The 2019 Dragon Award Finalists have been announced by DragonCon on its website (2019 Finalists). Unlike last year when I went 0-11 in works that I nominated making the finalist list, this time around three works in the 11 categories I nominated made the final list. Like last year, I did not nominate in any of the games categories. I just haven’t the time to try out the new games so I feel I have no business weighing in on them.
Below you will see the list of the finalists, followed by who I nominated and who I plan to vote for along with some additional comments.
Before we begin though, I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to all of the finalists below. Whether you are a repeat finalist, or if this is your first time on this list, well done. You should be dancing on your desks, in the streets or wherever you choose to celebrate. Enjoy every minute of the next month until the winners are announced in Atlanta. Win or lose on that first Sunday in September you should be very proud.
When this award first started in 2016 I was among its early supporters. In what will be its fourth year, it has survived withering – and very unfair – attacks from self-appointed gatekeepers. These cretins have tried to discredit the Dragon Awards as an “unimportant fan award”, which tells you all you need to know about what they really think of you the fans. I have said it before and I will repeat it now: The Dragon Awards are the premier award in all of science fiction and fantasy. They represent the best of SF/F. They alone represent what real SF/F fans enjoy and do so based on the quality of the work itself and not on some political-based checklist of “rightthink” either.
And, finally, I want to thank everyone who nominated When The Gods Fell. While it did not garner enough nominations to advance to the final ballot as Escaping Infinity did in 2017, I am just as appreciative of all of the nominations it received and as proud of that book as I am of Escaping Infinity. Thank you for your votes.
Now, on to the finalists:
2019 Dragon Award Finalists
Best Science Fiction Novel
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
A Star-Wheeled Sky by Brad R. Torgersen
Europe at Dawn by Dave Hutchinson
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson
Tiamat’s Wrath by James S.A. Corey
My Nomination: Octavia Gone by Jack McDevitt
Who I’m voting for: A Star-Wheeled Sky by Brad Torgersen
Thoughts: Seriously, what is it going to take to get Jack McDevitt nominated people? The man is one of the all-time best. Sigh.
Best Fantasy Novel (Including Paranormal)
Deep Roots by Ruthanna Emrys
Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
House of Assassins by Larry Correia
Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
My Nomination: When The Gods Fell by Richard Paolinelli
Who I’m voting for: House of Assassins by Larry Correia
Thoughts: I will be shocked if Larry doesn’t take this one home. And if this Central California native (Turlock) can’t win it this year, then the other one (Merced) had better, for the honor of the San Joaquin Valley!
Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel
Archenemies by Marissa Meyer
Armageddon Girls by Aaron Michael Ritchey
Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
Imposters by Scott Westerfeld
Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand
The King’s Regret by Philip Ligon
The Pioneer by Bridget Tyler
My Nomination: The Timeless by Richard Paolinelli & Gibson Buffa
Who I’m voting for: Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
Thoughts: Ok, my nomination was biased because my grandson was my co-author here. But Susan would be a worthy winner.
Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel
A Pale Dawn by Chris Kennedy, Mark Wandrey
Order of the Centurion by Jason Anspach, Nick Cole
Marine by Joshua Dalzelle
Sons of the Lion by Jason Cordova
The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley
Uncompromising Honor by David Weber
My Nomination: A Place For War by Daniel Humphreys
Who I’m voting for: Order of the Centurion by Jason Anspach & Nick Cole
Thoughts: Okay, in the past I have hated voting in a category that included two authors who I was friends with. So, ask me how I feel when I know six of the eight authors and they are vying for an award in the same category. It sucks, thank you very much.
Best Alternate History Novel
Black Chamber by S.M. Stirling
Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
The Iron Codex by David Mack
The World Asunder by Kacey Ezell
Unholy Land by Lavie Tidhar
My Nomination: Brave and the Bold by Hans Schantz
Who I’m voting for: Unholy Land by Lavie Tidhar
Thoughts: I really feel Hans should have had a seat at this table and Lavie would be a great winner. I have a sinking feeling, tho, who will win this and this will be one category I will not be happy with the winner if it is.
Best Media Tie-In Novel
Big Damn Hero by James Lovegrove, Nancy Holder
Darkness on the Edge of Town by Adam Christopher
Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray
The Replicant War by Chris Kennedy
The Way to the Stars by Una McCormack
Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn (2019 Helicon Award winner)
My Nomination: Thrawn: Alliance by Timothy Zahn
Who I’m voting for: Thrawn: Alliance by Timothy Zahn
Thoughts: Tim is the only 2019 Helicon Award winner to make it onto the Dragon Award ballot.
