The 2010s introduced an extraordinary generation of fantasy, science-fiction, and horror authors—but which debut novels made the strongest lasting impression?
In this episode, Jim travels year by year through the decade, selecting the best debut fantasy novel, science-fiction novel, and horror novel published in every year from 2010 through 2019.
Thirty winning books — plus thirty runners-up representing some of the decade’s closest decisions.
Every eligible book had to meet one strict requirement: it must have been the author’s first published novel of any kind—not merely a first book in a series, first adult novel, first speculative novel, or first release from a major publisher.
The selections balance:
• The quality of the debut itself
• Awards and professional recognition
• Originality and influence
• Continued readership
• Long-term reputation
• The importance of the career, series, or fictional universe it launched
Some winners became major bestsellers. Some launched beloved series. Some transformed their genres. And a few remain remarkable books still waiting for more readers to discover them.
Jim also examines what changed across speculative fiction during the decade and reveals his personal fantasy, science-fiction, and horror picks from among all thirty winners.
Which selection did Jim get exactly right? Which runner-up deserved the victory? And what overlooked debut from the 2010s should have made the list?
Share your choices—and your most passionate disagreements—in the comments!
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Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?
The Age of Miracles: https://t.ly/2BR3C
Alif the Unseen: https://t.ly/ozGzr
Ancillary Justice: https://t.ly/EVQFY
The Angel of Losses: https://t.ly/fCkHL
The Apothecary’s Curse: https://t.ly/cl4W5
Autonomous: https://t.ly/qAjJy
Baby Teeth: https://t.ly/g5Uu0
Bad Glass: https://t.ly/CfM2d
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A Book of Tongues: https://t.ly/6PW6-
Borderline: https://t.ly/Oe42A
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Haven: https://t.ly/6InlL
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: https://t.ly/T3inq
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms: https://t.ly/rGQj3
In the Valley of the Sun: https://t.ly/sC0Md
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Mr. Suicide: https://t.ly/wmmZZ
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The Poppy War: https://t.ly/d6CIF
The Quantum Thief: https://t.ly/ImA4R
A Questionable Shape: https://t.ly/oezpy
The Rage of Dragons: https://t.ly/MWMzs
Ready Player One: https://t.ly/q-ejZ
Red Rising: https://t.ly/yIHdF
Redemption in Indigo: https://t.ly/_36Wa
Rosewater: https://t.ly/lLzUh
The Rust Maidens: https://t.ly/gmWUi
Semiosis: https://t.ly/29ZJY
Severance: https://t.ly/pRDHo
Shadow and Bone: https://t.ly/r_7Nf
Soft Apocalypse: https://t.ly/nQD2z
A Song for a New Day: https://t.ly/GWLZa
Southern Gods: https://t.ly/I_2nZ
The Star-Touched Queen: https://t.ly/UBxzw
A Stranger in Olondria: https://t.ly/EVfTU
The Ten Thousand Doors of January:
That Which Should Not Be: https://t.ly/rXYHl
The Traitor Baru Cormorant: https://t.ly/ZrjXw
An Unkindness of Ghosts: https://t.ly/f4n5T
vN: https://t.ly/TwjZa
Wide Open: https://t.ly/dJKKB
