The first David Gemmell Legend Award shortlist has been announced. The nominations are:

 

Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie

Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

 

Disappointing not to see Paul Kearney's The Ten Thousand on there, as it was both the best book of 2008 (although there wasn't much between it and Last Argument) and the most 'Gemmell-like' book on the list by miles. Also surprised not to see Peter Brett's The Painted Man, as he'd picked up a lot of praise and momentum along the way. My shortlist vote will definitely be going to Abercrombie, although it's nice to see both Sapkowski and Sanderson also nominated.

 

The Awards will be held in London on 19 June and I will be attending. There may be pictures.

Last Argument of Kings was such an unbelievably good book it has to win. (I say this not having actually read the other nominees, though I've enjoyed Juliet Marillier before.)

I am voting for Brandon Sanderson's The Hero of Ages as that book was a very outstanding and excellent end to his Mistborn Trilogy.

Last Argument of Kings was such an unbelievably good book it has to win. (I say this not having actually read the other nominees, though I've enjoyed Juliet Marillier before.)

 

Agreed. No offence to Brandon, but Last Argument of Kings is the finest trilogy-closing fantasy book since Lord of the Rings. And since LotR isn't technically a trilogy, that actually makes it the best one of all time :)