- Surtac
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
starexplorer wrote:
I am 40 pages into Hopeland. I know it’s good. I just don’t know if it’s what I want right now.
I fully understand that. It happens often enough to me too - I think its why my TBR pile is the size it is.
Hopeland is a book I've wanted to discuss for quite a while now. It's rare for a book to grab me around the throat so comprehensively as I start it. But it's unprecedented for one to inspire me to build a two hour musical accompaniment playlist on Spotify as I'm reading it, which is what this one did. In fact, I think I'll listen to it again now as today's musical soundtrack.
It's a strange world. Let's keep it that way.
- Kokipy
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
I remember it took a bit to get into Hopeland but I loved it.
- Kokipy
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
I just finished the Adventures of Amina etc. I enjoyed it, but don’t really see it as Hugo quality. It’s a romp, but for me that was all it was.
- Aja Jin
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
I just finished the Adventures of Amina etc. I enjoyed it, but don’t really see it as Hugo quality. It’s a romp, but for me that was all it was.
That's a fair take. It was a fun, enjoyable read. Of the one's I've read, Translation State stands out. In order,
Translation State by Ann Leckie -- As a Leckie fan, I looked forward to this one. Very good, a worthy addition to het Radch books.
Witch King by Martha Wells -- Good, but it was missing *something* for me. No real tension in the story. I need to re-read.
The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera -- Just finished. I found it slow and somewhat jumbled for the first 2/3 or so. It wrapped up better. I will read the sequel.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty -- Enjoyable, good story. Pirates !
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh -- Have not read yet. Looks to have potential.
Starter Villain by John Scalzi -- Scalzi. So, probably a quick fun read, but no more.
- Surtac
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
Ok. I'm about to try again to get started on Translation State.
It's a strange world. Let's keep it that way.
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Thread Starter- Kokipy
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
Witch King seemed to me like a much earlier work, from a less accomplished writer than the Murderbot Wells has become. I agree, it seemed slack.
I just read Titanium Noir, on Surtac’s recommendarion. I thought it was very good, more noir than I really like these days, but he sure did pin down the Raymond Chandler tone, in an interesting story line. I expect he has more coming in that world?
- Surtac
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
Witch King seemed to me like a much earlier work, from a less accomplished writer than the Murderbot Wells has become. I agree, it seemed slack.
I just read Titanium Noir, on Surtac’s recommendarion. I thought it was very good, more noir than I really like these days, but he sure did pin down the Raymond Chandler tone, in an interesting story line. I expect he has more coming in that world?
I'm very pleased you enjoyed it, Kokipy. I absolutely loved it.
I've just found out that there is another book with that protagonist written but I don't know when it'll appear. Apparently Harkaway's next book, due October this year, is one he was asked to write and is set in his father's fictional universe. You do know, right, that his father was the writer best known by the nom-de-plume John Le Carre? 
It's a strange world. Let's keep it that way.
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Thread Starter- Kokipy
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
No, I didn’t know that! Amazing. I have read most of Le Carre but Harkaway is new to me. I expect he will do a better job of writing in Smiley’s world than Frank Herbert’s son did for Dune.
- Aja Jin
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
Finished "Some Desperate Glory" by Emily Tesh. An original and cutting variation on the "young person in war school" genre, with a strong commentary on the Golden Age "Humans are actually better than all those aliens" theme. There are some really dark moments, including violence and suicide, but the story is good and inventive, with many, many bright points. Recommended.
I'd put it about equal with Translation State for 1st place for the Hugo. If I was voting, I'd put it first.
Tesh is new to me; she won the 2020 World Fantasy Award for her first book, so glad to find her.
- Surtac
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Re: The 2024 Hugo Awards
Thanks for that, mahe.
I wasn't aware of her either but, to be fair, I read so little fantasy these days that it shouldn't surprose me.that's the case. Off to check out her books so far.
It's a strange world. Let's keep it that way.
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