The Sword and Laser discussion

Round 2 has concluded! You can check out the results here

Bracket: https://challonge.com/swordandlaser2022

Round 3 will be March 9th - March 15th 11:59PM EST

Sword Bracket
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Match 1:

(1) Rivers of London / Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch

vs.

(5) A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

Vote Here


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Laser Bracket
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Match 1:

(2) A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

vs.

(6) Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Vote Here

Both brackets contain a book I own and a book I don’t own, and given that I’m about to have a new bathroom fitted, that makes this choice super easy for me!

Interesting match-ups. I though Project Hail Mary would make it to the final four. I've read both Sword picks, and both Laser picks are on my TBR pile, so I'm good with whatever the final results will be.

2016 was the Year of Magic
2017 was the Year of the Library
2018 was the Year of the Legion
2019 was the Year of Swords
2020 was the Year of the War
2021 was the Year of the Sea

Will 2022 actually be the Year of Rivers?!

Exciting Round! I have read 2, really want to read 1, and the last one seems interesting.

ARGH THESE ARE HARD. I've read one book in each of the matches, and they're both great (though I'm sad that Rivers of London beat Library at Mount Char, of the two I enjoy Library at Mount Char more) and the other book in each match is one I WANT to read. Do we go with books I want to read, or books I want to see people's thoughts on. UGH. Oh well, I'm going to enjoy the April read whatever it is I guess.

Melani wrote: "ARGH THESE ARE HARD. "

Agreed. In the first round I usually click quickly. The choices narrow so quickly and these decisions are much more difficult.

The big semi final clash....

USA vs the UK...

Will the perennial finalist make it to the finish line (Rivers).

Will we go for the new shiny thing and some non western story telling (Djinn).

Another space opera with the future of humanity in the balance (Time) Trigger Warning Spiders!!!

Or a fan favourite and a cosy SF story (Psalm).

I hope we at least go for a new author in the group (and maybe avoid the US bias in the group)....

Could be UK vs UK in the finals. Having read both, I favor Rivers. Children of Time was good, but Rivers is great. Altho, I did have to look up what a "cheeky nando" was plus a bunch of other British references...

Calling it now: Robots FTW.

I’ve read 3 of the 4, so I’m rooting for the one I haven’t read.

Rob wondered in another thread why votes dropped off after round 1 and I think that a big reason is that all of of the books past round one are pretty good choices to many of us and we don't care deeply, so we don't vote.

I voted on 1 contest in round 2 and won't bother this round because I like all of the options. I've read the Chambers and Rivers, both of which are very good. Children and Djinn are both books I own and will read at some point. I know I like Tchaikovsky so anticipate liking Children and I've read other of the Djinn books, so same thing there.

Rick wrote: "Rob wondered in another thread why votes dropped off after round 1 and I think that a big reason is that all of of the books past round one are pretty good choices to many of us and we don't care d..."

I think you're onto something. I'm not keen on Rivers, but I loved Psalm and fully intend to read the others whether they win or not - they sound great!

I skipped rounds earlier where I didn't know the books well enough to make a choice. At this point tho, I've got favorites. I'm thinking most people do. Vote vote vote!

William wrote: "I think you're onto something. I'm not keen on Rivers, ..."

Rivers is actually good. I didn't fall madly in love with it like some have, but you can read it as a standalone, stop and it works (vs some first series books where you have a cliffhanger).

I put 3 of the audiobooks on hold at the Library & it looks like 3 out of 4 winners would make me late to read the pick again. I already own Children of Time on Audible (it's an exclusive). I'm still rooting for Rivers of London though.

I'm thoroughly amazed that Rivers of London is not a top of line, must-read grab for everybody. It's that rare Fantasy series for me that breaks through my Laser-centric preference by sheer quality of writing. I've read every one, plus the comics, plus the shorts, and can't wait for the next in the series to come out.

I'm the same I've read everything available in the ROL series and am still waiting for more.

I want a standalone Molly origins book (or novella or Graphic novel)

If anyone liked the Dresden Files books, they will love Rivers of London.

