Space Opera Fans discussion

I am 2 books in on The Expanse series. I just realized why these 2 books seem a little flat to me. There is not enough science and tech. Any suggestions for series with lots of science and tech. Favorite topics are Complex Systems, AI, nanotech, game theory, biotech, cognitive sciences, quantum mechanics. I like Greg Egan and Alastair Reynolds.

I am already reading The Expanse, Asimov Robots/Foundation, Dune, and Larry Niven Known Space. I didn't finish the Revelation Space Series, so need to restart that at some point.

There's the stuff written by Ian Douglas

Pretty much all of his stuff falls under the military sci-fi category. Never really got into them fully though. All have a bunch of technological exposition though. Personally, I think he repeats himself too much regarding the tech stuff.

I'm not sure whether the Honorverse series would satisfy you or not. There is lots of tech, but it's mostly military, not so much hard science. Also some "technical" descriptions of traveling through space, i.e. hyperspace and wormholdes. I expect that's mostly imagination, but he discusses it as though it were science. There's also lots of politics, and character development. I really enjoy this series, but not everyone does.

If you're interested in AI, you might like the Silver Ships series. There are several AI characters, including one with a wry sense of humor that I love. Also one of the themes of the series is the development of these self-aware programs from mere tools to full citizens with emotions and preferences and rights. He doesn't get much into the tech of it, but I thought it was an interesting story thread.

Nerdy? The RCN or Lt Leary series by David Drake?

The Star Carrier series by Ian Douglas? Lots of different types of aliens star and time travel using very advanced tech. Earth ships are basically what we could do today or soon that is. The fighters are another matter with smart metal. Nano tech and more.

Check out some of Peter F Hamilton's work (perhaps not the void if the fantasy elements are not to your taste).

The Culture series has a lot of the elements you are looking for in various places.

thanks everyone for the suggestions

I've recommended this elsewhere, but the "USS Merrimack" series by R.M. Meluch is really good.

A little bit of Star Trek, a little bit of Battlestar Galactica, a little bit of Starship Troopers, and a huge chunk of I, Claudius.

Six books in the series so far, starting with The Myriad

Anything written by Greg Bear. I've read Eon and Hull Zero Three and both had good plots overburdened by science and tech.

I still have an old paperback copy of Eon, this cover: . Great book.

I also have that paperback copy of Eon. I need to read it again.

Good story, but all the physics and math just overburdened it. I like my science fiction to have a sense of wonder and adventure. IMHO.

L.E. wrote: "Nerdy? The RCN or Lt Leary series by David Drake?

The Star Carrier series by Ian Douglas? Lots of different types of aliens star and time travel using very advanced tech. Earth ships are basically..."

After have access to a couple of free books in the series (I think I found them on Baen for free), I liked it enough to start buying the books, one at a time when I have credits obtained from not requiring immediate delivery of prime orders. Most things I don't need right now and I like getting 1 to dollar credits toward e-books. My book budget is limited so using it to get this series indicates that I really like it.

Some great suggestions so far! I agree that I loved the pseudo-science in the Honorverse, explaining to me in detail why exactly ship combat in space works like Napoleonic ship combat in Nelson's time (it's inspired by Nelson's exploits, Hornblower, etc. but in space: and it works beautifully and turns space battles from mindless pew-pew-boom into strategic and tactical chess battles).

Don't forget Neal Stephenson - Seveneves had huge amounts of detailed science explanations. Too much for me personally but I know others loved it.

Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy Red Mars has lots of solid hard science, especially concerning terraforming.

Neal Asher writes action-focused but also very sciency/nerdy stuff, especially if you're into computer science / neural networks / post-humanism / AI / nanotech: start with e.g. Gridlinked or The Skinner: The First Spatterjay Novel.

James White's Sector General series is a bit older, but still great when it comes to super nerdy medical science and xenobiology: Hospital Station (it's set in a huge space hospital treating all known alien species)

Super nerdy and sciency: The Three-Body Problem - you'll probably love it if you're into Complex Systems, virtual reality, super-dense materials, etc. And the non-American setting was a breath of fresh air for me, I love reading about other cultures.

We Are Legion (We Are Bob) - super geeky, nerdy, and lovable space opera with tons of science stuff, plus you'll laugh out loud.

Looking forward to more suggestions because I'm also interested in reading more nerdy SF that's less mainstream.