Welcome to the final round of reviews for SFINCS 2! If you’re new to the competition, I’m just one judge representing team Swordsworn this year for the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship AKA SFINCS. You can learn more about SFINCS and our allocated books here.
Congratulations to our ten finalists and commiserations to those who didn’t make it through. These ten books have beaten the competition to be named the very best of this year’s SFINCS! I’m pleased to say that I’ve read all of these to 100% completion, and the competition has been fierce indeed.
For this final round, I have included reviews for all ten finalists in alphabetical order, including books that I’d previously read and reviewed for the semi-finalist round. These reviews represent my thoughts, and not the final judgement of team Swordsworn, thus they have not been rated. The final scores from our team will be posted separately as the SFINCS teams choose their ultimate winner.
It has been an absolutely privilege to take part in SFINCS as a judge once more, so a big thank you to my fellow judges and the wonderful SFINCS captains for organising another wonderful competition. But a big THANK YOU to the authors for putting your work out there and sharing your wonderful stories with us. I hope we can do this again!
To the finalists… Good luck!
As Born to Rule the Storm by Cate Baumer
The star-crossed temporal romance of THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR meets the vintage setting and yearning of DIVINE RIVALS in AS BORN TO RULE THE STORM.
Cadet Charlotte Amsel will trade her life to win a war- but not all at once. As part of an elite group of experimental soldiers, she can move through time, with each jump taking months from her own fated lifespan as she struggles to prevent the cold war from boiling over into an apocalypse. With her own side just as untrustworthy as the enemy, the only thing she cares about is keeping her best friend and fellow soldier (and in some timelines, lover) safe. But each time loop adds violent complications, and saving anyone before she runs out of life to give may prove impossible.
I’ve read a lot of amazing books during SFINCS, and have been privileged to do. The top two finalists of the first SFINCS, A Sorrow Named Joy and Shattered Spirits, really represented the best of SFF novellas to me. They were a self-contained story with twists, a satisfying conclusion, and plenty of heart that put many full-sized novellas to shame.
As Born to Rule the Storm is one of those stories.
This a World War-themed story centred around Charlotte or Lottie and her fellow cadets who have special abilities that her country wants to put to use. Her childhood friend, Stephen, can manipulate shadows, whereas Lottie can travel through time, looking at possible futures. She’s refused to indulge her powers, having seen many futures where her friends are killed, until she’s paired with a mysterious tutor who encourages her to follow certain timelines to find an outcome where they can survive, and maybe even thrive.
It’s a story you need to pay attention to, as there are adventures in time and different threads to follow. There’s a lot of emotion as Lottie tries to explore different outcomes to keep her friends safe. The story touches on themes of war and corruption, which isn’t always pretty, but is poignant, and relevant today. As Born to Rule the Storm is a fantastic novella, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Curiouser And… by Jillian Maria
For sixteen years, Ashlyn Jones has heeded her parents’ warnings and followed their rules. But after taking a tumble in the forest, she awakens in a strange land where there are no rules—where signs lack direction, the sky hovers on the edge of night, and all paths lead to the glittering red palace of a wicked queen. Although she’s told there’s no way home, Ashlyn is determined to find one, enlisting the help of a dreamy girl found sleeping in a tree.
But everyone is a little mad here, from the smiling cat to the whimsical man in the top hat. And the more she interacts with this strange land and its stranger inhabitants, the more Ashlyn questions the life she’s fighting so hard to get back to. Maybe she was just as trapped in her role as the dutiful daughter as she is here.
Unfortunately, she’ll be even more trapped if the queen gets ahold of her…
Curiouser And… starts with a whimsical, almost enchanting fairy tale-like quality as we’re introduced to young teenager, Ashlyn, and a life where everything is perfectly chosen for her by her parents. She’s a quiet girl, the kind to never cause trouble or find herself having adventures, so when she accidentally falls down a well and lands into an unknown, impossible land that seems a little bit wonderful, a little bit mad, she has no choice but to explore and start making decisions for herself.
To describe much more of the story would be spoilers, but there are many hints throughout to the nature of the story, one that I would describe as a retelling of sorts. The reveal of what this world represents is quite a twist I actually didn’t see coming, though the ending is both open-ended and perhaps a tad unsatisfyingly vague, depending on whether you like your books to leave you with more questions or not! In a way, this is a coming of age story, as well as a story of acceptance.
From the Depths by B. S. H. Garcia
The world can sustain the needs of many, but the greed of a few can destroy it for all.
In a life steeped in peril, the Brune family has thrived on the knife’s edge. Renowned for their smuggling and bounty exploits, Konar and Karliah’s parents command both respect and fear. Comfortable yet haunted, the family faces the constant threat of perilous assignments, leaving scars that even a parent’s protective embrace can’t heal.
