More like Vesta Burning

anchored on:science fictionfar futurespace operaspaceother star systems

but

Narrow

DuneUniverse
universe78 books1963
About political intrigue.
“The desert planet, where empire runs on a single substance: the spice melange, which folds space, prolongs life, and unlocks prescience, and which exists nowhere else in the known universe.”
from the catalogue
Start with Dune →
includes Dune, Dune Prequels, Dune Sequels, Heroes of Dune, Background of the Dune Universe
UpliftUniverse
universe13 books1980
About uplift and aliens.
“No species, the Galactics insist, ever climbs to sapience alone.”
from the catalogue
Start with Sundiver →
includes Uplift, Uplift Storm
PolityUniverse
universe72 books1992
Science fiction and space opera, set in far future and other star systems.
“The Quiet War is already over by the time you arrive.”
from the catalogue
Start with Shadow of the Scorpion →
includes Ian Cormac, Spatterjay, Transformation, Rise of the Jain, Time's Shadow
Old Man's WarSeries
series16 books2005
Military science fiction.
“Sign a document at 65, saying you intend to join up 10 years later.”
from the catalogue
Start with Old Man's War →
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, War World, Laurie Jo Hansen
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, Man-Kzin Wars, Fleet of Worlds