This excellent collection could be seen as a riposte to the disappointing Mammoth Book of Extreme Science Fiction. I criticised that collection for not living up to its “new generation” billing. In contrast, The New Space Opera features 18 stories, all of which are ©2007, and not a dud among them.

In spite of the “new space opera” thematic link, there is a wide variety of stories here, as well as some big names, including Ian McDonald, Robert Reed, Greg Egan, Kage Baker, Peter F. Hamilton, Gregory Benford, and Nancy Kress. I could go on. As far as variety goes, it stretches from Robert Silverberg’s 1001 (Arabian) Nights homage (“The Emperor and the Maula”) and Dan Simmons’ far future repertory theatre (“Muse of Fire”) to Tony Daniel’s usual brand of far future nanotech and post-human warfare (“The Valley of the Gardens”).

There’s something about this collection that encouraged me to take my time over it; there’s plenty to savour. As a collection of all-new stories, the vibe is very different from a “best of” anthology. I admire the decision to go for a bang-up-to-date selection, because it drives home the message that though fashions come and go in SF, somehow the sub-genre of space opera is resilient and flexible enough to survive.

Recommended.