SFFWorld's Favorite 2012 Book (should be no surprise)

[Rob B]

Without further ado, I’ve finally tallied the votes you, the members of the SFFWorld forums have cast for your favorite books published in 2012. I’m sure the favorite book will be a shock to NOBODY, but I’ll be honest, there were some surprises for me on this list. Here goes:

1. Red Country by Joe Abercrombie (108 Points)
2. TIE!! Blood Song by Anthony Ryan & Sharps by K.J. Parker (53 Points)
3. King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence (45 Points)
4. The King’s Blood by Daniel Abraham (43 points)
5. Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson (37 points)
6. The Troupe by Robert Jackson Bennett (35 points)
7. The Blinding Knife by Brent Weeks (33 points)
8. Control Point by Myke Cole (28 points)
9. The Wind through the Keyhole by Stephen King (25 points)
10. Percepliquis by Michael J. Sullivan (24 points)

Some points:

• 75 books were voted upon
• 6 books on the list were published by Orbit (Abercrombie, Parker, Abraham, Bennett, Weeks, Sullivan
• 2 debut novels (Cole & Ryan)
• Returning authors: Abercrombie (more on that below), Daniel Abraham, Steven Erikson, and Stephen King
• 5 books middle books of series
• 1 book self-published (Ryan)

Once again fantasy written by completely dominates, the closest SF novel knocking on the door was Caliban’s Wary by James S.A. Corey with 22 points. K.J. Parker might be the only female on this list though the mystery of Parker’s gender has been up for debate for many years. Women authors appearing on multiple ballots include Elizabeth Bear, Michelle West, Robin Hobb, Carol Berg, Caitlin Kiernan.

If any doubt existed prior to the voting for 2012 books, Joe Abercrombie is the most popular author in the forums: The Heroes ranked #2 in 2011, Best Served Cold appearing as #2 in 2010 (due to the mass market paperback’s eligibility) and #1 the year before (2009), Last Argument of Kings (in a tie with Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind)#1 in 2008, #1 in 2007 with Before They Are Hanged #5 in 2006 with The Blade Itself.

What do you all think? Surprises? Expectations?

For the past results follow the links below:
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2002
2001

 

[Danogzilla]

Wow, Joe doubled second place. As the voting was going on I was surprised to see so many votes for Sharps. On the strength of the votes alone, I picked the book up.

 

[sullivan_riyria]

Wow,
I'm really surprised to have made the list, especially since Percepliquis was really only for people who had read the books in their original six-book version. I'm very glad that Anthony Ryan did so well - It's good to see that self-publishing is still providing to be a good "proving grounds" with people like myself, Ryan, and David Dalglish getting their starts there.

Thank you to everyone who voted, no matter who it was for.

Michael.

 

[Andols]

Joe always sends you hatemail if you dont vote him #1. He threatened to kill me this year (and eat my corpse).

Jokes aside, this looks like an excellent summary of the year. I enjoyed everything I've read on there, and still need to get Blood Song and Sharps.

 

[Loerwyn]

Glad to see The Wind Through The Keyhole on there. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[chris777]

G.I.Joe! The Almost American Hero!

Love me some Joe. Just wish he was in the states more often. Would like to get his x on a book or two.

 

[Rob B]

As the voting was going on I was surprised to see so many votes for Sharps. On the strength of the votes alone, I picked the book up.

Most of the people who voted for Sharps slotted it #1, so yeah, those who read it absolutely loved it.

 

[Rob B]

As the voting was going on I was surprised to see so many votes for Sharps. On the strength of the votes alone, I picked the book up.

Most of the people who voted for Sharps slotted it #1, so yeah, those who read it absolutely loved it.

 

[Mark Lawrence]

w00t! I moved up 7 places on last year. If I can do that again next year I'll come in -4th!

Very many thanks for all the votes, much appreciated. And of course to Rob for the tally taking etc.

 

[ArtNJ]

I love these polls. I always agonzie over what to read next, and its so much easier to pick something from a top 10 list; hardly ever steers me wrong; or not too wrong anyway -- worst case, something may not be exactly my thing.

Can Wind Through the Keyhole be read before *any* of the rest of the Dark Tower?

 

[Mark Lawrence]

I love these polls. I always agonzie over what to read next, and its so much easier to pick something from a top 10 list; hardly ever steers me wrong; or not too wrong anyway -- worst case, something may not be exactly my thing.

