Space Opera

Catherynne M. Valente

After a devastating intergalactic war, rival species agree to a fragile peace—one that’s tested in the most spectacular way imaginable: a galaxy-wide Eurovision-style contest where music, politics, and identity collide. As contestants and audiences alike chase glory across star systems, the competition becomes a stage for strange alliances, competing philosophies of “life,” and the unpredictable consequences of turning culture into strategy. Catherynne M. Valente’s signature voice—lush, witty, and wildly imaginative—makes even the most outlandish ideas feel vividly human, inviting readers to wonder what it means for worlds to connect. Brimming with manic fun and sharp thematic insight, this space opera explores the power of art to unify, the risks of performance, and the strange ways peace can be negotiated through song.