Space Opera Fans discussion

Today, I was thinking how good would it be to read a few new books from one of my favorite theme, i.e. a plot mostly set on an "Alien Planet".

From my read books list, I can find a wide variety of books that fit into this theme. Like:

Semiosis
Skyward
All Systems Red
The City in the Middle of the Night
Remnant Population
Planetfall

I know there are many more of them in my future read list.

So, let me know what other books that you have liked fit in this theme and I'd give them a try. Also, if many people are interested in this theme, may be the moderator would take it as the next BOTM theme.

I enjoyed Planetside by Michael Mammay. Here is my review.

I also enjoyed, very much, On Basilisk Station by David Weber. Although it is mostly about the crew on board a naval ship, much of the plot also revolves around the rather strange alien planet and the non-humans living on it.

When you say "alien" planet, do you just mean not-Earth, or do you mean populated by non-humans? I've been assuming the later.

Betsy wrote: "When you say "alien" planet, do you just mean not-Earth, or do you mean populated by non-humans? I've been assuming the later."

By alien planet, I mean non-earth. Like a new planet which human are exploring or colonizing and there may or may not be another advanced life (intelligent alien).

In many books, native flora and fauna are depicted in detail. However, they needn't be advanced aliens always. e.g. Semiosis

Also, some books altogether do not discuss much of any local life form, courtesy uninhabited or post-apocalypse or author's interest. e.g. Skyward

However, they both qualify for this theme.

The genre about adventures on alien planets is called Planetary Romance. (It’s the old definition of romance meaning adventure, not the modern definition meaning relationships.) So that’s a good place to start.

Space Opera often coincides with Planetary Romance, as we see with Star Wars and Star Trek. That said, there are a few classics in the genre that are well worth reading.

Dune - Arrakis, desert planet, new film coming soon.

Ringworld - not a planet but rather a giant construct the size of millions of Earths.

The Dragonriders of Pern (Parallel Earth, Resources Negligible)
Dragonflight
Dragonquest
The White Dragon

Saga of the Well World (I think you’ll like these; no planet in fiction has the variety of flora and fauna that the Well World has. You’ll see why.)
Midnight at the Well of Souls
Exiles at the Well of Souls
Quest for the Well of Souls
The Return of Nathan Brazil
Twilight at the Well of Souls

Barsoom (Mars) - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barsoom

Dragon's Egg - neutron star rather than planet


Some books I like:

Icerigger - ice planet
Fuzzy Nation
The Sparrow

Two more for the list
Mirabile by Janet Kagan which I adore
Hellspark also by Janet Kagan has one of the strangest environments that is still human inhabitable.

Thanks Betsy, Trike and Teresa for adding to this list.

I can't believe I forgot to mention Hellspark, which is my absolute favorite book.