I've now finished watching Firefly. There's lots still unexplained about Book, Inara, River, and Mal, but we probably know as much interesting backstory as there is for Simon, Jayne, Kaylee, and Wash. As far as I can remember, we know absolutely nothing about Zoe's backstory, so she may or may not have dark secrets or a chequered past.

(I haven't watched the film Serenity yet though, so no spoilers please!)

There are a variety of tie-in comics and short stories, I believe.

Some of these clear up a few mysteries.

So there are a bunch of Serenity comics worth reading, as well as four short stories by the original screenwriters in Still Flying.

@Adamant Yes, so I've heard. Including Shepherd Book's backstory.

But what's the canon level of those tie-in works?

@DVK-in-exile My brother in law is a huge fan of the author, John Ringo. He has read the "Legacy of the Aldenata" series written by him. Ringo focuses mainly on Military fiction, which might give you the battle descriptions that you are searching for.

@Randal'Thor They were written by the screenwriters. That's enough for me.

@Adamant Agreed, that sounds pretty canonical. Any idea what the quality of the writing is like?

@Randal'Thor Sorry, I have not read it.

Noooo! twitter.com/AquilaRift/status/751396489532993539

Although I suppose it's not necessarily bad, just a surprising insight into the process that created one of my favourite novels.

@steelershark For some reason I never got too into Ringo, despite liking most of the similar cohort (Weber, Drake) of writers. Wasn't anything specific, just didn't get engaged with the works.

@steelershark But if your BIL likes Ringo, feel free to point him at David Weber and David Drake, or for that matter Flint (who also had books in collaboration with both).

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@arboviral Currently reading: Just finished re-reading entire "Night Watch" series by Lukyanenko (though last several books are EU by other authors), mostly to aid in answering one main site Q&A (Thanks @Rand<>)

@arboviral - Now torn between starting the latest books in Eric Flint's "Ring of Fire" series, or starting Shannara

Would people here recommend Wheel of Time or Darkk Tower series more?

Seconded.

but it also depends on what your into, dark tower has some modern stuff in it i think

were as wot is pure knights epic fantasy with magic

Though I haven't read Dark Tower, to be fair. It sounds bonkers and brilliant, and I mean to at some point, but I doubt it could trump WoT.

@Himarm No knights in WoT :-)

armored plate warriors on horses are not knights?

they just dont have 'sir's

" the Middle Ages) a man who served his sovereign or lord as a mounted soldier in armor."

The sir part still makes you a knight.

you dont need sir to be a knight is my point

"A knight is a sword with pretty ribbons on."

@Himarm The Hound might disagree.

@Himarm Nor to you need a sword or amour.

Should we consider taking terminology definition discussions to ELU chat :)

probably more experts there who can resolve to everyone's satisfaction.