Good action-adventure SF...

[AndrewT]

Mm, I dunno - I haven't read Excession (it's next after I finish the one I'm on) or Surface Detail but Use of Weapons has two plotlines where one runs backwards and most of both are supposed to be a big surprise - IOW, it's convoluted... and long. Consider Phlebas would be much closer but has the ridiculous Eater excursion which does nothing for the plot and, again, is long, with extended action sequences which might be what the OP wants but are over-extended. .

I am reading CP right now and I completely agree about the Eaters and the Damage Games. I actually thought that he could have reworked the Eaters to make a more believable cannabalistic culture. That was just completely absurd although I can see he was trying to make a statement about religions. I could not believe in a culture like that existing side by side with technologically advanced civilization that it's members were aware of. The Games did not seem believable either. Sort of a dark disco freak show. Two stars overall on this book. I am giving Banks a few more chances with books two and three since the idea of The Culture is fascinating.

 

[Mirannan]

On the subject of "SF has passed its peak" I might mention that Vernor Vinge pointed out a real problem with SF. Namely the Singularity, which is a distinctly possible phenomenon and probably real - just look at tech news in the real world for confirmation.

Basically, any SF story that doesn't take account of the ever-accelerating pace of technological change has to have a reason not to, or simply ignore it because the characters, somehow, have not been swept up in it.

My recommendations for adventure SF? Well, two that spring to mind are Ringworld and "A Fire Upon the Deep" by the above-mentioned Vinge.

 

[Toby Frost]

I read one of Dan Abnett's Gaunt novels (Only In Death) and thought it was a decent, fast-moving read. I certainly wouldn't write him off because it's ultimately a tie-in. David Gunn's Death's Head books are blatantly Sven Hassel in space, even down to the insignia.

Leaving out the 30 pages of the Eaters (which I've heard even Banks isn't terribly fond of) Consider Phlebas is intelligent and exciting. Likewise The Player of Games, although it's a little more psychological. Surprisingly, there don't seem to be more books where a bunch of people fly around in a spaceship doing fun stuff.

 

[AE35Unit]

I read one of Dan Abnett's Gaunt novels (Only In Death) and thought it was a decent, fast-moving read. I certainly wouldn't write him off because it's ultimately a tie-in. David Gunn's Death's Head books are blatantly Sven Hassel in space, even down to the insignia.

Leaving out the 30 pages of the Eaters (which I've heard even Banks isn't terribly fond of) Consider Phlebas is intelligent and exciting. Likewise The Player of Games, although it's a little more psychological. Surprisingly, there don't seem to be more books where a bunch of people fly around in a spaceship doing fun stuff.

I have a Dan Abnett Warhammer book thanks to a kind chrons member. Its huge and doesnt seem my usual thing but I might give it a go next.

 

[Gramm838]

I read one of Dan Abnett's Gaunt novels (Only In Death) and thought it was a decent, fast-moving read. I certainly wouldn't write him off because it's ultimately a tie-in. David Gunn's Death's Head books are blatantly Sven Hassel in space, even down to the insignia.

Leaving out the 30 pages of the Eaters (which I've heard even Banks isn't terribly fond of) Consider Phlebas is intelligent and exciting. Likewise The Player of Games, although it's a little more psychological. Surprisingly, there don't seem to be more books where a bunch of people fly around in a spaceship doing fun stuff.

Dan Abnett's 'Embedded' is a good action story (journo gets embedded in the mind of a soldier in a future corporate war, hence the title); as for Iain M Banks, Excession is the most shooty of his books but the shooters are the Culture Minds/ships...

 

[Dave]

If you want a much faster-paced Iain Banks try Against a Dark Background which was his first non-Culture SF novel. But I agree with Grunkins suggestions in any case.

Neal Stephenson can be very long winded, but can I suggest Reamde and Zodiac. Some of his other tomes are a little wordy, but worthwhile sticking with them.

Also Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey (though the first half is slow, it builds.)

And Toby Frost wouldn't mention his own books, but they fly by. They remind me of Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat books. I think I see the problem here - most of the books mentioned already and most modern books are 300-500 pages long. It seems as if there is some requirement today that a book must be that long. If you pick up instead a 50's or 60's SF book, such as Harry Harrison, it is likely to be less than 150 pages and easily finished in one sitting.

Does it have to be SF? It would seem to me that what you really want is an action/adventure with a little SF in it. There are loads of books like that now; SF has become mainstream pulp fiction. Also, consider Fantasy, everyone may be talking about the The Game of Thrones, but that is only because it is actually quite good.

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

I think I see the problem here - most of the books mentioned already and most modern books are 300-500 pages long. It seems as if there is some requirement today that a book must be that long. If you pick up instead a 50's or 60's SF book, such as Harry Harrison, it is likely to be less than 150 pages and easily finished in one sitting.

Shorter books work as they're often more focused. But I was hoping for something more recent that's not... loose or long-winded.

Does it have to be SF? It would seem to me that what you really want is an action/adventure with a little SF in it. There are loads of books like that now; SF has become mainstream pulp fiction.

Yes, SF is kind of an important piece. If it's not shelved in SFF but feature SF prominently then that works just as well. Care to point me to some of those loads of books, please? And how do you mean, SF is mainstream pulp fiction?

