Phase 1 is finished. Follow the finalists' progress on the final scoreboard.
Read more about the SPFBO here.
Read more about the SPFBO here.
In phase 1 the ten blogs each select 1 finalist from the batches of 30 books they have been given.
Phase 1 runs from August 1st to December 31st 2018.
The allocations will be listed below as they are agreed.
Once the process starts, reviews will be linked from the book titles here and other SPFBO blog posts will be linked in a general section.
Here's a wordle made from all the titles. It seems dragons are popular this year!
& here's the gender breakdown of the authors based on a swift check through the names. This of course assumes that traditional male and female names are being used by the statistically more likely sex.
There hasn't been much change in the breakdown over the years. Though the colour scheme does vary so don't let that mislead you.
2017
2016
2015
Hiu has put 290 of the entries (the ones with Goodreads listings) on a shelf. Ordering it by number of ratings I see that Everblue has a very impressive 7,446 ratings, followed by The Arrival (1,579), Child of the Daystar (1,494), Orconomics (1,101), Rebel's Blade (874), and Continue Online (850).
The 20th book in that ordering has 286 ratings.
Blog posts (contestant reviews, and other SPFBO articles I notice)
Newest updates at the bottom.
Check out the COVER CONTEST!From The Fantasy Hive: The Double Edged Sword of the SPFBOSuperstar Drifter joins team WeatherwaxI talk about the SPFBO making big waves!On The Thousand Scars blog are many interviews with SPFBO contestants.On Bookworm Blues Sarah talks cover art and her methodology for judging books.On Fantasy Book Critic an introduction and cover choices.Three more cover finalists chosen on Lynn' Books.Kitty G talks about being in this year's SPFBO.An introduction from the mighty Fantasy-Faction.Fantasy-Faction choose their cover finalists.We have results in the cover contest!More analysis of the entrants with most Goodreads ratings.Fantasy Book review kick off SPFBO 4 with a review of Hero Forged on the stroke of midnight!Bookworm Blues reviews Nectar and Ambrosia.SPFBO supporting blog The Fantasy Hive interviews the author of Deadmarsh Fey.Lynn talks about her SPFBO process on Lynn's Books.The Qwillery set out their stall.Bookworm Blues reviews Integral.City of Shards is reviewed on Fantasy Book Review.On Fantasy Book Critic 6 books are cut and our two semi finalists are chosen.The Weather Wax Report open their account with a review of No Sympathies.Darkblade Assassin is reviewed on The Weather Wax Report.The Weather Wax Report tackles Dixie!Bookworm Blues reviews The Jericho Prophecy.Booknest open their account by reviewing Doormaker.Feeding Frenzy is reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.A review of The Stars Were Right over on Booknest.Khanh reviews Omnipresent Occulation for the Alliterates (now on the website too).The Weather Wax Report reports on The Red Hourglass. A Dance of Silver and Shadow is appraised on Bookworm Blues.Lynn interviews Jacob Sannox on Lynn's Books.The Weatherwax Report reviews Sorcerous Rivalry.Fantasy Book Review present their semifinalist, Symphony of the Wind.Scrooge and Marley (deceased) is reviewed on Fantasy Book Review.Fantasy Book Critic give their 2nd semifinalist a fuller review.Kitty G reviews her first five books on Youtube.Air and Ash is reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.3 more books selected for consideration on Lynn's Books.On Bookworm Blues The Finder of the Lucky Devil is reviewed.Fantasy Book Critic reviews Agent.Between the Shade and the Shadow is reviewed on Bookworm Blues.The Weatherwax Report reviews One Boy No Water.Silverglen is reviewed on Fantasy Book Critic.Fantasy Book Review consider The Mage Team.The Shepherd Girl's Necklace is reviewed on The Weatherwax ReportServant of Rage reviewed on Fantasy Book Review.The Weatherwax Report reviews Strangehold.Booknest reviews The Beast of Maug Maurai.Fantasy-Faction cut 5 books from their list.The Weatherwax Report reviews The Lion Prophecy.Over Raging Tides is reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.Booknest reviews Blue Prometheus.Booknest reviews The Great Restoration.Booknest reviews The Summoner and the Seer.City of Crows is reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.Bookworm Blues reviews The Necromancer Princess.Three novels are cut on Lynn's Books.Revenant Winds is reviewed on Fantasy Book Review.The Weatherwax Report reviews The