We identified a stand-out shortlist of 2020 nominees. We have read – and discussed – and read some more. We have examined our hearts and torn out our hair to choose our winners. This has been the most closely-contested year yet, but it’s time to reveal our 2021 Subjective Chaos Kind of Award winners.
fantasy
I had very little idea what November has in store for us, but hang on to your hats, folks – I’ve been digging and next month is chock full of interesting SFF releases. If there’s always room for one more, these are the ones I’m considering…
Britain is in the grip of a global pandemic, but an older – and equally dire – threat is awakening up on the Wiltshire chalk. With only uncertain allies and limited resources at his disposal, Dan must unravel secrets from a time even the dryads can’t remember…
When Jess returns to Malaysia with her parents, she thinks she needs to figure out a job and how to finally tell them she’s in love with another girl. Instead, she’s hearing a voice in her head that wants her to confront a Forbes list business tycoon. Life is about to get even more complicated…
A year after the sack of Sleighthulme, Joron is riddled with disease and dismay. As the Black Pirate, he is dreaded throughout the Hundred Isles, but he is no closer to finding Meas. How far will he go for his shipwife – and will she forgive what he has done in her name?
I have a modest list of eagerly-awaited releases for October, but don’t worry the much-threatened book shortage hasn’t hit yet! There are plenty of titles heading our way that may delight you. If there’s always room for one more, these are the ones I’m considering…
This year’s Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards had what may be the strongest line-up of novella nominees yet. It’s been an absolute pleasure to read them, and a nightmare to try and choose between them to select our finalists. Today I’m looking back briefly at them all, because hell yes you should read them. All of them.
The nights are closing in, the wind is wailing, and the fantasy adventures of May feel like forever ago. But there’s an autumnal fix of Wyrd and Wonder on the way! Spooktastic Reads will be back in October to dare the darker side of fantasy for 13 days leading up to Hallowe’en. Are you brave enough to join us?
2020 was challenging in many ways, but one thing it had in spades was a glut of really damn good SFF releases. The brave panellists for the 2021 Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards have been screaming through the summer as we winnowed down our epic shortlists to find our finalists. Drumroll, please…
The Mugenese have been shattered by the Phoenix’s terrible power, but Rin still hungers to destroy Nikan’s treacherous Empress. Before she can defeat her enemies, Rin must face her demons – and learn to control the god within…
September is always a big month in publishing, and this year is no exception. If there’s always room for one more, these are the titles making my TBR squeak like a force-grown rhubarb.
Branwen’s dreams of granting Iveriu safety, Eseult happiness and Tristan her heart are in tatters. She is determined to right her mistakes – but with the local priests and the new King’s Champion watching her every move, the slightest mis-step could end in disaster…
Gyen Jebi is desperate enough for cash to pursue a government job. Nobody knows why the Razanei occupiers are so keen to recruit artists, but Jebi soon discovers they won’t take no for an answer. Assigned to a horrifying military project, Jebi must decide where their loyalties lie – if they can find the courage.
As part of the Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards panel, I get to choose which categories I’ll read at each stage. This year, I put my hand up for Series and Novellas; I’m now halfway through the series so before I dive back into novellas I want to round up my thoughts on the first instalments of two of our Series nominees.
Thara Celehar can speak to the recently dead. A reserved man haunted by his own ghosts, he asks the dead questions to confirm burial rites and inheritances, and to ease the hearts and minds of the living. But sometimes the dead have dark secrets. When a woman is murdered, Thara is determined to do right by her – whatever the cost.
onemore.org 