Looking for suggestions of

[shimmergal]

good space opera NOVELS -- freestanding or series. Not too deep, not too fluffy, just good adventure stories with perhaps a touch of romance and some interesting ideas. ???

[wyldwolf]

1. here's a recommendation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imzadi

http://www.amazon.com/Imzadi-Star-Trek-Next-Generation/dp/0671867296

[Kind of Blue]

5. Imzadi, that is such a beautifully coined word.

Carries a lot of meaning and nostalgia for NG fans. Thanks. Now I want to read the books though I've never read any of those continuation of a TV series books.

[phantom power]

2. Some space opera I like...

1) The "Uplift" novels by David Brin

2) The "Golden Age" series by John. C. Wright

3) Any of the "Culture" novels by Iain M. Banks

4) Light by M. John Harrison

[bain_sidhe]

3. Any of Elizabeth Moon's SF novel series

The Heris Serrano novels, the Esmay Suisa novels (actually a sequel series to the Serrano novels), the Ky Vatta novels. They're all great - good characters, good action, military "flavor" without being actual military...

She's a Texas liberal somewhat in the tradition of Molly Ivins but more outdoorsy, a former marine, and the mother of an autisitc young man, and the keeper of 80 acres of Texas prairieland that she's trying to restore to its "native" state. She doesn't suffer fools gladly, and neither do her characters. One of my very favorite authors.

What, you want links, too? Here are some from her site that explain a little bit about each book:

The Serrano books:
http://www.elizabethmoon.com/biblio-serrano.htm

The Vatta books:
http://www.elizabethmoon.com/biblio-vatta.htm

[Kind of Blue]

4. I think I might have what you're

looking for. I particular liked Sharon Shinn's Samaria series. IMO, I think it fits your criteria of "not too deep, not too fluffy, good adventure and a touch of romance."

Here's the plot in the first book Archangel taken from wikipedia, unfortunately the link takes you to an entry on archangels and not the book. If interested, you can get to the link using this one http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Shinn#Samaria_Series

"Samaria is a planet that has been settled with colonists from a different planet some time in the past. The colonists made the journey in a spaceship named Jehovah, which possesses artificial intelligence. Geneticists aboard Jehovah created a race of angels in order to keep the peace on Samaria. Angels have the ability to communicate with Jehovah. Jehovah can modify weather patterns, send medicinal drugs, and do other things. This gives the illusion of a religion with an omnipotent god. In order to bring together all peoples of Samaria together in peaceful harmony..."

[shimmergal]

6. Thanks to everyone!

for your suggestions.

I really liked the first IMZADI novel; didn't know there was a sequel. As I'm a Troi & Riker fan I'm seeking a copy of it now.

Phantom power and bani-sidhe, appreciate your lists very much. I think I've read & enjoyed one of the Heris Serrano books and the first Uplift universe one, will have to take another look at some of the series.

Kind of Blue, I'm grateful for your summary paragraph about the Samaria universe. I love Shinn's fantasy series set in the Twelve Houses world, and some of her freestanding books. But whenever I've picked up any of the Samaria novels they just confused me, because I thought they were talking about real angels etc. whom I didn't want to read about. Now that I know what's going on, I'll try again!

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

7. Fire upon the Deep - Vernor Vinge

Lots of interesting ideas.

I also like Stephen Baxter a lot and would recommend Ring, which is my favorites of his.

[scubadude]

8. I think the Ruby Dynasty series by Catherine Asaro might be just what you're looking for.

Definitely space opera, definitely not too deep, maybe a bit fluffy but not too bad, a bit of adventure and romance. I find them to be well paced easy reads.

The author is very accomplished, as can be seen here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_of_the_Skolian_Empire#Biography

Happy reading,

Scuba

[drmeow]

9. How much romance do you want?

Linnea Sinclair's stuff used to be grouped with Sci Fi but now its in romance. Some of it is pretty good sci fi but it is also pretty heavy on the romance. I enjoyed Finder's Keepers but I used to be a pretty heavy romance novel reader so ....

Someone else recommended Elizabeth Moon - I second that.