The Dragon (Awards) Thunder In!

It’s that time of year again!

Artwork by Caroline Furlong via NightCafe

Time sure does fly. The Dragon Awards are upon us, readers! This year we have some excellent suggestions available for each category. Even the ones I typically struggle to fill are not that difficult to find nominations for this time. It is a true embarrassment of riches – one worthy of a Dragon’s hoard!

But first, a reminder: the Awards are free, with no sign-up charge or fee to pay if you wish to vote. Furthermore, they are meant for fans, and thus they are open to anyone who happens to like the works listed below. All you need to do in order to cast a vote is register at the Dragon Awards’ site and you’re in. It’s as easy as one, two, three.

Also, PLEASE remember that nominees for the Dragons are eligible only if they came out AFTER 7/1/24 and BEFORE 6/30/25. The annual deadline to vote is JULY 19. If you don’t cast your vote before that date, you will need to wait until next year to try again.

Here is the link for the Awards’ page:

Okay, now that we have that out of the way, here are my nominees for the Dragons:

Best Science Fiction Novel

Up first, of course, is the master of Sci-Fi and Space Opera himself – Timothy Zahn!

Maybe you don’t like Timothy Zahn for … some reason. Maybe you have decided, “Zahn has one dust collector too many.”

Okay, fine. We can manage an alternative. We’re not narrow-minded around here. We love books. If we didn’t, we’d be using our time somewhere else.

First alternative:

Forlorn Hope (Blood and Armor) by Casey Moores and Melissa Olthoff

After Nisti Khan’s return from her No Fail mission in Iran, she is celebrated as a savior of the young Kurdish Republic. However, their country has many enemies, and within weeks, they are on the brink of yet another war. When Syria invades, Nisti finds herself on the front lines of the most critical battle—defending the beating heart of their country, the capital city of Kirkuk.

After a judgement call goes wrong, Nisti finds herself banished from the battlefield and relegated to a staff job. To regain her place on the frontlines, she’ll have to prove herself once again.

A successful deep strike by the Second GOG Division should have ended the war, but the Syrian onslaught continues. As losses mount, Nisti must learn the source and take the battle to the enemy. But can she figure out who the real enemy is before her country falls?

Of course, we have one other option for you.

And then there is John C. Wright’s latest and greatest Space Opera, reviewed below:

Best Fantasy Novel (Including Paranormal)

You can certainly nominate The Neck Romancer for horror, but I think it suits the Best Fantasy Novel category. Judge for yourself, though, which one you want to put it in:

The Neck Romancer (Honeymoon from Hell) by Declan Finn

THE SEQUEL TO THE DRAGON AWARD NOMINATED SERIES IS FINALLY HERE!

They're going to make it to the Church on time. And God help anyone who gets in their way.

Marco Catalano and Amanda Colt have survived vampires legions, unkillable demons, supernatural assassins and a full on army of darkness. With their allies, they have taken down a paranormal Illuminati called simply "The Council."

Now they have to deal with their next threat: marriage.

Can Marco and Amanda survive the preparations for their own wedding? If the wedding invites don't do them in, perhaps the wendigo, and the elves at Area 51 will.

And if they manage that, can they fight their way through their honeymoon?

But the biggest question of all: Who invited the zombies to the ceremony?

One of our reviewers, Jim McCoy, has some thoughts on this

Declan Finn's The Neck Romancer (Honeymoon from Hell, Book 1)

Jonathan Moeller also has a novel out that would qualify for Best Fantasy, if you want to offer him a Dragon. I’m sure he wouldn’t say no:

Shield of Conquest (The Shield War) by Jonathan Moeller

Battle and dark magic await!

Ridmark Arban has led the army of Andomhaim to the Isle of Kordain, ready to wage war upon the sinister Exarch of the Seven Temples and her fanatical soldiers.

But powers older than either Andomhaim and the Seven Temples have fought over the Isle, and a lord of the dark elves sees the chance to seize the Isle for himself.

