Return of the Dragons (2019)

While I am tempted to make hold off this conversation until the period of eligibility runs out.... the longer I hold off on this, the few people will hear about it. Not to mention that I knew it was time to have this discussion the moment one of my author friends took out a Facebook ad asking people to consider him for a Dragon Awards

However, best of all? I ACTUALLY HAVE CANDIDATES THIS YEAR.

Yes, unlike last year, where every other book I read was either dusty in my backlog or not in the right genre, I seem to have been reading nothing but SFF lately.

... Though in some cases, I will admit that I cheated. I've read these books before they've been released. Heh heh heh.

Anyway.

So, let's begin.

* * * * * *  * *

Best Science Fiction Novel

I have already reviewed Heroes Fall by Morgon Newquist. You might think .... whatever you like. But this was one Hell of a solid novel, and some of the best SF I've read in years.

What is it? Superheroes. If you liked Astro City, or JMS's Rising Stars, or, hell, the MCU, you're going to want to read this one, and I think you're going to agree with me that it's pretty kickass.

Best Fantasy Novel 

(Including Paranormal)

I have not yet reviewed Bokerah Brumley's "Keepers of New Haven: Woe for a Faerie" on my blog. That's coming soon. If you follow my writing progress on Facebook, you'll note that I have very little time lately for .... a lot. Last week I posted nothing on THIS blog, so that tells you something when I try to at least post three blogs and a music video.

Luckily for you, the book comes out TODAY.

How can I have already put it on my blog?  That's the joy of getting ARCs from your publisher. Heh heh heh. But for Brumley, she'll get her due. Oh yes, she will.  BWHAHAHAAHAHAHA.

Anyway.

I had considered putting one of Daniel Humphreys Paxton Locke novels up for this one (again, I got the ARC. Heh heh heh), but he was more interested in emphasizing another topic. Meet be below on that one.

Best YA / Middle Grade Novel

Mutter mutter mutter. The Kings Regret by Ligon is not yet out, so you'll have to take my word on it for this moment. I can't say too much. It's Steampunk YA.

Lucky for him, Jagi hasn't come out with another Rachel Griffin novel.

Best Military SFF Novel

Daniel Humphrey's A Place For War... Yes, this is what Daniel wanted to be nominated in instead of his upcoming Black Night's Agents, so I concurred.

For the record, no, I have not yet read David Weber's Uncompromising Honor. I suspect he will not need additional support.

And Brian Niemeier said a while ago, one Dragon Award was enough, so I'm not going to bother him getting him one for Combat Seed X

Best Alternate History Novel

This was a tough one.

Because in addition to Hans Schantz's Brave and the Bold (reviewed here), you also have yet again another Robert Kroese Iron Dragon novel .... which I will admit, I have not read, but let's face it, Robert isn't going to start to suck at this late date, now is he?

But,  honestly, I think we're going to have to lean into Hammer of the Witches, by Kai Wai Cheah, on this one.

Best Media Tie-In Novel

Thrawn: Alliance
Timothy Zahn is doing a Thrawn novel. Your argument is so invalid, it's not even funny.

Best Horror Novel

This is funny, since by the time the Dragons comes out, I will have SIX horror novels eligible.

Hell Spawn
Death Cult
Infernal Affairs
City of Shadows (Coming soon)
Crusader (Coming soon)
Deus Vult (Coming soon....ish)

..... But as I argued yesterday, it's best to nominate Hell Spawn and move on. And if you disagree and would like to nominate one of the other books in another category ... okay, but I'd like you not to split the vote too too much.

Best Comic Book

Flying Sparks, by Jon del Arroz.

Is anyone going to fight me on this one? Go ahead, name me something better. I dare ye.

Review coming.... yes, I owe a lot of people reviews. Stow it.

Best Graphic Novel

Good question. Any ideas?

Though I'm tempted to say the comic adaptations of PD Wodehouse by Chuck Dixon, just because Jeeves and Wooser are just so much fun.

Best SFF TV Series

I actually have a tossup on this one. Believe it or not

Reverie... which was a great little series over the summer that should probably get a nomination for the first year along.

And

God Friended Me .... what can I say? I enjoy it so far, even though I do expect it to go Person of Interest by the end of the season.

Best SFF Movie

The Meg...

No. No question. Just The Meg.

Yes, I'm biased, you damn straight. I've only waited 20 flipping years for this movie.

Though wouldn't it be funny if it's The Meg vs Aquaman?

Best SFF PC / Console Game

Spiderman, PS4, Insomniac games.

Yup. No hesitation. This was .... amazing.

As for ... Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game ....
AND
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game....
AND
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game....
You got me. Come at me, give me some suggestions in the blog comments, and let's see how this stacks up.

Other nominees.

You might remember that last year, I had at least half a dozen nominees for each category....

Nope. Not anymore.

Granted, I could suggest some nominees for you.

Hans' Brave and the Bold, as mentioned and linked to above.

A friend of mine, MA Rothman, has an SF book out that might be of interest.

Again, the upcoming Daniel Humphreys' Come Seeling Night is something I'd suggest in paranormal, but he wanted military.

....So, yeah, right now, I'm out of alternate suggestions at the moment. Maybe I'm just out of authors. Heck, I would love to nominated Simon R Green for Night Fall... but it is one of his lesser works, and really dropped the ball for the finale of his magnum opus.

If you want to give me alternate suggestions, please be sure to leave one in the comment -- author, title, and genre category.

As of now, let the nominations begin.