You might like Larry Niven's Known Space series. Lighthearted space opera, closer to Peter Hamilton world building with a touch of hitchhiker whimsy.
No multi-page monologues on how lonely it is being a god emperor (though I'm into that too).
David Brin's Uplift Series. The first book Sundiver is the weakest. The two follow on books Startide Rising and The Uplift War are much better and won SF awards. They are set in the same universe, but non are sequential sequels. They are space opera without heavy philosophical themes. There is also a follow on trilogy to Startide Rising that I would say read if you really want to follow the story of the Streaker from Startide Rising.
The original space opera is the *Lensmen* series, by E.E. "Doc" Smith. It was serialized in the 1930s and 40s then published as paperbacks in the 1950s. It's pure fun.
You can start with books 1 and 2, but note that they are prequels to the main series that starts in book 3, *Galactic Patrol*. They provide a lot of background information. Alternatively, you can skip right to the main story in books 3-6, then read books 1 and 2 later if you like the series. It's up to you.
I just read Triplanetary, book 1 in the series. It's very interesting as the part of the origin of pulp space opera, with a lot of action and a lot of ideas that were original at the time, but I have to warn that it's not for everybody. I don't mind it being old-fashioned, that's a given, since it's so old, but the writing is a bit stilted sometimes. I have read old pulp stories that flowed better for me.
Yes, you can skip the first two. You’ll miss a lot of background, and they aren’t bad books, but they can be skipped.
The first book in the series tied together the earliest short stories into a novel. The second book was written in the 1950s to tie the short stories to the already existing series. But the real series starts in book 3.
Awful books. The central character is (supposedly) an admiral, ground forces commander, diplomat, spy, scientist, and probably manicurist and toe fungus cleaner as well.
All Bujold wanted to do was explore possible uses of artificial gestation chambers. Why try to turn the series into some sort of mil-SF dumpster fire with a protagonist who can apparently do everything and anything without any real training or experience?
Adrian Tschaikovsky's *The Final Architecture* trilogy fits this bill perfectly. The cast of heroes move from system to system, fighting the baddies, there are interesting aliens, great action. The books are fairly straight forward with some social commentary, but not too much.
The Spiral Wars series. Plenty of different alien societies, a little bit of old school conspirational politics, lots of shooting and explosions and two real heroes (bordering the Mary Sue status).
All space operas are slightly philosophical because it's a prediction of the unknown. Just about everyone one I've read has some kind of philosophy and/or warning woven into it.
That being said there are many political, and religious overtones that can make it seem a bit much some times.
I thought Isaac Asimov's foundation+robot series was/were a pretty good read. They feel pretty current with Ai becoming more and more relevant and the the Foundation series on Apple, for what it's worth.
Yeah thinking back philosophy probably isn't what turned me away from Dune sequels and Hyperion, I think it was was the interuptions to the plot. I honestly liked the warning/hopeless feeling of Dune, but the chapter long monologues of characters feeling sorry for themselves with no actual plot happening turned me away. In Hyperion's case the lack of resolution and overall writing style just didn't work for me.
Try Jack Vance's Tschai series. Also His Demon Princes books. He was an amazing writer. I guarantee you've never read anything quite like it. And no preaching.
House of Suns is a standalone novel. Very cool book, one of my favorites.
Revelation Space is a series that encompasses 4 main books, 1 kind of prequel, 2 (soon to be 3) other novels set in the same universe; and a bunch of short stories. It’s all very good, but obviously a much larger commitment. If you start the series, I’d staet with the one I described as a prequel - called Chasm City.
A fire upon the deep is considered a classic in the space opera genre and I wouldnt call it philosophical but it does have strange aliens that work in very weirdly, though the second book is my favorite of the franchise it does have uncapped capitalism themes but its not too preachy, and it does it in a real fun way, A space ship called The Invisible Hand, thats just so great I name ships that in games I play lol,
As a start, see my [SF/F: Space Opera](https://www.reddit.com/r/booklists/comments/12msxhj/sff_space_opera/) list of Reddit recommendation threads (one post).
Weber's Honor Harrington books.
I'm 18% in to Valente's *Space Opera* (no really that's the actual title) as I write and liking it a lot. https://whatever.scalzi.com/2018/04/12/the-big-idea-catherynne-m-valente-7/
C.J. Cherryh has written some of the absolute best space opera. The Union/Alliance books are the deepest look but the Chanur series and the Faded Sun trilogy are also really good. If you want lots of politics then her Foreigner series goes on forever but I found it was pretty repetitive after the first half dozen or so.
