Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards 2020: The Winners

After much deliberation and loads of chaos among the judges it's finally time to announce the winners of the 2020 Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards. These are the best science fiction, fantasy and short works published in 2019 as determined by the SCKA panel of eight book bloggers. Deciding on the ultimate winners was not an easy task. 

 

*Drumroll*

 
The winners of the 2020 SCKA awards are...

BEST SCIENCE FICTION

• A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

BEST FANTASY

• Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri

BEST BLURRED BOUNDARIES

• David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

BEST SERIES

• The Rosewater Trilogy AKA Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson

BEST NOVELLA

• The Deep by Rivers Solomon

BEST SHORT WORK

• The Migration Suite: A Study in C Sharp Minor by Maurice Broaddus

Huge congratulations to all the winners! Your sedimentary monoliths of excellence* will be winging their way to you in a non-ballistic fashion. Treasure them, they are more than deserved!

 

* Due to shipping costs monoliths have been shrunk into pebble form for better manageability and easier conveyance.

Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards 2020: The Finalists

Despite the best attempt of the global pandemic to derail things the time has come to announce the finalists for the Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards. It was a herculean task to narrow things down, but after much deliberation and the working of some esoteric chaos magic we are proud to announce this year's finalists.

BEST SCIENCE FICTION

• All City by Alex DiFrancesco
• A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

BEST FANTASY

• Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
• The Ten thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
• Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri

BEST BLURRED BOUNDARIES

• The Migration by Helen Marshall
• David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
• Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

BEST SERIES

• The Rosewater Trilogy AKA Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson
• Elemental Logic by Laurie J. Marks

BEST NOVELLA

• This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
• The Deep by Rivers Solomon

BEST SHORT WORK

• The Migration Suite: A Study in C Sharp Minor by Maurice Broaddus
• The Ocean That Fades Into Sky by Kathleen Kayembe

Now an even greater task awaits the judges - deciding the winners! I'm sure many aganosing nights will be spent trying to come to a final decision especially since all the nominees are so darn good.

The winners will be announced soon™. Watch this space to see who will walk away with the coveted geological riches.

Review: Steel Frame by Andrew Skinner

Title: Steel Frame
Author: Andrew Skinner
Pages: 478
ISBN: 9781781087053
Publisher: Solaris
Published: 27 August 2019
Genre: Science Fiction
Source: Review copy from publisher

Buy it from:
The Book Depository

Epic tale of giant-robot battles, built around a personal story of redemption and healing.

FLY HARD
Rook is a jockey, a soldier trained and modified to fly ‘shells,’ huge robots that fight for the outer regions of settled space. When her shell is destroyed and her squad killed, Rook is imprisoned, left stranded, scarred and broken. Hollow and helpless without her steel frame, she’s ready to call it quits.

When her cohort of prisoners are sold into indenture to NorCol, a vast frontier corporation, Rook’s given another shell – a near-decrepit Juno, as broken as she is and decades older – and sent to a rusting bucket of a ship on the end of known space to patrol something called “the Eye,” a strange, unnerving permanent storm in space.

Where something is stirring...

Rook has two choices: she can either rot in jail or she can become an indentured conscript in a war where corporations battle for the rights to reclaim alien artifacts from a mysterious region in space. Only one option would allow her to fly again...

Andrew Skinner's debut novel, Steel Frame, can best be described as Pacific Rim in space, but that would do it a disservice. Steel Frame offers far more than just giant robot battles, it delivers a nuanced look at loss, the aftermath of trauma and finding the strength to fight back from the brink of despair.

The walls keep a roll of who has come and who has gone, a century's history scratched by hand, into paint that covers untold years more."

Skinner's prose evokes a sensory overload which brings his unforgiving world to life. You can almost smell the oil and hydraulic fluid and feel the immensity of the shells looming over you as you turn each page.

Rook and her squad of fellow jockeys, Hail, Lear and Salt are fascinating characters. Being convicts they are  treated as disposable, as something lesser than the real corporate employees. It's this shared history and outcast status which makes them such a formidable team. While out on patrol they encounter an ominous warning - DON'T LET THEM TOUCH YOU - sparking a devastating chain of events.  Still reeling from loss, they find their strength in each other and rise to the occasion to fight a foe unlike any they've encountered before.

The best part about Steel Frame is definitely the growing bond between Rook and her shell. There is just something so touching in their unusual relationship. Both are broken and hollow, but they find each other and become something more. Melding together into something greater than their individual parts.

Steel Frame is one heck of a ride. There are tense, high-octane battles, mysterious alien artifacts and a seemingly unstoppable foe. The story never drags and as things head to a nail-biting conclusion you lose all sense of time until you turn the last page and discover that it's all over. The ending is completely heartrending, but very apt. The steel frame remembers. I might have teared up just a little bit...

Andrew Skinner is definitely a rising talent to keep your eyes on. If his debut can do this to me, I can't wait to see what he does next.

