Hugo Recs: Long Fiction

[forestofglory]

BEST NOVEL

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine -- The worldbuilding in this book is amazing! And it has a lot to say about imperialism, memory, and identity. However my very favorite thing about it the that main character is a diplomat and she pursues diplomatic non-violent solutions to her problems throughout the book.

Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer -- I just adored this YA novel about an AI who wants to do good in the world being online friends with a group of teens. The AI was just adorable, the right amount of kind and baffled. And I really loved the portrayal of online friendships.

The True Queen by Zen Cho -- This regency with magic book has fanatic worldbuilding, so many amazing characters, and a relationship between sisters that is central to the plot. This is the second book in a series but it would stand alone just fine.

Turning Darkness Into Light by Marie Brennan -- This book features Audrey, the granddaughter of Lady Trent from The Memoirs of Lady Trent having an adventure. I love many years latter stories that show how the world has changed, plus Audrey was a great character in her own right! I loved that this book is centered around translating an ancient epic, and the whole thing is told in letters and journals. (You could read this book as standalone if you don’t mind spoilers for the other series)

BEST SERIES

Alpennia by Heather Rose Jones -- This series of F/F Ruthenian with magic romances is fabulous. I love that we get to keep seeing the characters learn and grow as the series movies on. These books explore many ways that queer women can create a legacy.

Comments

[ambyr]

Ooh, Alpennia--I hadn't thought about that being eligible. Thanks! I should make my own list soon.

[forestofglory]

Yeah, I hadn't thought of it either but someone added to the hugo sheet.

[hamsterwoman]

Oh, I didn't know about the many-years-later Lady Trent sequel! I am sadly, after 2 books, unsold on Lady Trent's memoirs voice or her as a character, but I am really intrigued by this world, and would love to see what it looks like a couple of generations later. I'll have to keep an eye out!

[auroracloud]

I loved A Memory Called Empire, that one is so going on my nominations list as well. And I'm currently reading The True Queen and love it, will probably nominate it as well. :-) I haven't had a chance to read Catfishing on CatNet though I want to. My library doesn't have it, I should probably make a request of it so they'll get it... Can't afford to buy a lot of books at the moment.

And Alpennia! ♥ I'm so nominating it for Best Series, though I haven't had a chance to completely catch up yet.

I've loved reading these Hugo rec posts of yours, though I have been bad at commenting. (That's just me having generally been bad at commenting lately.)

[forestofglory]

I hope your library will get Catfishing on CatNet then you can reading and your local teens will have access too! (I get a lot of books form the library too - aren't libraries wonderful?)

I haven't completely caught up on Alpennia either -- but that's not stopping me form nominating it :)

Really glad you enjoyed the recs!

[enemyofperfect]

However my very favorite thing about it the that main character is a diplomat and she pursues diplomatic non-violent solutions to her problems throughout the book.

Oh, another reason to look forward to this book!

I loved The True Queen so much, possibly even more than Sorcerer to the Crown. Zen Cho is fantastic.

[forestofglory]

Have you read any of Zen Cho's short fiction? It's really good! Her collection Spirits Aboard has most of it, or there's a lot free online!

[enemyofperfect]

I have, and it really is so good! I think the story that made me realize I needed to find more of her work was The Perseverance of Angela's Past Life, but I also really love If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again and The Terracotta Bride.

[forestofglory]

I loved all of those! The House of Aunt and Monkey King, Fairy Queen are also favorites! Really I'm just very found of her work. I'm very excited that she has a new novella coming out this June.

[dolorosa_12]

A Memory Called Empire and The True Queen are on my list as well. Very different books, but each excellent in its own way.