If you want an epic sci fi series, get thee to the used book bins/ebay and get the Battletech series. Galaxy spanning space opera in jumpships and Mechs.
Several writers, all of them good. Political intrigue, warring cultures, combat...all there.
And about 30 books to get through. And not the ‘dumb fun’ it first appears to be. Quite philosophically deep actually.
30 books... oh my