How well did this year's Hugo awards match my (obviously correct and
superior) preferences?
Numbers are taken from
the official record.
Best Novel
The Obelisk Gate, by N. K. Jemisin
Well, it's not bad, but I really thought that three of the other
works were distinctly better (and All the Birds in the Sky was ahead
on votes until the sixth pass; Obelisk seems to have been most
popular as a last choice). Definitely a close finish among the four
books I reckoned were pretty decent, with Too Like the Lightning and
Death's End lagging behind.
Some interesting near-nominees, though I gave up on Mishell Baker's
Borderline in disgust.
Best Novella
Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire
Great big meh from me, but it was sitting at about twice the votes of
any other piece. Many people who aren't me clearly get on with
Seanan's work.
Best Novelette
"The Tomato Thief", by Ursula Vernon
Another runaway winner, though I was surprised Jewel didn't do
better - it almost works.
Best Short Story
"Seasons of Glass and Iron", by Amal El-Mohtar
I liked it a lot but I'm surprised it came out on top; I thought
Game was a stronger contender, and it held out until pass 4.
Overall a pretty mixed bag but, while I'm a bit disappointed by the
Novel and Novella wins, I can at least see why people liked them this
time.
Comments on this post are now closed. If you have particular grounds for adding a late comment, comment on a more recent post quoting the URL of this one.