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A review by villyidol
Apex Magazine Issue 105 by Jason Sizemore
4.0
***A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow***
A nice little story about the escapism books can provide.
The story is told from the perspective of a librarian that also happens to be a witch. She's trying to find the right book for a seemingly depressed boy.
Several popular books are mentioned and I have to confess that I've not read many of them. Otherwise I might have enjoyed this a little more.
Still, the subtle humor and clear love for books that's oozing from the page just about lifts this into four star territory.
I'm planning to read it again in a few years' time.
You can read it here.
Winner of the 2019 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
2018 Nebula Award finalist for Best Short Story
____________________________
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
• [b: Record of a Spaceborn Few|32802595|Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers, #3)|Becky Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516965190l/32802595._SY75_.jpg|53399142] by Becky Chambers
• [b: Revenant Gun|36373688|Revenant Gun (The Machineries of Empire, #3)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527495995l/36373688._SY75_.jpg|58060922] by Yoon Ha Lee
• Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
• [b: Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513872748l/36896898._SX50_.jpg|58657620] by Naomi Novik
• [b: Trail of Lightning|36373298|Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515788168l/36373298._SY75_.jpg|52833355] by Rebecca Roanhorse
Best Novella
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
• [b: Beneath the Sugar Sky|27366528|Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children, #3)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494436031l/27366528._SY75_.jpg|47413798] by Seanan McGuire
• [b: Binti: The Night Masquerade|34386617|The Night Masquerade (Binti, #3)|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495725402l/34386617._SY75_.jpg|55477512] by Nnedi Okorafor
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark
• [b: Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|36187158|Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|Kelly Robson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506531524l/36187158._SY75_.jpg|57810004] by Kelly Robson
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard
Best Novelette
• If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again by Zen Cho (Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog)
• [b: The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|40381419|The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|Tina Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555252289l/40381419._SY75_.jpg|62680201] by Tina Connolly (Tor.com)
• Nine Last Days on Planet Earth by Daryl Gregory (Tor.com)
• [b: The Only Harmless Great Thing|34659272|The Only Harmless Great Thing|Brooke Bolander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518069202l/34659272._SY75_.jpg|55823786] by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com)
• The Thing About Ghost Stories by Naomi Kritzer (Uncanny Magazine)
• When We Were Starless by Simone Heller (Clarkesworld Magazine)
Best Short Story
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed Magazine)
• The Rose MacGregor Drinking and Admiration Society by T. Kingfisher (Uncanny Magazine)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by P. Djèlí Clark (Fireside Magazine)
• STET by Sarah Gailey (Fireside Magazine)
• The Tale of the Three Beautiful Raptor Sisters, and the Prince Who Was Made of Meat by Brooke Bolander (Uncanny Magazine)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex Magazine)
Best Series
• The Centenal Cycle by [a: Malka Older|14220734|Malka Ann Older|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446698915p2/14220734.jpg]
• The Laundry Files by [a: Charles Stross|8794|Charles Stross|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1355510574p2/8794.jpg]
• Machineries of Empire by [a: Yoon Ha Lee|3001246|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1383757366p2/3001246.jpg]
• The October Daye Series by [a: Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg]
• The Universe of Xuya by [a: Aliette de Bodard|2918731|Aliette de Bodard|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261567215p2/2918731.jpg]
• Wayfarers by [a: Becky Chambers|8389735|Becky Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562580587p2/8389735.jpg]
Best Related Work
• Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
• [b: Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction|35958896|Astounding John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction|Alec Nevala-Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529430368l/35958896._SY75_.jpg|57516282] by Alec Nevala-Lee
• The Hobbit Duology (a documentary in three parts), written and edited by Lindsay Ellis and Angelina Meehan
• [b: An Informal History of the Hugos: A Personal Look Back at the Hugo Awards 1953-2000|35005557|An Informal History of the Hugos A Personal Look Back at the Hugo Awards, 1953-2000|Jo Walton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493399138l/35005557._SY75_.jpg|52384504] by Jo Walton
• The Mexicanx Initiative Experience at Worldcon 76 by Julia Rios, Libia Brenda, Pablo Defendini, and John Picacio
• [b: Ursula K. Le Guin: Conversations on Writing|36276435|Ursula K. Le Guin Conversations on Writing|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519674594l/36276435._SX50_.jpg|57934871] by Ursula K. Le Guin with David Naimon
