More like So It Begins

anchored on:science fictionmilitary science fictionwarfar futurespacetense

but

Narrow

Berserker (Fred Saberhagen)Series
series59 books1963
Space opera, about robots, set in other star systems.
Start with Berserker →
HonorverseUniverse
universe83 books1993
Space opera, set in other star systems.
“At the center stands one officer, Honor Harrington — captain, then something far larger — and the six-limbed empathic treecat who rides her shoulder.”
from the catalogue
Start with On Basilisk Station →
includes Honor Harrington, Expanded Honorverse, Saganami Island, Worlds of Honor anthologies, Wages of Sin, Manticore Ascendant, Honor Harrington Universe short fiction, Star Kingdom (Honor Harrington)
Xan-Sskarn WarSeries
series1 book2010
Space opera, about aliens and revenge, set in other star systems.
“Under her petite exterior is a spine of solid steel and a disposition to laugh in the face of impending death.”
from the catalogue
Start with Ragnarok →
Death's Head (David Gunn)Series
series3 books2007
Space opera.
“Set in a chillingly realistic far-future world, and featuring a gritty antihero even more frightening than the evil empire he serves as soldier and assassin, Death's Head is sure to be one of the most talked-about novels of the year.”
from the catalogue
Start with Death's Head →
Known SpaceUniverse
universe142 books1964
About aliens, set in other star systems.
“Give a clever species a few centuries and a working fusion drive, and it will fill the sky with problems.”
from the catalogue
Start with Ringworld →
includes Man-Kzin Wars, Ringworld, Fleet of Worlds
VattaUniverse
universe10 books2003
Space opera, adventurous in tone, set in other star systems.
“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