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whami's review
5.0
Kritzer sure manages to say a lot in just a few pages. This is definitely on my short list for next year's Hugos.
caedocyon's review
3.0
"Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time" by K.M. Szpara
(I didn't get the whole issue, someone got merge-happy.)
Sometimes it's hard to know what doesn't capture your interest because it's not interesting and what doesn't because you don't care about the subject matter, yanno?
(I didn't get the whole issue, someone got merge-happy.)
Sometimes it's hard to know what doesn't capture your interest because it's not interesting and what doesn't because you don't care about the subject matter, yanno?
titusfortner's review
3.0
Merged review of sun, moon dust:
A fun little story when the chosen warrior just wants to be a farmer. Though, I do want to read a much longer story about his grandmother's days with the sword. 3.5 stars
Merged review of Small changes over a long period of time:
2018 Hugo nominee for Novelette. Depressing trans vampire romance novel. All of the sex scenes and none of the emotions. The characters seem to have no purpose in general. It's just not a good story.
A fun little story when the chosen warrior just wants to be a farmer. Though, I do want to read a much longer story about his grandmother's days with the sword. 3.5 stars
Merged review of Small changes over a long period of time:
2018 Hugo nominee for Novelette. Depressing trans vampire romance novel. All of the sex scenes and none of the emotions. The characters seem to have no purpose in general. It's just not a good story.
heresthepencil's review
4.0
rep: trans gay mc, gay characters
love the concept for the vampires in society but was lowkey hoping for more death
love the concept for the vampires in society but was lowkey hoping for more death
lonecayt's review
4.0
I liked this story. A nice way to turn the typical talking sword trope on its head.
Merged review:
Hmm. This is the kind of story I'd expect more from fanfiction than from an award nominees list. A bit too porn-y. The one thing that really rang true was the main character's descriptions of what it's like to be a trans man.
Also, ceramic doesn't dent, no matter how fangy one's teeth are.
Merged review:
Hmm. This is the kind of story I'd expect more from fanfiction than from an award nominees list. A bit too porn-y. The one thing that really rang true was the main character's descriptions of what it's like to be a trans man.
Also, ceramic doesn't dent, no matter how fangy one's teeth are.
bookaneer's review
3.0
Rating for two stories:
Ursula Vernon's Sun, Moon, Dust
3.5 stars. Not as enticing as Vernon's last Hugo nominated stories (The Tomato Thief was excellent!) but I still really liked the main character and the idea of subverting the usual farmboy-cum-warrior trope.
KM Szpara's Small Changes over a Long Period of Time
3 stars. Representation of marginalized voices are crucial and I am glad I read this very interesting version of a vampire story. What would happen if a gay trans man was turned into a vampire? Fantastic sex aside (I am still confused about the physiological mechanics, since they're undead), apparently our main character still faces discrimination and biases over his nature. I wish there would be more plot involved, but it is still sufficiently intriguing and mind-opening.
Ursula Vernon's Sun, Moon, Dust
3.5 stars. Not as enticing as Vernon's last Hugo nominated stories (The Tomato Thief was excellent!) but I still really liked the main character and the idea of subverting the usual farmboy-cum-warrior trope.
KM Szpara's Small Changes over a Long Period of Time
3 stars. Representation of marginalized voices are crucial and I am glad I read this very interesting version of a vampire story. What would happen if a gay trans man was turned into a vampire? Fantastic sex aside (I am still confused about the physiological mechanics, since they're undead), apparently our main character still faces discrimination and biases over his nature. I wish there would be more plot involved, but it is still sufficiently intriguing and mind-opening.
villyidol's review
3.0
*** Sun, Moon, Dust by Ursula Vernon ***
A farmer inherits a magic sword from his grandmother.
But he's got no desire to fight. He'd much rather take care of his land and live in peace.
Can't say much more for spoilery reasons. But watch out for that goat.
A nice and easy read. Good humor.