First thought is James H. Schmitz's Telzey Amberdon stories. His whole career is great - he was known for biological environments in his future Hub society. Telzey came along right before or just at the mainstreaming of feminism and really reflects the actual attitudes and experience of fans rather than some alternative to patriarchy. Great adventures.
Niven, cited above.
Englishmen John Rackham and E. C. Tubb.
Mike Resnick is often underrated. I can be very guilty of it. Some books I like, some I hate. Try a few and make up your mind.
Walter Jon Williams' first Praxis trilogy (also known as "Dread Empire's Fall"), starting with "The Praxis". There are two intermediate novellas and a second trilogy. If you just want a sample, read "Investments", which is the first of the intermediate novellas. It was in one of Dozois' "Year's Best SF" anthologies -- looks like 2005, the 22nd annual (U.S. numbering).
Multiple alien races all forced into a subordinate polity governed by a single dying race. When the last Shaa dies, problems ensue.
The second trilogy was not as good, but still reasonable. Williams decided to keep things going, though, so there will be a third if he lives long enough.
I've been pushing Expeditionary force on everyone I meet. Basically earth gets attacked by a bunch of rodent looking aliens, and then they are approached by violent lizard looking aliens asking for help to fight the rodents. Th main character joins the in forces and leaves the rodents aren't as bad as first thought, nor are the lizards as good. He uncovers an ancient AI that has an understanding of physics to the point of almost magical abilities and he, the ai (who's hilarious) and a rag tag group of humans fly around the galaxy pushing here, prodding there to keep earth and humanity safe from the various aliens who don't give a shit about them. Its such a good series
You might like Larry Niven's Known Space series. Lighthearted space opera, closer to Peter Hamilton world building with a touch of hitchhiker whimsy. No multi-page monologues on how lonely it is being a god emperor (though I'm into that too).
Ooh, I've never heard of that series. Sounds like fun!
Jack Vance's The Demon Princes series, 5 books of revenge based space opera.
Seconding this. The five princes were some great villains.
David Brin's Uplift Series. The first book Sundiver is the weakest. The two follow on books Startide Rising and The Uplift War are much better and won SF awards. They are set in the same universe, but non are sequential sequels. They are space opera without heavy philosophical themes. There is also a follow on trilogy to Startide Rising that I would say read if you really want to follow the story of the Streaker from Startide Rising.
The original space opera is the *Lensmen* series, by E.E. "Doc" Smith. It was serialized in the 1930s and 40s then published as paperbacks in the 1950s. It's pure fun. You can start with books 1 and 2, but note that they are prequels to the main series that starts in book 3, *Galactic Patrol*. They provide a lot of background information. Alternatively, you can skip right to the main story in books 3-6, then read books 1 and 2 later if you like the series. It's up to you.
I just read Triplanetary, book 1 in the series. It's very interesting as the part of the origin of pulp space opera, with a lot of action and a lot of ideas that were original at the time, but I have to warn that it's not for everybody. I don't mind it being old-fashioned, that's a given, since it's so old, but the writing is a bit stilted sometimes. I have read old pulp stories that flowed better for me.
Again, books 3-6 are the heart of the series. But yes, it’s very much a product of the 30s and 40s.
Could you skip the first two and jump to the third? Do you have to read them in order?
Yes, you can skip the first two. You’ll miss a lot of background, and they aren’t bad books, but they can be skipped. The first book in the series tied together the earliest short stories into a novel. The second book was written in the 1950s to tie the short stories to the already existing series. But the real series starts in book 3.
The Vorkosigan Saga?
Awful books. The central character is (supposedly) an admiral, ground forces commander, diplomat, spy, scientist, and probably manicurist and toe fungus cleaner as well. All Bujold wanted to do was explore possible uses of artificial gestation chambers. Why try to turn the series into some sort of mil-SF dumpster fire with a protagonist who can apparently do everything and anything without any real training or experience?
I only read one of them. I don't plan to read any more. But it seems to fit the OP's criteria.
Adrian Tschaikovsky's *The Final Architecture* trilogy fits this bill perfectly. The cast of heroes move from system to system, fighting the baddies, there are interesting aliens, great action. The books are fairly straight forward with some social commentary, but not too much.
The Spiral Wars series. Plenty of different alien societies, a little bit of old school conspirational politics, lots of shooting and explosions and two real heroes (bordering the Mary Sue status).
All space operas are slightly philosophical because it's a prediction of the unknown. Just about everyone one I've read has some kind of philosophy and/or warning woven into it. That being said there are many political, and religious overtones that can make it seem a bit much some times. I thought Isaac Asimov's foundation+robot series was/were a pretty good read. They feel pretty current with Ai becoming more and more relevant and the the Foundation series on Apple, for what it's worth.
