A Universe of Stories - Women in SpaceLike this list

24 items

• Grimspace

  Aguirre, Ann

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  If you're not sure about pure sci fi but like those urban fantasy books you read a few years ago, this one might be for you. Protagonist Sirantha Jax has a rare ability to take ships through Grimspace--what we might call hyperspace--without the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The City in the Middle of the Night

  Anders, Charlie Jane,

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  If you need your space opera a bit more on the optimistic side, Anders has you covered. Escape to the alien and hostile planet of January, where protagonist Sophie has been exiled to freezing climes and left to die after taking the fall for a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ancestral Night

  Bear, Elizabeth,

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  Though Bear's recent works have been fantasy, she returns to sci fi in this space opera. When engineer and salvager Haimey Dz discovers a derelict space craft, it turns out to be a booby trap set by pirates. Soon, both pirates and government actors…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Nightchaser

  Bouchet, Amanda,

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  If you're also a fan of kissing books, Bouchet's got you covered. Captain Tess Bailey and her crew are hiding out on an out-of-the-way planet after a heist leaves them stranded and being hunted by a ruthless tyrant. Luckily, there's a sexy mechanic…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

  Chambers, Becky,

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  Comparisons to Firefly run rampant in space opera, but Chambers accomplishes just that feel. The crew of the Wayfarer, as seen through the eyes of newcomer Rosemary Harper, is a ragtag but close-knit one, comprised of a multi-species cast who care…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Cosmic Powers

  the Saga Anthology of Far-away Galaxies

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  Short story anthologies are a great way to try out a new genre and learn who's who in it, and this one has a stellar contributor list. Pick this one up if you want to see what space opera is about.

• Stars Uncharted

  Dunstall, S. K.,

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  If you like your fictional crews a bit on the ragtag, disreputable side, Dunstall's space romp might be your next read. Body modder Nika Rik Terri, traveler Josune Arriola, and captain Hammond Roystan are on the run and in search of a lost planet,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dark Orbit

  Gilman, Carolyn, 1954-

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  First contact stories are a staple of sci fi, and Dark Orbit stars scientist Sara Callicot, who is tasked with studying the planet for possible habitability as well as keeping an eye on a well-connected by unstable fellow crew member. Add in a bit…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Lightless

  Higgins, C. A. (Caitlin A.)

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  Computer scientist Althea has a stronger connection to her ship's AI than her crewmates, but something's wrong--her ship has just allowed known criminals to board. Her beloved ship Ananke has been compromised, and she must figure out what these…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Stars Are Legion

  Hurley, Kameron,

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  If you have a strong stomach and don't mind a bit of gore, Hurley's take on worldships is wholly original. The worldships are organic in nature, staffed entirely by women, who quite literally give birth to whatever the world needs. Protagonist Zan,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Calculating Stars

  Kowal, Mary Robinette, 1969-

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  Alternate history set in the 1950s, starring women astronauts doing their best to get us to space after a serious meteor hits earth. Yes please. You name the genre award, and this one's racked up either a nomination (Hugo, Goodreads Choice) or a win…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Fated Sky

  Kowal, Mary Robinette, 1969-

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  Sequel to The Calculating Stars, can be read separately but you'll get more out of it if you read it in order. Look for more books from this world in 2020 and beyond!

• Six Wakes

  Lafferty, Mur,

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  Locked room murder mystery gets a sci fi twist--new clone Maria Arena wakes up in a space ship to discover that she and her fellow crewmate's prior selves have all been murdered. Someone among them is the killer, and meanwhile, all communication…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ninefox Gambit

  Lee, Yoon Ha,

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  When a disgraced captain gets in trouble for unconventional tactics in battle in a universe ruled by strict procedures, the obvious solution is... another unconventional choice. To redeem herself and take back a fallen fortress, disgraced captain…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Memory Called Empire

  Martine, Arkady,

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  Space opera meets Byzantine-Empire-inspired political drama. Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives at her new post to find her predecessor murdered and herself stranded in an unfamiliar alien culture. Pick this one up if you like large casts, political…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Planetfall

  Newman, Emma, 1976-

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  This is an atmospheric, character-driven story of space colonization built on lies and the slow reveal thereof, told through the viewpoint of Renata Ghali, whose 3D-printed engineering makes human survival possible. Newman's thoughtful exploration…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Before Mars

  Newman, Emma, 1976-

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  Before Mars is also set in Newman's Planetfall universe, set on Mars and following geologist and artist Dr. Anna Kubrin as she begins work on the planet, finding notes warning her of danger... written in her own hand. Try this one if you like…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Vessel

  a Novel

  Nichols, Lisa A., 1972-

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  The Martian's Mark Watney isn't the only fictional astronaut to return from space after being thought dead in a ship malfunction. Catherine Wells returns to earth after a decade to find everything has changed--loved ones have moved on, and... she's…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Velocity Weapon

  O'Keefe, Megan E., 1985-

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  Sergeant Sanda Greeve is blown out of the sky during a routine flight. When she wakes up, 230 years have passed, and she's on a ship controlled by a rogue AI. As she tries to figure out what happened, Sanda's story weaves together with that of her…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Binti

  Okorafor, Nnedi,

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  This one is another compelling character study, following Binti as she leaves her home planet to learn at the best university in the galaxy. Along the way, her ship is attacked by aliens, and the experience fundamentally alters her. First book of a…Read moreRead more of this annotation