Also, consider Fantasy, everyone may be talking about the The Game of Thrones, but that is only because it is actually quite good.

I've had enough fantasy to last me a lifetime, and frankly Game is the single most depressing book I've ever read. Really, really well written but the story makes me want to open a vein. The farther from that the better.

 

[AE35Unit]

I know what you mean FH! It seems to be taken seriously sf has to take the form of doorstops! I know little modern SF of modest size short of Alan Dean Foster!

 

[Dave]

Care to point me to some of those loads of books, please? And how do you mean, SF is mainstream pulp fiction?

I'm thinking of the kind of book you see sold by the bucket load in airport lounges and in railway stations that are always based around an international conspiracy which is itself a result of some fantastic premise - anything by Dan Brown (Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons), any Da Vinci Code lookalike (The Rule of Four was one I read), any of James Rollins Sigma Force series (I read The Last Oracle.)
http://www.jamesrollins.com/books/sigma_series

I just googled 'Authors Like James Rollins' and got this whole page:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/similar/38809.James_Rollins

I'd put Clive Cussler's books into this category too. Maybe you could even call it a genre, though it probably is not what you were looking for.

edit: I think they are known as techno-thrillers but when Jules Verne wrote about fabulous machines and secret worlds it was then called science fiction.

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Well, yeah, I know about thrillers and techno-thrillers, but I was hoping for stuff a bit more SF than those typically are. Yeah the have SF elements, but they don't quite go far enough, for me. That same kind of energy and plot driven vibe, but in a more explicitly SF setting. I'm in the middle of Rollins' Amazonia now actually.

Keep hearing good stuff about Asher so I'll have to add a few by him to my list. Thanks and keep 'em coming.

 

[Rodders]

Gavin Smith's Veteran probably falls into the category you'd looking for, as does James Lovegroves Age of series.

 

[Dave]

Now that I know what you are looking for I'm assuming you have already read Michael Crichton - Prey, Timeline, Sphere, Congo - they fit the bill.

Maybe Peter Benchley? -Jaws, The Island. Maybe Tom Clancy? Stephen King (especially when writing as Richard Bachman.) Ira Levin? - Boys from Brazil, Rosemary's Baby.

 

[Bick]

Here's a fast-paced adventuresome recommendation for you:
Harry Harrison - Deathworld 1
There are many one could recommend, but you couldn't go far wrong with this. Enjoy

 

[williamjm]

I'm thinking action-adventure was the wrong way to describe what I'm looking for. I'm not interested in Die Hard in Space (that would be cool though), what I'm looking for in well-plotted SF. something with an engaging story that doesn't focus on characters sitting and talking exclusively. An SF novel where something actually happens.

I'd suggest Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga as a space opera series which has a good mix of characterisation and action. Although it is a long series, the books are all relatively standalone and they're generally fast-paced.

I am reading CP right now and I completely agree about the Eaters and the Damage Games. I actually thought that he could have reworked the Eaters to make a more believable cannabalistic culture. That was just completely absurd although I can see he was trying to make a statement about religions. I could not believe in a culture like that existing side by side with technologically advanced civilization that it's members were aware of. The Games did not seem believable either. Sort of a dark disco freak show. Two stars overall on this book. I am giving Banks a few more chances with books two and three since the idea of The Culture is fascinating.

I think Consider Phlebas is one of the weakest Culture books, there is some good stuff in it (if we're talking about action SF then the escape from the GSV is a very memorable action scene) and I thought the second half was better than the first half. I think the Eaters do make sense thematically, since fanaticism is one of the main themes of the books, but I agree that scene is a bit over-the-top and unsubtle.

 

[K. Riehl]

Try the Vorkosigan series by Lois Bujold. Start with The Warriors Apprentice. Action, great characters, intelligent dialogue.

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Now that I know what you are looking for I'm assuming you have already read Michael Crichton - Prey, Timeline, Sphere, Congo - they fit the bill.

Maybe Peter Benchley? -Jaws, The Island. Maybe Tom Clancy? Stephen King (especially when writing as Richard Bachman.) Ira Levin? - Boys from Brazil, Rosemary's Baby.

Most of 'em, yeah. But I'm not looking for a thriller. Or even a techno-thriller. These have the energy, drive, and plot-driven feel I'm looking for, sure. But I want that style in space, with aliens, with space opera, with the singularity, time travel, psi powers, uploadable minds, cloning, sleeves, whatever. An actual science fiction novel that reads like a thriller. Out there, in the future, beyond. With a BANG!

Not something set now with a bit of science fiction, but a rip-roaring action-packed, plot-driven SF novel.

Vorkosigan is already on my list. Thanks.

 

[AE35Unit]

Here's a fast-paced adventuresome recommendation for you:
Harry Harrison - Deathworld 1
There are many one could recommend, but you couldn't go far wrong with this. Enjoy

Indeed, a fabulous read!

 

[Timba]

I think Alan Dean Foster's Midworld would fit the bill.

 

[Rodders]

I'd recommend Germline by T. C. McCarthy, (and it's sequels).

 

[Grunkins]

I'd recommend Germline by T. C. McCarthy, (and it's sequels).

These have caught my eye recently. Think I'll be giving them a go before too long.