HUGO 2018 short story finalist.
3.5 stars
Read it here.
____________________________
Best Novel
• [b: The Collapsing Empire|30078567|The Collapsing Empire (The Interdependency, #1)|John Scalzi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464097677l/30078567._SY75_.jpg|50498420] by John Scalzi (Tor)
• [b: New York 2140|29570143|New York 2140|Kim Stanley Robinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1471618737l/29570143._SY75_.jpg|49898123] by Kim Stanley Robinson (Orbit)
• [b: Provenance|25353286|Provenance (Imperial Radch)|Ann Leckie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492328037l/25353286._SX50_.jpg|45094649] by Ann Leckie (Orbit)
• [b: Raven Stratagem|32927239|Raven Stratagem (The Machineries of Empire, #2)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478799108l/32927239._SY75_.jpg|51237351] by Yoon Ha Lee (Solaris)
• Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty (Orbit)
• [b: The Stone Sky|31817749|The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth, #3)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478547421l/31817749._SY75_.jpg|52472813] by N.K. Jemisin (Orbit)
Best Novella
• All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: And Then There Were (N-One)|34505565|Uncanny Magazine Issue 15 March/April 2017|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488924699l/34505565._SY75_.jpg|59931968] by Sarah Pinsker (Uncanny, March/April 2017)
• [b: Binti: Home|39725903|Home (Binti, #2)|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527047787l/39725903._SY75_.jpg|50442846] by Nnedi Okorafor (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: The Black Tides of Heaven|33099588|The Black Tides of Heaven (Tensorate, #1)|J.Y. Yang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485291538l/33099588._SY75_.jpg|53763120] by JY Yang (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Down Among the Sticks and Bones|31450908|Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children, #2)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1473685781l/31450908._SX50_.jpg|47411892] by Seanan McGuire (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: River of Teeth|31445891|River of Teeth (River of Teeth, #1)|Sarah Gailey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1484234556l/31445891._SY75_.jpg|52146842] by Sarah Gailey (Tor.com Publishing)
Best Novelette
• [b: Children of Thorns, Children of Water|34851372|Children of Thorns, Children of Water (Dominion of the Fallen, #1.5)|Aliette de Bodard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492097640l/34851372._SY75_.jpg|56088770] by Aliette de Bodard (Uncanny, July-August 2017)
• [b: Extracurricular Activities|34311313|Extracurricular Activities|Yoon Ha Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487134834l/34311313._SY75_.jpg|54978656] by Yoon Ha Lee (Tor.com, February 15, 2017)
• The Secret Life of Bots by Suzanne Palmer (Clarkesworld, September 2017)
• A Series of Steaks by Vina Jie-Min Prasad (Clarkesworld, January 2017)
• [b: Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time|35051890|Uncanny Magazine Issue 16 May/June 2017|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493742742l/35051890._SY75_.jpg|60092968] by K.M. Szpara (Uncanny, May/June 2017)
• [b: Wind Will Rove|38251695|Wind Will Rove|Sarah Pinsker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523111341l/38251695._SX50_.jpg|59932502] by Sarah Pinsker (Asimov’s, September/October 2017)
Best Short Story
• Carnival Nine by Caroline M. Yoachim (Beneath Ceaseless Skies, May 2017)
• Clearly Lettered in a Mostly Steady Hand by Fran Wilde (Uncanny, September 2017)
• Fandom for Robots by Vina Jie-Min Prasad (Uncanny, September/October 2017)
• The Martian Obelisk by Linda Nagata (Tor.com, July 19, 2017)
• Sun, Moon, Dust by Ursula Vernon, (Uncanny, May/June 2017) by Ursula Vernon, (Uncanny, May/June 2017)
• Welcome to your Authentic Indian Experience™ by Rebecca Roanhorse (Apex, August 2017)
Best Related Work
