Right, this is what space opera is meant to be like: an interesting universe (no FTL; widespread bioengineering; lots of different cultures separated by space and time), compelling characters, Gibsonesque converging storylines, and a sensible helping of Actual Science underneath it all. Extremely good stuff -- one of the best SF books I've read.
This is one of those series that manages to get better as it progresses, too...
ISBN 0441009425. Search for this book on Wikipedia or isbn.nu.