Gods of Winter.The Impossible Wizard is reviewed on Bookworm Blues.Fantasy Book Critic choose another two semifinalists and cut six titles.Cave Canem reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.The Weatherwax Report reviews The Knight's Order.The Weatherwax Report reviews The Fire Eye Refugee.Runeforged is reviewed on Booknest.Semifinalist, The Boy Who Walked Too Far is reviewed on Fantasy Book Critic.The Carnival of the Night is reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.When the Kingdom Falls is reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.Fantasy Book Review takes a look at Angel of Destruction.Fantasy Book Critic review Here Be Dragons.It may be autumn but The Weatherwax Report has reviewed Balam, Spring.The Memoirs of a Faun is reviewed on Booknest.Weatherwax reports on Dawn of Darkness.Booknest reviews semifinalist We Ride The Storm.Ghost Electricity is reviewed on Booknest.The Lost Temple of Ssissythyss is reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.The Weatherwax Report reviews Everblue.The Weatherwax Report reviews Lords of Asylum.The Gods of Men is reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.On Lynn's Books five titles are cut and a semifinalist is found.Dragon Mount is reviewed on The Weatherwax Report.Blood is spilled for the first time on The Weatherwax Report.Those Weatherwaxers axe 11 more titles.Fantasy-Faction drop 5 more books.The Weatherwax Report reports more axing!Some of The Weatherwax Report's hopefuls.Booknest reviews Corruption of Honor.Blade & Rose is reviewed on Bookworm Blues.Orconomics is reviewed on the Booknest.Thoughts Stained With Ink joins the blogging crew to help with the Alliterates' batch.Fantasy Book Review take a look at The Endless Ocean.Bookworm Blues reviews Threats of Sky and Sea.Kitty G reviews 5 more titles on video.Fantasy Book Critic cut more titles and find two more semifinalists.A semifinalist from The Qwillery, and five meet the axe.Dragon Bones is reviewed on Booknest.Five Fall on Fantasy-Faction.Fantasy Book Review axe 7 and choose 3 more semifinalists.Twin Spirit is reviewed on Booknest.The Ember Child is reviewed on Booknest.Booknest reviews Continue Online.A semifinalist is chosen on Booknest.Touch is reviewed on Booknest.Booknest review The Cave Between Worlds.The Qwillery choose a semifinalist and drop five books.Booknest review Siege of the Northland.Five fall on Fantasy-Faction.Booknest review The Dragon Orb.An SPFBO book, Senlin Ascends, makes it into the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fantasy!Kitty G video reviews 5 more books. Four more titles cut on Lynn's Books. The Weatherwax Report choose their semi finalists. Thoughts Stained With Ink chooses a semi finalist. Fantasy Book Critic select their last semi finalist. Brutal is reviewed on Booknest. The Tainted Crown is reviewed on Booknest. On Fantasy-Faction the last five fall. The Weatherwax Report reports this year's first finalist!Kitty Grey video reviews five more titles. Khanh reviews Shadow Magic on Goodreads. Fantasy Book Review looks at The Vale. Sowing is reviewed on Bookworm Blues. The Weatherwax Report interview their finalist. Reboot is reviewed on Bookworm Blues. The Lost Voice is reviewed on Booknest. On Thoughts Stained With Ink five more books are considered. Fantasy Book Review take a second look at The Vale. Bookworm Blues reviews Dragon Sphere. The Crown of Stones reviewed on Booknest. The Red Deaths is reviewed on Booknest. Lynn cuts 5 books. Khanh reviews William Wilde and the Necrosed. Booknest review The Curse Recalled. 5 more books video reviewed by Kitty G. Sentinel is reviewed on Bookworm Blues. Booknest announce their finalist! Bookworm Blues picks a finalist! The Qwillery choose their 3 semifinalists. Fantasy Book Critic announce their finalist!Fantasy Book Review announce their finalist!Kitty G reviews her final 5. Final five considered on Thoughts Stained With Ink. Thoughts Stained With Ink reviews The Tempest Guild. Thoughts Stained With Ink reviews Chosen. Kitty G announces her finalist!Thoughts Stained With Ink reviews A Keeper's Tale. Thoughts Stained With Ink's top semifinalist. Fantasy-Faction pick their last five and their finalist!Lynn's Books picks a finalist!The Qwillery pick their finalist!
All finished!
290 of 300 books eliminated
Books in red have been cut. Books in green are semifinalists (when/if they are cut they will be marked with a + to indicate semifinalist status). Books in bold bright green are finalists.
