SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases discussion

Spoil away

I didn't get Murderbot vibes at all but I can see how you felt that, and maybe I just didn't think of it. What I did see was a strong common thread to three of the Nebula nominees, almost to the degree of three different approaches to the same theme.

You know, the only nominated book of the three you mentioned I'd read before they were announced was Asunder, and as I read through Sorceress last month and Nest over the last few days I kept trying to figure out what you meant by that similarity. I didn't see it at all until halfway through this third book. I suppose you meant (view spoiler)[that they each deal with narcissistic, abusive parents using children for their own purposes. (hide spoiler)] Is that what you had in mind? Are there are themes that connect them?

Kalin wrote: " I kept trying to figure out what you meant by that similarity...."

All three involved (view spoiler)[main characters who had some sort of possession or cohabitation of someone else's body (hide spoiler)].
The spoiler designation here is for those who haven't read the other Nebula books.

Allan wrote: "I didn't get Murderbot vibes at all b"

I guess the vibes are in the 'outside' view of humanity of the protagonist, here also in direct statements that are perceived by others as witticisms (in Murderbot, they are mostly internal monologue)

I finished the book and I'm unsure about it. On the one hand, an interesting setting and protagonist, on the other, too many negative characters, esp. in the Baroness family, too much in-your-face bad people, so that when a little girl gets eaten, it is fine because she tortured a bear and generally was a infant terrible

My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Oleksandr wrote: "My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I'm glad to see that someone agrees with me. It feels like this one is getting a lot of buzz, but I just didn't find it better than average. I was more indifferent through the beginning & middle, and thought the end elevated it somewhat. It didn't carry much real tension until then.

I disliked the whole twist with the true nature of Baronness - for our protagonist, it is a struggle to hide, but she was able to live with children and servants for decades, I just don't buy it

I quite enjoyed the ride but Zi still didn’t see it as a Hugo contender? Maybe I’m old fashioned but I used to think the award was for more than just a popcorn read or for representation. Like big new ideas or such. It feels more like a popularity contest

Rachel wrote: "I quite enjoyed the ride but Zi still didn’t see it as a Hugo contender? Maybe I’m old fashioned but I used to think the award was for more than just a popcorn read or for representation. Like big ..."

I'd say that Hugo is a more popular contest (therefore sometimes in the past weak books by good authors were nominated), after all it is fan-driven, while Nebula is more literature and unusual new writings. This book got both nominations...

In general, I agree that award-winning books should make one think, even if having fun during the process helps

Did anyone else think that Homily would be revealed to be trans? That's what I thought with the repeated mentions of how her neck was always covered by her scarf and how broad her shoulders were. It was also consistent (unfortunately) with her family's disapproval. Perhaps it was meant as misdirection from the big reveal about the baroness.

Ellen wrote: "Did anyone else think that Homily would be revealed to be trans? ."

This sounds quite reasonable for the story's sake, but not entirely adequate in a medieval setting, where women were seen as inferior to men, and say female heirs often weren't able to inherit. Therefore, I doubt that the Baroness would have allowed it... Also, is the biological sex of the victim important for the goppelganging or not?

Actually, the writing style reminded me of Kingfisher (yay!) though I thought it dragged a bit in the middle. Excited to see whatever else this person will write

Kateblue wrote: "Excited to see whatever else this person will write"

Yes, there is a potential.

I forgot to come here to share my thoughts after finishing. I too felt it dragged, maybe around 60-70% I was ready for the end but it just kept going. I think the reflections around how to support someone who has been emotionally scarred were very interesting. I’m no expert but it sounded like therapy speak to me but nicely veiled within a story. I thought the revelation about the baroness was pretty well done, I did not see it coming. However, by the end of the book I just didn’t feel wowed or particularly moved. I suppose its unconventional aspects could have carried it to the win but to me, we’ve read better books this year.

Rebecca wrote: " I suppose its unconventional aspects could have carried it to the win but to me, we’ve read better books this year.

I thought I was going to hate it because of the unconventional aspects, but I was amazed at how much I ended up liking the unconventional being. I also disliked how much stuff was piled on at the end. I think the dinner afterwards would have been enough and she should have stopped there

Totally agree!