These two books were hands-down the best thing I have ever read in my life. Be careful though - it takes a while to get going, but halfway into the first book the universe is fully established and the thing really takes off.

Also, be extra careful as the first book ends in a cliffhanger (literally), so be prepared to read the two huge books in one go (not that you'd be able to stop anyways)

Good timing because I just started this last week after finishing Vinge's "Zones of Thought" series. I guess I'm on something of a space opera kick lately.

In that case, let me recommend the Vorkosigan saga, if you haven't read it yet. One of the best book series I've ever read, definitely the best among space opera.

Start with Cordelia's Honor https://www.amazon.com/-/dp/0671578286

Edit: various books from the series won 4 Hugo awards, 2 Nebula awards, and were nominated a dozen of times.

Are the sequels/prequels worth reading? I read the first one last year and enjoyed it, but the follow up reviews made it seem like the others novels might spoil it.

The first two are great. Deepness is the best one, IMO. As for anything beyond that, I'll just say it's so sad he stopped at two.

I thought the prequel was pretty good. Less into the sequel though.

No, but Morning Light Mountain was in it. It was built by Anomine to protect the universe from the prime.