I read Feed, didn't like it, and have been warily contemplating my obligations as a Hugo voter toward Parasite.
Since you're liking most of how she writes, I'd suggest checking out the Incryptid series, starting with Discount Armageddon. Okay, it's serial-number-free Buffy fanfic, but it's great fanfic. Read it for the mice at least.
I just want to second your rant. Diversity is important, and I think authors should try and branch outside of the straight white protagonist. However, diversity that is there to cross off the diversity line on your checklist of "am I a progressive author" is sloppy and bad writing. I've run into it with other books, and it's pulled me completely out of the story to the point where I no longer wish to read anything by that particular author again.
Walk Without Rhythm: My review admnaismithJune 23 2014, 20:59:52 UTC
The early success of the symbogen intestinal bodyguard(TM) line of products can be partially ascribed to canny advertising. Their marketing department hired an actress best known for her work in a series of horror movies featuring a monster modeled off a species of parasitic wasp. Her first infomercial began with her in her original costume smiling her A-list smile and saying, "I know a bad parasite when I see one. Now it's time for you to learn about a good parasite--one that wants to help you, not hurt you." While SymboGen would quickly move away from use of the word "parasite" in advertising material, the early groundwork had been laid, and people were beginning to trust the concept behind the Intestinal Bodyguard(TM). After that, all that remained was to sell the idea to the world.
Mira Grant is a pen name of Seanan McGuire, under which she wrote what I consider the best zombie story I've seen to date, the Newsflesh trilogy. This new book being a horror novel about tapeworms, and McGuire being an expert in describing
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Re: Walk Without Rhythm: My review admnaismithJune 23 2014, 21:21:14 UTC
I mean...you notice I say a lot of what you did. But you kinda lost me with the "men aren't men" thing. Not with Harry Potter, not with Grant. Unless I'm sexless too (and wouldn't The redhead be astonished!)
And it takes place in Seattle (or was it San Francisco? I forget. But either way). That's a pretty diverse city, and the population of the book is a lot like the population of the city.
Haven't read the whole Hugo list yet, and I agree that Parasite is a step down from the Newsflesh books, but it definitely runs rings around the Warbound trilogy and at least the first book of Wheel of Time. This weekend I get to read the one MY circle of friends is gushing about as the best motherfucking SF novel of the year, and we'll see how it holds up. Since it's Ann Leckie's first book, it's kinda hard to dismiss her, at least, as being on some sort of cool kids list.
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Since you're liking most of how she writes, I'd suggest checking out the Incryptid series, starting with Discount Armageddon. Okay, it's serial-number-free Buffy fanfic, but it's great fanfic. Read it for the mice at least.
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While SymboGen would quickly move away from use of the word "parasite" in advertising material, the early groundwork had been laid, and people were beginning to trust the concept behind the Intestinal Bodyguard(TM). After that, all that remained was to sell the idea to the world.
Mira Grant is a pen name of Seanan McGuire, under which she wrote what I consider the best zombie story I've seen to date, the Newsflesh trilogy. This new book being a horror novel about tapeworms, and McGuire being an expert in describing ( ... )
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I mean...you notice I say a lot of what you did. But you kinda lost me with the "men aren't men" thing. Not with Harry Potter, not with Grant. Unless I'm sexless too (and wouldn't The redhead be astonished!)
And it takes place in Seattle (or was it San Francisco? I forget. But either way). That's a pretty diverse city, and the population of the book is a lot like the population of the city.
Haven't read the whole Hugo list yet, and I agree that Parasite is a step down from the Newsflesh books, but it definitely runs rings around the Warbound trilogy and at least the first book of Wheel of Time. This weekend I get to read the one MY circle of friends is gushing about as the best motherfucking SF novel of the year, and we'll see how it holds up. Since it's Ann Leckie's first book, it's kinda hard to dismiss her, at least, as being on some sort of cool kids list.
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YMMV... for me, it wasn't any one character, but the sum total of them.
I liked Ancillary Justice, but I think it's a little overrated.
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Is there anything on the list you consider worthy of the Hugo?
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