A Bold Prediction

[drelmo]

I have yet to see an "I didn't like it" remark about The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, both in my immediate circles (at least two enthusiastic readers from my recommendation) and in SF fandom at large. It seems like a significant candidate for the Hugo and Campbell next year.

Comments

[womzilla]

I would say that fjm's review of it was guarded.

The first reviewer NYRSF sent it to flatly hated it; we're going to send it to another reviewer, precisely because so many smart people have had positive reactions to it. (As you know, elmo-Bob, we don't publish negative reviews without excellent reason, and this reviewer wasn't interested in writing a negative review anyway.)

[drelmo]

I am not familiar with fjm*, and I would concur that they are guarded, but a great deal of my positive reaction is also grounded in a fascination with the technique of the storytelling.

*When I say "in SF fandom at large" in the main body, I really mean "the terribly tiny slice of SF fandom at large that I see".

I would certainly expect that there are readers for whom the style would grate. But I think I would have predicted more of them. Jemison seems to have captured a voice for Yeine and a style of storytelling that complement each other and keep the reader pinned.

I am reminded a bit of Stephen King's Carrie, which is also a debut novel with a very distinct manner of storytelling.

[womzilla]

fjm is a very good critic who is nominated for two Best Related Work Hugos this year.