• [b: Crash Override: How Gamergate (Nearly) Destroyed My Life, and How We Can Win the Fight Against Online Hate|28251812|Crash Override How Gamergate (Nearly) Destroyed My Life, and How We Can Win the Fight Against Online Hate|Zoe Quinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491330884l/28251812._SY75_.jpg|56019319] by Zoe Quinn (PublicAffairs)
• [b: Iain M. Banks (Modern Masters of Science Fiction)|32828220|Modern Masters of Science Fiction Iain M. Banks|Paul Kincaid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487022204l/32828220._SY75_.jpg|53429417] by Paul Kincaid (University of Illinois Press)
• [b: A Lit Fuse: The Provocative Life of Harlan Ellison|35125803|A Lit Fuse, The Provocative Life of Harlan Ellison|Nat Segaloff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1501685063l/35125803._SY75_.jpg|56444054] by Nat Segaloff (NESFA Press)
• [b: Luminescent Threads: Connections to Octavia E. Butler|35486346|Luminescent Threads Connections to Octavia E. Butler|Alexandra Pierce|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505389842l/35486346._SY75_.jpg|56884579] edited by Alexandra Pierce and Mimi Mondal (Twelfth Planet Press)
• [b: No Time to Spare: Thinking About What Matters|33503495|No Time to Spare Thinking About What Matters|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489159159l/33503495._SY75_.jpg|54264477] by Ursula K. Le Guin (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
• [b: Sleeping with Monsters: Readings and Reactions in Science Fiction and Fantasy|35150266|Sleeping with Monsters Readings and Reactions in Science Fiction and Fantasy|Liz Bourke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498595380l/35150266._SY75_.jpg|56474313] by Liz Bourke (Aqueduct Press)
Best Graphic Story
• [b: Black Bolt, Volume 1: Hard Time|34849021|Black Bolt, Vol. 1 Hard Time|Saladin Ahmed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525111221l/34849021._SY75_.jpg|56085777] written by Saladin Ahmed, illustrated by Christian Ward, lettered by Clayton Cowles (Marvel)
• Bitch Planet, Volume 2: President Bitch written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, illustrated by Valentine De Landro and Taki Soma, colored by Kelly Fitzpatrick, lettered by Clayton Cowles (Image Comics)
• [b: Monstress, Volume 2: The Blood|33540347|Monstress, Vol. 2 The Blood|Marjorie M. Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1482340459l/33540347._SX50_.jpg|54307440] written by Marjorie M. Liu, illustrated by Sana Takeda (Image Comics)
• [b: My Favorite Thing is Monsters|29069374|My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Vol. 1 (My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, #1)|Emil Ferris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1471633077l/29069374._SX50_.jpg|49299009] written and illustrated by Emil Ferris (Fantagraphics)
• Paper Girls, Volume 3 written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Cliff Chiang, colored by Matthew Wilson, lettered by Jared Fletcher (Image Comics)
• Saga, Volume 7 written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples (Image Comics)
Best Series
• The Books of the Raksura, by [a: Martha Wells|87305|Martha Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397566224p2/87305.jpg] (Night Shade)
• The Divine Cities, by [a: Robert Jackson Bennett|2916869|Robert Jackson Bennett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1328633063p2/2916869.jpg] (Broadway)
• InCryptid, by [a: Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg] (DAW)
• The Memoirs of Lady Trent, by [a: Marie Brennan|105839|Marie Brennan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1277921611p2/105839.jpg] (Tor US / Titan UK)
• The Stormlight Archive, by [a: Brandon Sanderson|38550|Brandon Sanderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1394044556p2/38550.jpg] (Tor US / Gollancz UK)
• World of the Five Gods, by [a: Lois McMaster Bujold|16094|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1377313786p2/16094.jpg] (Harper Voyager / Spectrum Literary Agency)
A farmer inherits a magic sword from his grandmother.
But he's got no desire to fight. He'd much rather take care of his land and live in peace.
