More like Crystal Singer (abridged)

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Citizen of the GalaxyNovel
Robert A. Heinleinstandalone novel1957
Space opera, about coming of age and slavery, set in space.
“On a planet far distant from Earth, a lame beggar buys a young boy slave who has forgotten his origins.”
from the catalogue
HainishSeries
series33 books1964
completed
Reflective in tone.
“The Hainish Cycle consists of a number of science fiction novels and stories by Ursula K. Le Guin.”
from the catalogue
Start with Rocannon's World →
The Stars My DestinationNovel
Alfred Besterstandalone novel1956
Space opera, about revenge and survival, set in space.
VorkosiganUniverse
universe27 books1986
Space opera.
“Beyond his backwater lies the wormhole nexus: a scatter of human worlds strung along unstable jump-routes, where a blood-and-honor warrior aristocracy, a coolly egalitarian utopia, and a hundred lesser polities trade, spy, and go to war.”
from the catalogue
Start with Shards of Honor →
includes Miles Vorkosigan, Cordelia Vorkosigan, Quaddies
Lunar ChroniclesSeries
series15 books2011
Fairy tale retelling, about political intrigue.
“Set in a futuristic world inhabited by various species and creatures, tensions are rising between Earth and its former colony Luna, while both attempt to manage an ongoing pandemic.”
from the catalogue
Start with Fairest: Levana's Story →
Humanx CommonwealthUniverse
universe39 books1972
About aliens, set in space.
“Two species that ought, by every buried instinct, to recoil from one another instead clasp hand to truhand and build a galaxy together.”
from the catalogue
Start with For Love of Mother-Not →
includes Pip & Flinx, Icerigger Trilogy, The Founding of the Commonwealth