Hugo Awards 2013

Okay...been awhile since I last updated this here thing. Let's see if I still remember how.

So, the 2013 Hugo Awards have been announced. Of the category I follow most closely, novel, I have read two of the nominees. They are:

*2312, Kim Stanley Robinson
*Redshirts, John Scalzi
*Blackout, Mira Grant
*Throne of the Crescent Moon, Saladin Ahmed
*Captain Vorpatril's Alliance, Lois McMaster Bujold

My official call for 2013 is...Redshirts, by John Scalzi. Scalzi will win the Hugo at some point in his career. I read the book in a day: it is gripping, thoughtful and intelligent.

Objectively speaking, however, should this novel be considered the year's best?

Kim Stanley Robinson is an author who everyone in the SF field is expected to revere; personally, I never liked the Mars trilogy too deeply, since it appeared to be all philosophy with no character or plot. His works to me have all been ponderous and intellectual, with no "zazz" factor, which is something that Redshirts cannot be accused of lacking. Blackout, like it's predecessor Deadline, is being nominated on the strength of Feed. The Newsflesh trilogy has been very enjoyable; but I hesitate at giving it so high a commendation.

Lois McMaster Bujold seems to get nominated every time she has a book out, and discounting her as a possible winner would be premature. I haven't read the Vorkosigan series in a long time, and I am not too invested in it. Throne of the Crescent Moon is continuing a trend of the past few years were a fantasy novel appears on the ballot, one that doesn't seem to win, despite how acclaimed it is. That is my prediction for it's fate.

So: Redshirts. A very good book...but is it excellent? Is it Hugo Award worthy? That's a difficult question to ask. The Hugo Awards are the fandom's award: it is determined by Worldcon attendees/voters. It is a crowd pleasing novel, and not a dumb one. I just can't quite give it my full accolade.