chris_gerrib (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
chris_gerrib) wrote2014-06-16 09:08 am
chris_gerrib) wrote2014-06-16 09:08 am
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Thoughts on the Hugo Novellas
I read the novellas over the weekend. Herewith are my thoughts:
The Butcher of Khardov by Dan Wells (Privateer Press) - I bounced hard off of this one. Secondary world fantasy is a hard sell for me, and this one didn't make it. Probably #5 on my ballot.
“The Chaplain's Legacy” by Brad Torgersen (Analog, Jul-Aug 2013) - really very good. Engaging characters, pretty solid ending, and overall a first-rate effort. I consider it and "Equoid" by Charles Stross to be a tie, but since I can't vote a tie and Charlie has the home-field advantage I'm giving it the #1 slot.
“Equoid” by Charles Stross (Tor.com, 09-2013) - laugh-out loud funny in parts and serious as well, again this is a first-rate effort. #2 on my ballot only because I can't vote for #1 twice.
Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente (Subterranean Press) - This was dreary and didn't so much end as peter out. I find that in general I'm not a Cat Valente fan. #4 on my ballot despite my issues with "Wakulla Springs."
“Wakulla Springs” by Andy Duncan and Ellen Klages (Tor.com, 10-2013) - very nice story. Other than a bolted-on paragraph at the end, this story had no speculative content at all. Still, unlike "Six-Gun" it did end, and was much less dreary. So, holding my nose a bit and voting it #3.
The Butcher of Khardov by Dan Wells (Privateer Press) - I bounced hard off of this one. Secondary world fantasy is a hard sell for me, and this one didn't make it. Probably #5 on my ballot.
“The Chaplain's Legacy” by Brad Torgersen (Analog, Jul-Aug 2013) - really very good. Engaging characters, pretty solid ending, and overall a first-rate effort. I consider it and "Equoid" by Charles Stross to be a tie, but since I can't vote a tie and Charlie has the home-field advantage I'm giving it the #1 slot.
“Equoid” by Charles Stross (Tor.com, 09-2013) - laugh-out loud funny in parts and serious as well, again this is a first-rate effort. #2 on my ballot only because I can't vote for #1 twice.
Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente (Subterranean Press) - This was dreary and didn't so much end as peter out. I find that in general I'm not a Cat Valente fan. #4 on my ballot despite my issues with "Wakulla Springs."
“Wakulla Springs” by Andy Duncan and Ellen Klages (Tor.com, 10-2013) - very nice story. Other than a bolted-on paragraph at the end, this story had no speculative content at all. Still, unlike "Six-Gun" it did end, and was much less dreary. So, holding my nose a bit and voting it #3.