4/9/10

Which Book Would You Pick as the 2009 Speculative Fiction?

Another Friday — another chance to state your opinion on which book YOU think should win a Whitney on April 24th.

The nominees for best SPECULATIVE FICTION are:

In the comments section, state which book you think should win 2009 Best Speculative Fiction and why.

Or, if you have another favorite that didn't make the list, you can go ahead and tell us about it too.

(And I'd love it if you'd repeat your comment over on the LDS Fiction post for that book.)

18 comments:

Taffy said...

I would pick Maze Runner. But the only other book I've read in this category is Wings. I'm still trying to decide if I really want to read Wells book.

Wm Morris said...

I'm afraid, Taffy, that you have so far read the weakest books in the category.

Whether or not any of the other books will work for you depends a lot on your preferences, but speaking solely in terms of plotting and characterization, yeah, the other three are much better crafted.

My picks in the three categories I read are posted at A Motley Vision.

Melanie Goldmund said...

I actually have a hard time choosing from among these. After much consideration, I think my personal favourite is Servant of a Dark God, although Warbreaker is only a whisker behind in my regard.

Elizabeth Morgan said...

I will pick Maze runner. I don't read much speculative fictions so what I have read is pretty narrow.

Anonymous said...

Wells book is like reading an autopsy report from inside the head of a psychotic.

Emily M. said...

This was a very strong category for me, and tough to decide. Wells' book is gory in places, but it's absolutely brilliant. I skimmed the gory parts and delighted in the taut writing and pacing.

But as much as I enjoyed it, I think I like Warbreaker better. I love his inventive magic systems, and I love the way he explores belief.

Servant of A Dark God... was ambitious, and I wanted to like it more than I did. It just took me so long to figure out what was going on. I felt like a dummy trying to keep track of all the threads. I think if I reread it I would be able to appreciate it more, now that I have a better idea of what's going on.

Wings and Maze Runner are excellent books too. Tough choices.

nephite blood spartan heart said...

For me it is a toss up between Brown and Wells.

And I don't understand why Wings and Maze Runner aren't in the YA category.

The argument I have heard is not enough regular spec fic and "well there are so many YA this year"-SO?

That should just make the competition that much stiffer in their own category.

And as for more Spec Fic-How about Larry Corriea's Monster Hunter International, or David Farland's Chaos Bound.

Anonymous said...

NOT Warbreaker, I'll say that much.

Wm Morris said...

Anon:

Well, that's really the point isn't it?

Actually, that's not the point -- it's the form that the point is packaged i (but add in the humor and humanity). The point is more about making weak things become strong and making the right choices. The title says it all: I am Not a Serial Killer.

Mary Gray said...

I really enjoyed both I Am Not a Serial Killer and The Maze Runner. I thought Wells gave a fresh, unique perspective with John. I think few of us could copy it. The Maze Runner was my favorite type of premise. I love dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels. I love trying to figure out what's going on I also loved Dashner's coined slang.

I hope I get to meet both authors at the conference. I need to read the other books.

C. Michelle Jefferies said...

I An Not a Serial Killer wasnt that gory and it was facinating. The plot was tight and well executed and I loved the characterization. Interesting, Well's charachter is a teen yet definately not a teen book. There's my vote.

brendajean said...

The Maze Runner was aMAZEing. I also loved Wings but thought it should have been in a YA category. It was an intriguing world.

Gamila said...

I Am Aot a Serial Killer has got my vote. I thought it was really brilliant, and totally different from anything I've read out there.

Warbreaker was a pretty good read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as Wells book.

I didn't like the Maze Runner as much as I expect too. I thought the ending was too sudden and some parts of said ending weren't set up well enough.

I never did read Servant of a Dark God.

Why is Wings in this category? It really is a YA book and doesn't compare at all in style or theme. Perhaps Dashner's book could fit the conventions and expectations of the category, but Wings was written for another audience entirely. I think it is unfair to put the book in this category.

Anonymous said...

For me, it's Warbreaker by a nose over Maze Runner. Both were excellent books.

I've heard lots of good things about Dan Wells' book, but haven't had a chance to read it yet.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

I'm stuck between Wings & The Maze Runner. I loved both!

GoletaGlenns said...

I have only read Maze Runner and Wings- out of those two I would give it to Maze Runner easily.

I cannot wait to read the other books in this category. They all sound so intriguing!

The Novelist said...

I've only read 2 of the books in the list so it looks like I have more books to add to my list of good reads!

T.J. said...

I've only read "The Maze Runner". However, I'm just as intrigued to read "Servant of a Dark God", "Warbreaker", and "I Am Not a Serial Killer" as I was in "The Maze Runner". Plus, at Costco yesterday, I showed my wife "Wings" and said that Aprilynne is one of the authors appearing at LDStorymakers and my wife had to buy it based off how interesting the story is. So, I really would love to say "The Maze Runner" but I don't feel that I'd be truly fair.