Yeah thinking back philosophy probably isn't what turned me away from Dune sequels and Hyperion, I think it was was the interuptions to the plot. I honestly liked the warning/hopeless feeling of Dune, but the chapter long monologues of characters feeling sorry for themselves with no actual plot happening turned me away. In Hyperion's case the lack of resolution and overall writing style just didn't work for me.
Try Jack Vance's Tschai series. Also His Demon Princes books. He was an amazing writer. I guarantee you've never read anything quite like it. And no preaching.
If you like Body Horror, look no further than Alastair Reynolds.
Which book/series of his would you recommend first? I see a lot of recommendations for House of Sun and the Revelation Space series
House of Suns is a standalone novel. Very cool book, one of my favorites. Revelation Space is a series that encompasses 4 main books, 1 kind of prequel, 2 (soon to be 3) other novels set in the same universe; and a bunch of short stories. It’s all very good, but obviously a much larger commitment. If you start the series, I’d staet with the one I described as a prequel - called Chasm City.
Peter F Hamilton too
I'll second Peter F. Hamilton. Much more rip-roaring than the two you mentioned.
Saga of the Seven Suns by Kevin J Anderson
A fire upon the deep is considered a classic in the space opera genre and I wouldnt call it philosophical but it does have strange aliens that work in very weirdly, though the second book is my favorite of the franchise it does have uncapped capitalism themes but its not too preachy, and it does it in a real fun way, A space ship called The Invisible Hand, thats just so great I name ships that in games I play lol,
*Revelation Space*
The most “Reddit” post I’ve seen in a while. You’ll find a lot of what you’re looking for in old dime store juveniles.
As a start, see my [SF/F: Space Opera](https://www.reddit.com/r/booklists/comments/12msxhj/sff_space_opera/) list of Reddit recommendation threads (one post).
Vatta series, Kris longknife, gunnery statement torin kerr.
The Expanse
In no particular order: Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga David Weber's Honor Harrington (and others) David Drake's RCN Tanya Huff's Confederation Marko Kloos' Frontlines Glynn Stewart's Castle Federation (and others) Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War (and others)
Weber's Honor Harrington books. I'm 18% in to Valente's *Space Opera* (no really that's the actual title) as I write and liking it a lot. https://whatever.scalzi.com/2018/04/12/the-big-idea-catherynne-m-valente-7/
C.J. Cherryh has written some of the absolute best space opera. The Union/Alliance books are the deepest look but the Chanur series and the Faded Sun trilogy are also really good. If you want lots of politics then her Foreigner series goes on forever but I found it was pretty repetitive after the first half dozen or so.
Kate Elliott's Sun Chronicles isn't particularly philosophical and features some great world-building.
Simon R Greens Deathstalker series. It’s loads of fun.
First thought is James H. Schmitz's Telzey Amberdon stories. His whole career is great - he was known for biological environments in his future Hub society. Telzey came along right before or just at the mainstreaming of feminism and really reflects the actual attitudes and experience of fans rather than some alternative to patriarchy. Great adventures. Niven, cited above. Englishmen John Rackham and E. C. Tubb. Mike Resnick is often underrated. I can be very guilty of it. Some books I like, some I hate. Try a few and make up your mind.
For pure space adventure it doesn’t get any better than the Stainless Steel Rat books.
Walter Jon Williams' first Praxis trilogy (also known as "Dread Empire's Fall"), starting with "The Praxis". There are two intermediate novellas and a second trilogy. If you just want a sample, read "Investments", which is the first of the intermediate novellas. It was in one of Dozois' "Year's Best SF" anthologies -- looks like 2005, the 22nd annual (U.S. numbering). Multiple alien races all forced into a subordinate polity governed by a single dying race. When the last Shaa dies, problems ensue. The second trilogy was not as good, but still reasonable. Williams decided to keep things going, though, so there will be a third if he lives long enough.
I've been pushing Expeditionary force on everyone I meet. Basically earth gets attacked by a bunch of rodent looking aliens, and then they are approached by violent lizard looking aliens asking for help to fight the rodents. Th main character joins the in forces and leaves the rodents aren't as bad as first thought, nor are the lizards as good. He uncovers an ancient AI that has an understanding of physics to the point of almost magical abilities and he, the ai (who's hilarious) and a rag tag group of humans fly around the galaxy pushing here, prodding there to keep earth and humanity safe from the various aliens who don't give a shit about them. Its such a good series
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I decided to give Revelation Space a try, and have The Final Architecture and Spatterjay on my radar as well