Machine by Elizabeth Bear is a new space opera perfect for fans of Ann Leckie and Becky Chambers. Filled with inventive science and riveting action scenes, it follows scientist Doctor Jens she uncovers a dangerous mystery involving an ancient spaceship, a crew suffering from an unidentifiable contagion, and a decaying AI ship-mind. Unable to resist a good mystery, Dr. Jens dives in and makes shocking discoveries about these anomalies, as well as her own life. I love space operas primarily because of the quirky casts of characters, but space itself is looking pretty good at the moment! I wish I could leave face coverings and hand gel behind and get on a spaceship to Mars, or even Venus (apparently there might be life on Venus now), and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Space operas are designed to be immersive, with their sprawling worlds and excellent characters, but that doesn’t mean they lack plot. Some of the most action-packed and complex stories I’ve read have been space operas. Another thing I love about space operas is how universal the themes are. It shows how the same things connect us all, like love and relationships, politics, diversity, and more. Connecting across vast physical and metaphorical distances has been increasingly difficult this far into 2020. Still, space opera has such a wealth of hope in it that you can take some comfort from. Oppressed peoples overcome their oppressors, found families somehow manage to rescue each other, and star-crossed lovers make it. If your favorite characters can overcome intergalactic war, we can overcome the pandemic. One thing I’ve learned through reading so many books is that nothing’s hopeless, nothing’s impossible, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Find a blanket, a warm mug, and a cat, and lose yourself in one of these action-packed space operas. The best thing is, they’re all series! So you won’t run out of galaxy to explore for a long time to come. And if that’s not enough, check out this single novel debut! Can’t get enough science fiction? Check out these SFF books by indigenous authors. Or maybe you’ve already started planning Halloween and you’re in need of some bookish gift suggestions?