The Verdict:
Steel Frame is one heck of a ride! Tense, fast-paced action with giant robots battling it out, but behind the giant steel facade it has so much more to offer - a story filled with nuance and a gigantic heart to match.  Giant robots have never been this heartbreaking before. Highly recommended!

The Rating: 7.5/10 (Very Good)

Thanks to Solaris for providing me with a review copy.

Thoughts on the SCKA Short Work Nominees

Since this seemed to be the quickest SCKA category to get through I decided to tackle the short works first. I'm easing into the whole thing. Dipping my toes in before I jumped into the large time investment required to tackle the novel categories.

All the stories nominated are of an exceedingly high standard and you can't fault any of them on quality. In the end it all boils down to personal taste and if a story resonates with you or not. Since these aren't really reviews as such, I'll settle for just sharing some quick thoughts on each story. 

Do Not Look Back My Lion by Alix E. Harrow
I love Alix E. Harrow's work and this story is no exception. It tells the tale of a society devoted solely to war and the impact it has on those that are left behind having to face the reality of pledging their children from birth to the machinations of bloodshed and death. Interesting role reversals in gender dynamics and a very touching relationship at its core. A melancholy yet hopeful read.

Doll Seed by Michele Tracy Berger
An interesting take on racism and prejudice mirrored in the lives of dolls. Interesting concepts, but perhaps somewhat too long. My interest flagged towards the end.

In Regards to Your Concerns About Your Scare BnB Experience by Effie Seiberg
 A client representative deals with a disgruntled client after a disastrous stay at a BnB. A fun, lighthearted story which delivered a giggle and a few smiles. Compared to the other stories on offer it lacked impact.

Even When The World Has Told Us We Have Ended by Cat Hellisen
 After the world has ended, a living human becomes the Muse for the dead, downloading inspiration into their reconstructed minds. Beautiful, haunting prose and a story that's quite unlike anything I normally encounter. This story can be read and interpreted in so many ways and that's where its power lies.

The Ocean That Fades Into Sky by Kathleen Kayembe
 This is the only story that just didn't work for me and I can't exactly pinpoint why. I lost interest halfway through. Might have to come back to it at some later stage.

The Blanched Bones, The Tyrant Wind by Karen Osborne
Short, sweet and powerful story about seizing your own destiny and throwing off societal expectations.

In This Moment, We Are Happy by Chen Qiufan
A look at the changing face of reproduction and what the future might hold. Touching and thought-provoking in equal measure.

Black Matter by Vivian Shaw
Necromancy meets Air Crash Investigation. A dark, enjoyable tale with engaging writing and fascinating premise

This Book Will Find You by Sam Beckbessinger, Lauren Beukes & Dale Halvorsen
Magic. Blood. Mayhem. A very dark, horrific tale dealing with the cycle of violence in an abusive relationship. Wonderful twist in the ending. Absolutely freaking loved this story!

The Migration Suite: A Study in C Sharp Minor by Maurice Broaddus
Tracing the journey of a family throughout its many generations throughout the past and into the future. A touching look at reclaiming your freedom and finding your home.

***

Have you read any of these? Which stories were your favourite?

Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards 2020: The Nominees

Toss a pebble to* your author

O, readers of plenty,

O, readers of plenty.

Creators of worlds

with magical words

they astound and thrill

It's time to pay the bill

Subjective kind of chaos

The time is here

Toss a pebble to your author

O, readers of plenty,

O, readers of plenty.

The lines don't scan all that well and trying to make them rhyme was a chore, but at least it has a semblance of a meme-worthy vibe to it. Although the chorus is the best bit, even if I have to say so myself. (*Important note: Do not toss pebbles AT authors. The pebbles should be given TO authors.)

With that incoherent introduction and magical musical interlude out of the way it's time to announce the nominees for The 2020 Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards (SCKA). With the powers of eight book bloggers combined and using various other esoteric means the nominees for this year's awards have been narrowed down to the following works:

*Drum roll*

BEST FANTASY

• The Ten thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
• The True Queen by Zen Cho
• Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri
• Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
• Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• The Bone Ships by RJ Barker
• The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

BEST SCIENCE FICTION

• Velocity Weapon by Megan E. O'Keefe
• Ancestral Night by Elizabeth Bear
• A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
• Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
• The Outside by Ada Hoffman
• Steel Frame by Andrew Skinner
• All City by Alex DiFrancesco
• Fleet of Knives by Gareth L. Powell

BEST BLURRED BOUNDARIES

• The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen
• Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
• The Migration by Helen Marshall
• The Institute by Stephen King
• David Mogo, Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
• The Last Supper Before Ragnarok by Cassandra Khaw
• The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg
• The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris

BEST NOVELLA

• Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
• This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
• The Deep by Rivers Solomon
• Walking to Aldebaran by Adrian Tchaikovsky
• Incompleteness Theories by Wole Talabi
• To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
• We Are Made of Diamond Stuff by Isabel Waidner