Best Graphic Story
• [b: Abbott|38748572|Abbott|Saladin Ahmed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521208924l/38748572._SY75_.jpg|60338450], written by Saladin Ahmed, art by Sami Kivelä, colors by Jason Wordie, letters by Jim Campbell
• [b: Black Panther: Long Live the King|36673422|Black Panther Long Live the King|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526771280l/36673422._SY75_.jpg|58459948], written by Nnedi Okorafor and Aaron Covington, art by André Lima Araújo, Mario Del Pennino, and Tana Ford
• [b: Monstress, Volume 3: Haven|37491890|Monstress, Vol. 3 Haven|Marjorie M. Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531356957l/37491890._SY75_.jpg|59101846], written by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda
• On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
• Paper Girls, Volume 4 [b:], written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Cliff Chiang, colors by Matt Wilson, letters by Jared K. Fletcher
• Saga, Volume 9, written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Fiona Staples
Best Art Book
• [b: The Book of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition|38459780|The Books of Earthsea|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526525225l/38459780._SX50_.jpg|64676657] illustrated by Charles Vess, written by Ursula K. Le Guin
• [b: Daydreamer’s Journey: The Art of Julie Dillon|43157039|Daydreamer's Journey The Art of Julie Dillon|Julie Dillon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544155893l/43157039._SX50_.jpg|66947647] by Julie Dillon
• [b: Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: A Visual History|37837938|Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana A Visual History|Kyle Newman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541762517l/37837938._SX50_.jpg|59524789] by Michael Witwer, Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, and Sam Witwer
• [b: Spectrum 25: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art|40042809|Spectrum 25 The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art|John Fleskes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539953363l/40042809._SX50_.jpg|62044043], editor John Fleskes
• [b: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – The Art of the Movie|41084955|Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse -The Art of the Movie|Ramin Zahed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534224155l/41084955._SX50_.jpg|64190280] by Ramin Zahed
• [b: Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth|36542884|Tolkien Maker of Middle-earth|Catherine McIlwaine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516237012l/36542884._SX50_.jpg|58272990], editor Catherine McIlwaine
Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan Children’s Books)
• [b: The Belles|23197837|The Belles (The Belles, #1)|Dhonielle Clayton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492784901l/23197837._SY75_.jpg|42742745] by Dhonielle Clayton (Freeform / Gollancz)
• [b: The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493047153l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] by Holly Black (Little, Brown / Hot Key Books)
• [b: Dread Nation|30223025|Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)|Justina Ireland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497900615l/30223025._SY75_.jpg|50676909] by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• [b: The Invasion|45700034|The Invasion (the Call, Book 2)|Peadar O'Guilin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|70468305] by Peadar O’Guilin (David Fickling Books / Scholastic)
• [b: Tess of the Road|35046472|Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503599285l/35046472._SY75_.jpg|53793345] by Rachel Hartman (Random House / Penguin Teen)
_________________
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor)
• [b: The Poppy War|35068705|The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)|R.F. Kuang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515691735l/35068705._SY75_.jpg|56364137] by R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager US; Harper Voyager UK)
• [b: Blackfish City|35068768|Blackfish City|Sam J. Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498846831l/35068768._SY75_.jpg|56364196] by Sam J. Miller (Ecco; Orbit UK)
• [b: Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513872748l/36896898._SX50_.jpg|58657620] by Naomi Novik (Del Rey; Macmillan)
• [b: Witchmark|36187110|Witchmark (The Kingston Cycle, #1)|C.L. Polk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505338133l/36187110._SY75_.jpg|57809962] by C.L. Polk (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Trail of Lightning|36373298|Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515788168l/36373298._SY75_.jpg|52833355] by Rebecca Roanhorse (Saga)
Best Novella
• [b: Fire Ant|39359011|Fire Ant (The Navy of Humanity Wasp Squadron Book 1)|Jonathan P. Brazee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521857259l/39359011._SY75_.jpg|61026637] by Jonathan P. Brazee (Semper Fi)
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard (Subterranean)
• [b: Alice Payne Arrives|39332603|Alice Payne Arrives (Alice Payne, #1)|Kate Heartfield|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528836131l/39332603._SY75_.jpg|60961729] by Kate Heartfield (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|36187158|Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|Kelly Robson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506531524l/36187158._SY75_.jpg|57810004] by Kelly Robson (Tor.com Publishing)
