* The ends NOT justifying the means
* Xenosociology
* Learning things about science because you're reading fiction?
Well, DO I HAVE THE BOOK FOR YOU.
* Found family
* Complicated space-faring science fiction
* Serious queer content
* The ends NOT justifying the means
* Xenosociology
* Learning things about science because you're reading fiction?
Well, DO I HAVE THE BOOK FOR YOU.
(Small but essential footnote: The book I am about to recommend is the first of three--not sure whether it's a trilogy or a three book series, which changes the narrative structure--and I haven't read the sequels yet.)
So: I love me some good space opera. A.C. Crispin's STARBRIDGE series is one of those incredibly formative works for me, and if I could reboot any older SF setting, it would be those books.
We're in the middle of an awesome resurgence of good space opera, including Becky Chamber's WAYFARERS series (start with THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL ANGRY PLANET, you'll thank me later) and @timpratt's Axiom (start with THE WRONG STARS).
I did not think, in the light of those two very different, equally incredible works, that I would be adding any more space opera to my "favorites" list for a while. I mean, embarrassment of riches, right?
Wrong. Because ARDULUM: THE FIRST DON, by @Galactoglucoman, is a masterful blend of space opera tropes and hard science fiction concepts, written by a scientist working at the top of their field.
This is a glorious love letter of a book, pushing the idea of what space opera can be and who it's written for, utilizing a complex web of science facts and science fiction concepts to ask questions about truth and history and who benefits.
There's also some mad awesome action sequences, so, y'know, if you like it when stuff explodes, you are totally in the right place.
I bought these books on a whim because they looked interesting enough to be a good excuse to give my money to an independent publisher, and I am so, so glad I did.
The downside of being with a smaller publisher is that you need word of mouth to get an audience, and these books DESERVE an audience. Speaking to the first, it's thoughtful and sensitive and complicated and kind, which is the highest recommendation I can offer.
If you like space opera, if you've enjoyed any of the works I've mentioned, take a chance on ARDULUM: THE FIRST DON. Hell, take a chance on all three of them. I don't think you'll be sorry.
Quick addendum: Apparently the Kindle edition is $2.99 right now (at least in the US, can't speak to any other region), so this is a BARGAIN. Enrich your fiction and make an indie author tear up a little by causing a sales spike like only the gods have seen!