Best Horror Novel
Cardinal Black by Robert McCammon
Little Darlings by Melanie Golding
Riddance by Shelley Jackson
We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix
Zombie Airman by David Guenther
100 Fathoms Below by Steven L. Kent, Nicholas Kaufmann
My Nomination: Hell Spawn by Declan Finn
Who I’m voting for: Zombie Airman by David Guenther
Thoughts: This was a close one for me, I nearly went with 100 Fathoms Below.
Best Comic Book
Batman by Tom King, Tony S. Daniel
Black Hammer by Jeff Lemire, Dean Ormston, Dave Stewart
Mister Miracle by Tom King, Tony Daniel
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man by Chip Zdarsky, Adam Kubert
Saga by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples
The Batman Who Laughs by Scott Snyder, Mark Simpson
My Nomination: Flying Sparks by Jon Del Arroz
Who I’m voting for: Batman by Tom King & Tony S. Daniel
Thoughts: I suspect Saga will win, but what? No Wonder Woman?
Best Graphic Novel
Berlin by Jason Lutes
Hey, Kiddo by Jarret J. Krosoczka
I Am Young by M. Dean
Monstress Vol. 3 by Marjorie Liu, Sana Takeda
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
X-Men: Grand Design – Second Genesis by Ed Piskor
My Nomination: PD Wodehouse by Chuck Dixon
Who I’m voting for: Berlin by Jason Lutes
Thoughts: Aside from Lutes, I kept saying “Who?” as I read this list. Then again, I don’t read a lot of graphic novels these days so that’s not a surprise.
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series
Game of Thrones, HBO
Good Omens, Amazon Prime
Lucifer, Netflix
The Orville, Fox
The Umbrella Academy, Netflix
Star Trek: Discovery, CBS All Access
My Nomination: The Orville, Fox
Who I’m voting for: The Orville, Fox
Thoughts: Again, I suspect I know who will win. But The Orville is still one of the best sci-fi shows on broadcast TV today.
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie
Alita: Battle Angel by Robert Rodriguez
Aquaman by James Wan
Avengers: Endgame by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Captain Marvel by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Spider-Man: Far From Home by Jon Watts
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
My Nomination: Aquaman by James Wan
Who I’m voting for: Aquaman by James Wan
Thoughts: Hey, I know Endgame is going to destroy this category, but I’m riding my fish all the way to the finish line!
In the following categories I made no nominations, nor will I be casting a vote in them. I simply had no time this year to check any of these games out and I do not feel I should be voting on them in this circumstance.
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC / Console Game
Apex Legends by Electronic Arts
Assassin’s Creed: Odysssey by Ubisoft
Life is Strange 2 by Dontnod Entertainment
Red Dead Redemption 2 by Rockstar Games
Outer Wilds by Mobius Digital
World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth by Blizzard
My Nomination: NONE
Who I’m voting for: NONE
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game
Cyber Hunter by NetEase
Elder Scrolls: Blades by Bethesda Softworks
Grimvalor by Direlight
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite by Niantic, WB Games San Francisco
Reigns: Game of Thrones by Nerial
Sega Heroes: Puzzle RPG Quest by SEGA
My Nomination: NONE
Who I’m voting for: NONE
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game
Architects of the West Kingdom by Garphill Games
Betrayal Legacy by Avalon Hill Games
Cryptid by Osprey Games
Everdell by Starling Games (II)
Nemesis by Awaken Realms
Root by Leder Games
My Nomination: NONE
Who I’m voting for: NONE
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game
Call of Cthulhu: Masks of Nyarlathotep Slipcase Set by Chaosium Inc.
Fallout: Wasteland Warfare by Modiphius Entertainment
Keyforge: Call of the Archons by Fantasy Flight Games
Magic: The Gathering Ravnica Allegiance by Wizards of the Coast
Magic: The Gathering War of The Spark by Wizards of the Coast
Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team by Games Workshop
My Nomination: NONE
Who I’m voting for: NONE
There you have it. Be sure and go to the website and register to vote and cast your votes for any and/or all of the categories. Its absolutely free and the more that participate the better:
Dragon Award Voting signup
* * * * *
Like what you’ve read so far? Be sure and sign up for Richard’s newsletter, “Postcards From Infinity“, and if you’d like to become a patron you can do so right here. Any amount you choose will be appreciated and will help keep this blog, these weekly serials and Richard’s podcast, “A Scribe’s Journey” up and running. Thank you for reading and for your support.
