For the sake of posterity, I've also included my Top 10 SFF titles in this post.
Without further ado, here are the 2012 Hottie Awards!
Top 10 Speculative Fiction Titles of 2012
1- The Coldest War by Ian Tregillis (Canada, USA, Europe)
2- Kings of the Morning by Paul Kearney (Canada, USA, Europe)
3- Caliban's War by James S. A. Corey (Canada, USA, Europe)
4- Rapture by Kameron Hurley (Canada, USA, Europe)
5- The Straits of Galahesh by Bradley P. Beaulieu (Canada, USA, Europe)
6- Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson (Canada, USA, Europe)
7- Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole (Canada, USA, Europe)
8- Red Country by Joe Abercrombie (Canada, USA, Europe)
9- King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence (Canada, USA, Europe)
10- The Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams (Canada, USA, Europe)
PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Night Shade Books
With two titles in my Top 5 and plenty of quality SFF novels released in the last year or so, Night Shade Books have established themselves as one of the very best genre imprint in the world.
FAVORITE SFF BLOG
- The Wertzone
We may not always see eye to eye, yet Adam remains one of my most trusted sources when it comes to SFF books!
BEST SFF MESSAGE BOARD
- Westeros
Honorable mention: SFFWorld.com
Hands down, these two remain the most interesting and lively SFF message boards on the web! By far!
MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECT AWARD
- The Expanse, by James S. A. Corey
In terms of depth and scope, Caliban's War revealed that the plot was even more multilayered than we had ever thought.
MOST OVERRATED NOVEL AWARD
- Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik
This used to be one of my favorite ongoing SFF series, but the last few installments were uninspired and lackluster efforts. Can't quite believe this book garnered so many positive reviews. . .
MOST UNDERRATED NOVEL AWARD
- The Night Sessions by Ken MacLeod
This science fiction novel came out a few years ago in the UK, and Pyr released it on this side of the pond this spring. It was another quality offering from Pyr and I can't believe that it feels as though I'm the only one who read it. Terrific novel!
BEST COVER ART AWARD
- The Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams (UK edition)
It hasn't been a memorable year in terms of great cover art. Although I haven't been able to find out who did this one, it's my favorite of 2012.
WORST COVER ART AWARD
- Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold
Another Baen winner!
MOST PROMISING NEW VOICE AWARD
- Kameron Hurley
The Bel Dame Apocrypha is one of the very best science fiction series of the new millennium, if not the best. Hurley is definitely an author to keep an eye on.
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Ian Tregillis
The author suffered so many setbacks that saw the pub date for The Coldest War being pushed back, again and again. Still, the second installment of the Milkweed Triptych was well worth the wait!
UNEXPECTED SURPRISE AWARD
- Legion by Brandon Sanderson
I never thought Sanderson would excel to such a degree at writing short fiction.
MOST DISAPPOINTING NOVEL AWARD
- Blood and Bone by Ian Cameron Esslemont
Though I haven't written my review yet, this was by far the weakest and most disappointing Malazan installment to date.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: BEST DEBUT
- Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole
As I said in my review, Shadow Ops: Control Point is a fun, intelligent, action-packed, entertaining read with a generous dose of ass-kicking! And I'm more than halfway through the sequel, Shadow Ops: Fortress Frontier and it's as good.
Looks like Myke Cole is for real!
MVP AWARD
- Paul Kearney
After being dropped by Bantam on both sides of the pond, Kearney was approached by Mark Newton to sign a new book deal with Solaris. Kings of the Morning is the conclusion of The Macht trilogy, Kearney's signature work.
4 commentaires:
Got to agree about the Novik shark-jumping. Where exactly she did this is a matter for debate but jump it she has.
What motivates Baen to constantly deliver such abysmal cover art? Is it some kind of joke or meme that I am unaware of? Do the authors not raise complaint? Do they think this low quality of artistry adds to their sales? Is there a reason for their constant abominations? I am seeking answers. Is it an inside joke? Please advise them of their folly post haste.
Where does that cover for Captain Vorpatril's Alliance come from? It's not what I've got on my copy.
Glad to see Night Shade here, and Kearney as well.
I’ve been looking for his Sea Beggars omnibus, and even wrote to Solaris and asked about it, but haven't heard back.
Any word on when that might be out?
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