World Fantasy Award Nominees

Love fantasy & science fiction? Check out the World Fantasy Award Nominees for 2009 posted by Locus, the Magazine of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Field. The awards are scheduled to be presented October 28-31 at the World Fantasy Convention. In the meantime, select your favorite from the nominees for best novel.


Blood of Ambrose, James Enge (Pyr)
The late Emperor's brother-in-law and murderer, Lord Urdhven, appoints himself Protector to his nephew, young King Lathmar VII and sets out to kill anyone who stands between himself and mastery of the Empire. (Fantasy)

The Red Tree, Caitlín R. Kiernan (Roc)
Sarah moves to rural Rhode Island to finish writing her book after her friend takes her life. There's something sinister about the house, and she discovers that a prior owner committed suicide while researching a book about the supernatural folklore of New England. Exploring the basement, Sarah discovers his manuscriptand soon finds herself in a living nightmare centered on a mysterious red oak tree in the house's yard. (Fantasy)

The City & The City, China Miéville (Macmillan UK/ Del Rey)
Inspector Tyador Borlú must travel to Ul Qoma to search for answers in the murder of a woman found in the city of Beszel. "An existential thriller"--NY Times (Sci Fic)
Finch, Jeff VanderMeer (Underland)
In a world where mysterious underground dwellers rule the state of Ambergris and control its residents with addictive drugs, internment camps and random acts of terror, John Finch and his partner, Wyte, must solve a double murder for their oppressive masters, all while trying to make contact with the scattered rebel resistance. (Sci Fic)
In Great Waters, Kit Whitfield (Jonathan Cape UK/Del Rey)
Set in the past, with a twist, "In Great Waters" features a race of mer-people--men and women who have evolved to live in the oceans--that protects the coast of each country against attacks from the others. (Sci Fic) SH