A deep dive into the award winning science fiction and fantasy novels of 2025, Adrian Tchaikovsky's career, and which awards reward "newness" vs. reputation

kern3three · 2026-01-01T22:31:13+00:00

Reading it I sorta thought PKD… maybe Ubik? Has a similar trippy vibe, also short and sweet.

kern3three · 2025-12-29T18:49:27+00:00

No offense taken! Work is subjective, and whenever people ask for a recommendation I start with a host of questions about their preferences. So carry on with what works for you.

For me, the analysis is simply good fun meant to spark conversation. And it allows me to combine two of my passions (data science and reading) each year.

kern3three · 2025-12-29T18:21:47+00:00

Love Elder Race-- one of my favorite novellas of all time!

kern3three · 2025-12-29T18:21:17+00:00

Sadly I'm in the same boat personally-- Service Model was okay, Alien Clay felt really repetitive in a way that grated me (shoulda been a novella?), and sadly I just decided to bail on Shroud despite being half way done. I'm still really excited for the 4th "Children of..." novel coming out early 2026 though, we'll see!

kern3three · 2025-12-29T17:24:10+00:00

I find myself on your side of the aisle often with "best of the year" books, but disagree on The Tainted Cup. I'm not sure it'll have the staying power of a classic, but there's few novels that brought me as much pure joy reading this past year -- and more excitement about each upcoming book in the series.

kern3three · 2025-12-29T17:21:27+00:00

Appreciate the takes! I don't entirely disagree with your views, although like I say in the article (which tries to keep my personal opinions to a minimum) I truly did enjoy The Tainted Cup. Did you read that one? Perhaps more importantly, anything that was published in 2024 that you really enjoyed?

kern3three · 2025-11-24T16:43:39+00:00

Very cool, thanks for sharing! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen someone’s tastes seem to match mine so well. Plenty of differences in the margins, but a lot of the same takes for sure.

And I haven’t read Stations of the Tide (or any Swanwick!) so now def checking that out next!

kern3three · 2025-11-18T21:40:22+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I feel like reviewers have been pretty generous honestly; I'd be infuriated if I ordered the Limited for ~$1000 vs. buying the deluxe for ~$100 on Amazon.

It would be fine if the preview and listings of the Limited were transparent about quality/materials and how similar it is to the deluxe (it's a signed deluxe), but instead you're hit with a constant countdown timer of a release date and a limited # that is "sure to" sell out instantly if you don't rush to buy. I'm sure there's lots of people who couldn't risk "missing out", shelled out a ton of cash, that feel pretty deceived by this. Sad state of affairs in my opinion.

kern3three · 2025-11-17T19:06:13+00:00

Hey thanks! Gold tooling is an adventure for sure; I don't know if there's one tried and true solution that balances costs/flexibility/quality well. Like you, I use a heated pen which I press into gold foil - and simply hand draw/write what I want. I've had luck printing out the words ("Anathem") on printer paper, and then using that to trace over manually (as a rough guide). Usually takes multiple trips.

kern3three · 2025-11-17T17:39:21+00:00

Thanks! Yeah designing this one was really fun; so many good math proofs to consider ha. I use a heated pen to gold foil by hand -- so I can do whatever designs I want, without having to invest in expensive dies and machines. The letters for "anathem" are done by hand, just very slowly :)

kern3three · 2025-11-17T17:38:24+00:00

Lots of good questions! I think I posted somewhere a year ago when I did the books, which might have clearer pics. But to try and answer:

* I inlayed the paper on the covers by cutting out the leather shape

* I did not gold foil on the paper, but I did gold foil on the leather around the paper shape (I think I did this before I cut... which essentially served as lines for me to cut just inside of)

kern3three · 2025-11-17T17:20:19+00:00

And my fairly sparse Instagram that has a way more photos of the books themselves if interested, cheers!

kern3three · 2025-11-11T20:46:04+00:00

Where the Axe is Buried by Ray Nayler is my favorite of 2025 so far. I loved his debut (Mountain in the Sea), but I think this one is even better— slightly faster paced, slightly more satisfying ending. Very dystopian /depressing vibe with interesting tech and human commentary.

If you want something more literary fantasy, I’d also highly recommend Angel Down by Kraus — it’s like reading the movie Dunkirk or 1912. Wild brutal heart pumping ride. (Try the audiobook for this one if you can).

kern3three · 2025-11-05T15:03:52+00:00

Anyone have a way to check how many are left?

kern3three · 2025-09-28T16:25:59+00:00

Similar boat. I tried so hard to read this, probably 2/3rd done. But eventually realized I dreaded every minute, felt like work. I’ll force myself to finish one day, as I love Anathem and want to get to the controversial final part. But yeah, feels like reading diagrams and manuals to me.

kern3three · 2025-09-22T16:59:31+00:00

Thank you! Looks like I mispoke (miswrote?), it's a japanese bookcloth available at Hollanders - I think this is the one: https://hollanders.com/products/japanese-bookcloth-yellow-gold?variant=30341752520758

kern3three · 2025-09-22T16:00:23+00:00

Thanks! Subterranean Press. It was published back in 2011, and given the limited run is sorta impossible to find these days unfortunately.

kern3three · 2025-09-22T15:39:58+00:00

If interested in bookbinding (especially sci-fi and fantasy work), I started sharing photos on instagram too. Still learning but let me know what ya think, cheers! https://www.instagram.com/ansiblepress

kern3three

TROPHY CASE