It’s that time of year again. Today marks the fifth anniversary of this blog, and as has become tradition, I am celebrating by hosting the annual Boundy Awards. I invite you all to pull up a chair, grab some champagne, and join me as I celebrate the best science fiction 2023 sent my way. And if anyone wants to accept a trophy or make a speech, you know where to find me.

The Boundy Awards for Literature

Best Standalone

Creed: Ashes of Cadia, by Jude Reid – A fantastic exploration of what it means to be a Cadian, and a wonderful piece of military/horror SF at the same time.

Best Series Opener

Not Awarded – No books were read for this category.

Best Continuation

Shadow of the Eighth, by Justin D Hill – The Minka Lesk series continues to go from strength to strength with this third full-length outing.

Best Conclusion

Implacable, by Jack Campbell – The conclusion to not only a trilogy, but multipole long running plotlines from the Lost Fleet universe, this is Campbell firing on all cylinders.

Best Anthology or Collection

Galaxy of Horrors – A brilliant introduction to the myriad horrors of Warhammer 40,000, showcasing some of the best and brightest from their new crop of writers.

The Throwback Awards for Best Pre-2023 Literature

Best Throwback Standalone

We All Died At Breakaway Station, by Richard C. Meredith – The best start the Venture SF range could have asked for, and a classic that deserves to be much better known than it is.

Best Throwback Series Opener

The Star Kings, by Edmond Hamilton – Pulp science fiction at its finest. Fun, furious, and frenetic, and a reminder of the roots of the genre.

Best Throwback Continuation

The Cosmic Computer, by H. Beam Piper – A book that lives up the high standards set for it, with a checklist of tropes to satisfy even the sternest of readers.

Best Throwback Conclusion

Mars Life, by Ben Bova – A downbeat conclusion to one of science fiction’s most uplifting sagas, and a crucial crossroads for the Grand Tour universe.

Best Throwback Anthology or Collection

Science Fiction Masterpieces, edited by Isaac Asimov – An anthology that lives up to its name, this one is a veritable who’s who of late eighties science fiction.

The Boundy Awards for Visual Media

Best Individual Drama

Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder – Taking a breather between nostalgia-fuelled outings, the Fourteenth Doctor and Donna run into one of the most bizarre threats ever faced on screen. Making good use of an increased budget, this is family-friendly psychological horror at its finest.

Best Series

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Season 2 – With everything from an animated crossover to a musical episode, this was the season that really had it all. Even a yet-to-be-resolved cliffhanger couldn’t dampen the success of the show’s sophomore outing.

The Boundy Awards for Audio Productions

Best Audiobook

A Stitch in Time, by Andrew J. Robinson (Narrated by Andrew J. Robinson) – An audio rerelease of an older work, this one is made all the more special by having Andrew Robinson reprise his role as Garak for the narration.

Best Single

Status Report (from the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Season 2: Soundtrack) – The song that kicks off the musical episode, this one has all the fun you’d expect from a cast getting to show off their singing abilities.

Best Album

Angus McSix & The Sword of Power, by Angus McSix – The most fun you’ll have with a power metal album all year, this is a textbook example of reinventing yourself to be one better than before.