Still, Konar dreams of scholarly pursuits, and Karliah sees the world as something ripe for the taking. When the emperor dangles an irresistible offer—a job to end their dangerous pursuits forever—the Brunes seize the chance. But there’s a catch: the item in question is little more than a myth, deemed impossible to find.
As the family embarks on the voyage of a lifetime, their bonds are tested like never before. Locating and securing the prize will require sacrifices beyond measure, and when your family is in the business of pirating, trust is the greatest myth of all.
From the Depths is a prequel novella that takes place roughly a thousand years prior to the events in Of Thieves and Shadows—volume one in the epic fantasy series, The Heart of Quinaria.
From The Depths is a prequel novella set within the same world of The Heart of Quinaria series, of which I’d read a separate novella in last year’s SFINCS contest. This one is the story of the Brune family, a family of pirates who embark on a quest across the ocean to retrieve a magical scroll – a quest they cannot refuse as they’d been tasked by the emperor himself. Though the nature of the scroll isn’t all it appears. The story is told through the POV’s of the two pirate children, Konar and Karliah, who are loyal siblings that aren’t as well suited to the pirate lifestyle as their dear dad. There’s a lot of conflict in their family, especially regarding the nature of their quest and whether it’s such a good idea.
This story is absolutely steeped in worldbuilding, with glossaries to help you through it. I found most it it to be quite absorbing and immersive, with many of the terms throughout easy to understand in context. That said, I think much of the world and story, especially regarding the magical nature of the world and the scroll, would make sense if you’ve read the main series, as this story definitely doesn’t hold your hand or explain these things. There was plenty of action in this one, and the story turns quite dark in places. However, I felt that the story was quite long in places, spending time on aspects it probably could have cut back on, while rushing through or skipping some scenes I would have preferred more detail on, such as the main quest itself.
Majordomo by Tim Carter
A plucky underdog. A powerful necromancer. And the idiot heroes bent on killing them.
Kobolds are supposed to run away—it’s what they’re best at. But Jack? Born with a club foot, he’s had to adapt. Resilient and clever, he clawed his way to respectability as majordomo of a premiere subterranean estate. He even found a father figure in the famed necromancer who owns the place.
Life was perfect… until a superband of overpowered do-gooders arrived bent on burglary and murder. These mercilessly righteous warriors of light cannot be beaten, or at least that’s how it looks on paper.
Jack must choose between survival and the people he loves… unless he can somehow defy the stats and find an unconventional solution.
This is another self-contained novella, which are by far my favourite ones. It starts off with a classic fantasy feel, which typically isn’t my favourite genre of fantasy these days, however there are a number of twists right from page once that immediately made me sit up and pay attention. For one, this is the story of a housekeeper of sorts, a servant to a great necromancer, who goes about running the necromancer’s estate, part of which involves recruiting new guards and other employees to maintain and defend it. For two, our MC is a kobold named Jack. He’s a reasonable guy, for a kobold and a servant of darkness. He’s got his own worries and problems, least of all a club foot that makes his duties much harder. As he goes about finding tough new recruits (from an orc to demon worshippers with a fondness for giant spiders), Jack handles whatever issues comes up with a flare of humour. There’s a lot of character from his first-person narration, and the story gave me strong Dungeon Keeper feels.
And then we meet the boss, the scary necromancer himself… And I’m hit in the feels. I don’t want to spoil what happens next, or where the story goes at this point, but let’s just say that the issues plaguing our necromancer hit very close to home for me. It’s something that I have personally dealt with in my own family, and I appreciated the portrayal written here.
This was a fun and touching novella written from an villainous perspective, for those who root for the bad guys. I look forward to seeing more from this author!
Oksy, Come Home by Phil Williams
She came to make a difference, if only they’d let her…
Sniper Oksy hasn’t found her place in the army yet. She knows she’s good – maybe even the best – but Command won’t even give her a gun.
In fact, they mostly want to blame her for everything that goes wrong.
After the latest disaster behind enemy lines, she’s being reassigned to the harrowing trenches, under the threat of ogres, mages and tentacles. How can she convince them to let her fight? How can she prove she belongs here – and not in the miserable home she left behind?
Return to the thrilling, chilling world of the One War with this prequel novella, set before Oksy joined the Blood Scouts.
