House of the Dragon (Awards)

We're almost done.

New month, new discussion on the Dragon Awards!

…Wait, I didn’t do this in April? I haven’t done this since March? Aw crap.

Okay, I was busy in April, with my publishing life falling apart and everything.

Sigh. Anyway.

I yap about the Dragon Awards around here. And my reasons for it are numerous. Some of them are here. They’re the largest fan-voted awards out there. It’s free to vote on it. You don’t even have to register attending the convention.

And if you want to vote, trust me, I’m going to be investing WAY more time than you are.

It also gives me an excuse to talk about books.

Not that I really need an excuse, but I do enjoy having one.

Yes, the nominations are already open!

Yes, I have a list of who I’m voting for.

If I leave the categories blank, it means I STILL got nothing.

You may wonder why I’m not having a full, massive, months-long discussion, gathering up every eligible author and product. Been there, done that.

I seriously want a discussion if I can get one. Why do this? Because if I don’t try one, who will? And again, the nominations **are already open.**

Voting happens here:

Please remember that eligible nominees came out AFTER 7/1/21, up 6/30/22. So double check before throwing something into the ring. I’m starting with who I’m voting for at the moment.

So... here... we ... go.

Best SF

White Ops

Reviews

It could also be Military SF, but since it’s a space opera, it’s genre fluid.

Then again, I’m so far behind on my TBR pile, this is one of the few SF novels that I know came out in the eligibility window.

Yes, for the record, White Ops is mine. I’d like to boast that I deserve it. I’m the best out there. I covet the shiny award, blah blah blah.

But I also can’t name you a damn thing in SF that came out in the eligibility window that isn’t written by me.

Best Fantasy (Paranormal)

Sigh. I’m starting to remember why I didn’t post a Dragon Award post in April.

Because I wanted to nominate The Dragon and his Wrath, by Dan Humphreys.

Isn’t this an awesome cover?

Pity that it’s also from Silver Empire, and it’s also been unpublished. I have no idea if it’s going to be live again by the time the eligibility window closes.

And I’m not sure I can get enough people to read it before then.

Yes, this this is an Urban Fantasy novel. Why can’t the Dragons please get one lousy UF category? We can call it the Jim Butcher award.

Anyone have anything they can put in here? Just in case?

Best YA

Sworn to the Light, the Avatar Wizard Book 1, by Denton Salle.

My Review.

Good God, this was just plain FUN. I do recommend you at least check out the review over here. It’s where I did most of my gushing.

Best Military SFF Novel

Karl Gallagher, Seize What’s Held Dear.

My review.

Imagine if Honor Harrington were fighting 1984 and not the French Revolution. You’d get this. I don’t think I’m exaggerating how good this is in the review.

Best Alternate History Novel

The Romanov Rescue, by Tom Kratman, Kacey Ezell, et al.

This review is incoming, but it’s Tom and Kacey. Are we really surprised that it’s entertaining?

Best Media Tie-In Novel

I just found out that Timothy Zahn released a Thrawn book last year, called Lesser Evil. I’ll read it and get back to you.

Best Horror Novel

Summer Storm, Morgon Newquist

Best Comic Book

I’ve been told that "Finnian and the Seven Mountains #5" is good.

No, I haven’t read it. I haven't read a comic book since Straczynski left Amazing Spider Man nearly 20 years ago.

However, I’m told that Demon Slayer outsold the entire American Comic book industry last year. And the English run finished in in August 2021. So it’s eligible.

I’m told Kamen America is good.

Any other suggestions?

Best Graphic Novel

Black Tide Rising, Volume 1 by Chuck Dixon, Brett R. Smith & John Ringo (Baen)

I’m told Kamen America is good.

Best SFF TV Series, TV or Internet

I hope someone comes up with something, or Disney shills are going to just vote in Book of Boba Fett, and everyone seems to hate that... except for when it's an episode of Mandalorian.

I’m not a fan of what they’ve done to The Witcher.

I couldn’t get into The Expanse.

However, I’m told that Resident Alien is pretty good.

Best SFF Movie

While I haven’t seen anything that came out last year, I’m told the following were good.

~Ghostbusters: Afterlife?

~Dune?

~Spider-Man: No Way Home?

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC / Console Game

I have no idea, I have a stack of video games over a foot high that I haven’t touched.

~Halo: Infinite, 343 Games?

~Demon Slayer?

~It has been suggested that I try: Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

And now, the "I have no f***ing idea" categories.

Best SFF...

• Mobile Game?

• Board Game?

• Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game?

  • New edition of the Twilight 2000 RPG, from Free League Publishing (suggested)

Good luck with those, I have no clue.

So that’s it. Those are my best guesses for right now. I'd throw in hashtags or tag people, but most of the ones who I'd want to bring in either don't care, or are so self-aggrandizing, it wouldn’t be a discussion, it'd be nothing but "ME ME ME."

Trust me, been there, done that. Never again.

So, please go to the Dragon Awards, look over the website, and consider voting. Again, it’s free.