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
Best Novelette
• [b: The Only Harmless Great Thing|34659272|The Only Harmless Great Thing|Brooke Bolander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518069202l/34659272._SY75_.jpg|55823786] by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|40381419|The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|Tina Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555252289l/40381419._SY75_.jpg|62680201] by Tina Connolly (Tor.com 7/11/18)
• [b: An Agent of Utopia|40606635|An Agent of Utopia|Andy Duncan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529627726l/40606635._SY75_.jpg|63072096] by Andy Duncan (An Agent of Utopia)
• The Substance of My Lives, the Accidents of Our Births by José Pablo Iriarte (Lightspeed 1/18)
• [b: The Rule of Three|43243212|Future Science Fiction Digest Issue 1|Alex Shvartsman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544913470l/43243212._SY75_.jpg|68602299] by Lawrence M. Schoen (Future Science Fiction Digest 12/18)
• Messenger by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and R.R. Virdi (Expanding Universe, Volume 4)
Best Short Story
• Interview for the End of the World by Rhett C. Bruno (Bridge Across the Stars)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by Phenderson Djèlí Clark (Fireside 2/18)
• Going Dark by Richard Fox (Backblast Area Clear)
• And Yet by A.T. Greenblatt (Uncanny 3-4/18)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex 2/6/18)
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed 1/18)
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan)
• [b: Aru Shah and the End of Time|36222611|Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Quartet, #1)|Roshani Chokshi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506615949l/36222611._SX50_.jpg|56242795] by Roshani Chokshi (Rick Riordan Presents)
• [b: A Light in the Dark|40642087|A Light in the Dark (Dark Stars, #2)|A.K. DuBoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529941117l/40642087._SY75_.jpg|67703731] by A.K. Du Boff (BDL)
• [b: Tess of the Road|35046472|Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503599285l/35046472._SY75_.jpg|53793345] by Rachel Hartman (Random House)
• [b: Dread Nation|30223025|Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)|Justina Ireland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497900615l/30223025._SY75_.jpg|50676909] by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• [b: Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword|35343338|Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword|Henry Lien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519050297l/35343338._SY75_.jpg|49856893] by Henry Lien (Henry Holt)
Anyone could see that kid needed to run and keep running until he shed his own skin, until he clawed out of the choking darkness and unfurled his wings, precious and prisming in the light of some other world.
A nice little story about the escapism books can provide.
The story is told from the perspective of a librarian that also happens to be a witch. She's trying to find the right book for a seemingly depressed boy.
Several popular books are mentioned and I have to confess that I've not read many of them. Otherwise I might have enjoyed this a little more.
Still, the subtle humor and clear love for books that's oozing from the page just about lifts this into four star territory.
I'm planning to read it again in a few years' time.
You can read it here.
Winner of the 2019 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
2018 Nebula Award finalist for Best Short Story
____________________________
2019 Hugo Award Finalists
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
• [b: Record of a Spaceborn Few|32802595|Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers, #3)|Becky Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516965190l/32802595._SY75_.jpg|53399142] by Becky Chambers
• [b: Revenant Gun|36373688|Revenant Gun (The Machineries of Empire, #3)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527495995l/36373688._SY75_.jpg|58060922] by Yoon Ha Lee
• Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
• [b: Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513872748l/36896898._SX50_.jpg|58657620] by Naomi Novik
• [b: Trail of Lightning|36373298|Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515788168l/36373298._SY75_.jpg|52833355] by Rebecca Roanhorse
Best Novella
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
• [b: Beneath the Sugar Sky|27366528|Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children, #3)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494436031l/27366528._SY75_.jpg|47413798] by Seanan McGuire
• [b: Binti: The Night Masquerade|34386617|The Night Masquerade (Binti, #3)|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495725402l/34386617._SY75_.jpg|55477512] by Nnedi Okorafor
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark
• [b: Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|36187158|Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|Kelly Robson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506531524l/36187158._SY75_.jpg|57810004] by Kelly Robson
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard
Best Novelette
• If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again by Zen Cho (Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog)
• [b: The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|40381419|The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|Tina Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555252289l/40381419._SY75_.jpg|62680201] by Tina Connolly (Tor.com)