1. Bookworm BluesRichard Fierce - Dragon SphereAngie Grigaliunas - SowingDean Rencraft - VoicesChris Weston - Fragile NightsJordan C. Robinson - The Last WhispererJeffrey Collyer - Dreams and ShadowsPhilip Dickens - From the Hill of MeggidoDomino Finn - RebootAldrea Alien - In Pain and BloodAnaya MacLeod - In the Moon's ShadowChad Ballard - SentinelValery Keith - The Necromancer PrincessA. Woodley - Witch SpellingMelanie Cellier - A Dance of Silver and ShadowMiranda Honfleur - Blade & RoseMichael Awadalla - Reign of the Walrus WitchFiona Tarr - The Jericho ProphecyTyler Kalarchian - Rucaern OrbOlivia Rising - Gift of LightJames Wisher - The Impossible WizardIvana L. Truglio - Rilla Elisabeth Hamill - Nectar and AmbrosiaJ.L Metcalf - The Last Daughter of LilithK.S Mulholland - EscapeColeman Alexander - Between the Shade and the ShadowAdam Thielen - IntegralJennifer Ellision - Threats of Sky and SeaCameron Smith - The Holtur CurseMegan Mackie - The Finder of the Lucky DevilWatson Davis - The Snow Tiger's Trail
2. Fantasy-FactionSarah Wilson - Dragon SchoolMatthew Ward - Spectre of the SpheresDorothy Dreyer - Phoenix DescendingT.J Muir - On Borrowed LuckLauren Kuzimski - Second NatureG.D Talbot - The First Warrior's CodeRaymond St Elmo - Letters from a Shipwreck in the Sea of Suns and MoonsRyan Mueller - SunweaverSandell Wall - The Tenth ReaverAlan Brenik - Rogue Arcanist +Jeffery L. Kohanek - A Warden's PurposePeter Fugazzotto - The Rise of the Fallen +Anthony Jones - The Sword of GoliathEmerald Dodge - BattlecryMegan Crewe - Ruthless Magic +Ross Kingston - AwakeningDarran M. Handshaw - The Engineer +Ryan Hague & Ivy Smoak - Be Careful What You Joust ForNathan Van Hoff - Boy of DreamsBryce O'Connor - Child of the DaystarRhiannon Held - Mirror BoundWilliam C. Tracy - The Seeds of DissolutionSherry Perkins - At the end of the RainbowRoh Morgon - WatcherCaldon Mull - Mirrored MyrrhJohn Magna - Rogue HuntersMarilyn Peake - Blood and AshesD.P Prior - Carnifex: A Portent of Blood +Janeal Falor - Mother of the ChosenT. Norman - Blood-Stained Heir
3. Fantasy Book CriticD.H Dunn - Under EverestSkyler Grant - Glitch HunterRaymond St Elmo - The Blood Tartan +C.D Gallant-King - Hell Comes to Hog Town +Jason A. Holt - The Bladesman of DarcliffIngrid Seymour - GodmakerA.K.R Scott - InharmonicKaren Peradon - The King's VoiceJ.A Devenport - By Raven's Call +William Markham - MissingMichael R.E. Adams - RecumonE.M. Wooden - Dominus SilentiaColeman Grey - Seeking ShilohDebbie Taylor - Nia RaeDale Ivan Smith - AgentDerek Hampton - The Soul PrisonE.A. Burnett - SilverglenSheryl R. Hayes - Chaos WolfHeide Goody & Iain Grant - A Spell in the CountryCraig Aird - Truth or DarknessMitchell Edward Bell - The Kingdom of ThievesGwendolyn Pendraig - Dancing in the DustMatt Larkin - Apples of IdunnJ.D Hart - The Chronicles of Nartesis ShazarackJonathan J. Bowerman - The Secret Realms of the Hidden ElvesDavid Macpherson - Here be Dragons +Dominic Watson - The Boy Who Walked Too Far +Amy McNulty - Fangs & FinsPhilip Tucker - Death March +Nerine Dorman - The Firebird +Justan Henner - Death's Merchant
Devin Madson - We Ride the Storm
