More like The Rescue

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Tunnel in the SkyNovel
Robert A. Heinleinstandalone novel1955
“As the final test of a survivalist/explorer class, teenagers are dumped on an alien planet to use their skills while awaiting pickup.”
from the catalogue
Ender's GameUniverse
universe39 books1977
Science fiction, set in far future.
“To beat your enemy you must first understand him so completely that you love him — and in the instant you love him, you destroy him.”
from the catalogue
Start with Ender's Game →
includes Ender Wiggin, Ender's Shadow, First Formic War, Fleet School, Second Formic War
Humanx CommonwealthUniverse
universe39 books1972
About aliens.
“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
Known SpaceUniverse
universe142 books1964
About aliens.
“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 Ringworld, Fleet of Worlds, Man-Kzin Wars
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, Laurie Jo Hansen, Falkenberg's Legion, War World
Against a Dark BackgroundNovel
Iain M. Banksstandalone novel1993
About heist and magical artifacts.