I’ve heard great things about Phil William’s Blood Scouts series of World World-inspired military fantasy featuring an all-female squad of characters. Alas, I hadn’t had time to dip my toes into that world yet… Until now! Oksy, Come Home is a prequel novella set within the Blood Scouts world and focusses on the character of Oksy. She’s a sniper with the urge to prove herself. However, her superiors don’t seem to like having a sole woman within their unit, thinking of her as a liability more than anything. Sexism eh! While she gets passed over to the trenches, to be discarded and forgotten, Oksy sees an opportunity to help protect her squad mates… if only she’d be given the chance.
I often struggle with prequel novellas because the author throws me into a world I don’t yet know, with characters I haven’t yet met, and expects me to understand and keep up. I’m pleased to say I had no such problems settling in here. Even though this is just a small glimpse into Oksy’s life, it ended on a satisfying note. Dipping into this world has piqued my interest further for the Blood Scouts!
Once We Flew by Nikky Lee
Four generations ago a generation ship crashed into the sands of Savene. Since then, its survivors have eked out an existence in the planet’s hostile desert. Yet, the tech is failing, the sands are encroaching, and people are dying.
Rescue is still generations away—if it comes at all.
But Marsa is a survivor.
And an outcast.
Infected with the Chrysalis—a disease that grants its carriers uncanny abilities—she keeps her distance from her dwindling community.
Until an old friend’s dying wish sends her and a young boy across Savene’s inhospitable sands in search of something Marsa had thought she’d long forgotten.
Hope.
The second sci-fi book in my semi-finalist batch, this one immediately gave me Star Wars vibes, as the story is set on a desert planet featuring a colony of humans who are stranded there and doing their best to make it work after leaving earth. Life hasn’t been easy, and some of the colonists have been infected by an odd disease that leaves crystal-like tumorous growths while also granting magical powers. The story is told from the POV of Marsa, and older woman with a crystal growth in her foot. She’s witnessed the colony fade over the years, as well as the ill health of her best friend to a similar crystal growth. All of this misery has left Marsa hardened and living a life of seclusion, until her best friend’s son comes to collect Marsa to pass on her dying wishes.
This final moment, and a magical vision, pushes Marsa into making a treacherous journey across the desert in search of promised hope for the colonists – either a way off the planet, or a better way to live. I’m a big fan of adventurous journeys in fiction, especially where there is a element of mystery around the world. Once We Flew definitely hit all those right notes for me with a character I instantly connected with and found endearing and a story that had some genuinely touching moments. I especially appreciated having an older woman as the protagonist. It’s not often they get to be a hero of an adventure or have their own heroic journey, and I also liked how she navigated her world with the aches and pains of age, as well as the chronic illness related to her foot.
Once We Flew is a wonderful standalone sci-fi story that gave me everything I wanted from a novella. I look forward to reading more from the author.
Silence is Silver by Andrew Watson
The Urdahl believe pain is inevitable. But if one can lean into that suffering they can achieve anything.
Beneath the desert sands, Bas has spent his entire life training to become a fully-fledged Urdahl. And now his time has come to prove his worth. First, he must drink from the Seeing Bowl to clear his clouded mind and witness visions bestowed to him by ancient deities. Next, he must prove strength of body with the Passage of the High Pass. But destiny is shrouded in red and strength of arm will not be enough to survive its true tests.
Will he ascend to a full Urdahl or will his visions of blood come to pass?
The turning season has begun.
Taking place before the events of the Shadowbinders trilogy, “Silence is Silver” is a novella for both old and new readers.
Silence is Silver is a prequel novella that manages to feel like a self-contained novella that I felt I could read and understand as a standalone without understanding the larger series. This story is about Bas, a member of the Urdahl tribe, as he grows up in the harsh environment of the desert and takes part in a series of coming of age rituals in order to prove himself a full member. The Urdahl are all about training and punishment in order to survive this harsh existence, and unfortunately, Bas has a soft spot for a younger member of his tribe that could prove to be a liability.
Unfortunately, I’m not really a fan of fantasy stories involving cultures that must train in order to achieve honour or prove themselves worthy. It doesn’t really make sense to me for a community of gathered people who presumably depend on each other to act so individually, to go out of their way to punish, isolate, and even kill one another. I kept hoping that this would be a story where the main character would realise the awfulness of his situation and rebel, but instead, he was quite happy to keep on with the status quo. Perhaps this is something addressed in the larger series, but from what I saw represented in the novella, it didn’t satisfy me.
To Catch a Witch by E.L. Montague
Caught in a scandal with Lord Arle that draws the attention of King Harald’s Inquisition, Shenagh is forced to flee her home into the Dark Wood. The young hedge witch, pursued by Master Macon den Lough and his henchman, Cobb, is tested by the forest’s rugged terrain, dangerous predators, and legendary monsters.