At the risk of seeming a little nuts, I've had the most recent RoL book (False Value) sat downloaded but unread in my Audible library for a while now simply because I don't want to be left without another book in the series. Fortunately the 9th novel is being released next month, so I can finally feel safe reading the 8th (although this does imply I am not going to want to read the 9th until the 10th is published!).

Steve wrote: "At the risk of seeming a little nuts, I've had the most recent RoL book (False Value) sat downloaded but unread in my Audible library for a while now simply because I don't want to be left without ..."

We’re all weird in our own ways. You be you.

Doesn’t sound too weird, Steve; I think it just feels better sometimes to have a little control. If you have the book, you can read it whenever you want to, and you are simply choosing not to. If you’re waiting for the book, there is nothing you can do but wait. In practice, the results are the same, only you’re a book behind, but the wait feels less frustrating your way, I think.

It took me a while to read The Shepherd's Crown as I would never get another book.

I would not vote for the Becky Chambers book but that is only because I don't think we should revisit authors multiple times when we can have something new. I will read it ion any case as I read all her books.

Rivers of London also has comics! Cool thing is stuff that happens in the comics get mentioned in the books. I have read 3 of the 4. Since I am having a slow time with Pandora's Star I think I may need April too.

I have to say, I'm thrilled with all of these! It's a win-win-win-win situation!!

Just read al four books over the next four months.

I’m hoping this is Rivers of London’s year at last but I think I’d honestly be happy with any of the other books. If Children of Time wins I may read the runner-up instead (CoT is great but I read it fairly recently )

Huh. I could not have predicted this final four. Really thought Project Hail Mary would go through, and I was rooting for Library at Mount Char. I'd prefer to read a new author, but I'll go along with whatever wins at this point. I went ahead and put most of the nominees on my TBR, so I can always go back to them later.

I voted for the two I haven't read even though I love the other book in each category!

I hope Rivers wins. I had a big break between reading Rivers and the second book of the series, and I reckon I could do with going back and remembering some details. So I plan to go back and reread Rivers, and should finish in time for the release of Amongst Our Weapons (the newest book, coming out in April).

If Rivers doesn't win, PLEASE just pick it later in the year. It feels like one of those books that is strong enough to block other books from advancing but not necessarily a clear favorite to actually win and just knocking out books year after year is kinda annoying.

Plus, it's really quite good and worth a pick even if it doesn't win this month. Frankly, I suspect all of the 4 semi-finalists fit into that category.

John (Taloni) wrote: "Could be UK vs UK in the finals. Having read both, I favor Rivers. Children of Time was good, but Rivers is great. Altho, I did have to look up what a "cheeky nando" was plus a bunch of other Briti..."

I'm a Brit and had to look up a couple of them. 'Ford Asbo' was one. Not surprisingly it's attributed to Jeremy Clarkson, but you have to know what 'asbo' stands for first... lol

I think there is just under 14 hours left to vote for round 3!

Here is my annual reminder of how the author of Rivers of London pronounces his last name (it's not how you think!)
https://youtu.be/oxm05Hqsqk0

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Here is my annual reminder of how the author of Rivers of London pronounces his last name (it's not how you think!)
https://youtu.be/oxm05Hqsqk0"

I had no idea Ben Aaronovitch said his name like that! (I thought a-RON-o-vitch, but he says it more like arrow-NO-vitch).

Does this mean that I’ve been saying not only his name wrong all this time, but also that of journalist David Aaronovitch? (who’s his cousin I believe)

Ruth wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Here is my annual reminder of how the author of Rivers of London pronounces his last name (it's not how you think!)
https://youtu.be/oxm05Hqsqk0"

I had no idea Ben Aar..."

I have no idea! I encountered this a few years ago and was shocked as I'd tried so hard to do it right!

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Here is my annual reminder of how the author of Rivers of London pronounces his last name (it's not how you think!)
https://youtu.be/oxm05Hqsqk0"

Thanks Jenny! I had no idea. I wonder if there is a version of the video without the bleeps ;-)

Ruth wrote: "Does this mean that I’ve been saying not only his name wrong all this time, but also that of journalist David Aaronovitch? (who’s his cousin I believe)"

Brother, according to Wikipedia. Which is odd, because I could have sworn I've heard David A's surname pronounced the other way when he's on TV (but possibly not by him, thinking about it...)