4. Lynn's BookAlice Sabo - High Barrens +Phil Parker - The Bastard from FairylandK.D Wloch - ParagonChristopher Percy - Dark of WinterDavid Joel Stevenson - Victor Boone Will Save UsJacob Sannox - Dark Oak +Melika Dannese Lux - Deadmarsh FayTim Marquitz - An Empire of Tears +Craig Schaefer - Sworn to the Night +J.C Kang - Songs of Insurrection +D.P Woolliscroft - Kingshold +Ben Myatt - ClockworldAndrew Einspruch - The Purple Haze +Donna Maree Hanson - ArgenterraSaffron Bryant - Shadow of a SlaveAndrea Domanski - CrossfireDouglas Todd - How to go to Hell in 10,000 Easy StepsD.P Prior - Sorcerers' IsleAndrew Lynch - Sanctuary's FiendJ.R Rasmussen - Forsaken Kingdom +Viel Nast - Savage SwordsPhil Williams - Under Ordshaw +A.M Justice - A Wizard's ForgeMike Sliter - Solace LostKent Corlain - Heart of the DestroyerMarcy Kennedy - Cursed WishesSuzanne Rogerson - The Lost SentinelSteve Thomas - The Sangrook SagaTy Arthur - Light DawningFrost Kay - Rebel's Blade
5. The QwilleryBenedict Patrick - Those Brave, Foolish Souls from the City of SwordsSandy Frediani - The BindingR. Medhurst - Magically BoundRosalyn Kelly - Melokai +C.C Aune - The Ill-Kept OathRandal Doering - The Necromancer of Peach Valley OrchardE.D.E Bell - DiamondsongMike Morris - Nathaniel Rane: He Who FightsAidan R. Walsh - The Game Bird +James Pyle - Minding the HeavensBryan Schuder - Ain't a HeroKevin Potter - Rise of the OverlordS.J Hirons - Scenes from 'The War on Magic'David Gowey - Kaschar's QuarterKian Najmechi - The Dragon's HeirDonna Maree Hanson - Dragon WineDaniel Adorno - The Blade HeirT.J Brown - The Unhappy MediumSharon Joss - Brothers of the FangNicole MacDonald - The ArrivalErik Bundy - Magic and Murder Among the DwarvesJ.C. Boyd & Joshua Robertson - Blood and BileShakyra Dunn - The Final LessonGareth Lewis - Glyphpunk Matt Larkin - Days of Endless Night +Carol A. Park - BanebringerDavid Oliver - The Great Hearts +M.M Perry - Enchanted LegacyNicholas Kotar - The Song of the SirinMike Shel - Aching God +
6. The Alliterates + Thoughts Stained With InkThoughts Stained With Ink:
Travis M. Riddle - WondrousRussell Cullison - The Hidden OnesRichard Nell - Kings of ParadiseJeramy Goble - Coven QueenRichard Writhen - A Host of IllsJane Barlow Funk & Steven Boivie - The Pendant PathVivian Lane - Never Trust a VampireJ.A Andrews - A Keeper's Tale +Kieth McArdle - Fallen EmpireCasey White - Chosen +Edward M. Erdelac - Merkabah RiderMatthew Thompson - Hunters of Life and all that MattersLorri Moulton - Magic's BetrayalDavid Mullin - The Tempest Guild +Patrick LeClerc - Out of Nowhere +
The Alliterates:
Aaron Cross - Robocopter Ski PatrolKal S. Davian - Casting RightsS.K. Randolph - Dimensioner's RevengeCaldon Mull - Omnipresent OcculationMarilyn Peake - Whiskey and Dragon FireJeffrey Hall - City of a Thousand FacesNazri Noor - Shadow MagicGabriel Michaelson - HunterDavis Ashura - William Wilde and the NecrosedMarilyn Vix - Love in One ActStephen J. Coey - Scorpion's StingD.K. Girl - Metal AngelsJoyce Reynolds-Ward - Pledges of Honour +Leroy Nichols - The End BeginsM.L. Spencer - Darkmage +
7. The Weatherwax ReportWatson Davis - The Shepherd Girl's NecklaceBrian O'Sullivan - Liath Luachra: The SwallowedTravis M. Riddle - Balam, SpringAndy Peloquin - Darkblade AssassinAlex Lidell - Air and Ash +Ashley Capes - The Red HourglassJ.A Alexsoo - The Knight's OrderAlex Marks - City of CrowsKristen M. Corby - Daughter of AtlasRene Sears - StrangeholdMegan Hurst - When the Kingdom FallsKevin Wright - Lords of Asylum +Nick Smith - The Carnival of the NightLehua Parker - One Boy, No WaterJeff Russell - The Lost Temple of Ssis'sythyssHannah Sullivan - ThunderChristina Ochs - Shield of KingsSamuel Gately - The Fire Eye RefugeeWilliam Cope - No SympathiesA.J VanOrden - To Walk a Road of RuinAlexander Grant - The Lion ProphecyAdam Watson - Dawn of DarknessJennifer Ellision - Over Raging TidesBrenda Pandos - EverblueDale Harker - The Gods of WinterJennifer M. Eaton - Dragon MountBarbara Kloss - The Gods of MenGlendon Ewalt - DixieToby Bennett - Cave CanemMaaja Wentz - Feeding FrenzyKayleigh Nicol -Sorcerous Rivalry +
