Well hell since I got started I have a bunch that are my faves.
Startide Rising/The Uplift Wars - David Brin
The Demon Princes Series - Jack Vance
A Fire Upon the Deep - Vernor Vinge
Hyperion - Dan Simmons
A Talent For War -Jack McDevitt
Abyss of Light Series - Kathleen O’Neal
The greatest time travel story ever written: Dinosaur Beach - Keith Laumer
I’m not not navel-gazing scifi at all so most of the novels on these critics’ lists are too self-absorbed for me.
Definite thumbs up for the great Jack Vance’s Demon Princes. Maybe the greatest revenge epic of all time? The ending of ‘The Face’ is one of the best endings ever.
I’ll add Book of the New Sun by the still living Gene Wolfe.
Freegards
Have you read the rest of the "Alex Benedict" series?
A Talent For War
Polaris
Seeker
The Devil's Eye
Echo
Firebird
Coming Home
Yes it was excellent, I also liked Hawksbill Station by Robert Silverberg. Perhaps it is more relevant to today's world?