The Sword and Laser discussion
March Madness 2020 - Round 1 (Voting Ended March 3rd)
Mod
As someone who was pushing for the Theft of Swords for several years to finally see it win last year, I feel comradary with Anne's crusade to get us to read The Neverending Story.
On the other hand the Sci-fi bracket is looking pretty strong.
Okay, I am of course supporting The Neverending Story - but I have also heard a lot of praise for The Rage of Dragons.On the Laser side of things I feel that A Memory Called Empire, Children of Time and This Is How You Lose the Time War sound very exciting!
This is a tough year - fingers crossed for The Neverending Story!
I've already read quite a few of these, but I really want to reread The Neverending Story so that's where my support is right now.
The Female Man is very "avant-garde"... Laser match 2 is tough.
Most of the books I already have but have yet to read save for a few.
Mod
Good luck!
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon is one of the best books I have ever read. There are a lot of great books here but Spider Robinson makes me dance.
Mod
Most of of the choices look great to me, so I am looking forward to reading the winner!
I've read half - and very much want and plan to read another four this year (Rage of Dragons, Ten Thousand Doors of January, A Memory Called Empire, Neverending Story).
I’m going to try to read as many of the books before round 1 ends than I will vote I’ve read 8/16 so far
I've read one or both books in almost all the brackets (9/16). That's never happened before! But I love all of the choices. I've been meaning to reread The Neverending Story since I first read it as a kid, so I'm kind of rooting for it, even though there are other excellent books that I want everyone else to read.
For the Laser pick I'm hoping for either The Female Man or Children of Time.
Some difficult decisions this round.I added all the books to my Want to Read shelf.
I read at least half of The Neverending Story when I was a teenager. I am willing to try again, but I always thought Fantasia was a much better name than Fantastica. [eye roll]
I think this is actually the first year where I've actually had a clear preferred pick in every match-up.Of course, if even half of my picks make it to the next round, things will start getting interesting.
I noticed that in some cases the order of the two picks in the list above matches the order of the two book cover pictures on the voting page for that match-up, but the order of the clickable buttons is switched. So watch out that you are voting for the pick you intend. I just caught myself before voting the wrong way.
There are some hard choices here. I've read City of Brass and All Systems Red. All Systems will be a quick read. City of Brass is pretty good.
As usual, going through the list to vote has stocked up my list of books to read this year. I actually think that this is the best opening round yet.I'm not sure which one I want to win the final, but I'm leaning towards either The Ten Thousand Doors of January or This Is How You Lose the Time War.
Whatever happens, I have good reading ahead!
about 10 are on my TBR list so I am very pleased with the list. never read any!Sword match 1 and Laser match 1 were really hard for me to choose I am so familiar The Neverending Story I would love to read the original. but I saw a interview with Arden on Russian folklore and The Bear and the Nightingale bumped to the top of my reading list. likewise A Memory Called Empire has been on my list since joining GR but Lagoon is a cultural fantasy which is right up my alley.
as for rooting for a winner: for sword all in on The Rage of Dragons
and Laser This Is How You Lose the Time War
Come on, Spider Robinson fans! Vote for the heartwarming, we're-all-in-this-together SF of Callahan's Bar! Featuring aliens, a special kind of time traveler, talking dogs, plus the Law of Conservation of Pain along with its corollary, The...well, that would be telling. Plus the bar tradition of Punday, featuring lots of puns. Really good ones.
John (Taloni) wrote: "Come on, Spider Robinson fans! Vote for the heartwarming, we're-all-in-this-together SF of Callahan's Bar! Featuring aliens, a special kind of time traveler, talking dogs, plus the Law of Conservat..."Vote for Callahan's Bar I did, but I really doubt it has what it takes to make the final. :-(
Lots of good choices, and the matches are really well done.
Lots of good books. I so hate this way of voting.Why not have so many rounds and drop the bottom 2. That way we always end up with the most popular books in the final vote.
Phil On The Hill wrote: "Lots of good books. I so hate this way of voting.Why not have so many rounds and drop the bottom 2. That way we always end up with the most popular books in the final vote."
Because they would have to change the name. "March Madness" comes from American College Basketball and this is the way the brackets work.
Ah ha. Fair enough. I have been educated :-)Ta
Clyde wrote: "John (Taloni) wrote: "Come on, Spider Robinson fans! Vote for the heartwarming, we're-all-in-this-together SF of Callahan's Bar! Featuring aliens, a special kind of time traveler, talking dogs, plu..."Callahan's Bar. Caliban's War. Hmmm.
Phil On The Hill wrote: "Lots of good books. I so hate this way of voting.Why not have so many rounds and drop the bottom 2. That way we always end up with the most popular books in the final vote."
I like the random element that the brackets bring. You never know which way the vote will go.
Lots of great choices here; any one of them would be a worthy pick. That being said, it wasn’t as hard for me to decide on most of the initial matchups this year. In the past I’ve found that even in the first round there were a lot of tough decisions for me, but for whatever reason that hasn’t yet happened much. I doubt it’ll last into the next few rounds, though - the pressure is only likely to intensify with each successive round. Such is the nature of March Madness.
I hope Callahan’s wins, love that series
Excited to see the results of the vote tomorrow! I only voted in some of the brackets, as my rule this year is to only read books I 100% want to read or already own, including Sword and Laser books. Luckily there were a few options that fit, so this may be my first read along of the year.I'm hoping The Neverending Story wins as it was my favourite film growing up, yet I only realised it was based on a book when I was in my 30's! I would have read the hell of it had I known when I was little. I remember lying on the floor with a blanket pretending to read it.