And if he is not stopped, first the Isle and all the world will burn...

Then there is Tao Wong’s latest installment in his A Thousand Li series, which was released last year:

A Thousand Li: the Fourth Fall by Tao Wong

International politics meets immortal blade
The war-mongering kingdom of Cai has begun to stir once again, the long held peace brought to the brink by a widespread drought. Now, the neighbouring kingdoms of Wei and Shen must ally together to deal with the Cai or see the flames of war spread over both nations once again.

Wu Ying is brought into the negotiations for his reputation and strength, but the former farmer and now Head of the Wandering Gatherers is a fish out of water in these political waters. More and more, he wonders where morality and practicality end as he watches the maneuverings of those in power, all while the hungering maw of the Cai kingdom and its powerful king watch over the squabble.

Between kingdoms and cultivators and the demands of an all consuming dao, can there be a peace that isn't won at the end of a blade?

A Thousand Li: the Fourth Fall is the eleventh book of the xianxia series, A Thousand Li. It's the second book of the final arc of Wu Ying's journey to immortality, the trials and tribulations he faces and the leg of his journey. Tao Wong is the bestselling author of the System Apocalypse, Hidden Wishes and Adventures on Brad series.

Best Young Adult/Middle Grade Novel

Good middle grade and young adult books are getting harder to find. Luckily, this year we have some good ones to choose from for this category, like this novel by J.M. Anjewierdan:

Mech Bunny by J. M. Anjewierdan

Humans won the war against the Blues, thanks in large part to the neural link they stole from the aliens. Few people can use it properly, though, and anyone with the right kind of brain gets conscripted immediately -- even ordinary high school kids.

All Sophie wanted to do was be a dancer. She definitely hadn't planned on piloting a sixty-foot ANGEL mech with only a cranky rabbit mechanic to talk to, or fighting the genetically engineered foxes and wolves that had turned on the humans once the aliens were gone.

She’s lost count of the battlefields she’s seen, but this next one is the worst yet. Ordered to defend a crucial forward operating base on a volcanic planet, forces are stretched thin, so she’ll have only infantry and artillery support, no other ANGELs.

One girl, one rabbit, and one giant robot up against creatures designed to be relentless soldiers.
Creatures who have mechs of their own.

You may remember that I reviewed L.S. King’s novel Sword’s Edge here. Two of the sequels for that book are eligible for the Awards, having been published in the proper time frame. So if you want to make Ms. King’s day, cast a vote for The Reluctant King and send her home with a Dragon!

The Reluctant King (Sword's Edge Chronicles) by L. S. King

Maradhor and his new bride flee for their lives, pursued by his former clan who have now become their enemies. With the treacherous mountains looming ahead and the harsh winter weather closing in, their only hope of salvation lay in crossing the distant Great River.

But even as they struggle towards safety, Alcandhor faces his own troubles back home. Forced to take the throne in order to protect Maradhor, he now confronts the terrifying possibility that his friends may have fallen into peril and are beyond his reach.

As he grapples with the weight of his newfound kingship, his ex-wife returns, demanding to be made queen or else she will take away his beloved daughter.

To add to the turmoil, the return of the Enaisi, a mysterious and powerful alien race, throws their society into even greater chaos.

And just when it seemed like things can't get any more complicated, Alcandhor also has to contend with a band of scheming nobles, each vying for his favor and with their own hidden agendas. If they feel threatened, how far will they go to protect their interests? Assassination?

Best Alternate History Novel

Alternate history is a genre that is difficult to choose for, in my case. Luckily, Nathan C. Brindle has a book that should fit into this category neatly:

An American in Iya (Timelines Universe) by Nathan C. Brindle

Over 200 years ago, a Plague overran the world, and 9 out of 10 human beings died.

In a small Japanese village on Shikoku, a group of American tourists found themselves stranded — and in grave danger of being murdered, merely for the sin of being 外人 (gaijin).