Can't say much more for spoilery reasons. But watch out for that goat.
A nice and easy read. Good humor.
HUGO 2018 short story finalist.
3.5 stars
Read it here.
____________________________
2018 Hugo Awards Finalists
Best Novel
• [b: The Collapsing Empire|30078567|The Collapsing Empire (The Interdependency, #1)|John Scalzi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464097677l/30078567._SY75_.jpg|50498420] by John Scalzi (Tor)
• [b: New York 2140|29570143|New York 2140|Kim Stanley Robinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1471618737l/29570143._SY75_.jpg|49898123] by Kim Stanley Robinson (Orbit)
• [b: Provenance|25353286|Provenance (Imperial Radch)|Ann Leckie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492328037l/25353286._SX50_.jpg|45094649] by Ann Leckie (Orbit)
• [b: Raven Stratagem|32927239|Raven Stratagem (The Machineries of Empire, #2)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478799108l/32927239._SY75_.jpg|51237351] by Yoon Ha Lee (Solaris)
• Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty (Orbit)
• [b: The Stone Sky|31817749|The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth, #3)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478547421l/31817749._SY75_.jpg|52472813] by N.K. Jemisin (Orbit)
Best Novella
• All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: And Then There Were (N-One)|34505565|Uncanny Magazine Issue 15 March/April 2017|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488924699l/34505565._SY75_.jpg|59931968] by Sarah Pinsker (Uncanny, March/April 2017)
• [b: Binti: Home|39725903|Home (Binti, #2)|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527047787l/39725903._SY75_.jpg|50442846] by Nnedi Okorafor (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: The Black Tides of Heaven|33099588|The Black Tides of Heaven (Tensorate, #1)|J.Y. Yang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1485291538l/33099588._SY75_.jpg|53763120] by JY Yang (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Down Among the Sticks and Bones|31450908|Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children, #2)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1473685781l/31450908._SX50_.jpg|47411892] by Seanan McGuire (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: River of Teeth|31445891|River of Teeth (River of Teeth, #1)|Sarah Gailey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1484234556l/31445891._SY75_.jpg|52146842] by Sarah Gailey (Tor.com Publishing)
Best Novelette
• [b: Children of Thorns, Children of Water|34851372|Children of Thorns, Children of Water (Dominion of the Fallen, #1.5)|Aliette de Bodard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492097640l/34851372._SY75_.jpg|56088770] by Aliette de Bodard (Uncanny, July-August 2017)
• [b: Extracurricular Activities|34311313|Extracurricular Activities|Yoon Ha Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487134834l/34311313._SY75_.jpg|54978656] by Yoon Ha Lee (Tor.com, February 15, 2017)
• The Secret Life of Bots by Suzanne Palmer (Clarkesworld, September 2017)
• A Series of Steaks by Vina Jie-Min Prasad (Clarkesworld, January 2017)
• [b: Small Changes Over Long Periods of Time|35051890|Uncanny Magazine Issue 16 May/June 2017|Lynne M. Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493742742l/35051890._SY75_.jpg|60092968] by K.M. Szpara (Uncanny, May/June 2017)
• [b: Wind Will Rove|38251695|Wind Will Rove|Sarah Pinsker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523111341l/38251695._SX50_.jpg|59932502] by Sarah Pinsker (Asimov’s, September/October 2017)
Best Short Story
• Carnival Nine by Caroline M. Yoachim (Beneath Ceaseless Skies, May 2017)
• Clearly Lettered in a Mostly Steady Hand by Fran Wilde (Uncanny, September 2017)
• Fandom for Robots by Vina Jie-Min Prasad (Uncanny, September/October 2017)
• The Martian Obelisk by Linda Nagata (Tor.com, July 19, 2017)
• Sun, Moon, Dust by Ursula Vernon, (Uncanny, May/June 2017) by Ursula Vernon, (Uncanny, May/June 2017)
• Welcome to your Authentic Indian Experience™ by Rebecca Roanhorse (Apex, August 2017)
