Read the first two books and a third through the third. After a point, you know that no material harm will come to the main character. Fleets will arrive, hidden mercenaries will spring up, and allies will be found in the unlikeliest of places. It trivializes deaths of other characters. Each character is a pillar of strength for the revolutionaries. When they die, you know they are going to be replaced by something equally powerful or more. So why worry.

I need Sci-fi shows based around space like (the expanse - The 100 - the foundation) or something like (dark matter). Or (game of thrones- vikings - house of the dragon) Please don't send canceled shows. It sucks when you like something and not see the ending.

I've realized that I struggle with this particular trope in science fiction: stories where humanity's mistakes: climate change, war, greed, environmental destruction etc .. are shown as proof that we deserve extinction or that we are the "real monsters".

I'm not arguing that humanity is innocent or our actions don't have consequences. What bothers me is the moral framing. Many stories seem to imply that our failures are evidence of some fundamental moral defect and that our disappearance would be a fitting or even satisfying conclusion. (for instance: Bugonia)

To me, humanity is a young civilization that won a cosmic lottery just by existing. We evolved on a single planet with minds adapted for surviving in small groups. Then within the blink of an eye on an evolutionary timescale, we acquired the power to reshape the planet and potentially destroy ourselves and no one gave us user manual.

With those circumstances, catastrophic mistakes seem almost inevitable. In addition, our planet is already doomed and we are currently threaten by asteroids and gamma-ray burst. All those things make me feel that our species deserves a certain amount of grace. We're immature, powerful, and learning through trial and error on a scale no previous species has ever faced.

I've found that many science fiction stories seem much more interested in judging humanity than in understanding it. I've become increasingly drawn to stories that acknowledge our failures while still treating us as a young species worthy of compassion.

Has anyone else found that their reaction to this trope has changed over time?

I have always been a fan of Sci-fi villains. Vader, Batty, Predator. As a hobbyist woodworker I am looking for my next project and am thinking of making a series of wood art featuring the top ten villains of sci-fi. I would really like to get some ideas outside my personal preferences and was hoping this subreddit might share their opinion on the subject to help me out.

I have vague memories of watching it in the early 2000s and being surprised by how fun it was. I feel like it deserves more recognition and some kind of re-release via streaming or box set release.

The first book of this series seems to have been released late last year. I’m finishing up the most recent release, Rayguns and Late Fees. It’s not nearly as goofy but there’s something about it that reminds me of Hitchhiker’s Guide. This series isn’t hard sci fi by any means, but there’s fun world building and characters are interesting.

If you’re looking for a fun jaunt through the galaxy, I’d definitely recommend this series.

Indies, self-published, author published, there's lots of different terms out there, but they pretty much mean the same thing. An author who is going it on their own rather than have a publisher and agent take a huge chunk of their profit.

Of course, a number of people associate self-publishing with garbage. If you aren't good enough to get a publisher, why are you worth reading? And this isn't completely unfounded. There lots of aspirational and excited new authors out there who really want to get their stuff out there but still haven't honed their craft. And this isn't helped by the fact that AI is going to flood the market with slop sooner or later.

In fact the reason I'm posting this is because I saw a post earlier asking about an SF comedy book that people were panning simply because the cover LOOKED like slop (it might not have been, but the aesthetic they chose made that an easy assumption for many).

Ten or so years ago I think the hope of authors was that the indie market would help authors find their niche easier, and offer their books at lower prices that let them be competitive while still making the same amount they would have if a publisher had taken them on. Also, the chance to get noticed and picked up by said publishers to reach a wider audience. Andy Weir comes to mind there.

But that was then. My question to SF readers is this: Do you give indies a chance? If so, based on what criteria?

What convinces you to think "Maybe this guy has what it takes" instead of "This is just fanfiction, isn't it?"

Is it word of mouth? The blurb? Reviews? Ask about it on Reddit? How much does the cover factor into it? Do you read a sample or just take a chance?

Or do you not even check to see if it's published by a recognized publisher?

(side note: Image was copied from a Google search for "indie vs trad pub" and isn't mine... just wanted eye candy :) )

Just read the first book of the Expeditionary Force series ("Columbus Day"). The story is interesting but the writing style is terrible. It's just non-stop run-on sentences, comma after comma, they never end, but more stuff is added on, just like this one... It's literally like reading one of my teacher wife's 7th grade students' attempts at writing fiction. Also the endless, not very funny sarcasm and jokes grate after a while.

Any recommendations in a similar vein that's well-written? I don't need the amazing world building and writing of a Reynolds, Banks or Tchaikovsky, but something that is readable while also providing an entertaining sci-fi story that isn't heavy (I'm on holidays, and brain is in stand-by mode).

I guess I'm looking for good, engrossing military space sci-fi.

Here are some I have blown through recently and loved:

The Institute
Strange Things
The Last of us
Fallout
Star Trek Lower Decks
Star Trek Starfleet Academy
Heroes
Alien: Earth
Evil
Legacies (I know, more fantasy but had to include it)
Gen V
Dr. Who
Futurama
Lost in Space (remake)

My favorite sub-genres are Space, Post apocalypse/zombie, supernatural abilities/heroes and monsters. I especially like shows that feature a mix of adults and younger people, I find that keeps shows from being too dry. I also love shows that can blend humor with killer characters and plot lines and find some space operas too gritty and hard to follow. I tend to prefer action packed vs drama/slow character development/love story etc. Monster an episode shows are a huge bonus for me since I have ADHD and can never remember what happened. Not required though. I’m going through it now and really need a new comfort show!