Luckily for them, their Japanese hosts took pity on their plight, and took them in as their own.

This is the story of their descendants — who still, more than anything, wish only someday to go home. That is . . .

. . . if they still have a home to return to.

If you would prefer to cast a vote for a title recommended here on Upstream, though, then check out 1919: The Romanov Rising:

Best Horror Novel

This is my horror suggestion this year. You have to admit, it fits the theme quite well:

Meals on Wheels (Liquid Diet Chronicles) by Holly Chism

Not by the (nonexistent) hair on her chinny-chin-chin…

Meg Turner, vampire, accountant, ruler of her own small territory. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Not if you ask her, it doesn’t. Because the world’s going mad, the idiot mortals in charge are forcibly shutting down the economy without the understanding that it won’t start up again as easy as it’s going down, nor that it’s creating a nasty blood shortage for hospitals, much less vampires.

Even better, the head of her line is invading her dreams again, and teaching her history of all things. And teaching her about the laws, and why they’re there. It’s not just to avoid being noticed by humans capable of staking, beheading, and burning vampires during daylight hours—a vampire that breaks fundamental laws turns into something worse than a vampire.

And she’s got a bunch of those knocking at her border, wanting to come in. Worse yet, they’re sending their day-help into her territory to kidnap their meals, and they keep mistaking her for prey. And leaving their discarded empties in her territory to make it look like she’s draining humans without concern for the laws.

This really isn’t looking good, and it’s really not safe for her still-living friends and family.

Best Illustrative Book Cover

Tough to fill this category this year, particularly with the ban on AI-generated art covers, as many of those are in use in independent publishing circles! But we do have some options to choose from.

Consider The Neck Romancer for Best Illustrative Book Cover:

If that book wins Best Fantasy for you, though, you can always vote for the cover of John C. Wright’s Starquest novel:

Best Comic Book

Good comics are difficult to find these days. Luckily, Voyage Comics and Publishing has one that should fit the bill quite nicely this year. Say hello to the fourth installment in the Phantom Phoenix’s saga!

THE PHANTOM PHOENIX #4 by Philip Kosloski and Michael LaVoy via Voyage Comics and Publishing

Caught stealing a chalice, a mysterious acrobatic criminal eludes Martin Claver's intense pursuit.

Who is this new crook and why is even Flambeau after him?

Is he a friend? Or foe?

There is more than meets the eye in another exciting chapter in the story of the Phantom Phoenix!

See what's next in Issue #4 – Cat Burglar!

You can check out – and order or pre-order – some of their saint comics here, too. Who knows? Maybe you would like to nominate one of those instead of the Phantom Phoenix!

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series, TV or Internet

I am still not much for watching television these days, but I am beginning to catch up on my anime watch list. The title below is a bit of a mouthful but trust me, the series is worth nominating!

I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths! (Network: Crunchyroll)

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie

We had some good and/or interesting movies come out last year and early this year. If you’re interested in giving a familiar fandom the win, we have two covered with Deadpool & Wolverine and Transformers One, both of which received critical acclaim. But if you want to vote for something a little less well known, I have a few other suggestions on the list as well:

• Elevation directed by George Nolfi

• Deadpool & Wolverine directed by Shawn Levy

• Transformers One directed by Josh Cooley

• Red One directed by Jake Kasdan

• The Gorge directed by Scott Derrickson

Best Digital Game

Er, so far, this was the only game I could find to fit the bill. Anyone have any other suggestions? I’m open to expanding this list!

Stellar Blade by Sony Interactive Entertainment

Best Tabletop Game

Now this game could certainly use a Dragon. What do you say, Monster Hunter International fans?

Monster Hunter International the Miniatures Game by Everything Epic

And that’s a wrap, readers! Pick your favorites and cast your votes. Let’s make some authors, filmmakers, and actors happy this year. The Dragons have thundered in. Time to mount up and fly!

See you in the skies!