More like Manhattan in Reverse

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The Colors of SpaceNovel
Marion Zimmer Bradleystandalone novel1963
Adventurous in tone, about space exploration.
“The Lhari seem peaceful and friendly, but they go to some lengths to protect their monopoly on faster-than-light travel.”
from the catalogue
EmbassytownNovel
China Miévillestandalone novel2011
First contact, challenging in tone, about identity and political intrigue.
“In the far future, humans have colonized a distant planet, home to the enigmatic Ariekei, sentient beings famed for a language unique in the universe, one that only a few altered human ambassadors can speak.”
from the catalogue
HeecheeSeries
series19 books1972
completed
About space exploration.
“The Heechee are an advanced alien race that visited the Solar System hundreds of millennia ago and then mysteriously disappeared.”
from the catalogue
Start with Gateway →
QuadrailSeries
series5 books2005
About political intrigue.
“Paired with the telepathically gifted Bayta, Compton investigates and fights the Modhri, a parasitic group-mind quietly seizing control of galactic leaders from within.”
from the catalogue
Start with Night Train to Rigel →
The AvatarNovel
Poul Andersonstandalone novel1978
Adventurous in tone, about space exploration and political intrigue.
“With the aid of the political opposition, they escape and journey through the portal in search of knowledge, and perhaps even to meet those who created the portal system.”
from the catalogue
Alex BenedictSeries
series13 books1987
Science fiction and mystery & detective, mysterious in tone, set in far future and other star systems.
“Alex Benedict is an antiques dealer and part-time interstellar investigator, generations removed from Earth's first starfaring age, who keeps stumbling into forgotten history through the objects and ruins he trades in.”
from the catalogue
Start with A Talent for War →