January 4, 2018
Get Out, the suspenseful social commentary wrapped in the trappings of the horror genre, took the world by storm when it was released earlier this year. Audiences and critics alike were not altogether sure what to do about the blockbuster and the way it showed how reality-based horror could make an impact with movie-going audiences and on social movements. Even…
August 11, 2017
Too Like the Lightning (2016) Written by: Ada Palmer Genre: Speculative Fiction Pages: 433 (Nook) Series: Book 1 of Terra Ignota Publisher: Tor Why I Chose It: It was nominated for the Hugos. Also, a friend who knows my taste very well sent me the link and explained that I had to read this book, and I was going to…
August 10, 2017
The Hugo winner announcements come out August 11 and voting is already over, but we’re still talking about the nominees because it’s more fun than watching our clocks tick by! We’re continuing our look at the Best Dramatic Presentation: Short Form category with a perennial favorite of Hugo voters: Doctor Who. My history with the show doesn’t go back nearly…
August 9, 2017
Ok. I know that “Leviathan Wakes,” The Expanse’s representative in the Hugo Award’s Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form category comes from the same channel that is responsible for the Sharknado franchise. It’s also up against not just one but two episodes of Game of Thrones. You’re probably thinking, the odds aren’t so great that it’ll pick up the win. But…
August 2, 2017
I love the idea of a Hugo Award for a series. It feels past due. For me, this award covers a slew of books that might otherwise fall through the cracks. As a matter of personal taste, I rarely vote for award for books that are past #1 in a series. It feels odd to reward a random book in…
August 1, 2017
Ever since Game of Thrones debuted on HBO in 2011, awards have been heaped upon it — and with good reason. Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s sweeping epic fantasy novels (the series is officially named A Song of Ice and Fire), it features an excellent cast, top quality effects and costuming, the exceptional soundtrack skills of Ramin Djawadi, and of…
August 1, 2017
This year’s Hugo ballot saw a brand new and somewhat experimental category: Best Series. Many were nominated, and the final tallies offered nominees from all corners of the science fiction and fantasy umbrella. One nominee in particular made my heart sing: the October Daye Books by Seanan McGuire. If you aren’t familiar with the series, this is how McGuire herself…
July 27, 2017
Since my love for comics and graphic novels shines almost as brightly as my affection for fiction, I’m always excited to see what’s been nominated in the Best Graphic Story category for the Hugo Awards each year. And I’m happy to report that when it comes to the 2016 Hugos, this category is worth getting excited over. The nominees really…
July 26, 2017
A Closed & Common Orbit (2016) Written by: Becky Chambers Pages: 342 (Trade Paperback) Series: Wayfarers (Book 2) Published by: Harper Voyager Why I Chose It: As part of this year’s Hugo read, and because I had heard a lot about this series, generally all positive, and wanted to read it. Spoilers for both A Long Way to a Small,…
July 25, 2017
Death’s End (2016) Written by: Cixin Liu Translated by: Ken Liu Genre: Science Fiction Pages: 608 (Hardcover) Series: Remembrance of Earth’s Past Book 3 Publisher: Tor Why I Picked It: I had already read The Three-Body Problem (#1) and was halfway through The Dark Forest (#2) when I was given the opportunity to review Death’s End. I am notorious for…