Well, 2010 wasn't exactly the year we all expected. Indeed, eagerly anticipated books from authors such as George R. R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, Scott Lynch, and Joe Abercrombie were postponed, leaving fans grumbling in frustration.
Looking back, however, I feel that this unfortunate turn of events allowed new authors to be in the spotlight. As much as I would have liked to read A Dance With Dragons or The Crippled God, when I look at my Top 10 I realize that it was nevertheless a very good year for speculative fiction.
So here are my favorite reads of this last year, including both my Top 10 and the runner-up titles!
Top 10 Speculative Fiction Titles of 2010
1- Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay [Penguin Books, Voyager]
1- (tie) The Dervish House by Ian McDonald [Pyr, Gollancz]
3- Stonewielder by Ian Cameron Esslemont [Tor, Bantam Press]
4- Geosynchron by David Louis Edelman [Pyr]
5- Prince of Storms by Kay Kenyon [Pyr]
6- The Machinery of Light by David J. Williams [Bantam Dell]
7- Shadowrise by Tad Williams [Daw, Orbit]
8- Leviathan Wept and Other Stories by Daniel Abraham [Subterranean Press]
9- Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis [Tor]
10- Thirteen Years Later by Jasper Kent [Pyr, Bantam Press]
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11- Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson [Tor, Orbit]
12- Warriors edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois [Tor]
13- Songs of Love & Death edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois [Gallery]
14- Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor [Daw]
15- Shadowheart by Tad Williams [Daw]
16- The Terminal State by Jeff Somers [Orbit]
17- Blue and Gold by K. J. Parker [Subterranean Press]
18- The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson [Tor, Gollancz]
19- City of Ruin by Mark Charan Newton [Bantam Dell, Tor UK]
20- Arms-Commander by L. E. Modesitt, jr. [Tor]
The Hotties, my year-end awards, are coming soon. So stay tuned! ;-)
Happy Holidays!
Looking back, however, I feel that this unfortunate turn of events allowed new authors to be in the spotlight. As much as I would have liked to read A Dance With Dragons or The Crippled God, when I look at my Top 10 I realize that it was nevertheless a very good year for speculative fiction.
So here are my favorite reads of this last year, including both my Top 10 and the runner-up titles!
Top 10 Speculative Fiction Titles of 2010
1- Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay [Penguin Books, Voyager]
1- (tie) The Dervish House by Ian McDonald [Pyr, Gollancz]
3- Stonewielder by Ian Cameron Esslemont [Tor, Bantam Press]
4- Geosynchron by David Louis Edelman [Pyr]
5- Prince of Storms by Kay Kenyon [Pyr]
6- The Machinery of Light by David J. Williams [Bantam Dell]
7- Shadowrise by Tad Williams [Daw, Orbit]
8- Leviathan Wept and Other Stories by Daniel Abraham [Subterranean Press]
9- Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis [Tor]
10- Thirteen Years Later by Jasper Kent [Pyr, Bantam Press]
------------------------------------
11- Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson [Tor, Orbit]
12- Warriors edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois [Tor]
13- Songs of Love & Death edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois [Gallery]
14- Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor [Daw]
15- Shadowheart by Tad Williams [Daw]
16- The Terminal State by Jeff Somers [Orbit]
17- Blue and Gold by K. J. Parker [Subterranean Press]
18- The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson [Tor, Gollancz]
19- City of Ruin by Mark Charan Newton [Bantam Dell, Tor UK]
20- Arms-Commander by L. E. Modesitt, jr. [Tor]
The Hotties, my year-end awards, are coming soon. So stay tuned! ;-)
Happy Holidays!
7 commentaires:
I've read a number of your picks but I have to admit Way of Kings was my favorite. I'm going to try some of your other choices on my new eReader.
I agree with many of your picks. I'll pick up some of the books I've not read here. My only issue against this list is that Jim Butcher's 'Changes' was the most entertaining book of the year according to me, it should have made it to your list.
Good stuff, thanks. My first new year's resolution is to read one of your top ten that I haven't read yet! I'm considering The Dervish House.
Shadowplay wasn't 2010. Shadowrise and Shadowheart were this year.
Don't know what it says about me, but I've only read 2 of your picks- Under Heaven and Warriors...but oh so anticipating the Martin, Rothfuss and Lynch books.
You mention that you're looking forward to A Dance with Dragons, but have you even read A Feast for Crows? I can't find a review for it on your blog.
Absolutely agree with [b]Under Heaven[/b] being at the top of the list. Another classic from GGK!
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