After a particularly fallow period for this blog I am returning to announce the finalist and give some quick thoughts on them:
Fantasy Novel:
The Unbalancing by R. B. Lemberg
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
I have actually read both of these nominees, both are impressive but subjectively The Unbalancing clinches it for me, the prose is just so beautiful that I adored it.
Science Fiction Novel:
Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi
The Mountain In The Sea by Ray Nayler
I am in the process of reading Goliath and I am very impressed so far. The Mountain in the Sea is going to have to be very strong to top it.
Blurred Boundaries:
Things They Lost by Okwiri Oduor
The Way The Light Bends by Lorraine Wilson
I am yet to read either of these books and I believe both the authors are new to me, I cannot wait to dive in.
Novella:
The Entropy Of Loss by Stewart Hotston
Kid Wolf And Kraken Boy by Sam J. Miller
I am also yet to read either of these however both of these authors I have read and liked before. Will be interesting to see which comes out on top.
Short Fiction:
This Excessive Use Of Pickled Food by Leora Spitzer (Khoreo)
The Lady Of The Yellow-Painted Library by Tobi Ogundiran (Africa Risen)
I am yet to pick up Africa Risen but This Excessive Use… is a wonderfully sensorial tale that I think is going to stick with me for a while.
But who will win this year’s rocks? Come and see soon!
Cloaked Creators 