Can Wind Through the Keyhole be read before *any* of the rest of the Dark Tower?

I don't think that would be advisable. Could best be read after book 4 or at the end after #7.

 

[Loerwyn]

Can Wind Through the Keyhole be read before *any* of the rest of the Dark Tower?

Yes, but it's officially labelled the 8th book (unofficially Book 4.5). Some aspects of it will not make sense (or even potentially spoil) without reading at least the first four novels.

 

[molybdenum]

Is this the first time a self-published novel has been as high as number 2?

I thought maybe Abercrombie might have been published late enough in the year that not enough people will have gotten around to it, but that clearly wasn't the case.

I feel like that 6th place finish for The Troupe is ultimately due to Rob's strong promotion of the book, so good on him for getting Robert Jackson Bennett some much deserved readers.

Next year should be fun. No Abercrombie or Martin to come and dominate the competition. My early prediction is Words of Radiance, as Way of Kings won a couple of years ago. I can see any of Emperor of Thrones, The Unholy Consult, A Memory of Light or even The Daylight War being up there too, and I believe Blood Song will actually be eligible again.

 

[Rob B]

Is this the first time a self-published novel has been as high as number 2?

I thought maybe Abercrombie might have been published late enough in the year that not enough people will have gotten around to it, but that clearly wasn't the case.

Yup, first time for self-published to get even rank, I think, let alone rank so high. I think Red Country released slightly earlier in the UK, but ultimately, it was easily one of the books in 2012 that most people were looking forward to reading.

I feel like that 6th place finish for The Troupe is ultimately due to Rob's strong promotion of the book, so good on him for getting Robert Jackson Bennett some much deserved readers.

Thanks, but I know Justin Landon was pimping the book, too. Regardless, the more people who read that book, the better.

Next year should be fun. No Abercrombie or Martin to come and dominate the competition. My early prediction is Words of Radiance, as Way of Kings won a couple of years ago. I can see any of Emperor of Thrones, The Unholy Consult, A Memory of Light or even The Daylight War being up there too, and I believe Blood Song will actually be eligible again.

I suspect that yes, Sanderson will be on the list for one or both books as he was in the past. Brett's novel did impress quite a few people though a few had a particularly opposite reaction.

 

[AmethystOrator]

Wow,
I'm really surprised to have made the list, especially since Percepliquis was really only for people who had read the books in their original six-book version.

In my case, I had read Heir of Novron but voted for Percepliquis instead. My thinking being that the latter had a better chance of making the list than the former. Congrats btw.

Meanwhile, I saw that The Rose and the Thorn is down for a September 17th U.S. print release. Thank you and your publisher for making it available to print readers.

 

[sullivan_riyria]

In my case, I had read Heir of Novron but voted for Percepliquis instead. My thinking being that the latter had a better chance of making the list than the former. Congrats btw.

Yeah I can imagine there were a lot of "split" votes because they both hit in January and Percepliquis was in each. Thanks for the vote!

Meanwhile, I saw that The Rose and the Thorn is down for a September 17th U.S. print release. Thank you and your publisher for making it available to print readers.

Yep, two releases for me in 2012. The Crown Tower will be August 6...same day as Emperor of Thorns which will beat the living crap out of it...but it's all good Mark's series is very deserving. Coincidentally, The Rose and the Thorn is being released on my birthday...and Orbit wasn't even aware of that fact. I'm hoping for good sales as my birthday gift.

 

[DurzoBlint]

Isn't Sullivan's book considered self-published? So there should be a 2 next to that fact.

It's a good list. I may be picking up Sharps as well although I find Parker hit or miss.

 

[sullivan_riyria]

Isn't Sullivan's book considered self-published? So there should be a 2 next to that fact.

It's a good list. I may be picking up Sharps as well although I find Parker hit or miss.

My first five were definitely self-published. But Percepliquis was a 1/2 and 1/2 deal. The editing was Orbit's, the cover and description were mine. Orbit did the ebook and I did the print version. Weird I know but it was the best way to ensure that those who had the first five books could complete their collections.

 

[chris777]

So I voted for Heir of Novron. Did that not count for Percepliquis as well? If it didn't I want to change my vote! =)

 

[Rob B]

Too late, votes are tallied.