Best Related Work
• [b: Crash Override: How Gamergate (Nearly) Destroyed My Life, and How We Can Win the Fight Against Online Hate|28251812|Crash Override How Gamergate (Nearly) Destroyed My Life, and How We Can Win the Fight Against Online Hate|Zoe Quinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491330884l/28251812._SY75_.jpg|56019319] by Zoe Quinn (PublicAffairs)
• [b: Iain M. Banks (Modern Masters of Science Fiction)|32828220|Modern Masters of Science Fiction Iain M. Banks|Paul Kincaid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487022204l/32828220._SY75_.jpg|53429417] by Paul Kincaid (University of Illinois Press)
• [b: A Lit Fuse: The Provocative Life of Harlan Ellison|35125803|A Lit Fuse, The Provocative Life of Harlan Ellison|Nat Segaloff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1501685063l/35125803._SY75_.jpg|56444054] by Nat Segaloff (NESFA Press)
• [b: Luminescent Threads: Connections to Octavia E. Butler|35486346|Luminescent Threads Connections to Octavia E. Butler|Alexandra Pierce|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505389842l/35486346._SY75_.jpg|56884579] edited by Alexandra Pierce and Mimi Mondal (Twelfth Planet Press)
• [b: No Time to Spare: Thinking About What Matters|33503495|No Time to Spare Thinking About What Matters|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489159159l/33503495._SY75_.jpg|54264477] by Ursula K. Le Guin (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
• [b: Sleeping with Monsters: Readings and Reactions in Science Fiction and Fantasy|35150266|Sleeping with Monsters Readings and Reactions in Science Fiction and Fantasy|Liz Bourke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498595380l/35150266._SY75_.jpg|56474313] by Liz Bourke (Aqueduct Press)
Best Graphic Story
• [b: Black Bolt, Volume 1: Hard Time|34849021|Black Bolt, Vol. 1 Hard Time|Saladin Ahmed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525111221l/34849021._SY75_.jpg|56085777] written by Saladin Ahmed, illustrated by Christian Ward, lettered by Clayton Cowles (Marvel)
• Bitch Planet, Volume 2: President Bitch written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, illustrated by Valentine De Landro and Taki Soma, colored by Kelly Fitzpatrick, lettered by Clayton Cowles (Image Comics)
• [b: Monstress, Volume 2: The Blood|33540347|Monstress, Vol. 2 The Blood|Marjorie M. Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1482340459l/33540347._SX50_.jpg|54307440] written by Marjorie M. Liu, illustrated by Sana Takeda (Image Comics)
• [b: My Favorite Thing is Monsters|29069374|My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Vol. 1 (My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, #1)|Emil Ferris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1471633077l/29069374._SX50_.jpg|49299009] written and illustrated by Emil Ferris (Fantagraphics)
• Paper Girls, Volume 3 written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Cliff Chiang, colored by Matthew Wilson, lettered by Jared Fletcher (Image Comics)
• Saga, Volume 7 written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples (Image Comics)
Best Series
• The Books of the Raksura, by [a: Martha Wells|87305|Martha Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397566224p2/87305.jpg] (Night Shade)
• The Divine Cities, by [a: Robert Jackson Bennett|2916869|Robert Jackson Bennett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1328633063p2/2916869.jpg] (Broadway)
• InCryptid, by [a: Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg] (DAW)
• The Memoirs of Lady Trent, by [a: Marie Brennan|105839|Marie Brennan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1277921611p2/105839.jpg] (Tor US / Titan UK)
• The Stormlight Archive, by [a: Brandon Sanderson|38550|Brandon Sanderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1394044556p2/38550.jpg] (Tor US / Gollancz UK)
• World of the Five Gods, by [a: Lois McMaster Bujold|16094|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1377313786p2/16094.jpg] (Harper Voyager / Spectrum Literary Agency)