I said in my preview of this book that I’d always take the side of the witch, and that hasn’t changed! This story begins with a witch hunter-type questioning an event that he believes was caused by a hedgewitch on the run. Armed with information, he and his henchman go on the hunt. The POV then switches to our heroine, a young girl from unfortunate circumstances who was forced to flee into the forest. She knows she can’t go back, which means there’s only one way forward – through the foreboding dark woods, said to be filled with dangers and mythical monsters.
This then begins a cat and mouse-like chase as the POV’s switch between hunter and hunted. Shenagh, our young witch, is desperate. She ran away with no clothes, no provisions, and a magical sickness coursing through her. But she’s determined, resourceful, and knows enough about herbs and potions to get her through. I really enjoyed her journey through the dark woods, and all the dangers she stumbled into. I especially loved that the author didn’t hold back on describing certain elements of Shenagh’s plight, with some artfully described situations that made me cringe. This certainly felt like a mature fantasy story.
Sadly for me, the ending was a tad inconclusive, and hinted towards a future series I’d love to read more of, but having looked at the author’s Goodreads page, I don’t see any related works. Perhaps the author could enlighten me!
The Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill by Nicole Willson
In 1937, American circuses are trying to recoup the losses they incurred during the Great Depression while competing with newer forms of entertainment like movie theaters. Kate Montgomery travels to the small town of Brixton Hill to scout a new act for her father’s struggling circus. Lewis Oswald, a trainer and friend of Kate’s family, introduces her to the Shadow Dancers, three young girls who can make their shadows dance independently of their bodies. While the act would revive her family’s circus, Kate is horrified by the young women’s dismal training and living conditions. She wants to help them escape their dreadful situation, but when the Shadow Dancers take matters into their own hands, she’ll have to save herself.
I went into this book expecting some creepy, horror vibes, and it didn’t disappoint! This is the story of Kate, who travels on behalf of her ill father to seek talent for their family business – a circus! The Great Depression has left people struggling, and they’re hopeful that the right act will get business booming again, and their old family friend has promised an act so magically impossible, Kate would have no choice but to sign it.
But as she arrives, it becomes clear that not all is what they seem. Her old family friend is a trainer of talent and a gracious host, but the Great Depression has hit him and his business hard. He introduces Kate to the Shadow Dancers – three young girls who dance via their shadow. It’s an impossible act, and Kate is impressed, but as she learns more about these shy girls, and witnesses the gruelling training they’re being put through, Kate realises that these girls are desperately in need of help, but there is something eerily supernatural about them…
What happens next was rather cathartic, but you’ll have to read on yourself! While this one also ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger as well, I really enjoyed the building tension and the struggle of Kate trying to appease her father’s business and dealing with the horrible realities of what that entails. The writing style drew me in and I’d definitely want to read more by this author.
The Whisper that Replaced God by Timothy Wolff
Murder is just, so long as it serves the crown.
Hidden behind a mask and with a dagger in his sheath, Mute serves the crown with pride. A fair life, if not a monotonous one. But his next contract nicks too close, for murder within a brothel is always nasty business, especially the one which Mute frequents. The brothel his Dorothy works, his Dorothy who awaits Mute and only Mute. Surely none would dare touch her, for if they did, royalty or not, they would fall to Lord Mute, the Silent God’s chosen one. They would scream…
And not a sound would be heard.
I was expecting this to be quite dark fantasy. I wasn’t expecting it to be hilarious! This is the story of Mute, a royal assassin who wears a mask and also has the unique ability to silence all sounds around him for a brief time – a special power granted from the Silent God, and one that is feared across the realm. One day, Mute is tasked with an assassination in a brothel that he frequents, but it all goes wrong when he catches his uncle bedding his favourite lady. This then starts an unfortunate journey where Mute is offered an opportunity – assassinate his brother, the king, and become king himself.
Mute’s quest is naturally filled with bloodshed and comes with a few harsh life lessons, especially about being careful for what you wish for. I believe this story is a standalone, though it felt like it could belong to a much larger story, and that I would certainly like to see a larger story where Mute’s past, life, and relationships were fleshed out more. Mute himself struck me as an assassin version of Forrest Gump to begin with. He’s got a dark sense of humour and a quip for every situation, but he’s also a bit dim.
I don’t think this type of humour will be for everyone, but that said, I enjoyed Mute’s antics and the author’s writing style, and will definitely check out more of the author’s books!
Trudie, if you’d like to read more in the Temere, I’ve published another novella The Bastard Prince and will publish Toll of the Magi this month. Let me know and I’ll share copies with you. And, if you’d rather go to space, I’ll be happy to share either of my science fiction collections.