I posted this on Reddit a while ago and it sparked some really good discussion and recommendations.
I really like The Expanse - as it doesn’t just discuss the attempted terraforming of Mars and the colonisation of the Main Asteroid Belt but also
spoiler
the way that these communities decline when abundant habitable planets are discovered, where life is much easier.
So yeah, what are your best examples?
I’m a lost fleet fan too, but I think it’s good to add that calling the characters cardboard might be overselling the character development :P That being said, the books are full of space battles and action, and I finished out the series in one go.