• Nine Last Days on Planet Earth by Daryl Gregory (Tor.com)
• [b: The Only Harmless Great Thing|34659272|The Only Harmless Great Thing|Brooke Bolander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518069202l/34659272._SY75_.jpg|55823786] by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com)
• The Thing About Ghost Stories by Naomi Kritzer (Uncanny Magazine)
• When We Were Starless by Simone Heller (Clarkesworld Magazine)
Best Short Story
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed Magazine)
• The Rose MacGregor Drinking and Admiration Society by T. Kingfisher (Uncanny Magazine)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by P. Djèlí Clark (Fireside Magazine)
• STET by Sarah Gailey (Fireside Magazine)
• The Tale of the Three Beautiful Raptor Sisters, and the Prince Who Was Made of Meat by Brooke Bolander (Uncanny Magazine)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex Magazine)
Best Series
• The Centenal Cycle by [a: Malka Older|14220734|Malka Ann Older|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446698915p2/14220734.jpg]
• The Laundry Files by [a: Charles Stross|8794|Charles Stross|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1355510574p2/8794.jpg]
• Machineries of Empire by [a: Yoon Ha Lee|3001246|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1383757366p2/3001246.jpg]
• The October Daye Series by [a: Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg]
• The Universe of Xuya by [a: Aliette de Bodard|2918731|Aliette de Bodard|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261567215p2/2918731.jpg]
• Wayfarers by [a: Becky Chambers|8389735|Becky Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562580587p2/8389735.jpg]
Best Related Work
• Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
• [b: Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction|35958896|Astounding John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction|Alec Nevala-Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529430368l/35958896._SY75_.jpg|57516282] by Alec Nevala-Lee
• The Hobbit Duology (a documentary in three parts), written and edited by Lindsay Ellis and Angelina Meehan
• [b: An Informal History of the Hugos: A Personal Look Back at the Hugo Awards 1953-2000|35005557|An Informal History of the Hugos A Personal Look Back at the Hugo Awards, 1953-2000|Jo Walton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493399138l/35005557._SY75_.jpg|52384504] by Jo Walton
• The Mexicanx Initiative Experience at Worldcon 76 by Julia Rios, Libia Brenda, Pablo Defendini, and John Picacio
• [b: Ursula K. Le Guin: Conversations on Writing|36276435|Ursula K. Le Guin Conversations on Writing|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519674594l/36276435._SX50_.jpg|57934871] by Ursula K. Le Guin with David Naimon
Best Graphic Story
• [b: Abbott|38748572|Abbott|Saladin Ahmed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521208924l/38748572._SY75_.jpg|60338450], written by Saladin Ahmed, art by Sami Kivelä, colors by Jason Wordie, letters by Jim Campbell
• [b: Black Panther: Long Live the King|36673422|Black Panther Long Live the King|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526771280l/36673422._SY75_.jpg|58459948], written by Nnedi Okorafor and Aaron Covington, art by André Lima Araújo, Mario Del Pennino, and Tana Ford
• [b: Monstress, Volume 3: Haven|37491890|Monstress, Vol. 3 Haven|Marjorie M. Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531356957l/37491890._SY75_.jpg|59101846], written by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda
• On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
• Paper Girls, Volume 4 [b:], written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Cliff Chiang, colors by Matt Wilson, letters by Jared K. Fletcher
• Saga, Volume 9, written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Fiona Staples
Best Art Book
• [b: The Book of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition|38459780|The Books of Earthsea|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526525225l/38459780._SX50_.jpg|64676657] illustrated by Charles Vess, written by Ursula K. Le Guin
• [b: Daydreamer’s Journey: The Art of Julie Dillon|43157039|Daydreamer's Journey The Art of Julie Dillon|Julie Dillon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544155893l/43157039._SX50_.jpg|66947647] by Julie Dillon
• [b: Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: A Visual History|37837938|Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana A Visual History|Kyle Newman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541762517l/37837938._SX50_.jpg|59524789] by Michael Witwer, Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, and Sam Witwer
• [b: Spectrum 25: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art|40042809|Spectrum 25 The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art|John Fleskes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539953363l/40042809._SX50_.jpg|62044043], editor John Fleskes
• [b: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – The Art of the Movie|41084955|Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse -The Art of the Movie|Ramin Zahed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534224155l/41084955._SX50_.jpg|64190280] by Ramin Zahed
• [b: Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth|36542884|Tolkien Maker of Middle-earth|Catherine McIlwaine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516237012l/36542884._SX50_.jpg|58272990], editor Catherine McIlwaine
Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan Children’s Books)
