*drum roll*
Allow me to say that it is an honor to participate in the SPFBO for the second time as a judge. And, to be honest, it is also hard.
First and foremost, the past months have been extremely stressful workwise (working 12 hours a day plus taking two hours to commute does that to a person), and this is why, while I have read all five books in my batch, I have posted reviews for only three of them, of which I am truly sorry. I will try and rectify that in the following weeks. Second, I am tormented by the nagging thought that hey, who am I to judge all these authors that expose themselves by publishing their books AND entering in a competition that can be brutal? And then you have to choose only one, and it's not a light decision to make. This year, picking my semi-finalist has been a nightmare. For the sake of full disclosure, I'm still debating over my choice as I write this announcement. On one hand, there is this book that is more wholesome, solid and deeply engrossing. On the other hand, there is this book that has its flaws and needs more work, but it is greatly imaginative and for some reason I'm still thinking about it. And in this collision of logic and heart, there can be only one winner.
So, without further ado, between
- The Silk Mind
- Shadow Hunter
- We must find her
- The Empress of Timbra
- A Child of Great Promise
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my semi-finalist for SPFBO 2019 is
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The Empress of Timbra
(I'm sorry Shadow Hunter, it was a tough call)