Science Fiction: The New Space Opera, edited by Gardner Dozois & Jonathan Strathan

Nothing is impossible. The universe is full of possibilities. This is the basic idea of science fiction, which has fascinated me for decades. It seems to me that space operas are the cream of the genre. They tell stories about encounters and experiences with foreign planets, alien lifeforms, black holes, strange galaxies and alternative universes. 

The anthology "The New Space Opera", edited by Gardner Dozois & Jonathan Strathan (published 2007 amazon.com), shows how this kind of literature has evolved into the 21st century. It`s a collection of 18 short stories & novellas. The more than 500 pages combine the adventures of their heroes with the advances in cosmology, quantum physics, genetics, molecular and other sciences.

"Winning Peace" by Paul J. McAuley tells the story of a man who was tricked by his deceptive employer and a treacherous alien.
"Splinters Of Glass" by Mary Rosenblum narrates a twisted love story and a deadly man hunt on Europe, an icy moon of Jupiter.

"The Emperor And The Maula" by Robert Silverberg confronts us with an assassin trying to accomplish her deadly revenge against all odds.
"The Worm Turns" by Gregory Benford focuses on a freelance pilot of a space ship who - with the help of her AI - has to catch a wormhole.

"Art Of War" by Nancy Kress introduces us to an expert in the sciences of the arts who is involved in a war against strange behaving aliens and a twisted family relationship.
"Muse Of Fire" by Dan Simmons is about a Shakespearean theater group who has to perform before aliens to save the whole of humankind.

The rest of the narratives, including contributions by Alastair Reynolds, Peter F. Hamilton and Ian McDonald, also are full of wonders & surprises. Enjoy!