This is a weekly event hosted by
Jill @ Breaking the Spine!!
It showcases future releases which
we book bloggers
are eagerly anticipating!!
Here's my choice for this week!
Space Opera
Rich Horton, editor
Jay Lake, Robert Reed, Alistair Reynolds, etc.
Trade Paperback, 576 pages
Prime Books, April 2, 2014
Science Fiction
Book Synopsis
Space Opera, a new anthology series edited and presented by Rich Horton, the editor for Science Fiction: The Best of the Year, and Fantasy: The Best of the Year, promises to span the whole wide range of a sub-genre famous for its romantic adventure, exotic settings, and larger-than-life characters, collecting the best space opera written in 2006 by some of the genre's greatest authors.
Why am I waiting on this book?
I've always been a science fiction fan,
having read such greats as
Bradbury, Clarke, and Heinlein!
Of course, space opera, which is
a science fiction sub-genre,
is especially exciting!
It used to be very popular back
in the 1940s and 50s,
although some SF writers looked down on it.
However, later on, it became
a legitimate part of 'regular' science fiction.
Movies like "Star Wars" have been
labeled 'space opera'.
I'd like to read more science fiction,
which I've been
sadly neglecting for a long time now.
This book should prove especially interesting,
too, since it will give me a chance
to get updated on what's been going on in
this particular sub-genre!
For further information
about space opera:
What do you think of my choice?
What exciting books are
you waiting on this week?
Hmm, never heard of this! I wrote a space opera, so the title and cover certainly caught my interest!
ReplyDeleteStop by my WoW
Hi, Hafsah!
DeleteI discovered this book on Amazon the other day, and I was immediately attracted to this cover!
You wrote a space opera? Oh!! I'm warping over to your blog now!!!
Thanks for beaming over! Lol. Llive long and prosper!! : )
This one looks great! Though I tend to like the more thoughtful science fiction I do think that some of what gets labeled as Space Opera actually has some deep stuff going on. Admittedly the stuff that is all about crazy plots, strange aliens and action can be a lot of fun too!
ReplyDeleteHey, Brian!
DeleteGlad you like my pick! Although I do agree with you about preferring the more thoughtful type of science fiction, this sub-genre can be great fun indeed! And you're right -- some of the stuff that's labeled space opera does have deeper themes underlying the exciting plot. "Star Wars", for example, has the philosophical underpinnings of "The Force", although it's definitely a swashbuckling saga (with light sabers) in outer space.
I was surprised to see "Star Trek" being included in this sub-genre -- it's mentioned on the Space Opera Society website -- but I suppose Captain Kirk, for instance, was a larger-than-life character, being inclined to jump into all the action, and with girlfriend on different planets and even time periods. Lol. But then Spock added some seriousness to the show -- although he, too, had a couple of girlfriends.... As for later versions of Star Trek, Picard was certainly a serious guy (never liked him), and then there were other characters that were more serious. There were also very serious, thought-provoking themes in these programs.
Two years ago, I read a great space opera novel, titled "The Five Moons of Tiiana" (The Chronicles of Rez Cantor, #1), by Paul T. Harry, that I'd like to recommend to you. It's TERRIFIC!! I reviewed it here on my blog in 2012. I also posted the review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Thanks for the great comment!! : )
I guess the definition of Space Opera varies. I personally would not label Star Trek as such but again, I think there are no real official labels for this stuff.
DeleteI totally agree regarding Star Wars; definitely Space Opera, but definitely full of insightful and thought provoking themes.
Though my heart will always be with The Original Series, I do have a soft spot for Picard. He was such a different hero from those usually portrayed.
Hi, again, Brian!
DeleteI agree -- I would not classify "Star Trek", in any version, as Space Opera.. The funny thing is, the term "Space Opera" used to have a derogatory connotation. No more! According to what I read in Wikipedia, and two of the other sites I listed above, it became a very positive term in the 70s and 80s.
I consider "Star Wars" to be well within the category of Space Opera. And I must confess that I do prefer "Star Trek", precisely because of its more thoughtful, intellectual tone. However, "Star Wars" IS great fun!! It's the classic hero's quest. But, as I stated in my previous reply to you, it DOES have its more thoughtful side, with the concept of "The Force".
As for Picard, I never could warm up to him. I guess it's a female thing, though.....Kirk is such a....ahem....ATTRACTIVE guy.....well, I mean, you know.....(blushes furiously)....he really got my hormones going.....lol. Picard is NOT easy on the female eye.. AT ALL. But maybe I should give the poor guy a chance.....I should watch a couple of "New Generation" episodes and see.....but, AAHH, Kirk!!
Thanks for commenting again!! : )