Hellooo!

it’s been a bit hectic as I race to the end of work before a long break so reviews are a little behind but I’ve a late train very quickly here are my thoughts on the Clarke Award being announced in a few hours. Here are my thoughts

In last place and will not be getting reviewed is

Corey Fah Does Social Mobility by Isabel Waidner - I don’t do comedy in books very often and I’ve had a similar issue with a previous Waidner book. They feel very arch, a splurge of weirdness and for me deeply artificial getting in the way do the story. I’ve seen lots of people praise this but so not a book I could actually finish. Hence last place but very much my tastes is the issue

Next up controversially I’m one of the few to not like mountain In the Sea by Ray Naylor (reviewed https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2023/6/10/subjective-chaos-best-science-fiction-novel-the-mountain-in-the-sea-by-ray-nayler) it’s a neat idea of first contact in the oceans but I had a lot of problems with execution and some of the themes. I’ve a strong distaste for it.

Next up (review to come) is In Ascension by Martin Macinnes. Another mysterious aquatic tale. Perhaps the most traditional in approach but with a literary and perhaps overly descriptive style and slow pace. I’ve enjoyed it and love the main character we meet and their voice feels very real but I do feel I’ve seen this before.

Then we come to Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (reviewed https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2023/4/8/some-desperate-glory-by-emily-tesh?format=amp) and this subverts the classic space marine tale and adds in thoughts on radicalisation and feels like it is talking to the 2020s. It’s still a bit predictable in elements but I really enjoyed it.

Things get tough with the final two!

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjel-Brenyah (review to come) is brilliant the idea of gladiatorial games as tv sport is not new but the key is this uses the idea of prisoners (guilty not rebels, framed or unlucky sacrifices) to change us as readers to see them as peopel. It takes a wider look at the justice system and really stands out for how it explored empathy. I’d be more than happy for this to win.

But I am allowed one winner so for me it’s The Ten Per Cent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan - a take that with one mosaic like tour of a future city explores the dark side of productivity in work and leisure, control and freedom across the world and again is a novel subtly - sometimes amusingly or tragically again speaking to the way the near future may change us. (I say more here https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2023/3/30/the-ten-percent-thief-by-lavanya-lakshminarayan )

What I can say is this was a really interesting mixed short list showing lots of strands of SF which for me is what a good short list should do. I’ll be intrigued where the judges decide the prize goes!