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I'm ahead of the curve, kind of!
Feb. 21st, 2018 10:32 amSo the Nebula nominees are out, and I find myself in the entertaining position of having read five of the seven nominated novels, four of the six nominated novellas, and three of the four of the Andre Norton candidates, plus having seen five of the six Bradburys. Since I'm usually scrambling to add stuff to my library list, this is a nice change of pace. Thoughts on all follow:
Novels
I really enjoyed Amberlough, Six Wakes, and The Curious Case of the Alchemist's Daughter, but if I were picking a winner, it's pretty much an even split between The Stone Sky and Jade City. TSS is post-apocalyptic geomancers fighting to control their power and keep their world alive, JC is The Godfather meets Sleeping Dogs with bonus jade-related magic and how all three of these have build Kekon into an insular nation more concerned with internal power than externally being a part of the growing world. I have not read Spoonbenders because I don't really care for Daryl Gregory's writing style, and I don't think I can read Autonomous right now. I already live in a dystopia.
Novellas
I laughed delightedly at Murderbot in All Systems Red, I was agog at the alternate-history hippo-wranglers in River of Teeth, and I flew right through The Black Tides of Heaven with eyes wide (the library had better get The Red Threads of Fortune soon!). But Passing Strange is sheer perfection, lesbian/bi subculture in the 20s/30s in California with just enough magic to be amazing. I loved every page, and would read a full-length novel of it if Ms. Klages were inclined to write one.
Bradburys
I can't wait to see "Get Out", I loved "The Shape of Water" and "Wonder Woman" and "The Last Jedi" and "Logan". Still, that episode of "The Good Place" wins on (as someone said) the strength of Ted Danson's laugh, and due to delivering a plot twist I truly did not see coming in a way that made me lunge off my couch.
Andre Norton Award
I liked Exo (showed definite writing-style improvements over her first novel), but I didn't love it, plus, I think Jade City is better all around and a Best Novel contender. Weave a Circle Round was great, with a protagonist I related to fiercely, and the bonus presence of a certain god of mischief/chaos who lived up to their reputation. The Art of Starving is excellent, but very hard to read (triggers for eating disorders, gay-bashing). I...could not get into Want. I may try again, I like Cindy Pon's Twitter a lot...
If I have expanded your reading list, sorry/not sorry!
Novels
I really enjoyed Amberlough, Six Wakes, and The Curious Case of the Alchemist's Daughter, but if I were picking a winner, it's pretty much an even split between The Stone Sky and Jade City. TSS is post-apocalyptic geomancers fighting to control their power and keep their world alive, JC is The Godfather meets Sleeping Dogs with bonus jade-related magic and how all three of these have build Kekon into an insular nation more concerned with internal power than externally being a part of the growing world. I have not read Spoonbenders because I don't really care for Daryl Gregory's writing style, and I don't think I can read Autonomous right now. I already live in a dystopia.
Novellas
I laughed delightedly at Murderbot in All Systems Red, I was agog at the alternate-history hippo-wranglers in River of Teeth, and I flew right through The Black Tides of Heaven with eyes wide (the library had better get The Red Threads of Fortune soon!). But Passing Strange is sheer perfection, lesbian/bi subculture in the 20s/30s in California with just enough magic to be amazing. I loved every page, and would read a full-length novel of it if Ms. Klages were inclined to write one.
Bradburys
I can't wait to see "Get Out", I loved "The Shape of Water" and "Wonder Woman" and "The Last Jedi" and "Logan". Still, that episode of "The Good Place" wins on (as someone said) the strength of Ted Danson's laugh, and due to delivering a plot twist I truly did not see coming in a way that made me lunge off my couch.
Andre Norton Award
I liked Exo (showed definite writing-style improvements over her first novel), but I didn't love it, plus, I think Jade City is better all around and a Best Novel contender. Weave a Circle Round was great, with a protagonist I related to fiercely, and the bonus presence of a certain god of mischief/chaos who lived up to their reputation. The Art of Starving is excellent, but very hard to read (triggers for eating disorders, gay-bashing). I...could not get into Want. I may try again, I like Cindy Pon's Twitter a lot...
If I have expanded your reading list, sorry/not sorry!