• [b: The Belles|23197837|The Belles (The Belles, #1)|Dhonielle Clayton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492784901l/23197837._SY75_.jpg|42742745] by Dhonielle Clayton (Freeform / Gollancz)
• [b: The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493047153l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] by Holly Black (Little, Brown / Hot Key Books)
• [b: Dread Nation|30223025|Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)|Justina Ireland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497900615l/30223025._SY75_.jpg|50676909] by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• [b: The Invasion|45700034|The Invasion (the Call, Book 2)|Peadar O'Guilin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|70468305] by Peadar O’Guilin (David Fickling Books / Scholastic)
• [b: Tess of the Road|35046472|Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503599285l/35046472._SY75_.jpg|53793345] by Rachel Hartman (Random House / Penguin Teen)
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2018 Nebula Award Finalists
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor)
• [b: The Poppy War|35068705|The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)|R.F. Kuang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515691735l/35068705._SY75_.jpg|56364137] by R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager US; Harper Voyager UK)
• [b: Blackfish City|35068768|Blackfish City|Sam J. Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498846831l/35068768._SY75_.jpg|56364196] by Sam J. Miller (Ecco; Orbit UK)
• [b: Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513872748l/36896898._SX50_.jpg|58657620] by Naomi Novik (Del Rey; Macmillan)
• [b: Witchmark|36187110|Witchmark (The Kingston Cycle, #1)|C.L. Polk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505338133l/36187110._SY75_.jpg|57809962] by C.L. Polk (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Trail of Lightning|36373298|Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515788168l/36373298._SY75_.jpg|52833355] by Rebecca Roanhorse (Saga)
Best Novella
• [b: Fire Ant|39359011|Fire Ant (The Navy of Humanity Wasp Squadron Book 1)|Jonathan P. Brazee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521857259l/39359011._SY75_.jpg|61026637] by Jonathan P. Brazee (Semper Fi)
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard (Subterranean)
• [b: Alice Payne Arrives|39332603|Alice Payne Arrives (Alice Payne, #1)|Kate Heartfield|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528836131l/39332603._SY75_.jpg|60961729] by Kate Heartfield (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|36187158|Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|Kelly Robson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506531524l/36187158._SY75_.jpg|57810004] by Kelly Robson (Tor.com Publishing)
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
Best Novelette
• [b: The Only Harmless Great Thing|34659272|The Only Harmless Great Thing|Brooke Bolander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518069202l/34659272._SY75_.jpg|55823786] by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|40381419|The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|Tina Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555252289l/40381419._SY75_.jpg|62680201] by Tina Connolly (Tor.com 7/11/18)
• [b: An Agent of Utopia|40606635|An Agent of Utopia|Andy Duncan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529627726l/40606635._SY75_.jpg|63072096] by Andy Duncan (An Agent of Utopia)
• The Substance of My Lives, the Accidents of Our Births by José Pablo Iriarte (Lightspeed 1/18)
• [b: The Rule of Three|43243212|Future Science Fiction Digest Issue 1|Alex Shvartsman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544913470l/43243212._SY75_.jpg|68602299] by Lawrence M. Schoen (Future Science Fiction Digest 12/18)
• Messenger by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and R.R. Virdi (Expanding Universe, Volume 4)
Best Short Story
• Interview for the End of the World by Rhett C. Bruno (Bridge Across the Stars)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by Phenderson Djèlí Clark (Fireside 2/18)
• Going Dark by Richard Fox (Backblast Area Clear)
• And Yet by A.T. Greenblatt (Uncanny 3-4/18)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex 2/6/18)
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed 1/18)
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan)
• [b: Aru Shah and the End of Time|36222611|Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Quartet, #1)|Roshani Chokshi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506615949l/36222611._SX50_.jpg|56242795] by Roshani Chokshi (Rick Riordan Presents)
• [b: A Light in the Dark|40642087|A Light in the Dark (Dark Stars, #2)|A.K. DuBoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529941117l/40642087._SY75_.jpg|67703731] by A.K. Du Boff (BDL)
• [b: Tess of the Road|35046472|Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503599285l/35046472._SY75_.jpg|53793345] by Rachel Hartman (Random House)
• [b: Dread Nation|30223025|Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)|Justina Ireland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497900615l/30223025._SY75_.jpg|50676909] by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• [b: Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword|35343338|Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword|Henry Lien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519050297l/35343338._SY75_.jpg|49856893] by Henry Lien (Henry Holt)