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Space Opera

Catherynne M. Valente

First published April 2018
Type Novel
Series Space Opera (Catherynne M. Valente) #1

Humanity is contacted by the numerous sentient species of the galaxy and informed that they must enter the next intergalactic song contest and finish better than dead last or they will be destroyed as not truly sentient. However, the aliens choose as humanity's representatives a washed-up glam-rock trio, of whom one is already dead. The remaining duo have to handle their residual mutual antagonism as well as the difficulties of adjusting to very alien surroundings and characters engaged in rather underhanded ploys, in addition to the pressure of creating an entry which will be competitive against a number of species with vastly superior powers.

YearAwardCategoryStatus
2018 Goodreads Choice Awards Science Fiction Nominee/Finalist
2019 Hugo Award Best Novel Nominee/Finalist
2019 John W. Campbell Memorial Award Best Science Fiction Novel Nominee/Finalist
2019 Locus Poll Award Best SF Novel Runner-up

Date Publication Publisher Type Page
April 2018 Cover Space Opera Saga Press Novel
April 2018 Cover Space Opera Saga Press Novel
April 2018 Cover Space Opera Corsair Novel
April 2018 Cover Space Opera HighBridge Audio Novel
September 2018 Cover Space Opera Corsair Novel
December 2018 Cover Space Opera Saga Press Novel
May 2019 Cover Space Opera Fischer Tor Novel
July 2019 Cover Space Opera Corsair Novel
March 2021 Cover Space Opera Highbridge Audio and Blackstone Publishing Novel
May 2024 Space Opera Thorndike Press Novel