The Locus Awards (for science fiction & fantasy) are presented to winners of Locus Magazine's annual readers' poll. This year, winners were announced during the Science Fiction Awards Weekend in Seattle WA, on June 16, 2012. I read the books nominated for Best First Novel, and although my prediction for the winner was slightly off - I'm still counting it as a win because one of my favorite books was chosen, and I actually liked all the books nominated in this category.
The 2012 Locus Award Winners for Best First Novel {My Thoughts}
Nominees for Best First Novel
(Images link to the book discussions)
The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern. Winner! The writing in this novel is beautiful, the descriptions are lush and the imagery vivid. I'm not one to like overly descriptive books, but in this case, the words were wisely used to paint a strong canvas of not only the circus & the performers, but also the lives of the 2 magicians & their mentors. And although the story moves along at a leisurely pace (read,very slow in developing at times), that just gave me time to become connected to the characters and become invested in the outcome.
But it took some time getting used to how the story jumps back & forth in time with each new chapter. I kept getting thrown off and having to go to the beginning of the chapter to see what year it was, and the previous chapter to see whether we were now in the past or future. Eventually though, I got the point ... pay close freaking attention to the chapter headings/ dates. (see more at Weekly Reading At 2 Circuses {The Night Circus and Mechanique})
Ready Player One, Ernest Cline. My Choice! This book is like an ode to the 80s - if you grew up in that era and were a gamer - it's practically guaranteed that you'll love it. Now, you should know that I hate when a book references tons of other past books, but Ernest Cline did it right with Ready Player One, making it an integral part of the story, and I didn't feel left out even when I wasn't familiar with the reference. There's lots of adventure, action & mystery throughout - both in the real World of the book, and in the virtual reality - but Cline also delved deeper, exploring online friendships and the downside of a life spent entirely online - that is the one area that I wish he would have gone into a little bit more, particularly at the end. (see Weekly Reading With Ready Player One and Soft Apocalypse).
Links to Book Discussions For the Other Nominees
As for the other categories - the winner of the Best Science Fiction Novel was Embassytown, China Mieville ... I just could not get into this book as it seems like a complicated mess to me - but it has been nominated for the 3 major science fiction/ fantasy awards - Nebula, Locus & a Hugo Award - so I must be in the minority of people who didn't like it (see Weekly Reading With Crazy Addicted Aliens {Embassytown}).
Best Fantasy Novel went to A Dance with Dragons, George R. R. Martin ... I haven't read this yet because I'm 2 books behind in the series ... time to catch up!
Best Young Adult Book went to The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, Catherynne M. Valente ... I tried reading this book last year, but shut it down after a few pages ... maybe it deserves a 2nd chance.
I haven't read The Night Circus because all the hype made me nervous. I can't wait to read it though.