I think Pandora’s Star really exemplifies everything I like in a space opera - deep themes regarding technology and how they impact human culture, multiple interlocking narratives from all strata of society, shit blowing up all over the place, and a depth where it wasn’t needed, but welcome (Paula Myo’s backstory). I just hated how the 2nd book ended in a damn chase sequence. Such a disappointment and that, by itself, gets Pandora’s Star voted off this island.