[Hedrigall]

Basically I want to read a book or series set in a Star Wars or Mass Effect like setting (but original, not set in any movie or game based universe), the key features being:
• some kind of federation between many planets
• lots of cool/imaginative sentient alien races
• spaceships and spaceports
• adventure and danger

I'm really not after hard sci-fi at the moment. While I enjoyed books like Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton, I'm just too overwhelmed with uni work at the moment to digest huge 1000+ page, convoluted novels full of complex politics and technology. I want something compact, plot-driven, brainless and fun!

I must say I'm not too into military stuff, especially books that focus on endless descriptions of weapons, but if there's a series which fits all my specific tastes which just happens to have military characters, then I won't really mind. I should also note I'm looking for something fairly modern, IE the last 20-30 years or so. I'm sure there's lots of classic sci-fi out there that's great but I just want something a little more in tune with our current view of future technology.

[Lime]

Compact, plot driven and brainless?

Try the Halo novels. Lol :)

[kater]

The OP stated quite clearly 'not set in any movie or game based universe'. ;)

[mylinar]

Basically I want to read a book or series set in a Star Wars or Mass Effect like setting (but original, not set in any movie or game based universe), the key features being:
• some kind of federation between many planets
• lots of cool/imaginative sentient alien races
• spaceships and spaceports
• adventure and danger

I'm really not after hard sci-fi at the moment. While I enjoyed books like Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton, I'm just too overwhelmed with uni work at the moment to digest huge 1000+ page, convoluted novels full of complex politics and technology. I want something compact, plot-driven, brainless and fun!

I must say I'm not too into military stuff, especially books that focus on endless descriptions of weapons, but if there's a series which fits all my specific tastes which just happens to have military characters, then I won't really mind. I should also note I'm looking for something fairly modern, IE the last 20-30 years or so. I'm sure there's lots of classic sci-fi out there that's great but I just want something a little more in tune with our current view of future technology.

Give David Brin's Uplift novels a try. They have most of what you are looking for, especially a LOT of aliens.

[phil_geo]

A great book that meets most of your criteria is Startide Rising by David Brin. It has a huge host of fantastic races, warring and plotting, even though they are supposedly in a loose federation. It has a ton of action and adventure and centers on the crew of a small starship who have made a galaxy-changing discovery and are now the most wanted people in the universe. It is the start of a several book series, the second of which is also an incredible read. Definitely one of my favorites.

<edit> lol mylinar you beat me but I'm leaving my post.

[redhead]

not much in the way of spaceports or spaceships per se, but the old skool Jack Chalker Well of Souls series is pretty fun. plenty of action, very imaginative alien races, wild weapons. they are dated, but it's a good time.

[chaunur]

The Pride of Chanur by C.J. Cherryh, lots of alien races, fairly fast paced. In Deaths Ground by David Weber, although military SF, the tech is simply presented and its extremely fast paced. Mote is Gods Eye by Niven/Pournelle is also a good read.

[kater]

Should have added in my original post Old Man's War by John Scalzi. Military but relatively light on the science, funny, a fair few alien races and quite enjoyable.

[Zedar]

Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep and A Deepness In the Sky also fit your description, with some very strange aliens, large galactic civilizations and much adventure.

[Mr.O'Toole]

John Ringo - Live free or die - (aliens - check, spaceships-check)

also Voyage of the Space Bubble Series(Also called the Looking Glass )
first book - Into the Looking Glass