Iain wrote: "Just read al four books over the next four months."

YAASSS!!!

Did not see that coming! I was sure it was going to be Psalm vs London in the final round!

Sorry, Rivers of London...

Jan wrote: "Sorry, Rivers of London..."

Dagnabbit! *takes ball and goes home*

I thought Rivers would at least make the final before losing. Bummer.

I hope Veronica will finally have pity on Rivers and make it a dictatorial pick later this year.

Results from Round 3:

View the full bracket: https://challonge.com/swordandlaser2022


Tournament Statistics
Total Votes Cast: 3,729
Average Votes Cast: 271
Book With Most Votes:The Library at Mount Char - (195 Votes) (Round 1)
Match-up With Most Votes:A Psalm for the Wild-Built vs. - Children of Time (292 Votes) (Round 3)
Largest Win: The Library at Mount Char (122 Votes) (Round 1)
Smallest Win:Way Station - (4 Votes) (Round 1)
Average Win: 41 votes

Round 3 Statistics
Total Votes Cast: 583
Average Votes Cast: 292
Book With Most Votes: A Master of Djinn - (153 Votes)
Match-up With Most Votes: A Psalm for the Wild-Built vs. - Children of Time (292 Votes)
Largest Win: A Master of Djinn - (15 Votes)
Smallest Win: Children of Time - (10 Votes)
Average Win: 13 votes

Sword Bracket
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(1) Rivers of London / Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch - 138 Votes

vs.

(5) A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark - 153 Votes


Winner: A Master of Djinn
Total Votes: 291
Margin of Victory: 15

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Laser Bracket
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(2) A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers - 141 Votes

vs.

(6) Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky - 151 Votes

Winner: Children of Time
Total Votes: 292
Margin of Victory: 10

Congratulations to whoever made this bracket: https://challonge.com/tournaments/108...

They have correctly predicted the finals.

However there are a few other brackets who could move ahead if their finals prediction is wrong.

* https://challonge.com/tournaments/108...
* https://challonge.com/tournaments/108...
* https://challonge.com/tournaments/108...

Rob wrote: "Congratulations to whoever made this bracket: https://challonge.com/tournaments/108...

They have correctly predicted the finals.

However there are a few other brackets who co..."

I'm pretty sure that's my bracket! Guess I should have titled it...

What, again? I like Children of Time just fine, but Rivers is a juggernaut. I also join in the call for an On High pick.

John (Taloni) wrote: "What, again? I like Children of Time just fine, but Rivers is a juggernaut. I also join in the call for an On High pick."
But after all these years, if Veronica and Tom just pick Rivers, that would be a bit anti-climatic wouldn't it? At this point, it has to be part of the tournament, or the tournament just wouldn't be the same.

They did it with "The Martian Chronicles". It lost in 5 polls (including 1 March Madness) before Tom picked it.

I'm sad about A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Since this happens a lot, where a favourite gets beaten out year after year, maybe it would be better if all books from the previous March madness are banned from the following one, or from March madness for good? Or something in between? Saves the competition ending up feeling like ‘OMG when will this book finally win?

We could maybe do a ‘semi finalist’ vote every now and then?

I mean, this is me chucking a LOT of books I’d like to read with the group (including Rivers of London) out of March Madness, but I think it might make the month better and perhaps less frustrating?

Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: "Since this happens a lot, where a favourite gets beaten out year after year, maybe it would be better if all books from the previous March madness are banned from the following one, or from March m..."

Interesting idea. Since the tournament is a bit of an homage to a sports tournament, maybe we can take inspiration from them again for this. Where "Hall of Fame" nominations only have a certain number of years they are eligible. Or for something more in our wheel house New authors are only eligible for 2 years of nominations in the not Hugo's. I'm not 100% sure I'm behind this idea, but it is an interesting idea.

Or let people whose birthday falls within March pick each round winner for the week their birthday falls in. That seems fair.

The fact my birthday is March 5th is entirely coincidental to this idea, I assure you.