BEST SERIES

• The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden
• Elemental Logic by Laurie J. Marks
• Empires of Dust by Anna Smith Spark
• Children of Time Duology by Adrian Tchaikovsky
• The Rosewater Trilogy AKA Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson
• Swords and Fire by Melissa Caruso
• Luna Series by Ian McDonald
• The Winnowing Flame by Jen Williams

BEST SHORT WORK

• Do Not Look Back My Lion by Alix E. Harrow
• Doll Seed by Michele Tracy Berger
• In Regards to Your Concerns About Your Scare BnB Experience by Effie Seiberg
• Even When The World Has Told Us We Have Ended by Cat Hellisen
• The Ocean That Fades Into Sky by Kathleen Kayembe
• The Blanched Bones, The Tyrant Wind by Karen Osborne
• In This Moment, We Are Happy by Chen Qiufan
• Black Matter by Vivian Shaw
• This Book Will Find You by Sam Beckbessinger, Lauren Beukes & Dale Halvorsen
• The Migration Suite: A Study in C Sharp Minor by Maurice Broaddus

That's a lot of books. A whole lot! Over the coming months the judges will narrow things down to a shortlist and then ultimately crown a winner in each category. Each winner will be awarded an exclusive, hand-picked pebble from an exotic locale.

A huge congratulations to all the nominees! I'm excited to dive right in and discover new authors, some wonderful stories and brand new worlds.

Let the reading commence...

The Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards 2020

Pandora's box has been opened and, since there's no going back now I can finally reveal a secret. Late one evening while minding my own business on Twitter I was accosted by a decidedly shady-looking being wearing a huge coat and an eyepatch. Some words were said, there might have been a secret handshake and somehow I suddenly found myself recruited as a judge for The Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards. To be honest it was all kind of a blur....

What Kind of Awards?
The Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards* was started by C from The Middle Shelf in 2017 to provide a platform for a group of speculative fiction book bloggers to nominate, discuss and award their favourite books of the year. It's the only award* that will rock you. Literally!
(*Well, not exactly awards. We don't take ourselves quite seriously enough for that. And well, it wouldn't be the best stories, just the best stories according to us.)


Eligibility:

• To be eligible for the awards works need to be:
• Published for the first time in any format in the prior calendar year
• Republished in a substantially revised format (e.g. a novella being expanded to a novel) in the prior calendar year
• They are reprinted in the prior calendar year wherein either:
• For the first time in English;
• For the first time in the UK; and\or
• Is republished by a new publisher major publisher when previously published by an independent publisher.

The Rules:
There are some rules. More guidelines actually. They are in constant flux but can be summed up as:

• to read at least 100 pages or 50% of every novel/novella nominee in a category – or the first 2 books of a series for the best series category – before final voting
• to have fun and embrace chaos
• to listen to the concerns of marginalised voices

It's all rather chaotic, but in a good way.

The categories:

• Best Fantasy Novel
• Best Science Fiction Novel
• Best Blurred Boundaries
• Best Novella
• Best Complete Series (final instalment published in 2019)
• Best Short Fiction (Newly introduced for the 2020 awards)

The Judges:
KJ aka @crusaderofchaos (that's me!) is a South African book blogger specialising in all things speculative fiction with a particular love for science fiction. He can be found plodding away at the keyboard trying to make words make sense whenever inspiration, work and power blackouts allows. Occasionally he event posts the reviews at www.worldsinink.blogspot.com

Matt aka Womble aka @Runalongwomble is a book tempter ahem blogger at Runalongtheshelves.net and is the sweet voice on your shoulder telling you that it’s ok to get a new book. Can also be found on Twitter for additional book tempting.

C aka @TheMiddleshelf1 fell into sci-fi and fantasy at 13 and has been hopelessly addicted since. The creation of web provided the means to talk and share about that with actual people when it appeared so C can be found nowadays at www.themiddleshelf.org

Adri aka @AdriJjy is a semi-aquatic mammal currently living in the UK, where she divides her spare time between reading, interacting with dogs and making resolutions about doing more baking. She is a co-editor at 3x Hugo nominated fanzine Nerds of a Feather, Flock Together.

Jane aka @pipsytip is a book blogger and podcaster at www.dumpylittleunicorn.co.uk who has found herself living in the depths of South East London. She loves science fiction and fantasy and blurred genres in between.

Kris aka @hammard_1987 blogs at www.cloakedcreators.com and in various venues around the internet. They spend far too much time reading genre fiction and insist on telling people about them. They love trying everything, the weirder the better

Imyril aka @imyril has been reading for almost as long as she’s been walking (with fewer obvious bruises). She shares her FEELINGS and other opinions about fantasy, sci-fi and speculative fiction at There’s Always Room For One More.

Sara aka @SharadeeReads is a blogger at www.thefantasyinn.com. Morroccan-born Frech Resident, she’s a fan of kissy and stabby books. Ideally both at the same time.

Nominations:
We are currently in the nomination phase for the awards. Deciding which works to nominate is an agonising process. How do you pick just one? How?!.  A list of nominees should be announced as soon as they are finalised. If all goes to plan (which it rarely does) it should be before the end of the month.