Worlds Without End Blog

Well, I’m a little disappointed, but I don’t know what I really expected. It seems to me that four of those could have been nominated without anyone actually reading them, and Throne of the Crescent Moon is the only surprise.

I don’t think I’ll be signing up to vote again this year. I’ve read the Bujold, and it is a good one, but the nomination just seems a bit kneejerk. I’d like to see more new names.

I’m with DrNefario. It seems the era of social media promotion has begun. Not that it’s a bad thing. I was just hoping that books will be nominated on merit rather than popularity. I hope this every year, so favorites like Jemisin, Corey, Tidbeck and Tidhar would have a showing, but alas.

“Crescent Moon” seems a good book – I chose it as my prize for my last GMRC win. Looking forward to reading it now with even higher anticipation. So too “2312.” The other three, I’d imagine, would be good fun and solid reading, knowing the authors. But “Blackout” is indeed a surprise. “Feed” was a great read, fresh and adventurous, and I thought its Hugo nomination was well-deserved. “Deadline,” though, was utterly disappointing to the extent that I had given up on the series. I guess I need to revisit it now.

I’m a huge fan of the Vorkosigan saga, Miles in particular. I believe “Alliance” features Miles’ cousin as main character, so it remains to be seen how well the story will hold its own against Miles’ adventures.

And “Redshirts?” Well, it’s Scalzi!

I also agree with DrNefario. The Saladin Ahmed one is the only surprise, the rest could have easily just gotten in by being the latest book by a popular author. I haven’t read any of them yet, though, so maybe my opinion will change afterward. I have high hopes for 2312, and I’ve heard good things about several of the others. I was also disappointed by Deadline, but I guess I’ll give the final Newsflesh novel a try, since it was nominated.

Yeah, I’m not sure what I expected either, but I am a bit disappointed. Ahmed is the only one I haven’t had any contact with and at first glance I’m willing to give him a go. I had some major issues with Feed, so don’t even feel compelled to give Deadline a try let alone move on to Blackout (reminder to self, donate Deadline to school book sale this week). Robinson is usually pretty solid. Scalzi…well, my experiences with him can be kind of mixed, so I didn’t have much of an impulse to read Redshirts, and I’m not sure it’s nomination has convinced me.

I think last year’s were more exciting across the board, and it’s kind of sad not to see Caliban’s war, the follow up to the Hugo nominated Leviathan Wakes, make the list. The same for Jemison and, I think, even for Rajaniemi. *shrug*

I believe Emil hit the nail on the head in regard to the effects of social media and the impact of online fan networks. The number of people involved in nominating and voting for the Hugo is growing, and this seems to be the reason. I would already by willing to bet that next year’s best novel Hugo will be won by Neil Gaiman. That’s not to criticize the authors or books nominated, but it’s making the Hugo less relevant and interesting. (For best novel, I nominated Robinson, Rajaniemi, M. John Harrison, and Bacigalupi, a slate that might also be criticized for a lack of diversity! I haven’t read Caliban’s War yet.) The short fiction nominations are a bit more interesting, but McGuire/Grant gets three out the thirteen nominations in the three categories (!).

I’m glad I’m not the only one not digging the noms. The Hugo is trying very hard to fulfill the expectations of its detractors with such predictable results. I should appologize for the exclamation point on the blog title. I didnt really feel it.

I dunno, I liked Crescent Moon, and Blackout was my fave of that series, and I haven’t waded into 2312 yet, though I tend to really enjoy KSR. My guess is it’ll be between Scalzi and KSR for the win, and I’m leaning towards Stan. On the other hand, I would like to see Ahmed win it, but I’d say it’s a long-shot.
The one thing about doing an issue of The Drink Tank dedicated to Handicapping the Hugos means I go through everything, and I’m looking very much forward to catching up on the shorter works.
Chris

If Bujold wins, she will surpass Heinlein for the most best novel Hugos, with five!

KSR has my vote, for what it’s worth… I’ll be interested to see those odds…