The time has come at last. After months of reading, reviewing, and rating, Team At Boundary’s Edge has finally compiled our scores for the SPSFC2. The final scores are the mean average of our three judges’ individual scores, and you can find links to individual reviews below. These scores will be added to those of other teams to determine the ultimate winner of the competition, but for you can read our thoughts on the seven finalists.

Aestus: Book 1: The City, by S. Z. Atwell
Final Score: 5.5/10 (Highest Solo Score (7/10)
My Review/Athena’s Review
Final Verdict: Our judges felt that this one had a lot of potential, especially if given to a Young Adult audience. However, we also agreed that it was in dire need of editing to cut down the length and tidy up the prose.

The Last Gifts of the Universe, by Rory August
Final Score: 8.5/10 (Highest Solo Score: 10/10)
My Review/Athena’s Review
*Athena’s Pick*
Final Verdict: With a combination of great SF questions, heartstring-tugging character beats, and a cat called Pumpkin, this was a hit with all of our judges, and takes the top spot in our semifinals by a sizable margin.

Night Music, by Thomas Cabral
Final Score: 6.5/10 (Highest Solo Score (7/10)
My Review/Athena’s Review
Final Verdict: Our judges all agreed that this one had some interesting ideas, but was overall too bogged down by lengthy technobabble. The second half compensates somewhat for the difficult beginning.

Hammer & Crucible, by Cameron Cooper
Final Score: 6/10 (Highest Solo Score (7.5/10)
My Review/Athena’s Review
Final Verdict: This was a fun space opera that didn’t quite live up to the potential of its main character. Nevertheless, it split our judges into those who preferred the opening, and those who preferred the latter half, and was always an easy read.

Melody, by David Hoffer
Final Score: 5.67/10 (Highest Solo Score (6/10)
My Review/Athena’s Review
Final Verdict: A book resurrected from last year’s slushpile, this one had us intrigued by the unique first contact scenario, but ultimately left us feeling unsatisfied by the resolution, which felt more theological than science fictional.

Percival Gynt and the Conspiracy of Days, by Drew Melbourne
Final Score: 6.67/10 (Highest Solo Score: 8/10)
My Review/Athena’s Review
Final Verdict: This zany comedy wasn’t to everyone’s tastes, but our judges all agreed that it was among the more entertaining entries in this year’s contest, and even if we weren’t laughing all the time, there were chuckles to be had.

Those Left Behind, by N. C. Scrimgeour
Final Score: 8.67/10 (Highest Solo Score (9/10)
My Review/Athena’s Review
*My Pick**Paul’s Pick*
Final Verdict: Our team was won over by this excellent example of the space opera genre. With great characters, fun worldbuilding, and a real sense of adventure, this book narrowly edged out the competition to sit at the top of our team rankings.

The winner of SPSFC2 will be revealed in mid-July, and I’ll be following that announcement with a wrap-up of my thoughts on the contest as a whole. Until then, I’d like to thank everyone who submitted a book, either to our team or somebody else’s, and wish you all the very best in your future endeavours.