Time to write something positive about this year’s Hugos!
I was glad to nominate this and very glad to see it make the list of finalists. I found it more satisfying than Volume 2, as our heroes (after some initial faffing around) settle into the lighthouse stronghold of a cult writer; meanwhile we have a brain-bending parasite and two tabloid journalists who themselves are hiding a secret. Staples’ art remains gorgeous, and I felt that Vaughan’s plotting matched it here as well. Off to a good start.
Yes, I agree; and I would also add Bujold, who is a bit of a gateway drug for some of my friends, and Gwyneth Jones – even if I bounce off her prose a bit, she is saying something interesting.