8. Fantasy Book ReviewPaul J Bennett - Servant of the CrownS.C. Stokes - Dying to Meet YouJosh Erikson - Hero Forged +Toby Bennett - The Endless Ocean +Staci Olsen - Defender of DragonsVirgil Debique - Angel of DestructionDavid J. Normoyle - The Mage TeamJustin Lee Anderson - Carpet DiemMichael DeAngelo - Silver SerpentCat Hellisen - Empty MonstersPeter North - The Boy Who Fell Through The SkyM.J. Kobernus - Blood in the SandScott Kaelen - The Blighted City +Steve McKinnon -Symphony of the Wind +L.L McNeil - Moroda +Kay Ling - Wards and WondersSteve Rodgers - City of Shards +Aderyn Wood - DragonshadeC.J Erick - A Season of Pure LightCraig A. Price Jr - Dragonia: Rise of the WyvernsMike Shelton - TruthstoneA.Z Anthony - Servant of RageMitchell Hogan - Revenant Winds +Dee Dickens - I Woke Up EarlyLorri Moulton - Moonlight, Roses & MurderJonathan Green - Scrooge and Marley (Deceased)Steven Smith - Dragon's ReclaimO.L Eggert - Vincent, SurvivorDean Rencraft - MabusBrian D. Anderson - The Vale +
9. BooknestAnthony Mitchell - The Ember ChildDevin Madson - We Ride the Storm + Senlin Safety Net -> FBCWilliam Ray - The Great RestorationNed Marcus - Blue PrometheusRuth Rathband - Siege of the NorthlandJ.E. Merritt - The Curse Recalled +Louis Emery - Whispers of FlameAndy Cooke - The Cave Between WorldsD.K. Holmberg - Dragon BonesC.L. Schneider - The Crown of StonesCaldon Mull - The Memoirs of a FaunMeg Cowley - The Tainted Crown +Barbara Snow - The Crystalline VisionC. Gold - The Summoner and the SeerK.L Young - Cardboard CastlesStephan Morse - Continue OnlineSean Cunningham - Ghost ElectricityL.F. Oake - The Lost VoiceJamie Thornton - DoormakerMatthew Thompson - Twin SpiritRoberto Calas - The Beast of Maug MuraiRhythmInTheMind - TouchMike Shelton - The Dragon OrbJ.D. Byrne - The Water RoadJames Alderdice - BrutalA.M. Rycroft - Corruption of HonourK.M. Alexander - The Stars Were Right +J. Zachary Pike - Orconomics +Justin Depaoli - Runeforged +Casey Eanes & Seth Ervin - The Red Deaths
10. Kitty G youtube channelD.K. Holmberg - WastingJesse Teller - SongLee Conley - A Ritual of BoneP.G. Fogarty - A Father's FireJ.E. Mueller - Fire's SongDavid Sharrock - Malice from the Middle ValeS.C. Flynn - The Hidden FaceLucia Ashta - Magical Arts AcademyJenn Gott - The Private Life of Jane MaxwellRhiannon Held - Hound and KeyReece Dinn - The Exile's RedemptionE.D.E Bell - The Banished Craft +Janelle Garrett - Rift in the DeepGaja J. Kos & Boris Kos - Forged in FlamesFrank Gross - WolfgangMatthew Olney - The First FearT. Cook - Spinning Silk +Michael Baker - The Thousand ScarsMarian Ratcliffe Realm of MindweaversThaddeus White - Sir Edric's KingdomKeith Ward - The AnointedRichard Lucas - The Crushed PeakEric Kent Edstrom - Thief of SparksCristelle Comby - Hostile TakeoverAaron Hodges - Oathbreaker +Tim Doyle - Faces in the MistLee French - The FallenL.S Johnson - Harkworth HallJ. Elizabeth Vincent - Raven ThrallT.L Branson - Soul Render +
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