Mod
Voting ends in less than 19 hours.
Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: " I remember lying on the floor with a blanket pretending to read it."That's very cute and kind of sad at the time.
Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: "I remember lying on the floor with a blanket pretending to read it..."You are not the only one!
Mod
View the full bracket here
Round 1 Statistics
Total Votes Cast: 2,534
Average Votes Cast: 317
Book With Most Votes: The City of Brass (256 Votes)
Match-up With Most Votes: The Neverending Story vs. The Bear and the Nightingale (327Votes)
Largest Win: The City of Brass (201 Votes)
Smallest Win: The Bear and the Nightingale (53 Votes)
Average Win: 117 votes
Sword Bracket
---------------------------------
Sword Match 1:
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende (137 Votes)
vs.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (190 Votes)
Winner: The Bear and the Nightingale
Total Votes: 327
Margin of Victory: 53
---------------------------------
Sword Match 2:
The Land: Founding by Aleron Kong (82Votes)
vs.
Rivers of London / Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch (237 Votes)
Winner: Rivers of London / Midnight Riot
Total Votes: 319
Margin of Victory: 155
---------------------------------
Sword Match 3:
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty (256 Votes)
vs.
The Bloodprint by Ausma Zehanat Khan (55 Votes)
Winner: The City of Brass
Total Votes: 311
Margin of Victory: 201
---------------------------------
Sword Match 4:
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter (129 Votes)
vs.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (183 Votes)
Winner: The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Total Votes: 312
Margin of Victory: 54
---------------------------------
Laser Match 1:
Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor (112 Votes)
vs.
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine (202 Votes)
Winner: A Memory Called Empire
Total Votes: 314
Margin of Victory: 90
---------------------------------
Laser Match 2:
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson (102 Votes)
vs.
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky (219 Votes)
Winner: Children of Time
Total Votes: 321
Margin of Victory: 117
---------------------------------
Laser Match 3:
The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz (106 Votes)
vs.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone (202 Votes)
Winner: This Is How You Lose the Time War
Total Votes: 308
Margin of Victory: 96
---------------------------------
Laser Match 4:
All Systems Red by Martha Wells (245 Votes)
vs.
The Female Man by Joanna Russ (77 Votes)
Winner: All Systems Red
Total Votes: 322
Margin of Victory: 168
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Well, one of my options is out. Two remain. Onto the next round!
*Kicks dirt* I knew a 40 year old book would have difficulty getting traction, but was hoping for a Cinderella round or two. Welp, thank you to the 100 or so people who voted Spider Robinson!TBH I always figured the final Laser would be All Systems Red. Some great books in the next round. *sticks hands in pockets, saunters away*
I would not be surprised if children of time comes out of laser it is very popular. you should be proud John that your campaigning influenced 102 voters and I can tell you I was really tempted even though Children of Time is one I rooting for.
Mod
Although since Tom & Veronica want to do the Hugo picks this year, that probably won't help Callahan's chances. But you never know.
if/when it comes down to Children of Time vs. All Systems Red I'm not sure which I'll choose. I liked both. Probably All Systems Red though.
At this point I'm rooting for The Bear and the Nightingale because it's on my owned and unread pile.
Of the remaining 8 books, I've already read 3 of them, and plan to vote for
I know what the "Supremes" are excited for listening to the podcast killer robot anyone. must be hard to find popular Fantasy/sci-fi this group has not read. I am really lucky in my ignorance. I would be happy with any left.
I would not be surprised if the neverending story is a group read sooner or later after losing by the smallest margin in the most voted on match.
Ah, chucks. I had so hoped "The Neverending Story" would make it. *sigh*Well, time to pick a new favorite! *lol*
Murderbahhhhhht!I’ve read 4 of the advancers, which is a pretty big percentage for me in March Madness.
Side note: 117 has followed me around my entire life, so I’m fascinated that it has come up twice in this round.
Laser Tom should do a Children of Time and Semiosis Back to Back pick .It would be an interesting project of compare and contrast.
I think we should have a Sensible September, where voting has rounds, but just kicks the bottom two off. I so hate this process. I appreciate it is some bizarre US sport league/voting system (bit like the Presidential one!), but it is pants. :-(
Mod
Mod
I liken it to any knockout sporting contest. The brackets work the same as the last 16 of The World Cup, The FA cup, Wimbledon, etc Either win or go home ;-)
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
Children of Time (other topics)Semiosis (other topics)
The Bear and the Nightingale (other topics)
The Land: Founding (other topics)
The Neverending Story (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Aleron Kong (other topics)Joanna Russ (other topics)
Ben Aaronovitch (other topics)
Katherine Arden (other topics)
S.A. Chakraborty (other topics)
More...
Voting is starting a little later than planned but will still end as planned.
So round 1 will be February 27th 12:01AM EST - March 3rd11:59PM EST
The polls are live, but won't unlock until midnight.
Sword Bracket
Sword Match 1:
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
vs.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Vote Here
Sword Match 2:
The Land: Founding by Aleron Kong
vs.
Rivers of London / Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch
Vote Here
Sword Match 3:
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
vs.
The Bloodprint by Ausma Zehanat Khan
Vote Here
Sword Match 4:
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
vs.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Vote Here
Laser Match 1:
Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor
vs.
A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Vote Here
Laser Match 2:
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson
vs.
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Vote Here
Laser Match 3:
The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz
vs.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
Vote Here
Laser Match 4:
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
vs.
The Female Man by Joanna Russ
Vote Here