THE NEW SPACE OPERA
EDITED BY GARDNER DOZOIS AND JONATHAN STRAHAN
ISBN # (10) 0-06-084675-5/ (13) 978-0-06-084675-6
June 2007
HarperCollins Publishers, 10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
Trade paperback
$15.95 U.S. / $19.95 Canada
528 Pages
Science Fiction
Rating: 4 cups

What is a Space Opera you might ask? The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction describes it as “colorful action-adventure stories of inter-planetary or interstellar conflict.” Space opera is not a new concept; it has been around for many years. Some important and impressive Science Fiction authors have written their own versions in the past. However, it has been a while since we have been blessed with such an intriguing collection of science fiction stories.

Take for instants “Valley of the Gardens" by Tony Daniel. This tale is told in alternating sections that take place in different periods. One involves a battle with aliens from another dimension for possession of a special planet. The other taking place on that same planet either long before or long after that battle but the conclusion is not revealed until near the end of the story.

In "Art of War," Nancy Kress, looks at the way humans tend to misunderstand their enemies, which has always been a staple theme of space opera. It is about a protagonist named Jon who is an art historian in the employ of the military. The twist is that Jon’s mother is the commanding officer of a human fleet and she views her son as a coward. These are just a couple of stories you will come across in this compilation.

This book is a collection of stories by the following writers: Kage Baker, Stephen Baxter, Gregory Benford, Tony Daniel, Greg Egan, Peter F. Hamilton, Gwyneth Jones, James Patrick Kelly, Nancy Kress, Ken Macleod, Paul J. McAuley, Ian McDonald, Robert Reed, Alastair Reynolds, Mary Rosenblum, Robert Silverberg, Dan Simmons and Walter Jon Williams. This compilation of science fiction tales differs in locale, scope, and supporting scientific theory. You will find a mix of authors with different writing styles throughout. All I can say about this spectacular anthology is you need to read it, too.

Candy Cay
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books