More like Matilda's Stepchildren

anchored on:science fictionother star systemsfar futureadventurousspace operarevenge+2 more

but

Narrow

NovaNovel
Samuel R. Delanystandalone novel1968
About quests.
“The plot concerns the spaceship captain Lorq Von Ray's search for a nova, which will produce the essential power source Illyrion, and his vendetta with the Red family, who seek to kill him.”
from the catalogue
VattaUniverse
universe10 books2003
Military science fiction.
“Get kicked out of the Academy and the family still hands you a ship.”
from the catalogue
Start with Trading in Danger →
includes Vatta's War, Vatta's Peace
The Stars My DestinationNovel
Alfred Besterstandalone novel1956
Dark in tone, about survival and identity.
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 Chanur, Company Wars, Mri Wars, The Hinder Stars, Hanan Rebellion, Unionside, Era of Rapprochement, Age of Exploration
CoDominiumUniverse
universe98 books1971
Military science fiction.
“The body of work runs along a few hard threads rather than one line.”
from the catalogue
Start with The Mote in God's Eye →
includes Moties, Falkenberg's Legion, Laurie Jo Hansen, War World
Against a Dark BackgroundNovel
Iain M. Banksstandalone novel1993
About heist and magical artifacts.