The field for the novelettes is stronger from that of the other short fiction categories. Perhaps this is because despite there being four morose canine choices, this is fortuitously a Wright Free Zone (a nominated story proved to be ineligible).

 “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, Earth to Alluvium”, Gray Rinehart (Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show, 05-2014)

Gary Rinehart's human colony is oppressed by Colony elder ?? is terminally ill, and conceived a novel form of non-violent protest, utilizing his traditional practices, hoping to take advantage of the rulers own irrational beliefs. I feel like I need to read more current short fiction because whilst it is the best story in the litter it feels more like anthology filler than a standout.


“The Journeyman: In the Stone House”, Michael F. Flynn (Analog, 06-2014)

I have enjoyed Michael Flynn's fiction in the past (the fine 'Spiral Arm' series in particular) so I was looking forward to reading this story.  It did not really disappoint, except that it is part of a longer story, rather than a self contained novelette. The science fictional elements (advanced artifacts, seemingly not of the local civilization) are off-stage. Flynn's skill with humourous invented patois and dialect is the most obvious strength of the writing here.  

“The Triple Sun: A Golden Age Tale”, Rajnar Vajra (Analog, 07/08-2014)

I guess this story of 3 cadet Space Rangers, sent on a 'special mission' as punishment after, in a tired old trope of MilSF, they get into a bar fight with folk from another branch of the military who just took an instant dislike to them (since for some reason, no one branch of the military respects another), might just have come out of the Golden Age. The 'mission' is to ship some scientists back from an unsuccessful research mission on the planet Abreathon. Of course en route, our three heroes get into more trouble, putting their careers at risk.

I do not think that the 'puzzle' that the cadets had to solve to save their careers was particularly difficult. I could not believe that researchers had not winkled out the truth in 30 years.

“Championship B’tok”, Edward M. Lerner  (Analog, 09-2014) 

This is another puppy fragment of a longer story, shoehorned into the novelette category. Earth has defeated a race of reptilian 'snakes' (why are evil aliens so often reptilian?).  The Snakes are restricted to locations in the outer solar system, and are secretly plotting turning the tables on humanity. The struggle is seens as a real life version of 'B'tok', a game of strategy like chess, but played in an atmosphere of external distraction. 

“The Day the World Turned Upside Down”, Thomas Olde Heuvelt (Lightspeed, 04-2014)

The only non-immature canine entry to survive the slating of this category is the best written of the nominees, but despite an interesting concept - gravity reversed, with exceptions - the whiny protagonist made it hard for me to love this tale. 

My Rankings

1. No Award
   
2. “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, Earth to Alluvium”
   
3. “The Journeyman: In the Stone House”
   

The Best novel category was just moderately affected by the organised voting slates, and brought a strong field before the members of Worldcon. One of ther original nominees (Martin Kloos - Lines of Departure) withdrew, allowing Cixin Liu's 'Three Body Problem' onto the ballot.

The Goblin Emperor - Kate Addison (Tor Books)

Maia is the despised halfbreed son of the emperor Varenechibel IV, exiled to an outlying estate under the sadistic rule of his abusive cousin. When the entire royal family is killed in a dirigible 'accident', Maia unexpectedly becomes emperor. He is babe in the woods, thrust into the maelstrom of court intrigue, where he has to pick up the threads and master his new environment, lest he succumb to coups, assasination or banishment. 
It is a story about learning adapting and growing. A story of hope. Some say that this is not 'doing' anything, and have critized the quiet and reflective tone as lacking in action. They miss the point entirely. There are any number of tales which glory in externalised conflict. A well written story, with a clearly 'good' hero whose struggle is internal, and with the self is a breath of fresh air. 


The Three Body Problem - Cixin Liu (Tor Books)

Three Body Problem was added to the Hugo 'Best Novel' Ballot after Martin Kloos declined his nomination. It begins with a powerfully written prelude from the Cultural Revolution, where Ye Wenjie is introduced. We learn that she has reasons to despise the human race. Then she receives a mysterious warning from the stars, which gives her the opportunity to provoke a moral awakening of mankind. The bulk of the novel is from the viewpoint of passive 'good man' Wang Miao as he investigates a mysterious series of murders of prominent scientists. Wang Miao's best scenes are drawn during the VR game 'Three Body', which models the travails of a civilization beset by unpredictable and severe climatic variations. And turns out to be real. The final third of the story reveals a major plot twist, and a substantial infodump of physics neepery. There is enough here to raise the novel above the run of the mill, and although flawed, it is a worthy contender.

Ancillary Sword - Anne Leckie (Orbit US/Orbit UK)

I enjoyed 'Ancillary Justice', but found the sequel less satisfying overall. With the mystery of Breq's identity and history revealed, the story marks time as the next move in Emperor Mianaai's warring and shattered hive mind is awaited. On an isolated system of Athoek, strategically important because of its location close to a number of wormhole gates, Breq is is now allied with a part of Mianaai, and must now navigate the byzantine politics of Athoek's station. The tone of the storytelling is close focused, terse and intense, and drives the narrative forward, keeping the pages steadily turning. As the middle chapter of the trilogy, it leaves many questions to be answered. I am eager to find out what hides behind the Gates, and just what the Presger are up to.


Skin Game - Jim Butcher (Orbit UK/Roc Books)

Harry Dresden is in thrall to Mab, the queen of the faeries, and must collaborate with one of his worst enemies to secure a bauble from the vault of Hades himself.
A team is assembled, violence and mayhem ensue in pursuit of the heist. The plot twist which saves our hero is perhaps abit too convenient.

It is difficult to justify awarding the Hugo for best novel to the 15th book in a long running series. That said, I enjoyed reading the story, and did not feel that not being across the backstory was a great disadvantage. 


The Dark Between the Stars - Kevin J Anderson  (Tor Books)

It took me a week or so to wade through this monster. It is an easy and undemanding read, with plenty of action, and pretty much no surprises. The major plot points are telegraphed way in advance. It is a return to Anderson's 'Seven Suns' Universe, where following the resolution of the travails of that septology, a new menace from the Ildiran race's nightmares makes a return. 
I'd recommend it for reading on a long flight or train journey, where page-turnability is more important than characters you can care about. Maybe KJH is the Dan Brown of SF. 




My Rankings

1. The Goblin Emperor
2. Three Body Problem
3. Ancillary Sword
4. Skin Game
5. The dark Between the Stars