More like Best, Last, Only

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Tau ZeroNovel
Poul Andersonstandalone novel1970
Hard science fiction, reflective in tone, about space exploration, set in deep space.
“During an epic voyage to a planet 30 light years away, the engines of the starship the 'Leonora Christine' are damaged.”
from the catalogue
Space BeagleSeries
series5 books1939
completed
Adventurous and tense in tone, about aliens, set in space.
Start with Black Destroyer →
Pushing IceNovel
Alastair Reynoldsstandalone novel2005
Hard science fiction and first contact, about space exploration and aliens.
David RyersonSeries
series2 books1958
completed
Tense in tone, about space exploration, set in space.
“The Enemy Stars follows the crew of a faster-than-light survey ship stranded far from home after their matter-transmission drive is damaged, forced to keep the vessel and each other going across a voyage that will outlast some of them.”
from the catalogue
Start with The Enemy Stars →
Alliance-UnionUniverse
universe173 books1976
Science fiction, set in far future.
“Around that spine cluster the merchanter novels of trader Families, the Faded Sun trilogy of human envoys among the martial alien Mri, and the Chanur books, narrated from the hierarchical, whiskered viewpoint of the hani.”
from the catalogue
Start with Heavy Time →
includes Company Wars, Age of Exploration, Hanan Rebellion, Chanur, Unionside, Mri Wars, Era of Rapprochement, The Hinder Stars
The Stars Are LegionNovel
Kameron Hurleystandalone novel2017
Dark and tense in tone, set in space.